Page 11 of Cherished By A Highlander

“Talking to yourself, Shade?”

Shade was startled for a moment but smiled when she saw her step-da, Rawlin, emerge from the dense woods, his horse trailing behind him. He was a good man and a good husband to her mum. He had approached her mum two years after he lost his wife and by then her mum had been a widow for ten years. Her mum had rebuffed his suggestion that they would make a good fit, but he had been persistent, and it had paid off for him. Her mum wed him and went to live at his farm. Shortly after her departure, her grandmother had passed, and she was left alone. Her mum did not live far, and they visited when they could, but the farm kept her busy as did Shade’s healing. She was happy for her mum, but she did miss her.

Her brow wrinkled with worry when she realized her mum wasn’t with Rawlin. That was unusual and she quickly asked, “Is my mum well?”

“Her head pains her as it does from time to time and she has run out of that brew you made for her that helps her so much,” Rawlin said.

“I should have brought her more by now,” Shade said and worried that her mum’s headaches were getting worse, growing more frequent since she had given her more than enough of the mixture to last for a good while.

“Nonsense, Shade. We’ve all been busy with no time to visit.”

“Do you have enough time to have a hot brew before you leave?” she asked.

“Aye, I would enjoy that, but I also need you to tend to a wound of mine.”

“What happened?” Shade asked with concern.

He shook his head. “A splinter I fear that I nor your mum could dig out and since her headache brought me here, I thought I would have you look at it and see if you could help.”

Shade smiled softly, though a laugh tickled her throat. Her mum’s headaches were not growing more frequent, and she had not run out of the mixture. She had feigned both, giving her an excuse to send Rawlin here for the true purpose of seeing his finger tended to.

“The light is better out here. Take a seat on the bench,” she said, pointing to the one in front of the cottage, “while I set a brew to heat before I work on your splinter.”

It took only a few moments to see the task done and gather what she needed. She returned to Rawlin to find him resting back against the cottage wall as he glanced around.

“It really is lovely here,” Rawlin said. “Sometimes I think your mum misses being here. Sitting here now, I can understand why. There is a peacefulness to this place that calms.”

“Aye, there is, and I am lucky to call it my home,” Shade said and placed a small stack of cloths on the bench before filling a bucket from the barrel of rainwater and sitting it on the bench beside him. “You will need to soak your hand in there for a while.”

He did as she told him, and they talked as they waited.

“Have you heard from Ula lately?” Rawlin asked.

“Nay, and I am concerned of news about a possible battle between Clan MacLeish and Clan Glencairn. At first, I thought it was mere gossip but talk of it has increased and the more I hear the more I believe it is only a matter of time. If it comes to that, Caleb will have to fight, and I cannot imagine how frightened Ula must be over that prospect.”

“That is why I asked. Everyone believes a battle is imminent. Land is power in the Highlands and Lord Torrance wants Clan MacLeish so he can grow his power and wealth. It may not be alarge clan, but it is a prosperous one, not to mention that there has been bad blood between Torrance and Ryland.”

“Why?”

Rawlin shrugged. “Who knows? It could be anything, though more often it is nothing that is important enough to spark a battle and for people to die.”

Shade had him remove his hand from the water and after moving the bucket off the bench, she sat next to him. She examined his finger with the splinter closely, then took a bone needle from her healing pouch and went to work on it as she continued to chat with him.

“So, you do not think Clan MacLeish has a chance against Clan Glencairn?” she asked.

“Chieftain Ryland of Clan MacLeish is a wise leader and warrior. I have confidence in him and his skills. Unfortunately, Lord Torrance is not an honorable man. Many hope and pray that Chieftain Ryland sees victory in the battle that is sure to come, for if he doesn’t, there is no telling how many clans Lord Torrance will attempt to claim.”

“I pray the same myself,” Shade said and released his hand. “All done. I will smear the small wound with honey. Keep your hand clean and it will heal fine.”

Rawlin stared at his finger that he held up in front of his face. “I didn’t even feel that. Your mum said you had a tender and soothing touch.”

“A grateful gift since it helps when healing,” Shade said. “Now let’s have that brew.”

They talked and laughed and ate oak cakes that Shade had made earlier. She was grateful for Rawlin’s visit. It helped her feel less alone and reminded her that she had family who cared for her.

Quint watchedShade and the man talking from the confines of the woods. He had heard voices when he had approached the cottage on foot and stopped when he saw her sitting next to the man on the bench. They appeared quite comfortable with each other, giving Quint the impression they knew each other. He was an older man and could be visiting her concerning a healing issue. But it seemed a friendlier visit with them sharing a brew and oat cakes.

The situation normally wouldn’t stop him from approaching and finding out for himself. But there was something familiar about the man and that could prove a problem. So, he watched and waited for the man to leave.

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