Total pages in book: 114
Estimated words: 104340 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 522(@200wpm)___ 417(@250wpm)___ 348(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 104340 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 522(@200wpm)___ 417(@250wpm)___ 348(@300wpm)
Her mum had traveled over this land with her when she had been only a babe. She had made the journey alone, her da having died before she was born. Her mum had told her that she had gone in search of a better life for them both. And life had been fairly good until Colum had arrived. Now there was Cree.
She tilted her head to peek up at him and found him staring down at her.
“You have something to say?”
It pleased her that he spoke with her as if she had a voice. And yes she had much to say to him but not here, not now... in time. She nodded and pointed ahead, then shrugged.
“You wonder where we go.”
She nodded and smiled, pleased that he understood her.
“You saw the drawings for the keep that I intend to start building in the spring. We go to where that keep will be located. William has come along as well so that he and I can go over some details.”
Her hands immediately began moving.
“Slow down,” he said with a smile, “so that I may understand you.”
Her gestures slowed, though more so because of his smile. He was smiling more often when he was with her and that pleased her as did the fact that he seemed all the more handsome when he smiled, if that was possible. Or perhaps it was more than that, perhaps on these rare occasions his heart got a chance to shine through, which might suggest that his soul wasn’t as evil as everyone believed.
He followed her gestures more easily than he had expected. “You would like to see the drawings again and hear what William has to say?” Her nod had him continuing. “Since I intend to keep you by my side while we are away from the keep, I would say that is a distinct possibility.”
They arrived at the location a short time later and Cree dismounted. Then he reached up, took hold of her waist and slipped her off the horse. He did not release her right away and Dawn could have sworn he was going to kiss her. And she was disappointed when he didn’t but then here and now in front of his men was not the time or place for such intimacy. The sensible thought did nothing to quell her desire. Her lips ached, her stomach fluttered and that damn tingle rushed to tease between her legs.
If she was not already speechless, she would have been struck so when he took her hand in his and tugged for her to follow beside him. His hand was warm, his grip strong and a tad possessive, as if he intended to never let her go. And foolish as the thought was, it brought a smile to her face and lightened her heart.
Dawn noticed that his men fanned out, without any instructions from Cree, and formed a perimeter around the area. William rushed up to meet Cree, rolled parchments flapping under his arm.
“My lord,” he said with a brief bow. “Once we discuss further options today I will be able to complete my list and if I have your permission, I would like to take my leave before winter sets in so that I may locate the necessary craftsmen and purchase the necessary material for work to begin in the spring.”
“If all proves acceptable you may leave before the first snow falls,” Cree agreed.
With her hand still firmly in Cree’s she walked along with the two men as they talked, but her interest soon drifted to the view as they followed up the rise. And once they reached the top of the bluff her eyes turned wide. The view was breath-catching. You could see Ben Loyal in the distance and beneath the bluff flowed the Kyle of Tongue. With water so close any village built here would prosper.
“The river will make it easy to bring the materials and furnishings by boat and is perfect for the trade you have in mind. I have drawings for the port you spoke about,” William said rifling through his drawings.
Trade? Port? Cree certainly had plans. What other plans did he have? A wife? Children to pass all of this onto?
Dawn needed distance from what she was hearing and what it would mean to her and tried to slip free of Cree’s grasp. He looked with questioning eyes at her and she pointed to an area of large stones and he nodded his consent, though he released her hand with some reluctance.
There was a slight breeze on the bluff and though the sun was strong today there was a chill in the air. She wrapped her dark green wool cloak around her and was glad for the dark blue wool skirt and white linen blouse she had donned this morning. She had forgone the wool leggings not liking the feel of them, much preferring her legs bare beneath her garments. It afforded her the opportunity to remove her boots and let her feet enjoy the feel of the grass or the rich soil when ripe for planting.