Rise of a Legend (Guardian of Scotland Book 1) by Amy Jarecki

argue the future with William, but she could offer a man mourning the loss of his father a few words to bolster his spirits. “Scotland’s people need someone to follow. A man of the masses. You have the heart.”
    She placed her lips beside his ear. “Be. That. Man.”
    William sucked in a sharp breath.
    Eva slid her fingers to his neck and up through his hair. The medallion warmed against her chest, as if providing another reminder not to reveal too much. But she didn’t need to tell William how he would rise to become a great man. On his own, he’d proved the strength of his character to the world and became a legend. In this moment, he merely needed a soothing touch in a time of sadness.
    “I will,” he whispered and leaned into her hands with a rumbling moan.
    Eva massaged until her fingers ached and William’s chin dropped to his chest. She finished with soft outward strokes, then studied his face. His eyes closed, she gently coaxed him down to the bed of straw. Though doing so was inordinately presumptuous, in the dead of night, shrouded by darkness in a barn, she’d never felt so connected with another living soul. No words were necessary to share their pain, and the comfort of an unconditional touch was something she’d longed for on many a lonely night.
    Eva slid down beside him and spooned her body into his.
    ***
    Awakened by the crow of a rooster, Eva opened her eyes. Someone had covered her with a blanket, but William was no longer beside her.
    She rubbed a hand over her caffeine-starved head. What the hell happened last night? Nothing. I did nothing but give a grieving man comfort. Yeah right, and you’d better not let things go any further than that.
    Shaking her head, she focused on her mission—to get her story and find a way home. Before setting out, she jotted a few notes, and then left to find Wallace.
    Plopped on a stack of hay near the barn’s entrance, Robbie Boyd sat alone. He hopped up with his bonnet in hand. “Good morrow, Miss Eva.”
    “Good morrow,” she replied, figuring it would be easier to communicate if she adopted some of their archaic words. Turning full circle, there wasn’t another soul in sight. “Where are William and the men?”
    The lad kicked at a bit of straw. “Left me behind to watch ye. Bloody hell, they always leave me behind to clean up their messes.”
    “I’m sorry.” Eva bit her bottom lip. “I didn’t mean to be a burden.”
    “Och, ’tis not ye that angers me.” He shook his fist. “’Tis just that I’m a man. I should be fighting alongside Willy and the rest of them, not staying here playing nursemaid to a lost lassie.”
    “Don’t feel like you have to stay here for my sake.” She craned her neck, looking for spare horses. “Where did they go?”
    Robbie’s lips thinned. “They’ve ridden after the man who killed Willy’s da.”
    “Heselrig?”
    He studied his boots, his shoulders shrugging so high they nearly touching his ears. “Aye.”
    Eva’s heart lurched. “Then they’re heading to Lanark.”
    “Nay.” Robbie shook his mop of sandy hair. “They’re setting an ambush.”
    “Ambush? Where?”
    The lad scooted backward. “I shouldna tell ye.”
    But she could guess. The corner of her eye twitched. “Loudoun Hill.”
    “Boar’s ballocks.” Robbie threw up his hands. “Are ye a soothsayer?”
    I knew it. Eva could have jumped out of her skin. “No, I’m just smarter than I look.” She tugged his arm. “Come. I need to watch the battle.”
    “Oh no.” Robbie’s head shook like he had palsy. “I never should have opened my mouth. If we show our faces at the hill, Willy will whip my hide for certain.”
    “I’m not suggesting we ride close enough to join in the fight. But I cannot possibly write William Wallace’s story without witnessing the man in action.” She gripped the lad’s elbow. “Just take me close enough to watch.”
    Robbie yanked his arm away and rubbed it. “Ye can write?”
    “Aye, I can