Forbidden Highlander (Highlander Trilogy 2)

“Her whirlwind way will settle or else,” Cree warned.

“Not that I think you can’t do it for I have seen you do many things I thought impossible—but—how can a whirlwind possibly be controlled?”

Chapter Four

Cree had just finished speaking with Taggart the miller in regards to the few repairs that the mill required when one of his warriors approached and informed him that the snow had made it impossible to follow the tracks. However they were able to determine that there were two separate tracks and therefore two men. The search continued, though it didn’t look promising.

As Cree finished giving orders that he was to be made aware of any strangers seeking shelter for the winter, he spotted Dawn leaving her cottage. He wondered what she was doing out in the cold, she should be resting, regaining her strength, especially after he had robbed her of some last night and this morning. He almost smiled at the memory of her naked in his arms, though caught himself and scowled. It wouldn’t do for the infamous Cree to be smiling for no reason and yet there was a reason… there was Dawn. He had been smiling more often around Dawn. She brought a joy out in him that had been buried for as long as he could recall. It reminded him of the time he was loved so unconditionally. And that kind of love was worth everything.

He finished issuing further precautions that were to be taken, then left Sloan to see to it, and then caught up with Dawn and her guard a few steps from her cottage. With a nod to his warrior Neil, the man drifted off, though kept them in view as they walked side by side.

“You are feeling well enough to be out?” Cree asked worried that she would worsen and hoping she had recovered. He missed her greatly and grew annoyed at himself for the constant thought of having missed her.

She nodded and breathed deeply.

“It’s fresh air you are hungering.”

She smiled happy that he understood her and happy to see him. While his absence had been her doing, she had realized last night how very much she had missed him beside her in bed, not that she hadn’t missed his lovemaking more. It was just that she found peacefulness when he rested beside her all night and woke to his loving touches in the morning. She was glad she was already smiling, for she would have burst with a foolish grin at the remembrance of how tender he had been when making love to her. It was almost as if she could feel how much he cared… possibly loved her.

She chased the maddening thought away. It had only served to cause her heartache and she had suffered enough of that when she had learned he would wed. The reminder wiped the smile off her face.

“Are you all right?’ he asked anxiously, her smile vanishing much too fast and her face paling a bit.

She nodded and smiled again, though it lacked zest.

“Perhaps a visit with Elsa would prove wise,” Cree said and offered his arm to her.

Dawn knew it wasn’t a suggestion and had no choice but to take his arm and do as he commanded. At least she would not be deprived of the walk she had been eager to take.

“You slept well?”

Dawn’s smile grew when she caught just the hint of Cree’s lips turning up in what she suspected would be a wide grin if he let it. She gestured with her one hand pointing to her left and slowly drawing it in front her and pointing down.

He nodded and couldn’t help but let a smile slip out, but only for a moment. “Better than you have slept in a while.”

She nodded, her eyes lighting bright along with her smile.

Good lord, but her smile could steal his heart. He leaned down and whispered, “Me too.”

“MY LORD!”

The screech started them both and had them turning around. Dawn didn’t realize that her hand grasped more tightly to Cree’s arm as she watched Lucerne hurry toward them.

She stopped in front of Cree, ignoring Dawn as if she was not there or was too insignificant to acknowledge. “You have a miraculous healer. My headache is gone and I thought that perhaps you now have free time to show me around the village.”

It was hard not to notice that villagers were lingering around them and Dawn was certain that they were curious as to how the notorious Cree would handle the delicate situation. Dawn wondered herself and so she waited, her eyes on Cree.

Lucerne gave a haughty lift of her chin and spoke before allowing Cree to answer. “Is this poor peasant in need of help that she dares to keep hold of your arm?”

Fear of punishment would have had Dawn removing her hand immediately but she had no fear of retribution from Cree and for some reason, she found surprising, Lucerne did not intimidate her. What had surprised her was Cree’s reaction. He had placed his hand over hers. Was he warning her to remain as she was or was he making it known to Lucerne that Dawn belonged to him?