Bree looked surprised and a bit skeptical but bobbed her head and said, “Thank you, my lord.”
Dawn followed Cree out of the cottage and watched as she scooped up snow and let it fall in front of the babe who laughed. She gestured to him that she needed to return Thomas to Lila and while they walked her one hand entertained the babe as if she were singing him a tune and the babe smiled and cuddled against her. She had no voice and yet here she talked with the babe.
She would make a good mother. The thought pleased and irritated him and made him all the more determined to find a way for them to wed. He could not abide the thought of Lucerne as his wife and he doubted that she could abide him for a husband. They would want to kill each other once they wed and she just might attempt it.
Cree waited outside the cottage while Dawn turned Thomas over to Lila and when she came out and they walked only a few feet she stopped and frowned, pointed to him and then to herself.
“Why should I be angry with you?” he asked with a smile.
She playfully counted off on her fingers.
“You’re right. There could be a number of reasons why.”
She laughed silently and he never thought she looked more beautiful. Her creamy cheeks were tinged red from the cold and her dark eyes sparkled with joy. It startled him that she appeared so happy. He had not made her lot an easy one and yet here she stood smiling and laughing with him.
She turned in a flourish and he thought she meant to dash off and was about to run after her when she turned around and a snowball hit his chest. He was stunned and made the mistake of not seeking retribution immediately since a second snowball hit him in the shoulder.
He saw that she was laughing as she made another snowball and it spurred him into action, though not before another one caught him again in the shoulder as he turned to scoop up snow.
To his surprise he missed her twice while she pelted him three times. She ducked and twisted and moved so fast he kept missing her, and she appeared to laugh harder with each of his misses.
A couple of young lads came upon them and stood watching, their eyes wide and their mouths hanging open, shocked to see Cree engaged in playful antics.
He turned a half scowl, half smile on them and they froze. “What are you waiting for? Help me defeat her.”
The lads didn’t hesitate; they joined in the fight. Snowballs flew and not a one of them hit Dawn, but she landed every one of hers on one of them.
“That’s it,” Cree yelled and the lads stepped back. “I’m going in to get her, protect me, lads.”
The two lads nodded vigorously and hurried to make several snowballs.
Cree turned ready to charge and caught a snowball in the chin. The two lads gasped and froze. Not Dawn, she was laughing so hard that she held her stomach.
“That’s it, you’re finished,” Cree warned pointing at her and stomped toward her. He took two snowballs to the chest, one to the leg and one to the arm and three to the back, courtesy of his young warriors behind him before he reached her, scooped her up, and flung her over his shoulder.
He turned to the lads. “In battle you always make certain you hit the enemy and not your leader.”
The two lads gulped simultaneously, fear filling their rounded eyes.
“She was a worthy opponent and you both did a worthy job so go collect yourself a treat from the kitchen. “Tell Turbett that you helped me win a snowball fight and I said you are to be rewarded.”
The two lads bobbed their heads and profusely thanked their lord before running off smiling.
Cree swatted Dawn’s backside. “Now for your punishment.”
He only got a few steps when Sloan approached and Cree could tell by his expression that there was a problem so he eased Dawn to her feet. “I have to go. Get back to the cottage and stay warm.” He leaned down to give her a kiss and then whispered in her ear. “I look forward to giving you the punishment you deserve.”
Dawn smiled sweetly and crossed her heart.
Cree growled low and grew aroused by her response. “It certainly is a promise.” He no longer whispered when he said, “Now get to the cottage and keep warm as I commanded.”
“I’d be happy to escort the lassie home.”
Cree turned to see Kirk McClusky standing nearby. He appeared to have been out for a walk. His cheeks were red, his smile broad, his eyes alert, and his sword strapped to his side.
He didn’t wait for Cree to give permission. He stepped forward and held out his arm. “Kirk McClusky at your service, lassie.” He turned to Cree. “I’ll make certain she gets home safely.”