Highlander's Winter Tale Read Online Free PDF Page A

the tear had touched. “I love hearing you say that, but I hear you just as loudly when you tell me as you have always done.” He kissed her lips, and then whispered, “Besides, I love having your hands touch me when you speak.”
    She smiled and ran her hand over his chest and down along his waist and just as it appeared as though she would slip her hand further down between them, she took hold of his hand and pressed it against her breast.
    His smile turned to that wicked grin he wore just before...
    “Let us see whose touch makes the other surrender first.”
    She shifted on his lap, so she could reach down to touch him when he quickly stood and placed her on her feet.
    “No, no, wife, we will make this a fair battle. We do not start until we are both naked and on the bed.”
    Her hands went to her garments, eager to be the victor in this little skirmish of passion when a knock sounded at the door.
    Cree muttered several oaths as did Dawn. She shook her head and admonished herself for speaking so unfittingly, even though it could not be heard, it was not proper for her to do so. But damn just did not seem strong enough to quell her anger at being interrupted.
    Cree swung the door open to find Sloan there.
    Sloan held up his hands. “Before you kill me, I thought it important you know that two of the women who served the stranger have suddenly taken ill and the food being cleared off the tables have soured so badly it is turning the stomachs of all in the Great Hall.” He scrunched his nose and shivered, as if demonstrating just how bad the odor was.
    Before Dawn could approach her husband, he turned and ordered, with his finger pointed at her, “You stay here and I mean it. Do not dare leave this room. Wait for my return.” He shut the door on her startled face before she could say a word.
    Sloan chuckled as they walked to the stairs.
    “Do not say it,” Cree warned.
    Sloan chuckled again. “You think you would have learned by now that she does not pay heed to your words.”
    “She will pay heed this time,” Cree snapped.
    “And why is that?”
    “She fears the devil and she fears the devil has been unleashed on us. She will keep her distance this time.”
    Sloan shuddered from the sudden chill that ran threw him. “What if the devil is here?”
    “Then I will send him back to hell where he belongs.”
    The stink hit Cree when he was a few steps from the bottom of the stairs and his anger sparked. When he stepped into the Great Hall, he was once again glad that he had Flanna to oversee the servants and running of the keep. She had the servants scrubbing the tables and benches with fresh snow while two servants began tossing pine cones into the flames of the large fireplace. He wondered what was in the tankards that everyone in the hall was holding close to their noses. It did not take long to find out. Flanna approached with two tankards.
    “It will help quell the odor.”
    Cree sniffed at one of the tankards she held. It was a pleasant apple scent, but he refused it. The room might stink, but he had smelled far worse in his life, especially after battle. Besides, it would be a sign of weakness to take the tankard and he did not have to look to see that Sloan refused it as well.
    “You have done well, Flanna,” Cree said.
    She bobbed her head. “The pine cones, greedily being consumed by the flames, will soon chase the odor and all will be able to sleep comfortably tonight.”
    “The women who took ill?”
    “I had them moved to the far corner of the hall,” she said, pointing in the direction. “I thought to send for the healer and two warriors volunteered to fetch Elsa, but the storm has worsened and between the darkness and the snow a hand in front of your face cannot even be seen. It will have to wait until daylight. Even then it may not be possible, if the snow continues to fall so heavily and rapidly.”
    “Does anyone tend them?”
    “They all fear going near them, the fever having come