Chapter 16

JACK STOPPED DEAD when Nora and Running Bull entered the parlor through the kitchen.

“There is no one left,” Running Bull announced. “I hope you did not want them alive. Your woman here killed one her-self.”

“I am not his woman,” Nora snapped.

“She is not my woman,” Jack immediately replied.

“We will bury the bodies before we leave,” Running Bull directed towards Ben.

“No, friend, but thank you,” Ben said. “I will take this matter to the governor. A British patrol attacked my home unprovoked, and the governor will answer publicly for it. Take what you can quickly. We do not know when more soldiers will appear.”

“You should leave here, as well. The countryside is not safe for you now,” Nora urged. “What if more troops come? You’ll be alone, unprotected.”

“Hardly unprotected, my dear, and not alone. Don’t waste any more time arguing with an old man. Go fetch your things. Only Rogan could have sent this patrol. No good can come from you lingering.”

“My saddle bag is in the barn with what I need,” Nora said.

“Everything you need?” Ben asked with strange empha-sis on ‘everything.’ Jack noticed a look pass between Ben and Nora that he could not decipher. He knew he missed something but didn’t have time now to question. He could interrogate Nora later on the road.

“Yes, all of it,” Nora said. “Betsy, could you take Mr. Running Bull into the kitchen with you and provide him with provisions for us to travel? I would go up to my chamber to at least grab a quilt.”

Betsy looked nervous about being left alone with the Indian, but they had no time for unneeded drama, and she was sure not to embarrass her employer by showing further hysterics.

Jack followed Nora upstairs, needing to gather his weapons and belongings for the ride. It took no time to grab his saddlebags and throw his fur on. Swinging her furlined cloak over her shoulder, Nora met him in the hallway. She tucked a quilt under her arm and looked expectantly at him.

“Don’t you want to change?” Jack asked, noting she still wore the breeches.

“Into what?” Nora arched a perfect brow in response.

Jack waved his hand around in her general direction. “Something a little more appropriate for a woman.”

“No.” She swept by him and down the stairs.

Jack rolled his eyes with a groan and followed. He would address her attire later. Under no circumstances would he allow her to traipse throughout the countryside dressed as a man.

It didn’t help his sanity either. Seeing her round derriere in those tight breeches distracted him in a way he couldn’t afford to be.

Running Bull waited outside with Jack’s stallion and his own horse. “She will have to ride with you. Her horse is lame. The mare will not perform well in the journey injured.”

“She does not need to ride with anyone,” Nora said, approaching a brown mare that belonged to the British patrol grazing in the front yard. She held her hand out and stroked the horse, allowing her to get accustomed to her new owner. When Nora was sure the mare would not rear back, she quickly mounted and removed the army insignia and royal crest. Riding over to Running Bull, she retrieved her saddle bag and secured it over the horse. “We have already killed a British patrol. What’s a lit-tle horse thievery?”

Jack shook his head, trying to hide the smile that twitched at the corner of his lips. Running Bull made no such attempt. He threw back his head and shouted with laughter.

“Your woman is brave and resourceful,” he said to Jack.

“She’s not my woman!”

“I am not his woman!”

Running Bull merely laughed harder at their vehement denials.

“Let’s go, you heathen,” Jack said and rode off into the night, Running Bull and Nora following close behind.