Colin's Quest by Shirleen Davies Read Free Book Online Page A

toward him. Their lower lips trembled and their eyes watered before throwing themselves into his waiting arms.
    “Do you have to go, Colin?” Alana asked, her voice breaking.
    “Aye, lassie. It’s time I brought Sarah here to be my wife. You’d like that, wouldn’t you?” Both nodded, hugging him with all their strength before he set them aside. “Now, you be brave for Ma and help her. She’ll need both of you now more than ever.”
    Nodding, they clung to Kyla, who pulled them to her.
    Quinn and Brodie were going through the same ritual several feet away. After several minutes, he tilted his head toward the horses, indicating the time had come to leave.
    They took one last look at the people who meant everything to them, then reined their horses around. At first, they rode at a slow pace, none glancing back, not wanting to see the expression on their mothers’ faces.
    Approaching the fence line of the last corral, they looked at each other, pulled off their hats, and let loose with the fierce MacLaren war cry, “Creag an Tuirc,” the Boar's Rock, before kicking their horses into a gallop and disappearing down the trail.

Chapter Four
    River City, Willamette Valley, Oregon
    “Sarah, are you ready?”
    “Almost, Ma. Give me a few more minutes.” Sarah finished tying a yellow ribbon in her hair, adjusted her bonnet, and took the stairs to the front door at a quick pace. Checking the mirror one more time, she dashed outside, climbing into the buggy next to Geneen and her youngest sister, Isla. She couldn’t help the excitement she felt.
    They were going into town to celebrate her twenty-second birthday and her father said he had a wonderful surprise for her. How she prayed it would be the new horse she’d been asking for since she first spotted the mare at the neighboring Bell ranch. She’d been riding the same old mare since before they arrived in Oregon. Although sweet and dependable, Sarah was more than ready for the challenge of a younger horse.
    The one person she didn’t want to see in town was Wes Bell, the son of the wealthy rancher. His requests to court her over the last year had become tiresome, even intimidating. She’d expressed her disinterest numerous times, recommending he find another woman to pursue. Wes had disregarded all her objections, instead increasing his efforts to court her. Sarah’s frustration at his persistence had garnered the interest of her father, which made dealing with the younger rancher more difficult. Dougal MacGregor welcomed the advances of their neighbor, encouraging Sarah to consider his requests. She found it easier to ignore both men.
    “This will be so much fun.” Geneen reached over and squeezed her hand. A year younger than Sarah, she looked forward to celebrating her sister’s birthday and their father’s gift.
    “I hope my surprise is the mare I’ve been wanting.” Sarah’s face lit up at the thought. Without thinking, she reached a hand into her reticule, fingering the silver and Citrine brooch she was never without. When she turned nineteen, she’d prayed Colin would come for her. Her prayers weren’t answered, although she never lost hope. In her heart, she had no doubt he’d arrive someday, unannounced, and take her to California with him.
    “I shouldn’t be telling you this, but Da rode to the Bell Ranch last week.”
    “Really?” Sarah’s heart rate picked up, sensing she might indeed be given the mare.
    “Aye. Even though I begged, Ma wouldn’t tell me why he rode over there. It has to be the horse, don’t you think?”
    “Oh, I hope so.”
    It didn’t take long to reach the outskirts of town. Their father had ridden in ahead of them, saying he had to prepare for her surprise. As the buggy stopped in front of the restaurant where they’d be celebrating, Sarah looked around, anxious to see if she could spot her present.
    “Are you planning to get down, Sarah?” Her mother, her face a mask, waited near the restaurant steps with