“I think so. There’s a lot of riders.”
Simon shot his gaze back and forth between Ian and Fin, his feet shuffled beneath him. “I can see better for myself. When I look through the falcon the colors aren’t as clear.”
Liz stepped forward. “That could be dangerous.”
Fin was shaking his head, too.
“I’ll just reach the top of the trees to see if they are a traveling party like us or…something else.”
Ian let a rare smile slip from his lips. His hand clasped Simon’s shoulder. “You would be in far more danger to be in the middle of a battle.”
Liz tilted her head back and noted the height of the trees. Her stomach started to turn. Simon had changed into a bird twice since the day at the river.
Each time he shifted back into his human form without incident, but she still wasn’t ready to have her son scouting for this army of medieval men.
“I’ll only go as high as that tree,” Simon said while pointing to a nearby cluster of birch trees.
They stood on the edge of a rise of hills that would give him a decent view of the party coming their way. Liz narrowed her gaze to Ian who seemed to be waiting for her approval. Surprisingly, Fin held his tongue, his eyes traveled to the trees and beyond.
The decision was hers. Something she’d never truly been given since arriving in Scotland. Her heart flipped in her chest and squeezed with uncertainty.
“Okay,” she breathed her consent. “But you and I have to talk the entire time.” Liz tapped the side of her head several times.
Simon squared his shoulders and nodded to her once.
“I’ll escort him into the brush for the change,”
Fin said.
“Cian?” Ian called his son over. “Go with them and keep watch.”
Cian turned on his heel and followed.
Liz watched the backs of her son, Fin and Cian as they disappeared into the thick of the surrounding forest.
Ian patted Liz on her back and glanced around him. Some of the men seemed anxious to continue their journey. More than a few watched the trio walking away from the group. “I’ll send Lora to your side and divert the men.”
Ian walked away, ushering orders to his men.
“Is everything well?” Myra walked alongside Lora, oblivious of the problem.
Lora glanced over her shoulder. “Ian suggests we take the time to see to our needs.” With a dart of her head, Lora motioned toward the trees, a short distance away from where Simon and the others slipped. Alone, they could talk easily and Liz could concentrate on Simon’s inside voice without worry.
“Good idea.”
Walking with purpose, Liz led the women to a hidden section of trees where the MacCoinnich caravan would think the women in need of relieving their bladders. Lora filled Myra in with what was happening.
I’m ready, Mom, Simon spoke in her head.
Liz picked up her skirt and walked faster. Are you sure about this Simon? You don’t have to do this.
I’m sure.
The women ducked into the shade of the trees and away from prying eyes.
Be careful, Liz told her son.
“Can you hear him?” Lora asked.
Liz nodded, waiting for her son’s voice to reach her ears again.
I’m a bird, Simon chanted. His thoughts flowed into her head like water from a faucet. A big strong winged bird… Ah, yes.
He’d changed. Liz didn’t even need to glance to the sky to know her son soared above them. His ease into the change morphed faster this time. Easier.
I’m up. Can you see me?
“He’s in the air,” Liz told Lora who she knew spoke to Ian in her head. Glancing at the sky, Liz searched for her son. The thickness of the trees made it difficult to see him.
Where are you? he asked.
Don’t worry about me. What do you see?
Hold on.
Liz held her breath, waiting for his next words.
Green. The flag they carry is green with white edging.
“The flag is green-and-white,” she relayed to Lora.
“Are there women?” Myra asked.
Are there women with them?
Yes, three… No, make that four. They have a wagon like us.
What about Grainna? Is she there?
Two seconds passed then three. No. No sign of her. Liz told Lora what Simon saw. Instantly, Myra and Lora smiled and relaxed their stance.
“A traveling party. Probably en route to the Lancaster wedding.”
“MacTavish has a green coat of arms,” Myra said to her mother.
“Friend or foe?”
“Ally.”
The lack of description didn’t go unnoticed by Liz. She’d have to see for herself if the clan coming toward them could be trusted.
Is everything okay, Mom?
Everything is fine. Come back and change. Ian has everything he needs.
Okay.
Liz looked above her, wishing she could see her son. Simon?
Yeah?
You did a great job, sport.
****
The oldest, unmarried MacTavish son had been eyeing Lizzy for the past several hours. Logan offered to fetch water for her at their last stop. And even his own father appeared to soften his look and tongue to the lass. Not since the first night had Fin found even one moment alone with her. With the MacTavish clan adding to their numbers, he’d have to wait until after they’d settled at the Lancaster gathering to find time to slip away with her. Not that she’d go willingly.
Fin let his eyes wander to the women in question. Lizzy sat rather slumped on her horse.
Their journey would push any woman past the point of comfort. Considering where and when she’d come from, he thought she’d held up remarkably well. He remembered her small apartment in the twenty-first century, remembered her ease behind the wheel of her car. Her world ran fast. Faster than the speed of a single horse running over the Scottish hillside.
With all the comforts her world held, no wonder she was so determined to return. Not that she could.
That single thought made him smile.
She had no choice but to stay in his time, his world.
Lizzy reached over and found the hem of her skirt. She lifted it well above her calf to scratch her leg. Her alabaster skin had lightened since he’d first glanced upon her. The lack of sunshine made it impossible for her skin to tan as it had in California.
Beside him, Logan muffled a groan. Fin caught his gaze and realized he’d witnessed Lizzy’s act.
“The lass has little thought to her affect on men,” he said, bringing to words Fin’s exact thoughts.
Actually, Fin thought Lizzy knew exactly how she affected the opposite sex. And reveled in it.