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

the door, though it seemed much farther away, since any moment he expected someone to jump out at him. Finally, the door was but a step away. He reached his hand out, with relief, to open it and a hand clamped down on his shoulder.
    ~~~
    Dawn’s temper burst and she gestured wildly at the warrior who followed her every move. She had been so busy helping Ardit that she had not realized that he had been trailing her until she stopped and noticed that her husband was nowhere to be seen.
    “I am sorry, Lady Dawn, but I do not understand you,” the warrior said. “All I know is that Lord Cree gave me orders to remain by your side and I was not to allow you to leave the camp. He told me to tell you he would not be long and you were not to worry.”
    Dawn shook her finger vigorously at the warrior, as if reprimanding him when she truly wished it was her husband she was chastising.
    “I see that you are angry, and again I am sorry, but I much rather face your anger, my lady, then face Lord Cree’s wrath for failing to keep you safe in his absence.”
    Dawn looked to Ardit who had just finished passing around the last of the porridge to the warriors who devoured it in haste.
    Ardit shook her head and shrugged, letting Dawn know that she knew nothing of Cree’s departure.
    And what of Torr, she wanted to ask, but knew the warrior would not understand her. It was at a time like this she wished she had a voice and could make herself truly heard. Her hands spoke clearly enough for her most of the time, but times like now when she could barely be understood were the most difficult. Of course, it did not help getting angry, but it was more worry than anger that had fueled her outburst.
    She believed she knew where both men went. They went to see if Wintra’s horse was at Cross Hill. It would prove that Wintra was there and once inside Dawn would only need to locate her, make sure she was well, and assure her that she would be free soon. She hoped it would go as smoothly as she thought.
    She paced beside the campfire, waiting and praying for her husband and Torr’s safe and quick return, since there would have been no keeping Torr from going with him. Though when Cree did return, there was plenty she would have to say to him.
    ~~~
    “You are not alone in this.”
    Torr turned, relieved to hear Cree’s familiar voice, though barely able to see him in the dark. “I know, but this was for me to do. Wintra is in there and tomorrow one way or another I intend to rescue my wife.”
    “Agreed,” Cree said. “I do not want my sister stuck in that awful keep one more day. We formed a good plan and it will go well. But I do want to know what brought Cathan here to the barn to hide.”
    Torr was quick to turn and peruse the darkness.
    “The plan will fail if you do not leave here now,” Cathan said, stepping out of the shadows.
    Cree had seen Cathan sneak away from the cottage and had followed her here. He was curious as to why she was sneaking into the barn. Shortly after, Torr had emerged from the woods and had snuck into the barn as well. He knew why Torr was here, to see if Wintra’s mare was here. But why was Cathan here?
    Cathan spoke up. “One of the warriors comes out here at night. He seems to prefer the company and smell of the horses rather to what is inside.”
    The only way she could know that was if she had been watching the structures for several nights, and if she had been—why? Cree intended to find out.
    “Then we should take our leave now,” Cree said and stepped aside with Torr to let her depart first, not wanting her at his or Torr’s back. He did not trust her.
    Cathan peered beyond the door as she opened it slowly and waved the two men to follow, and they did, though with cautious steps. When they were a short distance into the forest, she stopped and they did as well. She turned and walked to a spot that gave her a good view past the trees to the barn. She pointed to it.
    Cree realized she wanted them to