A Warrior's Promise by Donna Fletcher Read Free Book Online

Charlotte! Charlotte! ”
    â€œ Da! Da! ” Charlotte called out, frantic that she could hear yet not see him. She could barely see anything through the thickening mist.
    â€œ Help me, Charlotte. Help me. ”
    She tried desperately to fight her way through the mist, but it surrounded her and held her firm.
    â€œ I’ll find you, Da, ” she cried out. “ I’ll find you. ”
    Charlotte bolted awake, jumping out of the chair and straight into Bryce’s arms. The solid strength and warmth of him had her throwing her thin arms around his neck and holding on tightly. She needed to infuse herself not only with his courage, but the comfort his potent body offered.
    It took only a moment for her to realize her mistake. She supposedly was a lad. Whatever was she doing hugging the large Highlander? She jumped back away from him, her bottom landing in the chair. The absence of his warm body left her chilled, and she wished she could return to his warmth.
    He was hunched down in front of the chair, appearing a bit startled and glaring at her oddly. And why not? Flinging herself at him for comfort when she supposedly was a bold lad who could fend for himself hardly helped her disguise.
    Then it dawned on her. Elsa had scrubbed her face clean when she had tended her wounds. The grimy lad’s face was gone; with her mask removed, had she revealed her true self? Could he see that she was a young woman?
    He gave his head a shake almost as if he was denying his own thoughts.
    â€œBad dream,” Charlotte snapped, in an effort to misdirect his musings.
    â€œYou called out for your da,” he said.
    His eyes roamed over her face as he spoke, and she wished she had the capacity to know what he was thinking. Having no such power, she needed to keep his thoughts on anything other than her sparkling-clean face. And no doubt it did sparkle. Her father had always commented that she was at her prettiest when her face had been recently scrubbed. She had always graciously accepted his compliments, of which there were many, which was why she didn’t pay much heed to them.
    Now she wondered if there truly had been some validity to them.
    â€œMy da is waiting for me. He knows I’m coming for him,” she said anxiously, though not as much for her da’s precarious situation but for what could be her own.
    â€œYou miss him, don’t you?”
    He had just presented her with the perfect excuse for hugging him. “I do,” she said, and let her head drop forward. “He hugged me when I needed it and sometimes when I didn’t.”
    That was the truth of it, for her father had always been demonstrative with her, and she missed his warm, loving hugs. She had always felt good afterwards. Unlike now, an empty ache paining her. The big Highlander had felt better than she had ever imagined he could. And she wouldn’t mind wrapping herself around him again.
    She jumped, her eyes turning wide when he rested his hand over hers. His tone was gentle and sent warmth rushing through her, settling in her stomach with a flutter.
    â€œI understand, Charles. And while I am not your da, I am your friend. And friends hug.”
    Charlotte almost launched herself into his arms. She wanted to feel the strength of his muscles wrap around her and, for a moment, feel safe and protected.
    She quickly dismissed the dangerous thought and tossed her chin up. “I don’t need no hugs.”
    Bryce smiled. “We all need hugs on occasion.”
    Charlotte didn’t respond; she sat quietly, trying to contain the pain that radiated across her ribs. All of her sudden movements must have disturbed her injury, and she was suffering the results.
    â€œAre you all right, Charles?” Bryce asked with concern. “You have gone pale.”
    Charlotte saw no point in lying. “My side hurts, but Elsa says I have no broken ribs.”
    â€œPerhaps I should have a