Dawn shook her head and pretended to shiver.
“Too cold for you?” he asked and adjusted her shawl up around her shoulders.
She nodded.
“It is better you remain inside. The snow deepens and I would not want you to take a fall,” he said, his hand going to rest on her rounded stomach. “We will talk when I return.”
She placed her hand over his and kissed his cheek lightly.
It was strange how well they understood each other with little words exchanged between them. That he told her they would talk let her know he would share everything he learned upon his return and her kiss let him know that she was pleased and looked forward to them talking.
He pressed his cheek against hers and whispered in her ear. “You have my heart, wife, always.”
Dawn smiled and pressed her hand to her chest then to his chest, letting him know she felt the same.
Cree kissed her lightly, then stood, Beast hurrying to his feet and to Cree’s side.
Dawn smiled, held her hands up to trickle her fingers like falling snow, hugged herself, then pointed to Beast.
“He does love the snow,” Cree agreed.
She shooed them both off as she had done earlier, though she pointed at Dermid, reminding her husband there was someone who would look after her.
He leaned down and kissed her again. “Dermid is the only reason I take Beast with me.”
Cree tossed on his cloak and as if he commanded it, it settled perfectly across his wide shoulders. He made no comment to his warrior, the man already on his feet as he approached, and he fell in step behind Cree.
“Do not let her out of your sight,” Cree ordered as he passed by Dermid, and the warrior acknowledged the command with a nod.
“You handle your husband with love as he does with you,” came the soft whisper as Flora joined Dawn at the table once again. “It is how my parents were.” A sadness came over her face. “It was what I hoped to find with a man.”
“Da will find you a good husband, Flora,” Tavia said when she reached the table.
“Like he did you?” Flora asked and wished she could take back her words when Tavia turned her head away as if she’d been struck. “Forgive my foolish tongue, Tavia. I am sure your da wed you to a good man.”
Tavia shook her head and dropped down next to Flora. “He had no choice. The clan would not survive without my marriage to Lord Bhric. He brings craftsmen with him to help with needed repairs and extra hands that will help widen the planting fields so we can grow a larger crop. He will also leave warriors here to protect the clan against any invasion. My da has been worried since Lord Ivan took command of Clan MacVannan. It is easy to see he is a man who craves power.”
Flora reached out and gave Tavia’s arm a firm squeeze. “Stay strong and all will go well.”
Tavia sighed. “I sometimes wonder if I have any strength in me.”
Dawn nodded, pointing to herself.
“You think the same of yourself?” Tavia asked surprised.
Dawn held up one finger.
“Once you did?” Flora asked.
Dawn nodded.
“How did you find your strength?” Tavia asked, desperate for an answer.
Dawn smiled, gripped at her chest, and yanked her hand away.
Flora chuckled. “You yanked it out of you.”
Dawn nodded, then shook her head. She squared her shoulders sticking out her chest, raised her chin, and scowled.
“Cree!” Tavia said, then scrunched her brow. “Cree yanked it out of you?”
Dawn nodded.
Flora smiled understanding. “Lord Cree was a stranger to you when you met. To deal with him, you had no choice but to find your courage and strength. So, therefore, he was the one who forced you to find it.” Flora chuckled again. “And in the end he lost his heart to you, and you lost your heart to him.”
“I pray I am as lucky as you,” Tavia said but did not sound hopeful.
“You are far stronger than you think,” Flora said.
“I agree with you, and for one so wise you are foolish talking when you should be resting your voice,” Auda scolded as she approached the table.
“We have tried to keep her silent,” Tavia said and looked to Dawn. “Haven’t we, Lady Dawn?”
Dawn grinned and nodded.
“How can anyone expect me to remain silent while women talk?” Flora said, keeping her voice to a bare whisper.
“Women or men, it does not matter,” Auda said with a laugh. “You talk regardless of who is talking.”
“How can one not?” Flora argued. “You cannot find answers to things keeping silent.”
“Why do you always look for answers when there are not always questions?” Auda asked.
“To gain knowledge and save myself from ignorance,” Flora said and stood. “Time for that Godawful drink?”
“Aye, and a bit of rest as well,” Auda said.