CHAPTER 72

She turned, startled by the warrior’s presence. She hadn’t heard him approach, but she’d been too absorbed with other matters.

She smiled faintly. “ ’Tis the truth I’ve no awareness of the cold.”

“ ’Tis even worse then for you’ll not know when you’ve grown too cold.”

She wanted to ask him if Alan had sent him, but she refused to speak his name. She had vowed to remain stoic, even if it killed her.

“ ’Tis a beautiful morn,” she said conversationally. “The snows are nearly gone. ’Tis not usually so warm this time of year.”

“Aye, but it’s still too cold for a lass such as yourself to be out alone without proper clothing.”

Keeley sighed and cast another stare over the water. The calmness soothed her. Gave her peace when her insides were in turmoil. If only she could pull it around her like a cloak. Steel armor that no one could breech.

“You know the McDonalds were my clan.”

The words were baldly spoken, laid out in brash fashion. She had no idea why she said them. Gannon was hardly a pers