Total pages in book: 46
Estimated words: 42873 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 214(@200wpm)___ 171(@250wpm)___ 143(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 42873 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 214(@200wpm)___ 171(@250wpm)___ 143(@300wpm)
Dawn’s laughter could be seen in her crinkling smile, and she locked her fingers firmly with her husband’s, feeling the need to hold on to him. She continued to be disturbed by the distance there had been between them lately, never having felt it before.
They did not enter directly into the Great Hall, as they did in the old keep. A small entry chamber greeted them, blocking the cold from directly entering the keep as well as having it serve as a barrier where warriors could defend against an attack. Several torches in metal sconces lit the confined space and cast sufficient light over the area.
Dawn was suddenly caught off guard when instead of opening one of the double doors, her husband braced her against one. “Later you will tell me what is troubling you for I do not like the distance you have put between us, and I will no longer tolerate it.” He brought his brow down to rest against hers. “Your da is not the only one who has missed you.”
Her heart swelled hearing her husband, the mighty Cree, issue a demand and yet soften, admitting he missed her. A tear trickled from her eye realizing he was right and yet not knowing how to explain to him how she felt, for she did not understand it herself.
His thumb quickly swiped the tear away. “I did not mean to make you cry. I hate to see you cry. It breaks my heart.” He kissed her wet cheek.
She wrapped her arms around his neck and held him close, grateful for his love, grateful that he understood her better than she understood herself, and relieved he had known something troubled her.
He held her tight. “Tell me you are well. Tell me you are not keeping something dreadful from me.”
She eased her arms from around his neck, shook her head, and gestured.
“You do not know what is troubling you?” he asked.
She nodded.
He kissed her lips gently. “Then we will find out together, always together.”
Dawn nodded, feeling more relieved than she had in days.
He wiped at her cheeks more tears having fallen. “No more tears, my love, I am here for you always.”
She patted her chest then his and he smiled and said what she wished she could say for him to hear, “I love you as well, but I always love hearing you say it.”
She dropped her brow against his chest. He forever spoke to her as if she had a voice and he could hear her every word and she loved him even more for it. She needed to remember and never doubt that.
He kissed the top of her head, relishing the sweet scent of her auburn hair. “I not only hear your every word, I feel it and I thank the heavens every day for sending you to me.”
She raised her head and nodded, patting her chest, letting him know she felt the same.
“Now let us go join our children before they take command of your da,” Cree said and taking her hand entered the Great Hall.
“Why were you crying, Mummy?” Lizbeth demanded, running over to her.
“She sees everything,” Cree whispered to Dawn and when his daughter stopped in front of them, she planted her hands on her small hips and cast an accusing eye at her da. He was quick to explain. “Your mum cries tears of joy at seeing her da.”
Lizbeth glared at her da for a moment, as if saying I am not sure I believe you, then took her mum’s hand. “Come, Turbett has prepared special sweets for Grandda’s visit.”
Kirk stood beside Cree as the children pointed to the honey cakes, tarts, dried fruits covered in honey and spices, trying to decide what they would eat.
“Lizbeth is far too observant and commanding for one so young,” Kirk said, smiling as he watched his grandchildren. “She is much like you.”
“That is what frightens me,” Cree admitted, watching his daughter telling her brothers what sweet they should choose.
Valan ignored her and made his own choice, but Tynan did not hesitate to scoop up the sweet cake his sister pointed to. Cree could not hide his grin, since Lizbeth knew her brothers well and knew that Tynan favored sweet cakes and that Valan favored the dried fruit, yet he chose the tart to spite his sister and suffered for it. Though, not for long, since Lizbeth swiped the tart out of his hand and shoved a honey-covered dried fruit in his hand that he ate without protest.
His daughter had also handed her mum a honey cake which Dawn was enjoying as she glanced around the room. Cree could almost see her mind churning with things she felt were missing and that was what he had hoped for, that she would put the finishing touches that would make it a home and a welcoming place that would see many celebrations in the years to come.