Total pages in book: 101
Estimated words: 92771 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 464(@200wpm)___ 371(@250wpm)___ 309(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 92771 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 464(@200wpm)___ 371(@250wpm)___ 309(@300wpm)
Shade had him remove his hand from the water and after moving the bucket off the bench, she sat next to him. She examined his finger with the splinter closely, then took a bone needle from her healing pouch and went to work on it as she continued to chat with him.
“So, you do not think Clan MacLeish has a chance against Clan Glencairn?” she asked.
“Chieftain Ryland of Clan MacLeish is a wise leader and warrior. I have confidence in him and his skills. Unfortunately, Lord Torrance is not an honorable man. Many hope and pray that Chieftain Ryland sees victory in the battle that is sure to come, for if he doesn’t, there is no telling how many clans Lord Torrance will attempt to claim.”
“I pray the same myself,” Shade said and released his hand. “All done. I will smear the small wound with honey. Keep your hand clean and it will heal fine.”
Rawlin stared at his finger that he held up in front of his face. “I didn’t even feel that. Your mum said you had a tender and soothing touch.”
“A grateful gift since it helps when healing,” Shade said. “Now let’s have that brew.”
They talked and laughed and ate oak cakes that Shade had made earlier. She was grateful for Rawlin’s visit. It helped her feel less alone and reminded her that she had family who cared for her.
Quint watched Shade and the man talking from the confines of the woods. He had heard voices when he had approached the cottage on foot and stopped when he saw her sitting next to the man on the bench. They appeared quite comfortable with each other, giving Quint the impression they knew each other. He was an older man and could be visiting her concerning a healing issue. But it seemed a friendlier visit with them sharing a brew and oat cakes.
The situation normally wouldn’t stop him from approaching and finding out for himself. But there was something familiar about the man and that could prove a problem. So, he watched and waited for the man to leave.
“Wait here, Gillie,” Quint whispered to his mare when the fellow took his leave, and he followed the man to make sure he was on his way and wouldn’t be returning. Once assured, he returned to his mare.
He waited a bit, watching Shade as she finished a twig wreath and began plucking brightly colored leaves off a nearby tree and adding them to the wreath. She smiled as she worked and appeared quite content, yet he thought he had detected in her, the short time he had spent with her, a sense of loneliness. Or was it his own solitude of late that had him questioning it?
It was what he wanted, what he planned on once he fulfilled his mission, once he got his revenge. So, why suddenly was he questioning his decision?
The healer’s touch.
It was remarkably calming. He didn’t think he had ever felt as calm as he did when she touched him. He had thought it was his fever at first playing tricks on him, but it hadn’t been. It was as though her touch not only had the power to rid him of his fever but to also calm the fiery rage that seemed to forever burn in him. Not even Amara and the love she had for him had been able to do that.
The thought of Amara had him recalling his mission and how nothing could stop him from straying from it. He grabbed his mare’s reins and walked out of the woods, calling out to Shade as he did so he would not startle her.
The few colorful leaves Shade held slipped from in her hand and floated to the ground upon hearing Quint’s voice call to her. Her mind was surely playing tricks on her until she saw him emerge from the woods. That her heart beat a bit faster, and a spark of joy flamed within her had her questioning, why? What was it about this man that made her pleased to see him, happy that he returned? He was a warrior, not a man who would stay long with her or one who might never return to her. Why would she allow herself to feel even a niggling of any feeling for him when he would be but a moment in her life? She could not be that lonely to leave herself open to something that would lead to more heartache and loneliness.
“Did you forget something?” she asked, bending down to snatch up the leaves she had dropped only to stand and find him directly in front of her.
There was no storm in the blue of his eyes, the color was serene as though just being here brought him peace.
Honesty. There could be no other way between them, though how honest could he truly be with her and not have her run away in fear of him? Regardless, he decided to be truthful with her.