Highlander's Rescue A Cree & Dawn Short Story (Cree & Dawn Short Stories Book 4) Read Online Free PDF

wanted you there, and I think she would have preferred Elsa there as well.”
    Dawn tapped her chest harder and nodded vigorously.
    “You will be there for her.” Torr nodded. “I told her you would not fail her that you would arrive in time, but she can be so stubborn.”
    She smiled, scowled, and puffed her chest out.
    Torr laughed. “Aye, she is like Cree.”
    She fisted her hands, holding them up.
    Torr nodded again. “Aye, and a fighter as well.”
    Dawn tapped her chest and walked her fingers in the air toward him, tapped his chest, and held two fingers together.
    “You will bring Wintra to me?”
    Dawn nodded.
    “All I ask is that you keep her and our bairn safe until I come for them.”
    Dawn nodded again.
    “We will bring Wintra and the bairn home safely,” Torr said with the confidence that she was used to hearing in her brother. He hugged her. “I will see you both safe. You have my word.”
    Ardit entered to make another batch of the hot porridge for the men and Dawn offered to help her.
    Torr took his leave, leaving the two women to the task.
    The women talked as they worked, Dawn using simple gestures to speak with her and Ardit easily understanding them. She also helped Ardit distribute the brew and it was not until dusk that she realized Torr was not there and neither was her husband.

Chapter Four
    Torr waited until dust faded and when darkness finally fell over the land, he crept slowly along the edge of the woods until he came upon the structure behind Cross Hill keep. It was larger than he thought it would be. Grateful there was only a sliver of a moon, he made his way across the barren stretch of land to duck behind the building. He waited and listened for footfalls, hearing none he kept flat against the side and crouched down to sneak a peek around the corner. Not one warrior stood guard, which led Torr to believe they were not expecting any trouble. They thought themselves safe from any kind of attack.
    He eased the door open and slipped inside. It was dark, but the distinct odor and a snort or two told him the place housed horses. He moved along slowly, not wanting to upset the animals and for the most part he received only snorts until he approached the last stall. The horse was restless and as soon as he saw the animal he knew why. It was Wintra’s mare—Wintra was in the keep.
    With a gentle hand he soothed the familiar mare and whispered reassuring words to her. “I will have you and Wintra out of here soon enough.” He stilled when he heard the door creak open and someone enter and close the door behind him.
    Torr slipped beneath the rope that kept the horse contained, soothing the animal with a tender touch so the mare did not alert anyone to his presence, and waited. Since whoever entered carried no light, he assumed the person had snuck in just as he had. But why and was it someone from the keep or had someone followed him here? He shook his head, hoping Dawn had not followed after him. Cree would be furious if she had and he could not blame him. He was worried enough about sending Dawn into the keep tomorrow, though he was relieved Cree had not stopped her from going. At least with Dawn inside, there would be someone there to help Wintra. She would not be alone.
    A hoof hit the ground, startling him out of his thoughts, and he got annoyed at himself for not remaining alert to his present problem. He cleared his head, listened, and waited. After hearing nothing for some time, he wondered if he had heard anything at all.
    He could not spend the night here and take the chance of getting caught. He had to return to the others and be ready for tomorrow when he would free his wife, and he would let no one—absolutely no one—stop him.
    With silent steps, he left the stall and proceeded cautiously toward the door. He kept to the shadows so no one could see him and he listened for the slightest sound that would tell him that he was not alone.
    He only had a short distance to go to reach