Highlander’s Rescue
A Cree & Dawn Short Story #4
by
Donna Fletcher
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental.
Highlander’s Rescue A Cree & Dawn Short Story
All rights reserved.
Copyright June 2016 by Donna Fletcher
Cover art
Kim Killion Group
Ebook Design
A Thirsty Mind Book Design
Visit Donna’s Web site
www.donnafletcher.com
www.facebook.com/donna.fletcher.author
Table of Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Author’s Note
Titles by Donna Fletcher
About the Author
Chapter One
Dawn woke with a jolt, threw the blanket back, and was about to spring out of bed when she was caught around the waist and pulled back into Cree’s powerful arms.
“Where do you think you are going?” he asked, tossing her gently on her back and throwing his leg over hers to make certain she stayed put.
Dawn smiled and walked her fingers across her hand.
“We have time before we leave on our journey to visit Wintra and Torr. There is no reason to rush.”
Dawn cradled her arm and rocked it as if she held a baby.
“Hopefully, we will arrive before my sister delivers her baby, but we will not hurry. There is still much snow on the ground and our journey will not be an easy one.” He tapped her nose. “And you will make certain to obey me and not wander off or I will shackle you to me.” He winced, knowing she would smile at the suggestion, and she did. He grabbed her chin and gave it a light squeeze. “I mean it, Dawn. Do not make me mad with worry on this journey. I nearly went insane when I could not find you in that blinding snowstorm. I love you too much to lose you.”
His words, tinged with frustration more than anger, touched her heart. It was not easy for him being wed to a woman who had been born without a voice. It presented numerous problems, though many they had overcome. The one that was the most difficult for him was that in times of danger, she could not call out to him for help.
Dawn patted her chest, then his, letting him know she loved him just as much.
“You will take pity on your poor husband and behave on this journey.”
She nodded vigorously, then shrugged and tossed her hands up.
“Are you saying what could possibly go wrong?”
She nodded again.
Cree laughed. “With you, my stubborn wife, anything.”
Dawn smiled. She loved his laugh, since he scowled more often than smiled or laughed, though that was changing. Especially when he held the twins in his arms, then he always wore a smile. Valan and Lizbeth, only a few months old, would grin and search with wide eyes when they heard their father’s voice. He would talk to them and Lizbeth would often talk back, though she made no sense, but at least she had a voice. Dawn had worried that when she had a daughter she would be born without a voice like her mum. She had learned that her da’s family had a history of several women being born without a voice. She had not wanted that for her daughter. Tears of joy had welled in her eyes when she heard Lizbeth cry aloud for the first time.
The birth of the twins reminded her of the reason for this journey. Wintra, Cree’s sister, had been there for the birth and had helped her. She had given her word to Wintra that she would be there for her when her time came and her time was now. Dawn worried she may have missed the birth and poor Wintra would have gone through it alone. She prayed she was not too late.
The distressing thought had her trying to wiggle out of her husband’s grasp.
“You are not going anywhere and do you know why?” He did not give her a chance to answer. He nuzzled at her neck and her sensual shiver stirred his arousal. He nipped playfully at her neck and up along to her ear, and whispered, “I have not had enough of you yet.”
They had made love last night like most nights, both never seeming to get enough of each other. On this trip, there would be no privacy, which meant little chance of making love until they reached their destination.
Dawn ran her hand over her husband’s chest, loving the feel of his hard muscles and smooth skin. Though a warrior of immense skill and power, and the victor of many battles, he bore no scars. Some believe the devil protected him not because he served the evil being, but because the devil feared him.
She smiled and moved against him slowly and teasingly.
His lips drifted to her mouth. “I will not rush, for once we start this journey private moments will be difficult to find.”
Dawn’s hands slipped down between them to cup him gently and let him know she wholeheartedly agreed.
A pounding at the door had Cree spewing several oaths before shouting, “Go away!”
“You need to come immediately,” Sloan said anxiously.
Cree released several more oaths. He did want to come, though not immediately. He wanted to savor his wife and feel her grip his arms tightly and watch her toss her head from side to side as she climaxed, then join her as he made her come again.
He grumbled as he reluctantly slipped off her and got out of bed, dressing quickly and hoping, though doubting, this would not take long. Sloan would not have disturbed him if it was not important.
Dawn thought the same as her husband and she slipped into her garments as quickly as he slipped into his.
With a scowl on his face, Cree threw open the door.
Sloan spoke before Cree could. “Torr McClusky has entered the village—alone.”
Dawn latched onto her husband’s arm, fearing something had happened to Wintra, and she felt his muscles grow taught. He was as worried as she was.
Cree grabbed his wife’s fur-lined cloak off the door and draped it over her shoulders, then reached for his own and after throwing it on, hurried Dawn out the door.
