Page 62 of Never Marry a Highlander

Four bothies were in flames and villagers ran into homes, pulling out belongings into the center of the area, hoping to save as much as they could before their own homes burst into flames.

In the melee, forgotten lads and lasses wandered the area, crying, looking for their parents.“I think for now the best thing would be to gather these little ones and keep them all together, away from the area so their parents can find them later,” Helena said.

“Aye,” Lorena said, scanning the area.“I think we can set up a sort of camp there.”She pointed to a section far enough away from the burning structures so the wind wouldn’t send the flames in that direction.

“Do that and I will find any injuries and treat what I can.”Helena hurried off and Lorena began the task of gathering the little ones into a group that she brought to the area she and Helena had decided on.She attempted to console as many as she could as parents brought others to her.

Craig raced from a bothy that had just caught fire, carrying an elderly woman out.Lorena waved at him and he hurried over.“We are keeping the little ones here, and out of their parents’ way.Ye can leave the woman with us.Let the parents ken that their children are safe.If ye see any more wandering around, bring them over.”

Her husband nodded and settled the woman down.He turned to leave and swung back.“Doona go near the fires.The wind is blowing sparks all over, so anything could go up in flames.”

Just then three wagons arrived, loaded with buckets filled with water from the creek.Men grabbed them and started a line, passing buckets while others made another run to the creek.Helena helped a lad over who was limping.“He jumped from his roof, and I believe he twisted his ankle.”

More children were dropped off, some by those who found them wandering around, and others by their parents who were grateful to have a safe place to put them.

Hours passed and while some bothies were saved, others went completely up in flames, much to the anguish of the owners.Wagons continued to arrive with buckets of water, and two more wagons came from the brooch with food.Lorena got the children fed, and the younger ones to take a nap, but ‘twas hard with the bairns so upset with the noise and their parents gone.

Just as Lorena was about to eat some cheese and bread, a lad ran up to her.“My sister.She is in our house and I canno’ get her out.She’s just a wee one.”

“Where are yer parents?”Lorena asked.

“They went to help my grandparents and told me to watch Faye until they returned.But the bothy roof caught fire and Faye was in the back room sleeping and there is fire in front of the door.”

Lorena took a quick look at the bairns.“Go fetch Lady Helena and ask her to send someone here to watch the little ones.”

The lad raced off and not trusting enough time to rescue little Faye, Lorena turned to a lass about six years.“Do yer best to keep all these little ones here.”

The lass nodded, her eyes wide.‘Twas a big responsibility for her, but Lorena couldn’t allow time to pass with a bairn in trouble.She caught up to the lad.“Where is yer bothy?”

He pointed to a cottage standing alone with a garden in the front and the wails of a bairn echoing in the air.No one had reached the bothy yet to try to put out the flames.“Continue yer search for Lady Helena, and if ye can find Mister Craig, send him over too.”

Grateful for wearing Craig’s braies, she ran to the enflamed structure.The wails had turned to screams, which scared Lorena to death.She quickly moved to one of the wagons, took a bucket from it, and doused herself with the water.She took off her vest, and wrapping it around her mouth, entered the bothy.

She was almost driven back by the heat, but with the little one screaming, she moved forward, ducking her head, keeping the wrap around her hair.Within minutes she reached the bairn, scooped her up and as she turned, the wall in front of her shot up in flames.She turned in a circle, and all four walls surrounding her were burning.

Jesu, I am about to die here without ever telling Craig he was to be a da.

And that I love him.

***

“Mister Craig, Mister Craig.”Craig turned as a young lad ran up to him.“Miss Lorena went into my cottage to get my sister.As I ran off to find Lady MacKay to help with the bairns, I heard the wall collapse in the house.I dinna see Miss Lorena come out.”

Craig swallowed, fear cramping his belly like none he’d ever felt before.His wife was trapped in a flaming house.He never should have allowed her to come.She was supposed to be watching bairns while their parents worked; why would she end up in a burning house?

“Show me.”‘Twas all the words his dry mouth was able to get out as he raced after the lad.The house they stopped at was engulfed in flames.He could hear a bairn screaming and Lorena shouting for help.

“Lorena!”He walked through the front door and was met by a wall of fire.

“Craig!I canno’ get out.”The fear and anguish in her voice sent panic racing through his body.

“Doona fash yerself.I will get ye out.”He turned and met a few clanfolks who had gathered outside the bothy drawn by the cries of the bairn and shouts from Lorena.

“Ye canno’ go in there, Mister Craig.I just went around the place.All the walls are on fire,” said one of the elderly men watching the burning building with fear clearly written on his face.

He shoved the man away.“I will get her out.”He looked at those who had gathered.“Get me an axe, a heavy log, a hammer, anything that can break the wall.”

“Ye willna make it,” Robin said as he trotted up to him and grabbed his arm to keep him from moving.