Page 31 of The Best of Madeline Grant

“Not long,” Caralyn said. “Mayhap a day.”

Chapter Twenty-Two

Maddie has to make an important decision—let Alex go or try to save him?

Jamie bellowed, “Get the cart.”

“Nay, Jamie,” Jake said. “We can get him in a large blanket and carry him into the keep. ‘Twill be less jarring.”

Loki arrived on his horse, dismounting not far from them. “Uncle Alex? Is he dead?”

Kenzie, who was trailing behind his sire, burst into tears. “Uncle Alex! Nay!”

“Nay, he’s not dead. Did you find Gracie?” Jamie asked.

“She’s not out there. Mayhap she returned to the keep after you killed the baron. She was not far when you went at him in the middle of the fray.”

“Get the cart, Finlay, Braden. Jake, I’m taking him to Aunt Jennie.”

“What? It will take almost a day to get there. Aunt Caralyn says he’ll be dead by then. Why put him through it? Leave him here so he can be with Mama.” Jake’s rapid pacing indicated his level of tension over their father’s condition. His brother rarely showed emotion, much like their sire. The pacing meant he was close to the edge.

His mother was flat on the ground, her head cradled on his sire’s shoulder. She was no longer sobbing, but tears still coursed down her cheeks as she moved her hand lovingly back and forth across his chest. His sire’s eyes remained shut, but he was still breathing.

“We’re taking him to Aunt Jennie’s. ‘Tis the only chance he has.”

Uncle Brodie nodded, but Uncle Robbie said, “Leave him here. He’s near death now. Let him go in peace. He’ll die a hero’s death. I cannot see putting him through the pain of riding in that cart.”

“I’m taking him,” Jamie replied, “My sword goes with me, so do not try to stop me. Someone find Gracie for me, please.”

Jake pursed his lips and dipped his head, then lifted his gaze to Jamie’s, a piercing look in his eyes. “Take him. Connor and I will stay here. Take Mama.” He clasped Connor’s shoulder, who stood off to the side in shock, and left. “We’ll find Gracie.”

His mother reached for Jamie’s hand, so he gave it to her. He pulled her up to standing, wondering what it was she wanted to say to him. If she tried to stop him, he didn’t know what he’d do… Nay, he would not give in, he couldn’t. She was not thinking clearly.

She reached up and cupped Jamie’s cheek. “Take him to Aunt Jennie. I’ll get my things. Your father is a fighter, and we’ll not give up either. I’ll bring more furs, and his head will reston me. I’ll keep him from jarring, keep him warm.” She kissed Jamie’s other cheek and hurried toward the keep.

No one said a word as she walked away.

As soon as she left, Uncle Logan came out of nowhere and said to Jamie, “Take him to Jennie and do not slow. I’m heading out to get my two fastest messengers to Brenna and Jennie. Brenna will meet you there. Godspeed, Jamie.” He disappeared before Jamie could say anything.

They were on the road less than an hour later. Jamie was still worried about Gracie, but he’d forced himself not to think about his wife. If he did, he’d be forced to leave his father and go after her. Before leaving, he had sent the best team he could assemble to search for his wife—her parents, Loki, Kenzie, and Finlay. At the last minute, Kyla had attempted to join Jamie’s group, but he’d shaken his head. He could not worry about Kyla and his parents. He’d tipped his head and yelled out, “Finlay. She goes with you.”

Their best horses drew the cart, and Jamie rode in the front, marking the fastest route and helping steer the cart away from the uneven portions of the path.

Moving his sire into the cart was one of the most difficult things he’d ever done. Jake, Jamie, Finlay, Braden, and Roddy had hefted him onto a large blanket they’d used to transfer him. His sire was a bear still, more muscle than anything else, and the five of them had strained to move him smoothly.

His sire’s eyes had popped open at one point, but they’d locked on Jamie’s and closed—a silent message that he trusted him. That one move had almost unmanned him. Never had he expected his sire to be anything but larger than life.

They moved with two score of Grant guards for protection, as Jamie had vowed that he would allow nothing to slow their journey.

He glanced back at his mother, who was holding his sire the best she could, her mouth moving in silent prayers.

Jake, Connor, Celestina and Brodie had stayed back to see that the men’s minor wounds were taken care of and to continue to guard the castle should any louts still be swooping through the area. A score of warriors were trailing the group who’d gone off in search of Gracie, and they had instructions to head to Aunt Jennie’s once they found her.

They’d find her. They had to.

They’d only been married a day.

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