Page 28 of Highland Hearts

“I will give you a few moments, no more,” Cavell said and walked toward him.

Cree watched as a man, a good head shorter than Cavell, his garments in fine shape, followed close behind him.

“We talk alone,” Cree said, his harsh tone leaving no room he would have it any other way.

“You do not make the demands here,” Cavell shouted.

“On that you are wrong!” Cree’s strong voice carried over all there, though he had not raised his voice, and several men shivered.

The man behind Cavell moved closer to whisper something in his ear.

“A few minutes, no more,” Cavell said, and the man remained where he was when Cavell stepped toward Cree.

Cree waited for Cavell to reach him, then began to walk, giving Cavell no choice but to join him.

The man who had remained where he was hurried to keep pace a distance behind them.

Cree stopped abruptly. “Continue to follow us and you will feel the thrust of my sword in your gut!”

The man took a hasty step back and shot Cavell a warning look.

“Do as he says, Blaine, so we can be done with this,” Cavell ordered, and the man nodded, a reluctant look in his eyes.

After a safe distance from the man, Cree kept his voice low to ask,” What have you gotten yourself into?”

“You will give me what I want,” Cavell said loud enough for others to hear.

Cree glared at him and walked farther away from prying eyes and ears.

Cavell took quick steps toward him and kept his voice to a whisper. “All is not what it seems.”

“More friend than foe, so my daughter tells me,” Cree said, his voice barely above a whisper.

Cavell laughed vigorously as if, somehow, he won a point in the conversation. “She is remarkably intelligent for one so young as well as fearless.”

“Foolish is more like it.”

“I would never harm her,” Cavell assured him.

“My daughter was sure you wouldn’t hurt her.”

Cavell did not seem surprised. “She is observant.”

Cree had to agree, though did not remark on it, since he suddenly saw the sadness in Cavell that his daughter had seen.

“Meet my demands and this will be done. I will give you three more days to think on it,” Cavell said.

Cree grew more suspicious than he already was. “You bide time. Why? What causes this delay?”

“You are still distrustful as ever,” Cavell accused.

“Something I take it you tell me I should be.”

“You were always wise.”

“I thought you were as well,” Cree said.

“I thought I was too, I learned otherwise.”

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