Dawn could feel her husband’s worry in the way he held her hand tightly as they took quick steps through the Great Hall. Something had to be terribly wrong for Torr to be here without Wintra, and she feared the worst. That Wintra had died in childbirth and Torr had come on his own to inform Cree of his sister’s passing.
Dawn hurriedly pushed the painful thought from her mind. Wintra was strong like her brother. She would do well in childbirth. What then had brought Torr here alone?
Cree spotted Torr on his horse only a short distance from the keep. Anxious to know what brought him here without Wintra, and warning the heavens that nothing better have happened to his sister, Cree threw his arm around his wife’s waist, hoisted her up against him, and hurried down the keep’s steps.
Torr approached the bottom of the steps just as Cree set Dawn on her feet. He was not as tall as Cree, but he was of good height, being taller than most men and powerfully built, unlike most men. And while there was no one who was as handsome as Cree to Dawn, Torr came close even with the scar that ran down the left side of his face, but then she was partial since Torr was her half-brother.
“Tell me Wintra is here,” Torr demanded, slipp
ing off his horse and hurrying to Cree. “Tell me she made it here. Tell me she is safe inside the keep.”
Cree scowled at Torr. “Wintra is not here and God will not even be able to help you if you let anything happen to my sister.”
“I will deserve anything you do to me,” Torr said, “but first you will help me find her.”
Dawn felt her husband’s hand fall away from hers and she knew his intention. She took tight hold of it before he could reach out and grab Torr.
Torr looked to Dawn. “I told her you would come. I told her that the snowstorm had delayed you and you would arrive soon, that nothing would stop you from keeping your word.”
“We were leaving today,” Cree said, fighting to keep control of his anger at Torr and his worry over his sister.
Torr shook his head. “Wintra did not want to face the birth alone and as the snow grew heavier, she grew more anxious that you would not arrive before the baby would.”
“What did my sister do?” Cree demanded.
“She rode off in the snowstorm while I slept. As soon as I discovered what she had done, I went after her. When the snow turned so blinding that I could not see, I found shelter. I had hoped with her leaving before me that she missed the worst of the storm and arrived here safely.” Torr’s piercing blue eyes were filled with determination when he turned them on Cree. “Do what you will to me for failing to protect my wife—your sister—but first you will help me find her.”
Dawn stepped forward before her husband could. She had felt him grow taut beside her as Torr demanded like a mighty warrior, but then Torr had proven himself to be a fierce fighter and skilled swordsmen, and Dawn knew her husband respected him. That would not, however, stop Cree from thrashing his brother-in-law. A fight between the two men would not help the situation. What was more important was for them to find Wintra and that was what Dawn attempted to explain with her hands.
She was relieved when her husband agreed.
“Dawn is right, finding Wintra takes priority. I will give you a good beating later when we find my sister.” Cree did not say what he assumed Torr already understood. That if his sister had lost her life, through her own foolishness, Torr would lose his as well.
“We leave now,” Torr said with some relief and turned to mount his horse.
“No!” Cree commanded. “You will go in the keep and warm yourself and eat while I see that all is made ready for our departure.”
Torr stepped toward Cree, his eyes blazing. “I am not one of your warriors who will jump at your command. I will not sit idle when I do not know where my wife might be or what danger she may be in. Do what you will, but I intend to go find my wife.”
Dawn stepped in front of Torr and placed her hand on his chest, patting it gently.
Torr took hold of her hand. “It is only because you are my sister that I do not beat your husband in front of you.”
That had Cree stepping forward and Dawn’s other hand swinging out behind her to stop him from taking another step.
When Cree stilled, she gestured so both men could see her hands.
Torr looked to Cree, his blue eyes filled with more worry now than anger. “Dawn is right. Arguing will solve nothing and neither will my pigheadedness.”
“On that we can agree,” Cree said and turned a scowl on him. “We waste time. If you take a brief respite to get warm and eat, you will be stronger for the journey. It will also give us time to determine what path to follow in our search for Wintra. We can take our leave in thirty minutes.”
“I do not like taking any time away from the search for my wife, but I would be foolish not to take your advice,” Torr said with a nod. “I will wait for you in the Great Hall.”
“My sister was doing well otherwise?”
“Wintra was well. Though she was heavy with child, it did not stop her from doing what she wished, no matter how many times I threatened to lock her in our bedchamber.”
Cree looked at Dawn. “She is much like—”
Dawn tapped her husband’s chest before he could finish.
“You are right, Dawn. Wintra is much like her brother,” Torr agreed, “and I am glad for it. It means she will do whatever she has to—to survive.”
Torr was right and Cree was proud of it. Wintra had the strength and courage to survive her own foolishness, her obstinate nature would permit nothing less.
“Go and eat,” Cree said. “I will join you shortly.”
Dawn watched Torr climb the keep’s steps quickly. Her husband would not be able to hold him for long and she could not blame him. She was eager herself to be on their way in search of Wintra.
