My Highlander: A Cree & Dawn Novel, page 31
Ina looked frantically around, her eyes darting from one to another, and realized she was surrounded, the stream her only escape.
“Do not be foolish, Ina. Put Lizbeth down and I will take you to Slatter,” Cree said.
“For what, a moment to say goodbye before you hang me?” Ina said, shaking her head. “If I am to die for my love, then I will see you suffer as well.”
Cree’s arm shot out when his wife went to rush forward, stopping her. He could not blame her for her sudden move, he wished to do the same, but it would not save their daughter.
“I give you my word I will not hang you,” Cree said. “I will take you to Slatter and set you both free, if you release Lizbeth.”
“You will hunt us afterwards,” Ina said.
“My word, I will not hunt you.”
“Someone will.”
“I cannot stop others, but I can see you safely off my land,” Cree said, “just free my daughter and I will see it done.”
“How am I to believe you?”
“Have you ever known me not to keep my word?” Cree asked, not wanting to let Ina and Slatter go, but their release was a small price to pay to save Lizbeth. Besides, Tarass would probably find them with little difficulty.
He could see her giving his proposition thought and continued to try and convince her. “Slatter must surely fear for your safety. Release Lizbeth, let this be done, and reunite with the man you love,” Cree said.
Dawn tapped her husband’s arm, then gestured.
“My wife says that even a small moment spent with the one you love is better than no moment at all.”
A tear slipped down Ina’s cheek. “You are right
Ina took a step forward away from the water and lost her balance. She jerked and flung her arms wide, trying to stop from falling, and Lizbeth went flying up and over the bank of the stream.
All watched with horror as in a split second Ina fell into the stream and Lizbeth small body went a short way up in the air, then fell toward the rushing water.
Before anyone had time to react, a big ball of black fur came sailing through the air and snatched Lizbeth’s tunic in his mouth and landed with her on the bank of the stream.
Cree and Dawn rushed to their daughter, Cree scooping her up in his arms and grabbing his wife to wrap them all together in a tight hug.
“Beast,” Lizbeth cried. “Beast hurt.”
Dawn took Lizbeth in her arms, so grateful to be holding her, and hugged her tight. Her little arms went around her neck and squeezed like she never wanted to let go of her mum.
Cree bent down to Beast lying on his side, whining softly, and thumping his tail on the ground.
He ran his hand over the large dog and felt his heart steady and strong and he saw that the wound to his head was not that bad. He patted Beast gently on the head. “You did good, Beast. You shall be rewarded, and Elsa will have you well in no time.”
He ordered two of his men to get the animal to Elsa. He was about to order Sloan to search along the stream for Ina and saw that he was already busy doing just that.
He turned and took his daughter from his wife. “Beast will do well, Lizbeth. He is brave like you. Now home we all go.”
He reached out and took his wife’s hand and they walked through the woods together.
After taking only a few steps, Lizbeth raised her head off her da’s shoulder. “Flowers, da.” She pointed to the yellow wildflowers growing in bunches. “For Beast.”
Cree had to smile. After what his daughter had gone through, she still wanted to pick flowers and for Beast. She truly was a brave one. So, how could he deny her?
“We will pick flowers for, Beast,” he said.
Lizbeth grabbed her da’s face in her small hands and planted several kisses on his cheek.
Cree’s heart swelled with love and relief to feel his daughter’s kisses on his cheek after almost having lost her. He was ever so grateful to that big black dog for not only saving his wife’s life, but his daughter’s as well.
He set Lizbeth down on the ground and never had he thought picking flowers with his daughter and wife could bring him so much joy.
Chapter 33
Cree stood over the bed looking down at his wife, the twins snuggled in her arms, sleeping. With all that had happened today, he and Dawn wanted the twins with them safe in their bed and in their arms for at least this one night.
He would join them soon enough.
He turned and went to Beast curled up on a soft blanket in front of the hearth, the bunch of flowers they had picked in a crock not far from him and wilting from the heat. He bent down and patted the dog gently on the head, and Beast gave a wide yawn. Elsa had cleaned his wound and claimed him well, though ordered some rest. Lizbeth had fussed over him and Valan had helped.
Cree had been touched by the way his son had hugged his sister tightly upon her return home and how he had stayed by her side, his small wooden sword in his hand ready to protect her. The lad had even helped her put the flowers in the crock.
“Rest,” he said and gave Beast one more pat on the head and the dog closed his eyes.
Cree left the room, closing the door quietly behind him.
It was late, everyone home and no doubt asleep, but there was one more thing he needed to do before he could join his family in bed.
He stepped out of the keep to a night without a cloud in the sky, the nearly full moon bright, and the air crisp as he walked through the quiet village. No one stirred except for the night sentinels that patrolled the village. All was well and all safe.
