“No. I’m not sure how long I would be able to hold on,” Bronnah whispers.
Chase nods, “She’ll ride with me.” Bronnah kisses the Captain on his cheek. “Someday I will tell tales of you and how you helped rescue the women of the world from our oppressors.” He removes his cap and bows to Bronnah.
“Nay. Tis I who’ll tell stories of the Irish fury who gave them hell. Your Da would be proud of you Lass.” Bronnah doesn’t bother to wipe her tears at his words.
"Oh, I hope so." Chase lifts her up onto the horse and climbs on behind her. As they ride away, he doesn't look back as she tucks into his chest and weeps.
“It’s alright, Bronnah. You did well today.” She jerks upright looking up at him.
“Damn right, I did, but I couldn’t have done it without you. Thank you, Chase.” She bites her lip as they ride along, pushing back the pain and praying for some relief.
Bronnah doesn't ask where they are going, in truth, she doesn't care. All she knows is that she's exhausted. Too much has happened for her to process and she needs time. Time to heal and think. Seeing Chase risk his life for her and the girls made her realize she needs to act, not react. She will never forgive herself if something happens to him or someone else because she acted rashly.
Aimee lost everything, and Captain Foster is risking much more than that if he’s caught helping them. One day she will repay them for this. Dizzy and exhausted, Bronnah snuggles into his chest, seeking his warmth and comfort. For this moment she is content, feeling safe for the first time in a long time, she falls asleep.
Chase feels the moment she relaxes into him and trusts. For a moment, he thinks about taking her and disappearing until this blows over. It would be simple enough to do it, but after spending days chasing her hot head around, he’s pretty sure she would object. A wry smile tugged at his mouth. Bronnah O’Dalaigh is a puzzle. One that he plans to solve.
A soft mist begins to fall on them, but Chase pushes on. They have to put some space between them and those who will seek retribution. He covers her with as much of his canvas duster as he can and tries not to notice how good she feels in his arms. They ride for three hours before he finally sees the path the Captain told him about. Rising out of the trees is a square wooden tower about thirty feet tall with a small keeper's house attached to it. Tucked atop a green grassy hill the lighthouse is nestled among thick overgrown trees. It sits overlooking the beach below as if the forest tried to reclaim it, but the sea wanted its part as well.
Chase urges the horse down through the trees, ignoring the rain and wind he sighs with relief when the trees open, revealing a clearing. It looks to him like a little piece of heaven.
"Are we here then?" Bronnah asked softly. Glancing up at him she smiles at the picture he presents. He scowls down at her with rain pouring over his hat, and she reaches up and strokes his beard. His eyes drop to her mouth, and her breath catches. Her stomach flutters at the thought of his mouth on hers again. Chase dips his head and dumps a stream of rain down on her from his hat.
“Chase!” He chuckles when she squeals in mock outrage.
"Alright, let's get you inside. This will have to do for now." Bronnah sits up, and he dismounts before reaching up for her. When her feet touch the ground, she winces against the pain in her body. "I'll find a place for the horse, you can go on inside. Captain Perry said the key was under a loose brick on the back porch."
Before she can respond, Chase is pulling the horse to a small covered barn. "Okay, then." Shielding her eyes from the rain she stares hard around her. It's difficult to see without the moonlight leading the way. Bronnah decides to follow the overgrown brick pavers that seem to circle the house. The wind is picking up and the rain, pelting her feels sharp on her skin. She steps on the bricks until one of them moves beneath her foot.
“Yes,” she pries it up and finds the key. Desperate for dry clothes and a warm fire she quickly inserts the key and steps inside. Glancing down at her feet, she is sorry to drip all over the lovely wooden floors. With the weight of the rain on her, she didn't realize they were coming in through the lighthouse section.
Bronnah leaves the door open as she steps inside, glancing up into the pitch-black void of the tower above. Without the moon streaming down from the tower above it is dark and she's afraid to move. Moist, damp air and thunder reminds her of the growing storm. "Think," she shivers and steps back towards the door and then runs her hands along the wooden walls until she finds the first of two kerosene lanterns.
"What bloody good is it ta have a lantern without a way ta light it?" Bronnah grumbles and feels her way along a wall until she whacks her knees on something hard. Startled by a noise behind her, she struggles not to panic when a large shape fills the doorway and kicks the door closed. Her heart pounds in her ears and she backs away.
"Stay with me, Bronnah. Damn it's dark in here." Chase digs around in his pocket and pulls out a box of matches. The hiss of the match is a welcome relief, and Chase quickly lights one of the lanterns and waits for their eyes to adjust. Shivering, she wraps her arms around
