Torr strode in shutting the door, though not before Dawn caught a glimpse of Elwin on the ground holding his jaw. She jumped to her feet and pointed to the door letting him know he was not welcome here.
“I’m not going anywhere without answers from the old woman.” He took a step forward and Dawn did the same, her shoulders back, her hands hugging her hips, and her chin tilted up daring him to get past her.
“It’s all right,” Old Mary said and Dawn turned to her. She smiled at Dawn and waved her hand for her to move aside, though she only moved so far. She had no intentions of letting Torr get too close to Old Mary.
Torr advanced only one step. “I mean no disrespect, but I want answers. If Dawn is my sister I will protect her with my life.”
Dawn looked at him perplexed. She had always wished that she had had siblings, though Lila and Paul were like a sister and brother to her. Here, however, was standing a man who could be her true sibling. And she had to admit that when she had first met him, she thought him a good man and she still did.
“Please tell me what you know of the combs,” Torr said.
“The combs belonged to Dawn’s mother.”
“And you know who that woman is?” Torr asked anxiously and Dawn waited just as anxiously.
Old Mary sighed and tears sprang up in her eyes. “You are a man of your word, Torr?”
“That I am,” Torr said proudly.
“Then you will understand and respect what I have to say.” A tear ran down her wrinkled cheek. “I made a promise many years ago, I gave my word, and I will not break it.”
Torr appeared as exasperated as Dawn felt. Old Mary had the answer, she could settle this whole ordeal with a few words and yet… a promise was a promise and Dawn understood why the woman refused to speak on it.
“What I can tell you,” Old Mary said and had Dawn and Torr listening closely, “is that you will have answers soon, but the matter itself will not be so easily resolved.”
“Is there—”
“There is nothing you can do to persuade me to go back on my word,” Old Mary said before Torr could finish. “I am tired and need to rest, though first I will speak to Dawn alone.”
Torr looked to Dawn. “I will wait outside for you.”
Dawn nodded, knowing it mattered not if she wanted him to wait, he intended to.
As soon as the door shut, Old Mary reached out and grabbed Dawn’s hand, tugging her closer.
Dawn bent down to listen.
“You must not yet tell Cree that you carry his babe.”
Dawn’s eyes popped wide, the old woman surprising her again with her knowing. She nodded, though her advice wasn’t necessary. She hadn’t planned on telling Cree about the babe yet. She actually didn’t know when she would tell him, though no doubt a time would present itself.
“It took a strong heart and much love to do what your mother did that night you were born. Remember that.” Old Mary released her hand and closed her eyes, and Dawn knew she would say no more.
When she reached the door, her hand stilled before grabbing the latch and she turned to stare at the old woman who looked to be sleeping peacefully.
That night you were born.
Old Mary had been there at her birth. Had her true mother given her to Old Mary to see that she was kept safe? The old woman knew much and Dawn intended to find out just how much.
Elwin waited outside for her, rubbing his bruising jaw and keeping his distance from Torr. Dawn didn’t see Bree anywhere and assumed that Elwin sent her to tell Cree what had happened, which meant he would be here soon. And there was no telling what would happen then.
Torr offered her his arm but Dawn shook her head. It wouldn’t be wise to have Cree see them walking arm in arm.
“At least let me escort you back to your cottage,” Torr said.
And since Dawn knew he would do so whether she agreed or not, she nodded.
“My father is thrilled with the possibility that you may be his daughter, as am I thrilled with the idea that you may be my sister. I know you may not feel the same way, after all your life has been here in Dowell. I can, however, assure you—”
Dawn waved her hands back and forth in front of her and shook her head, forcing Torr silent. She kept her gestures tempered so that he could understand her, though her heart beat wildly and her stomach roiled at the thought of leaving her home and the people she loved. She could not imagine not sitting and chatting endlessly with Lila or watching as baby Thomas grew and seeing how Flanna faired with Turbett or how Dorrie and Elwin did. But most of all she could never leave Cree. That was one thing she didn’t gesture to Torr.