Highland Secrets (Cree & Dawn)

She turned to him and gestured again.

He kept his annoyance at bay. He would talk with her a few minutes to settle her thoughts, or else he would never get her in bed. “Aye, I suppose the woods have been busy.”

Her eyes widened as she gestured next.

“A good question,” Cree admitted. “It does seem odd that with so much activity in the woods that no one has been spotted, but then the woods are vast.” He knew without her saying what her next remark would be. “You wonder how a wee lass survives alone in the woods?”

She nodded.

“You did not give much credence to Torin’s suggestion that the lass is a ghost who lures people to their death, did you?” He need not ask her, the look on her face when Torin had suggested it had been enough to have the warlord quickly admitting he could be wrong.

Dawn shook her head and gestured again.

“You’re right. It is unlikely that a young lass could survive alone in the woods in the depth of winter.”

He had wished Henry had been there to see if the freshly made tracks could be followed. Unfortunately, by the time he went with a persistent Torin to see what could be found, there had been nothing there to see. That had been when Torin suggested the lass could be a ghost unable to leave any evidence of her having ever been there.

Dawn took another step away from him, worry on her face.

It took great effort to stop himself from reaching out and yanking his wife into his arms. He had had enough talk for the day. He wanted to make love to his wife, but she definitely was not thinking the same, unlike most times.

“We have gone over this, Dawn. If the wee lass truly needed help, she would have run to you, not beckoned you with her hand. There is a good chance someone could be using her to lure people into a trap.” Dawn went to disagree, but Cree stopped her, pressing a finger to her lips. “The lass has shown herself to you and only you and that is a warning I intend to take seriously. I will not have you disappearing.”

Dawn worried that the lass could be the sister of the lad who had come begging for food and he had somehow taken ill or was hurt, and the lass was frightened and was not sure what to do or who to trust. She had not expressed that concern earlier, but she did so now in slow gestures so her husband would understand her.

Cree had no trouble hearing what his wife said, though her words were silent. “If that were so and her brother needed help, I doubt she would hesitate in coming to you for it.” He slipped his arm around her waist and drew her close. “I know seeing the lass all alone troubles you, but it is good you have seen her. It gives us an idea of what may have drawn people away from the village and if the lass is a lure, then if we catch her, we can find out what happened to the others and free not only them but the lass as well.” He kissed her gently. “Now let your mind rest. Tomorrow is time enough to think and see what we can find.”

Dawn nodded, a yawn interrupting it.

Cree cursed silently beneath his breath. He had forgotten that she had never got a chance to rest after having seen the lass. And when word reached the keep that Auda needed help, two women birthing at the same time, she had joined Tavia and Flora to help. He had left a sizeable group of warriors with her since he did not want to leave Torin alone with Newlin for supper. He was not sure how much he could actually trust the man.

He walked his wife to the bed and tucked her beneath the blanket. “I will be with you shortly. I want to add more logs to the fire.”

Dawn nodded and yawned again, her eyes looking as if they would drift closed at any moment.

Cree lingered by the fire, trying to think of anything but his wife naked, his lips aching to kiss her soft skin and for once was glad she wore a nightdress. He forced his thoughts elsewhere, wondering on Torin. He had shown great interest with the problem at hand but little interest in inquiring or meeting his friend’s new wife, something Cree would have done immediately to make certain the woman had not been harmed. He had taken his leave soon after the meal finished, retiring to the bedchamber that had been prepared for him.

With the fire blazing, Cree stretched himself to his feet, extending his arms up and back to ease the ache between his shoulders and turned as he did. His wife stood a short distance behind him—naked.