“I can see that you are just as anxious as Torr to be on our way,” Cree said.
Dawn nodded and spoke with her hands, pointing to Lila, her dearest friend who was approaching the keep, then rocked her arms as if holding a bairn.
Cree nodded. “I am glad that Lila will oversee the care of the twins while we are gone. Go speak with her and I will join you shortly.”
Dawn gave her husband a quick kiss on the cheek and when she did his arm shot around her waist and pulled her close to whisper in her ear, “When this is done, wife...” He nipped along her ear, sending a tingle through her that had her shivering.
He grudgingly let her go and walked off with Sloan.
“Tongues are wagging. Is it true? Torr has arrived without Wintra?” Lila asked as she hurried toward Dawn after Cree stepped away.
Dawn explained it all to Lila, her gestures quick. Lila understood them better than anyone, but then they had been friends since they were young. When she finished, she asked Lila to fetch Old Mary and bring her to the twins’ chambers.
Lila hurried off and Dawn hurried to feed the twins before she left. She arrived just in time. The women who shared in feeding the bairns were just about to see to the task. They left Dawn alone with Valan and Lizbeth after assuring her they would take good care of the two bairns while she was gone.
When Old Mary and Lila arrived, Lizbeth was finished suckling and sound asleep in her mum’s arm, but Valan was still greedily drinking more than his share.
“He is going to be as big as his da,” Old Mary said.
Dawn smiled at the thought and at the old woman who had helped raise her and who had always been there for her when she needed someone. No one knew Old Mary’s age and Dawn wondered if the old woman knew it herself. Her many wrinkles spoke of many years, but her alert eyes spoke of endless youth. What Dawn did know was that Old Mary was knowledgeable far beyond what one could see, and she had often told Dawn of things to come whether pleasant or not. That was what she wanted from her now—to know how Wintra fared.
“I know what you want from me and I would say take me on this trip for I would be of help, but that is not so—not this time. Trust few you meet and waste no time, for as much as I would like to tell you all will be well, there is much confusion and danger around the birth.” Old Mary placed her hand on Dawn’s shoulder. “Your courage will be needed.”
Dawn nodded. She would not fail Wintra.
The three women talked of birthing and various problems and solutions that Dawn might face when delivering Wintra’s baby. Their discussion was brought to a halt when Cree entered the room. Old Mary and Lila quickly took their leave.
Cree stopped Old Mary before she walked out the door. “My sister?”
“Make haste, for there is danger around her. That is all I know.”
Cree nodded and went to his wife and, seeing his son still feeding, he reached out and took his sleeping daughter in his arms. “She should feed more. She is a wee one.”
Dawn watched him cradle Lizbeth against his solid chest and she snuggled against him as she always did. They would be close, father and daughter, and it warmed Dawn’s heart to know that.
“Excuse me, I did not mean to disturb.”
Cree turned to see Elsa, his healer, standing in the open doorway. “Is something wrong?”
Elsa shook her head. “No. I
heard that you would be leaving soon in search of your sister and I prepared a birthing pouch for Dawn for when you find Wintra. I hoped to explain to her how to use some of the plants if it should prove necessary.”
Dawn nodded vigorously and waved Elsa forward.
Cree placed his daughter in the cradle after giving her soft cheek a kiss. “I will be in the Great Hall with Torr, join us when you are finished.”
As soon as Cree left, Elsa explained the many plants in the pouch and how to use them. “You will not need all of them and if there is bleeding that will not stop after Wintra is cleaned out, find moldy bread and ease it inside her.”
Dawn nodded, keeping everything Elsa advised strong in her memory.
Elsa explained a few other things that could go wrong during birth and what she should do if any of them should happen. “Wintra is strong and should birth her baby without a problem, but if something should happen, you will know what to do to help her.”
Dawn nodded again, hoping all would go well.
After putting her sleeping son near his sister in the cradle, and seeing him squirm until he rested against her, Dawn left the twins, promising herself more than the bairns that she would see them soon.
She heard her husband say to Sloan as she entered the Great Hall, “You will rule while I am gone. Make decisions that will hold firm until I return and do what you must to protect our people and our village.”
“I will not fail you,” Sloan assured him.
“I have no doubt of that,” Cree said.
A plan was hastily formed. According to Torr, Wintra knew only the path they had traveled when he had brought her home to the McClusky Clan. It would be wise for them to follow that path, though they had to consider that Wintra had been traveling in a snowstorm. When it worsened, she could have been forced off the path to find shelter just as Torr had been forced off the familiar path.
McClusky land bordered Cree’s property. Both were vast holdings and while Cree was familiar with the area, he had yet to explore every inch of his property.
Torr explained there were a few crofts once you crossed from Cree’s to McClusky land and a keep or two that had crumbled with age.
Highlander's Rescue A Cree & Dawn Short Story (Cree & Dawn Short Stories Book 4) Page 1