“By taking my place after the Taliban had tied me to a tree and were in the process of whipping me to death. He was outnumbered, but he sent some of his men to get me away and let them take him instead.” He shrugged. “He escaped later that night, but they’d hurt him. I tried to thank him later, but he ignored me. He was impatient as hell. He said he didn’t want to hear it. I heard later that he was always like that, but I couldn’t let it go. It might not have meant much to him, but it did to me.”

“So, you decided to stick around and find a way to pay him back.” It was a statement. “You took the job with Palik.”

“It was a good job. Palik is fair.” He paused. “And everyone knows that Caleb is the Hunter and Palik works with him whenever he can. But I didn’t think it would take this long. I was about ready to move on.”

She shook her head. “You wouldn’t have done that.”

His brows rose. “Why not?”

“Because it’s Seth Caleb. It’s hard to move on from Caleb. He’s…special. You knew that.” Her lips indented at the corners. “I’m sure you have the wounds to prove it.”

He nodded. “And I’m doing my best to keep you from having any of your own wounds to worry him. Kilgoray?”

“No wounds there that won’t heal.” Her voice softened. “But I want you to know that I’m grateful to you for wanting to save him from pain. A lot of people take from him and don’t give back. They believe since they know about all those skills and how tough he is that he doesn’t need any help at all.” She met his eyes. “Like you did, but you were going to give it anyway.”

“My choice.”

“Everyone has choices. But you made the right one as far as I’m concerned.”

“But you still won’t talk about Kilgoray.”

She ignored the comment. “I want you to pick me up at the boat dock as soon as darkness falls.” She opened the historical book in front of her. “You’ll like the pub. Jock, the bartender, is funny. Caleb and I spent an afternoon there a couple of months ago. I promise I won’t keep you waiting there long.” She waved her hand. “Now hush while I look at the photos and sketches of this Reiver train. Someone spent a long time on the decorations on these cars…”

Chapter 7

Chapter
7

Kilgoray, Scotland
7:15 P.M.