It did not take him long to reach his destination and he was not surprised to see the door to the cottage open as he approached it.
“Come in, I have a hot brew for us on this chilly night,” Old Mary said, greeting him.
Cree sat in silence, his hands cupped around the tankard Old Mary had waiting for him.
“All is done,” she asked, sitting across the small table from him.
“Aye, Ina’s body was found and will be buried quietly. Slatter says he never met the woman until today when she spoke to him as if he knew her. He had no idea what she was talking about and told her he would speak with her another time since he had been anxious to talk with Rutland before he died.”
Old Mary shook her head. “The poor lass. It was all in her head.”
“It would seem that way. Dawn and I believe Ina must have seen Lara with Slatter in the woods one day and that was when her fantasy began.”
“And Dawn’s return brought it to light again,” Old Mary said.
“I believe so.”
“And this Slatter? What will you do with him?”
“Slatter will return with James Macardle to face punishment for the fire he set there, since there is little I can punish him for here. Newlin the man with him will be set free.”
“What of the two men who abducted Dawn?”
“Gillie has but one sunrise left. Bram will be given a chance to redeem himself thanks to Dawn’s generosity, though he will face punishment.”
Old Mary scrunched her brow, sensing something. “There is one more who deserves punishment?”
Cree nodded, thinking about Angus Macardle. “Aye, the one who arranged the abduction and his punishment is severe.”
Old Mary studied Cree for a moment. “Yet you have no hand in it.”
“I could do no worse to him.”
“Tarass?”
“Macardle and he will talk.”
“Tarass is not a man to take lightly,” Old Mary warned.
“He is not my problem now. Let Macardle deal with him.”
Old Mary smiled. “You did not come here to tell me all this.”
Cree shook his head.
Old Mary waited.
Cree stared at her a moment, then leaned forward. “I need to know.”
“There is a reason that it is left unknown,” Old Mary cautioned.
“I do not care. You never believed Dawn was dead, which means you know something about her death. There is no hell that can be as worse as that time I spent thinking Dawn dead, thinking I would never see her again, hold her again, love her again. Tell me of her death. Tell me we will join again elsewhere. Tell me I will not lose her forever.”
“Did I not tell you once you would grow old together?”
“If you did, I do not recall, but I need more than that. Tell me if I take my last breath before she does.”
Old Mary reached across the small table and took his hand. “You are sure of this.”
“Aye, I want to know.”
Old Mary nodded. “As you wish. You both have many years ahead of you. You will see many grandchildren born and you will share much laughter and tears. Dawn will be at your bedside, holding your hand, tears in her eyes when you take your last breath.” Old Mary sniffed back her tears. “She will rest her head on your chest, and take her last breath as well, and follow with you into the afterlife.” She squeezed his hand. “Your souls will unite time and again, for the love you and Dawn have is eternal.”
Cree felt the fear that had gripped him since the day Dawn had vanished finally fade away.
He stood, a flood of feelings leaving him speechless.
Old Mary stood as well and smiled as she walked to the door and opened it. “Sleep well, my lord.”
Cree stopped in front her and did something he rarely did except with Dawn and the twins, he wrapped his arms around the old woman and hugged her tight.
Old Mary’s smile turned wide and a single tear caught in her wrinkles, sending it rolling haphazardly down her cheek as she watched him walk away. She thought to call out and tell him that he would have another son come this spring, but that was better left for him and Dawn to discover for themselves.
Cree returned to the keep and hurried through it and up the stairs to his bedchamber to find his daughter curled up against Beast’s large body. He smiled and shook his head. The lass was definitely going to be a handful. He lifted her gently, Beast opening his eyes for a moment, making sure all was well, and seeing Cree closed them again.
He placed his daughter beside her brother cuddled in the crook of Dawn’s arm, then slipped out of his boots and his shirt and wearing only his plaid climbed into bed beside his wife. He stretched his arm around her and the twins and tucked them close to him.
All was good now, he had his family safe in his arms, and he closed his eyes and slept peacefully.
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THE END
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Not really… look for more Cree & Dawn adventures coming your way!
Also by Donna Fletcher
The Cree & Dawn Series
(in order)
Cree & Dawn Series
Highlander Unchained/Forbidden Highlander
Highlander’s Captive
Cree & Dawn Short Stories
Highlander’s True Love
Highlander’s Promise
Highlander’s Winter Tale/Highlander’s Rescue
Highlander’s Magical Love
A Cree & Dawn Novella
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My Highlander
A Cree & Dawn Novel
Book 4 available November 2018
For a complete list of Donna’s titles, visit her website.
About the Author
For a complete listing of Donna’s books visit her website.
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Donna Fletcher, My Highlander: A Cree & Dawn Novel
