Highlander's Promise by Donna Fletcher Read Free Book Online Page A

placed her on the horse and quickly mounted behind her.
    Sloan rode up beside him. “All is ready.”
    “The cart?”
    “No one will ever find it,” Sloan assured him.
    “Then let us be on our way.” Cree rode out in front, setting a strong pace and his warriors were quick to follow.
    They rode for some time before Dawn could no longer keep a concern of hers to herself and she gestured her worry that the twins could be in danger.
    Cree tucked her closer against him. “I would never leave them or you unprotected. More warriors were sent to Dowell.” Her scrunched brow and shrug let him know that she questioned his response, and he explained. “I made your father aware of my absence and asked him to stand ready to ride for Dowell with his warriors if it should become necessary. Word was sent to him of my capture. By now he and his warriors are well settled at Dowell.”
    Dawn had not known Kirk McClusky was her father and he did not know he had a daughter, and they both had been pleased to find each other. She felt a great relief knowing her father would be there to protect his grandchildren.
    She gestured, asking if Torr, her half-brother, and Wintra, Cree’s sister, would be with them, Wintra due to birth a babe in a few months.
    “I had your father alert Torr to the situation and to have him stand ready if necessary, but to keep the news from Wintra. If she learned of it, she would want to ride for Dowell immediately and Torr would forbid it, since she is not feeling well.”
    A scrunch and a shrug made him aware of her question.
    “I only heard before I left that Wintra was not feeling well,” Cree said, knowing his wife was concerned for his sister, since they had become like sisters themselves. “When all is settled with this, we will visit.”
    She smiled and nodded, showing how pleased she was with that.
    Her smile warmed his heart and he thought about how cold his heart had been before he met her, before he fell in love with her, and how he was forever grateful she had entered his life. His words were simple, but delivered with strength. “I have missed you, wife.”
    Her smile grew and she gestured slowly so that he would be sure to understand her.
    Laughter rumbled in his chest. “Make no mistake, wife, I will show you just how much I have missed you once we are in bed.”
    Dawn’s grin widened as she gestured again.
    Cree laughed again. “You are right, a bed is not necessary, though it would make things easier since I intend to see that backside of yours gets what it deserves in more ways than one.”
    Dawn shuddered and tingles raced through her at the thought of his hand coming down on her backside as she climaxed. She had missed intimacy with him. She had missed everything while he was gone. Her day was busy with caring for the twins and seeing that all ran well in the keep, though Flanna saw mostly to that with little help from her. Without him by her side, life seemed barren and she never wanted to feel such vast emptiness again.
    She laid her hand on his arm and squeezed tightly, hoping he understood that she never wanted them to be separated again.
    “I feel the same,” Cree said easily understanding what she attempted to convey, since his thoughts were the same. “I have been gone from you and the twins far too long.”
    She nodded vigorously, agreeing. There were many questions she had for him, but one in particular had her more curious than ever. She gestured, pleased that he understood her more often than not.
    “You want to know why Minnoch took me prisoner and condemned me to death?”
    Dawn nodded eager to hear.
    “I wish I knew myself. My capture makes no sense. Minnoch was aware that I had come to speak with him in regards to his allegiance to the crown. It is known that Minnoch had been an ally of Haakon IV of Norway, having lived in that country for a number of years. King Alexander wants to make certain that his ties with Haakon have been severed permanently and his loyalty