Logan
Logan closed the door, a grin on his face. “Good work, laddie. You have a fine memory, but I’m no traitor. I’m her grandfather.” He pointed to Eli as he made his way into the middle of the group. “And I’m afraid I know most of these people.”
People he’d missed desperately.
He’d have to listen to all their anger and their accusations, but he did what he’d had to do—take care of his Gwynie.
He couldn’t live without her. It was that simple.
“Logan,” Maitland called out, making his way over to him to clasp his shoulder before giving him a big bear hug.
“That’s enough hugging and all that. I know you all missed me, but the lad’s right. I have news to give you, so we can celebrate at a later date.”
Magni moved in front of him and stared up the rugged man. “You are Logan Ramsay?”
“Aye, laddie. Why do you ask?”
“Because you’re supposed to be mean. And you’re smiling now. And isn’t your wife the archer? Did you not train the best archers in all the land?”
Logan chuckled, loving all the stories and how they’d exploded, completely beyond the truth, but that was how legends were made, and even if he were being modest, he and Gwyniewerelegends.
He clasped the lad’s shoulder and said, “Come. Sit down because I have to tell the adults what I’ve learned. Especially him.” He strode over to Thane and shook his hand. “Logan Ramsay, MacQuarie. Pleased to make your acquaintance. There are men who plan to attack your castle at nightfall tomorrow.”
“What?” Thane asked, standing to face Logan but notmoving.
“What the hell, Logan?” Dyna barked at him. “That’s a hell of an entrance.”
Now that he had their attention, and they’d all shut their mouths about missing each other and all that nonsense, he grabbed a goblet of ale and a meat pie from a platter still on the table and sat down. Logan took one bite and said, “Let me know when you’re all ready, and I’ll tell you what I’ve learned.”
He waited for everyone to settle, but one stopped him. He set his food down, looking up at the lass who stood in front of him, legs braced apart, arms crossed in front, gaze narrowed. “You want something, Elisant?”
She nudged his boot. “I’m waiting for my apology for lying about where you were going. For not attending our wedding.”
“We were there, and you know it.”
“Still waiting.” Her pursed lips told him she had a wee bit of Gwyneth Cunningham in her. He’d seen that exact look on his wife’s face many times over the years.
“You can save all that for your grandmother.”
Alaric stepped behind his wife, took her shoulders, and ushered her to a seat. “He has something important to tell us, so let’s save this for later, wife. I’m all for tying him up until he apologizes, but there might be more at stake right now. Thane wants to hear the explanation.”
“Glad to see someone can control her, Grant,” Logan said and rolled his eyes.
“Grandfather!”
If he kept it up, he knew there was a distinct possibility he’d find an arrow aimed at his bollocks, so he decided to stop teasing the lass. She was young and had all those emotions and feelings rolling around inside her. He hadn’t groomed her to be tough enough yet.
“All right, Eli. Calm yourself, but I do have important newsfor all of you.” He stood, pacing in front of the group. “Ulchel MacDougall hopes to take Duart Castle back for his brother. He was ostracized from his clan because he attacked a local lass, and he thinks if he takes the castle, his brother will allow him back in. But he also believes that if he takes over MacQuarie’s land first, he will have those guards to help him take Duart back, and then, with his brother’s assistance, he’ll take over the entire isle, as Magni said …”
“How do you know my name?” Magni asked, staring up at him.
Logan gave him the most honest answer he could. “Because I know everything about Scotland, lad.”
Thane said, “Magni, please go sit with your sister.”
“I’d like to meet the lass, Magni.”
Magni led him over to her and said, “This is my sister, Lia.”
