The old woman trembled and hugged the blanket around her. “I knew you would come for me. You have the kindest and most unselfish heart, just like your mother.”

It pleased Dawn to know she was like her mother but there was not time to dwell or waste, they had to get moving. Dawn helped Old Mary to stand and after adjusting the blanket around the woman, she slipped off her fur-lined cloak and placed that on top of the blanket. Old Mary tried to protest, but Dawn showed her that she had another cloak on and though not fur-lined, it would do.

Dawn wrapped an arm around the woman and held her close as she led them on the path back to the village. It didn’t take long for Dawn to realize that Old Mary was already exhausted from her ordeal and she feared that she would not be able to make it far. If she could get her close to the edge of the woods that boarded the village, she could then go for help.

After a few more feet, Dawn slipped her shoulder under Old Mary’s arm and practically carried the woman along. She kept a steady pace and as the old woman grew weaker Dawn took more of the woman’s weight on her.

Dawn felt hot and cold all at the same time and her arms and legs hurt, though she barely felt her feet and she knew that was not good. She had to keep going, no matter what she could not stop, if she did she might not get moving again.

Old Mary’s body suddenly went completely limp and Dawn wrapped her arm tightly around the woman’s waist while continuing to support her with her shoulder and lifted her slightly so that her feet lightly dragged along in the snow. Her own limbs screamed from the added burden and the cold but she was determined to get them both back to the village and into the safety and warmth of Old Mary’s cottage. And so she pushed on against the raging wind and snow.

~~~

“Dawn’s not in the village,” Sloan said.

At that moment Cree felt completely helpless and it infuriated him. He stood outside Lila’s cottage having just finished speaking with her and trying to calm her down once she found out that Dawn was missing. Paul had immediately donned a cloak and went out to join the search as did many other village men when they learned of the news.

“Do you think someone could have abducted her?” Sloan asked.

“Why would someone do that?” Torr asked joining them, his father at his side.

“I haven’t the time to explain,” Cree said, “but there have been attempts on Dawn’s life.”

“Why?” Kirk asked anxiously.

“We haven’t been able to determine that yet,” Cree said. “But I don’t believe that is what happened here. Old Mary is a good friend of Dawn’s and she would worry over the old woman.”

“She would brave a snowstorm to help a friend in need, even if it meant risking your wrath,” Torr said as if he understood Dawn’s kind nature. “So where else might she search for her friend?”

Cree didn’t get a chance to respond, shouts from behind the cottage drew their attention. And not one of them hesitated, they all ran. Cree spotted Dawn through the swirling snow, Old Mary weighed on her and Paul was about to take hold of the old woman. Cree was at her side and scooped her up in his arms after Paul freed her of Old Mary.

“See to recalling the men and the old woman’s care,” Cree shouted to Sloan and tucked Dawn tightly against him. He could feel her body shiver and he hurried to her cottage.

Cree latched the door behind him and went directly to the other room. He sat her on the bed for a moment with strict orders not to move. He then added extra logs to the dwindling fire so that the small room would blaze with heat.

He returned to Dawn, took her by the shoulders, brought her to her feet, and slipped her cloak off tossing it on the chest at the foot of the bed. He ran his hands up and down her arms, alarmed at how cold she felt. And when he spotted her hands wrapped in rags he nearly roared with rage.

He meet her eyes ready to admonish her for being so foolish and the words died on his lips. Her face was pale and her eyes were heavy with exhaustion, and she looked as if she was ready to collapse. He chided himself for even thinking of scolding her and gently sat her on the bed. Then he carefully unwrapped the strips of cloth that were meant to keep her hands warm, though had failed. He took one hand gently in his and as he began to unwrap the cloth, she shivered.

Tags: Donna Fletcher Highlander Trilogy Romance
Source: readsnovelonline.net