Page 51 of Cherished By A Highlander

Quint appeared at the open door announcing, “Time for a brew and a brief rest.”

Shade and Ena did not argue.

Shade was surprised and pleased to see how well her husband had everything in hand. Men no longer stood in line waiting. They sat drinking a brew from a cauldron that had been set up, Dru providing refills to any who raised their tankard. And women were passing out bread, cheese, and oat cakes to those who waited. What surprised Shade the most though, was the smiles, talk, and laughter that permeated the area. Gone was the look of despair replaced by hope.

Quint handed his wife a tankard of hot cider and walked a distance away from the others there. “I had Dru go to Ula and let her know what was going on and Nug is checking on her often to see if she needs you to return. She says to tell you that the chieftain rests comfortably and she is following your instructions, and he is only slightly warm to the touch.”

Shade sighed. “I am glad all goes well and impressed with all that you have accomplished.” She lowered her voice. “Did you find out anything from the men?”

“I have been too busy to ask, but I have listened and?—”

“Made friends who will be only too glad to speak with you when given the chance.”

“Acquaintances who will fear me when they learn who I am.”

“Or not,” she said with trust he would be proven wrong. “So, what have you learned from listening?”

“That it is almost definite the fellow Asher that Nug had told me about sounds like the man I’m looking for and the one possibly hunting me.”

“This day has proven quite satisfying,” Shade said, after finishing the last of her cider.

“If you didn’t look so tired, I would say the day’s end would prove much more satisfying,” he said with a brush of his cheek against hers.

“A perfect time for a quick one,” she whispered.

“Don’t tempt me, wife, when you need sleep more than?—”

Shade interrupted him with a whisper, “Never will I need sleep more than I need you.”

Quint silently cursed Dru when she cried out, “Rest time is up, back to healing.”

Shade looked at the many men still left. “Dru is right. Time to get back to work.” With a quick kiss to his cheek, she hurried off.

“One of these days, Dru,” Quint warned when she walked over to him smiling.

“I saw that look and I know what it means. Shade has no time to dilly-dally. Besides, what is it they say about the heart? It surges when separated. Wait, maybe that’s passion that surges when delayed.”

“So, help me, Dru,” Quint snarled, and she ran off laughing.

Night was quickly falling when the last man was seen to, and Shade had just given Ena a small crock of salve to ease the pain in her swollen hands when shouts were heard. People were rushing around when Shade and Ena stepped out of the cottage. It wasn’t until she heard the wheels of a cart that Shade hurried forward toward the sound.

“Oh, Lord, please, Lord, no, not my Liam,” a young woman round with child cried out in fear.

Quint along with other men were helping men out of the cart when Shade reached it to see a young man, blood soaking his left shirtsleeve, and a blood-soaked cloth wrapped around his right leg.

“Get me in the cart, Quint,” Shade ordered, knowing her husband would have her in the cart faster than she could climb in herself.

Quint’s hands gripped her waist, and he hoisted her into the cart.

A quick look and touch told her what she needed to know, and she shut her eyes briefly at what she saw and what it meant. Then she focused on her husband when she opened them. “I need a room away from others where I can be provided with a lot of light.”

“The chieftain’s solar,” Nug said, his breathing labored from running to join them after hearing the news, and the young pregnant woman hurried into his arms. Nug looked at Shade. “Liam is my brother.”

“Mercenaries and more wounded,” a young warrior called out rushing toward them and stopped suddenly, bending over, his hands braced on his thighs while catching his breath.

Attention was turned to the young warrior while several men worked to get Liam out of the cart and to the keep.

“Where, Heath?” Nug asked as he hurried to the warrior.

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