Page 69 of Cherished By A Highlander

“You should be,” The Monk said as the man went stumbling back.

He yanked the little lass out of the man’s meaty hand and swung another forceful punch that knocked the man out, his big body landing flat on his back so hard that it sent dirt flying up and cascading down around him.

“Grab those two!” The Monk ordered and several men descended on them, stripping them of their weapons and using them to hold them at bay.

Shade hurried forward and took the little lass from her husband and rushed her to her mum. The woman’s arms circled her daughter in a tight hug. The other little lass clung to her mum’s side and the mum was quick to shift the lass to one arm and wrap her other arm around the daughter that clung to her.

“This has been a terrible ordeal for you all, but you are safe now,” Shade assured them.

“I pray that is so,” the woman said. “I am Corrine, and these are my two daughters, Bethy and Anne. My husband sent word that we were to come here and meet him, that this is our new home.”

“Aye, it is,” The Monk said. “You are safe here and my wife, Shade, will see to you and your daughters care, and your husband will join you shortly.”

The little lass’s tears had barely stopped, and her breathing was labored but she looked at The Monk and shouted, “THANK YOU.”

“Please forgive her shouting. Bethy has trouble hearing and to her she is speaking softly,” Corrine said, worry in her yes.

“YOU ARE MOST WELCOME,” The Monk shouted, and Bethy smiled.

Shade smiled as well. The little lass had touched the notorious Monk’s heart which proved he had one and was not a madman after all. Some others must have agreed since smiles and chuckles could be seen and heard as well.

“Come with me,” Shade said. “You must be hungry and thirsty after your journey.”

The two lasses’ eyes turned wide at the mention of food and tears filled their mum’s eyes. “Aye, we could use some food and drink.”

“This way,” Shade said, pointing to the keep and Corrine and her daughters hurried their steps. Before Shade followed, she looked at her husband. “Have someone help Heath to the keep and I will see to his wounds. You will release Rufus from the cell?”

“Aye. He spoke the truth, and it is no wonder why he wanted to return home with the coins he earned. They will not go hungry here.”

“You are a good man,” Shade whispered.

“Shush, woman,” he ordered with a playful wink. “You will ruin my infamous reputation.”

She hurried and kissed his cheek. “You have managed to do that on your own, husband.”

He watched her hurry to catch up to Corrine and her daughters. He didn’t think he could love her any more than he already did, but his love for her was growing daily as was his desire to see his task done and this matter with Chieftain Ryland settled so they could return to her cottage and make a home as husband and wife.

“Quint.”

He shook his head, clearing it, and turned to Nug. “We have much to find out from these men… to the dungeon with them.”

The joy on the two lasses’faces when food and drink were brought to the table almost brought Shade to tears. It brought Corrine to tears, seeing that her daughters finally had food to eat.

It took Shade’s urging when at first Corrine would not touch the food or drink as if she wanted to make sure her daughters would have enough to eat. “There is plenty there for you as well and more if needed. None of you will go hungry here.”

Corrine wiped away her tears and reached for a piece of meat and bread, but before she did, she smiled at Shade. “You are more than generous.”

Shade said what she had learned about the chieftain’s generosity from Ula. “Chieftain Ryland would have it no other way.”

Shade excused herself for a few moments to tend to Heath and learned that the men had come upon them as they got nearthe village. The big man had shouted out to him to stop but he thought for the safety of Corrine and her daughters he was better off getting as close to the village as possible before the men reached them. He stopped just before the village and hurried Corrine and her daughters out of the cart and cautioned them to run to the village. The big man showed him just how much he didn’t like that.

Shade was relieved when her eyes scanned his ribs and found none broken, only bruised which would still cause him pain and his facial bruises were minor and would heal. She had a brew prepared for him which he drank along with some ale as he ate.

Laughter was soon heard when Heath had them all laughing with a few tall tales.

Shade noticed how young Bethy tugged frequently at her ears and she suspected that an abundance of earwax impaired the little lass’ hearing. She was about to speak with Corrine about it when Bethy not only screeched but Anne did too. They scrambled off the bench and with wide smiles rushed to their da.

“Stay as you are!” Quint ordered, his powerful command halting the young lasses, then he turned a stern look on Rufus. “You have something to say to my wife?”

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