Page 26 of Highland Hearts

“Why should that concern you?” Cree asked, coming up behind the man and causing him to jump in fright.

“Curiosity,” Tate was quick to say.

Cree glared at him. “Curiosity can get you killed.” He turned his head to his wife as if dismissing the man. “There is much that needs your attention. See to it.” He walked off hiding a smile, leaving Tate to reveal more of his true character to Dawn, who no doubt thought his command humorous while also understanding it.

Dawn fought back the urge to laugh at her husband’s teasing command and waited for Tate to remark.

“Now I know why you have not drawn what I have asked of you. Lord Cree demands obedience and like any good wife, you obey,” Tate said.

There were moments Dawn was grateful for her silence and this was one of them, for she would have burst out laughing otherwise. Instead, she gestured slowly.

“My daughter says all obey Lord Cree’s word,” Kirk said, approaching them. “But then that is the way of a strong leader, is it not? And a strong leader produces a strong clan.”

“Aye, aye, a clan that would obey without question,” Tate agreed. “I will keep you no longer, Lady Dawn. The day is quite pleasant, perfect for drawing the beauty of your surrounding woods.”

Kirk stared after Tate as he rushed off as if late for something and when he was a distance away, he asked, “Since when do you obey your husband without question and since when does Cree stop you from drawing?”

Dawn hooked her arm around her da’s, smiled, and winked.

Kirk laughed. “I should have known you’ve got something brewing. I won’t ask unless you want to tell me, or you need help. Otherwise, I prefer to talk about you and why you seem a bit unsettled with this move when everyone is overjoyed.”

Dawn gestured, touched by her da’s concern.

“No longer?” her da questioned. “Are you sure?”

Dawn thought a moment, looked to the old keep, and stopped walking to gesture, glad to talk with her da about it. He may not have raised her, but he understood her. She supposed it was because whatever it was that had her born without a voice ran through the females of his family, and he had a unique understanding of her infliction and all it entailed.

Kirk nodded when Dawn finished. “I would feel the same leaving a home where love was born and flourished, and endless memories were made. A bit of your heart will always be here and that is good for a heart filled with such love will surely bring happiness to the family who will occupy it once you leave. There are many things in life that cause us to move on physically or mindfully whether we want to or not, and it is good your move is not forced but rather filled with love and family and endless memories to build together.

Dawn squeezed his arm and smiled, thanking him for reminding her of that.

“I, myself, look forward to your move. After Tynan showed me his room, he took me to a room near his and told me it was mine and that I was to live here and not leave him.”

Dawn saw the tears that caught in her da’s eyes, and she gestured.

“Aye, Tynan does seem to favor me, and I must admit I favor him as well, not that I don’t love my other grandchildren,” Kirk was quick to add. “It is just that Tynan never tires of spending time with me.”

Dawn hurried to gesture.

Kirk smiled. “I appreciate the offer to live here with the lot of you, daughter, but I have responsibilities at home as well, though I would not mind spending extra time here, a few months at a time if that is all right with you.”

Dawn nodded and gestured her enthusiasm.

“I would be pleased to spend more time with you as well, and the grandchildren,” Kirk said. “Now what say we clear out the old and make way for the new.” He looked from the keep, then toward the direction of the castle, and Dawn nodded enthusiastically.

* * *

Cree walkedthrough the new village, people avoiding him. Where once it was fear he saw on their faces at his frequent scowls, it was now concern. They worried of what lingered on the horizon, the abduction, possible battle, and loss of lives. He did not want to see battle again, but if he had no choice, he would do what was needed to protect his clan.

He hurried his steps to the keep and stopped when he entered the Great Hall, his scowl disappearing as he watched his wife direct the servants. She had them hanging tapestries and moving tables while the twins and Tynan ran from a barking Beast in delightful play.

His heart swelled with love for his family, and he would do anything to keep them safe. His glance fell on his wife, and he saw worry on her face as her glance focused on him. They knew each other well and as she approached him; he knew what her words would be to him.

With a swiftness that startled Dawn, her husband grabbed her hands before she could gesture when she reached him.

“No lectures, wife. I do what is necessary, when necessary, as do you.”

Dawn’s expression softened as she acknowledged the truth of his words with a nod. She eased her hands out of his, after he gave them a gentle squeeze, and gestured.

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