Then she walked to the small window, pulled the curtain back, folded her arms and leaned against the wall. It wasn't long until Connor rounded the corner and headed up the path. When he passed her cottage, he didn't even look her direction. He seemed deeply troubled and she'd never seen that look before.

Rachel had nothing better to do, so she decided to follow him. He didn't go to his cottage as she thought he would and instead kept right on walking. He turned up one path and then chose another until he reached a large garden area where the clan grew vegetables and herbs. Because he didn't sit down on a log, Rachel expected him to turn around and come back, so she slipped behind a bush. He didn't turn around. He walked behind a tree trunk and didn't come out the other side. She waited for several minutes, but he still didn't come out.

What in the world was he doing? She could try to get closer, but on the other side of the tree was the wall and there was no way to see him unless she approached from either side. If she tried that, he was sure to spot her. There was only one thing left to do. She boldly walked through the garden and was only a couple of feet away when she heard his voice.

"So, you have finally found my hiding place."

She cautiously moved around the tree and found him sitting with his back against the trunk examining his dagger. "I was not aware you had a need to hide."

"All people need a quiet place to think from time to time. You prefer that rock by the loch."

She folded her arms. "You have a cottage all to yourself, why not do your thinking there?"

"Sometimes I do, but 'tis not the same as being outside in the good air."

"What could you possibly have to think about anyway?"

"Sit down, Smudges, and I will tell you."

She was reluctant, but finally chose a place where she could lean against the wall opposite him. Then she sat down and judged the distance. She was just far enough away to keep him from grabbing her hand. "I am too old to be called Smudges."

"I will try to remember that."

He agreed a little too easily, but she dismissed it. "So, what do you think about?"

"Many things. I think about a war with the Fergusons, for one."

"We could not possibly lose, could we?"

"I think not. The MacGreagors are better trained than most of the other clans. Still…"




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