Page 30 of Highland Hearts

“Nay, my lord, and I prefer it that way. Some of those men look pure evil,” William said and shivered.

“Stay strong and I will have you home soon,” Cree said. “Your new cottage is waiting for you just as you designed it.”

“I cannot wait to see it, my lord, and to get started on the other projects we have for the village. I have designed much of it in my head, and I am eager to get it drawn.”

“That reminds me, William. A friend of yours arrived at the village and was upset to learn of your capture. He claims he is an artist and you told him about how talented Dawn is and how he had to meet her and see for himself.”

William’s brow drew tight. “His name, my lord?”

“Tate.”

William’s brow shot up. “Tate said he was a friend?”

“Aye, he did. Is he not your friend?” Cree asked, worried his wife could be in danger from the man.

William shook his head. “Nay, my lord. He is more than a friend… he is my brother.”

CHAPTER9

“Where is he?” Cree shouted, not finding anyone that could tell him where Tate was or his wife upon his arrival home. He hadn’t located Sloan yet either which irritated him even more, but then he had come straight to the new keep.

Tynan quickly hugged his grandda’s leg, his small eyes wide with fright while Valan grabbed his wooden sword ready to fight.

Kirk scooped Tynan up, feeling his little body tremble against him, and was about to speak when Lizbeth stepped forward.

She shook her head. “A name, Da. We cannot help you without a name.”

At that moment he saw Dawn clearly in his daughter and knew if his wife had been born with a voice she would have been as bold as Lizbeth at that age, and it gave him hope that she would be much like her mum. Though Lizbeth was part of him as well which quickly dashed his hope that she would be reasonable.

“Tate and Mum. I cannot find either one of them,” Cree said, doing his best to restrain his anger.

“They went to the woods to draw,” Kirk said, sending Cree an anxious glance.

Cree hurried his glance around the Great Hall.

“Beast went with Mum, Da,” Lizbeth said. “He will keep her safe.”

“That he will, Lizbeth,” Cree said, relieved to know the large dog was with her.

Valan stepped forward, his wooden sword gripped tight in his small hand. “I will go with you to find Mum.”

Cree realized how his angry shout and the scowl he no doubtingly wore had upset the children and he grew annoyed with himself for frightening them.

He reached down and scooped Valan up. “I appreciate your courage and would be glad to have you search with me, but your mum is not lost. I am impatient to see her, and I have some questions for Tate. Tomorrow morning you and I will spend some time on the practice field, and you can show me what you have learned.”

Valan’s small face lit with joy.

“If you do not mind, Tynan and I will join you and watch Valan demonstrate his skills,” Kirk said, and Tynan’s face grew wide with a smile as he nodded vigorously.

“Can they, Da?” Valan asked eagerly.

“Of course they can,” Cree agreed, thinking that he had not spent enough time with his children of late. He lowered Valan to his feet and spotted his daughter with her small arms plastered across her chest. “Do you want to join us tomorrow, Lizbeth?”

“If I did, I would only best Valan with a sword and then he would get upset.”

Valan laughed. “You do not even know how to hold a sword.”

“I do too,” she said, her pretty face flushing red with anger.