Page 25 of Highland Hearts

“That is true. If he claims to be more friend than foe, then there will be no reason to kill him. And since he came here without anyone’s knowledge, then he is also alerting me that there are those who cannot be trusted in his crew. That would mean Cavell was hired for this mission and the person who hired him sent along some of his own men to make certain things were done his way.” Cree muttered several oaths beneath his breath and Dawn’s brow went up in question. “If Cavell does not have the last say in this abduction it could mean that someone could order William’s death or any of my warriors for that matter. I must find a way to talk with Cavell alone and find out who is truly responsible for the abduction.”

Cree grew silent and Dawn let it be. She knew her husband well enough to know his mind was churning with ideas and simply sitting here with him in the silence left her content.

Cree broke his silence. “Cavell demands land from me. I wonder if it is someone’s way of trying to take part of our land.”

With a tilt of her head, Dawn shrugged.

“I wonder myself who would be so brazen to do such a foolish thing.” Cree stared at the flames that danced and crackled in the hearth. “If Cavell had demanded a specific area of land I would wonder if a nearby clan was involved, but he made no such demand. He demanded land for him and his men, though specified no area.”

Cree smiled when his wife gestured, her fingers fighting as if they were swords, then dropping her hands and sighing.

“You think he has grown tired of battle and wants no more of it?” Cree asked and nodded when his wife pointed at him. “Aye, I did grow tired of the endless battles, the suffering, and the senseless deaths.” He shook his head. “I need to speak with him and learn the truth of his mission. It is the only way to settle this problem, so no one suffers harm.”

Dawn agreed with a nod.

A short silence followed, then Cree asked, “So, tell me what Tate has been up to?”

The man was a thorn in his side that he wanted to yank out and crush until there was nothing left. He paid far too much attention to Dawn, and he was ready to send the irritating man on his way in a fashion that would make certain he would never return.

She gestured with her hand like the beak of a quacking duck.

“He talks endlessly?”

She nodded and sighed dramatically.

“You grow tired of him?” Cree asked and was pleased when she nodded. “I thought you enjoyed speaking with him about drawing.”

Dawn stretched up out of her chair and went to her husband. She took the goblet out of his hand and placed it on the table beside his chair, then settled herself in his lap.

Cree hurried his arms around her to tuck her comfortably against him. He loved when she cuddled herself in his lap. It was as if she could not get close enough to him and that pleased him and aroused him. He realized she was gesturing and though he missed part of it, he understood what she had said.

“You believe there is more to his visit than what he claims?” Cree asked.

Dawn shrugged and gestured.

“You are not sure, yet you question it, and your instinct is always good, wife. Any suggestions of what we may do to find out?”

Dawn smiled and gestured.

“Aye, I agree. We let him dig himself deeper into his lies and deceit.”

Dawn laid her head on her husband’s shoulder, content there with the strength of his muscled arms wrapped snugly around her and the warmth of him seeping into her. She wished he could hear her sigh of pleasure when his hand drifted to her breast to cup and squeeze it gently.

“I do not know why you put a nightdress on when you know I will take it off you,” he said teasingly.

She looked up at him and grinned.

“You purposely put it on so I will take it off,” he accused playfully.

Her grin turned wide.

Tightening his hold on her, he stood. “Time for it to come off, wife.”

Dawn agreed with an eager nod as they walked to the bed.

* * *

“I heard what happened yesterday,”Tate said anxiously as he approached Dawn outside the next morning. “I am relieved to know your daughter is unharmed. Who was it that she came across?”

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