Highland Chieftain by Hannah Howell

it with the brat.” The man glared at Bethoc. “Ye are certain ye havenae seen any mon wandering about?” Bethoc shook her head. “Fine,” he grumbled as he remounted and scowled at Margaret. “Little brat. Jesu ,” he yelled when Margaret screeched at him.
    Bethoc watched them leave then glanced back at Margaret. “Weel done, my clever lass,” she said, and kissed her on the forehead.
    Margaret bounced and Bethoc fought to keep her balance. She fought with the child for a moment to loosen the bag from her little hands. Then she had a good look around and saw no one, nor did she hear their horses. Deciding she needed to move quickly, she grabbed her basket, hurried up the path, and moved just enough brush to slip into the cave, yanking the brush back in place.
    â€œGreetings, Mistress Matheson,” Callum said, biting back a smile, but he quickly grew serious when he saw her face more clearly. There was the hint of fear there. “Is anything wrong?”
    She unhooked Margaret and set her down then kissed her on the forehead again. “Smart lass.” She looked at Callum and felt something inside her ease a little. “I believe I just met your attackers.” A shiver went through her even though the men had not threatened her.
    He sat up quickly. “Are ye all right?”
    â€œOh, aye. They asked about ye. Said they were looking for a lost friend and feared he may have been hurt. Wanted to look in my bag.”
    Margaret walked over to Callum, bent over a little, and shoved her forehead close to his mouth, pointing at it. “What is this?” he asked.
    â€œAh, I think she expects ye to say ‘smart lass’ and kiss her forehead.” She laughed when he did so and Margaret walked away looking very pleased with herself only to grab the bag and drag it with her when she went to sit and watch the horse.
    â€œWhy did I just do that?” he asked.
    â€œBecause when he tried to grab the bag, she would nay let him have it. Screeched at him. Held on tight, too. Ye see, I called it Margaret’s bag. No one was going to get hold of it after that.” Bethoc sat down next to him and began to unpack the food. “It wasnae until he tried to get the bag that I feared I might have put Margaret in danger but they really were nay interested in us once I couldnae tell them anything about ye.”
    â€œThat was it? Ye said it was hers?”
    â€œAll it needed. If Margaret hears ye say something is hers, she grabs it and ’tis verra, verra hard to get it back. She is a wee bit possessive about what is hers. I think I shall have to do something about that. ’Tis nay a good thing but it was useful this time.”
    Callum could not help it, he started to laugh. “Defeated by a two-year-old?”
    â€œI suspicion a lot of people have been,” said Bethoc, smiling faintly.
    He laughed even harder. “Och aye.”
    It was a few minutes before he could calm down. “Did they nay ask about the food?”
    â€œNay, I had put the basket down behind a bush for I needed to cover the bushes with netting and it was getting in the way. It was nicely out of sight. But it does mean they are still lurking about the place. That cannae be safe for ye.”
    â€œI am as safe here as I would be anywhere. Dinnae worry on it.”
    â€œThere are five of them and none of them have a broken leg.”
    â€œTrue but they have to find the cave.”
    â€œI ken it. I will be sure to hide my trail when I leave.”
    He put his arm around her and tugged her close, kissing her forehead. She blushed but also smiled. “Are ye going to call me ‘smart lass’ now?”
    â€œAnd so ye are.” He tipped her face up to his. “Ye also worry far too much about what happens to everyone but ye.” Keeping an eye out for any sign of rejection, he gave in to the temptation he had fought for days and kissed her.
    Bethoc felt the