Highland Sanctuary Read Online Free PDF Page A

one-room cottage with an identical bed beside it. As Leith laid Serena down, she stirred, moaned, and rolled over without waking. Evelina's heart pounded against her ribs, a glimpse of hope in the slight movement stretching her faith. "I'm afraid the loft where Serena usually sleeps would be too difficult for ye to carry her up the ladder and for me to attend her."
     
"Good idea," Gavin said, stepping inside. His gaze slid to the wooden ladder nailed to the wall that led to the loft. He peered at the oak table with wooden chairs by the fireplace. She wondered what he thought, then dismissed the concern. Serena was the priority.
     
"Is there aught else we can do?" Gavin asked.
     
Evelina walked over the dirt floor to the end of the bed and removed her daughter's shoes. She pulled a blanket over Serena. "Would ye find Tomas for me?" Evelina straightened. "He should be at the kirk. If not, he might be tending to someone in the village. Just ask around for him."
     
"What does he look like?" Gavin asked.
     
"He's bald." She paused, realizing that wasn't entirely true. "Well, maybe a wee bit on the top." She patted her own head for emphasis. "He's average height, thin, and I'd say middleaged."
     
"I'd be obliged to find him for ye." Gavin stepped back toward the door.
     
"And he's probably wearing a brown robe with a rope cord around the waist."
     
"He's a priest?" Leith asked.
     
"Aye." She nodded.
     
"Do ye plan to have her last rites read?" Gavin glanced over at Serena, concern apparent in his eyes as he raised a brow.
     
"Tomas is both priest and physician in our village." Evelina tucked the covers around her daughter.
     
"We'll be happy to find Tomas for ye." Leith said, grabbing Gavin's arm and leading him out. "Come on, Gavin. We'd better be on our way."
     
"Thank ye for yer aid." Evelina said to their retreating backs. Once they were gone, Evelina sighed and dropped to her knees. "Gunna, Serena had another fit. This one was the worst I've seen. We've got to pray she comes to—and soon."
     
 
     

 
     
"Once I find the physician, I'll join the rest of ye for supper." Gavin slapped Leith on the back.
     
They parted ways while Gavin headed to the only wooden building in the midst of the village with a crooked cross leaning to the right above the entrance. He walked up the four steps and opened the door aged with splintered wood. Rusted hinges groaned. No windows. The little sanctuary appeared as dark as tree bark. He blinked, allowing his eyes time to adjust.
     
"Hello!" Gavin called. Silence. "Tomas?"
     
Rows of benches ran on each side of the sanctuary creating an aisle up the center. He listened, but no sound save his own cautious footsteps greeted him. "Tomas, if ye're here, Serena Boyd has fallen and needs yer help." If the physician-priest was hiding, Gavin hoped he would show himself once he knew why Gavin sought him.
     
Gavin waited a few more seconds and walked out. As he bounded down the steps, he wondered where he should go next. He had no choice but to make an unexpected visit to each resident of the village until he found Tomas. Peering through the woods, he saw another dwelling to the right. He walked toward it, ducked beneath a low branch, his boots crushed over pine needles, cones, and fallen twigs.
     
A hand-carved slate that read "Cobbler" hung outside a small cottage. It didn't look like a cobbler shop. Gavin took a deep breath and knocked. No one answered. Hammering continued from inside. Mayhap they couldn't hear him. He pushed open the door as bells jingled from a string. The room was wide-open with a long table on each side. Shoes and boots for ladies, men, and children were stacked in neat rows across the carved shelves along the walls of the shop.
     
The cobbler worked on a pair of soles with his back to the entrance. Gavin cleared his throat, but the man didn't move from his practice.
     
"May I help ye, sir?" A young lass appeared through a long blue curtain from a back room