Marti Talbotts Highlander Series 1 - Anna Rachel u Charlet

middle of the meadow. Harold! How had he forgotten about Harold? Kevin wasn’t completely dressed. One shoe was on, the other was not, and he couldn’t have cared less. He went flying down the stairs and out the door, yelling for Justin on the way. He could hardly wait until the drawbridge was lowered so he could get out. Then he ran into the meadow with Justin, Thomas and Clymer right behind him.
    Harold heard the noisy bridge come down and stood up to greet them. For a moment, he wasn’t sure Kevin was going to stop before he ran him down, and the other three looked like they would trample him as well. When they finally did stop, he stroked the side of his beard. “I have begun to worry about you MacGreagors. I have been in and out of your hold three times since I got here.”
    “How?” Thomas demanded.
    That was the last thing on Kevin’s mind. “Have you seen Anna? Is she well? Do you know where she is?”
    Harold smiled. “A little worried about her, are you?”
    “Worried? I have nearly lost my mind.”
    “Well now,” Harold began, walking slowly away with the men following close behind. He knelt down, picked up a rock and started to examine it. “They showed up on my doorstep a few weeks ago. I do not mind telling you , I was surprised to see them. What do you suppose they wanted to do?”
    “I have no idea,” answered Kevin.
    “They wanted to burn that hell house they called home.”
    “And did they?”
    “Aye, they burned it two days running. The first day , it didn’t burn completely, so they lit it again. Then they shouted their rage and called Stoneham a few names I have never heard before. I believe some names were in your fine language. After that, they danced, drank wine and celebrated.”
    “Are they still there?”
    “No.” Harold turned his back and walked to another stone. Again, the Highlanders followed.
    “Where are they?”
    “Just wait, I am getting to it. They were worried about the servants, so I helped find good positions for them. Next , they wanted to swim. They swam every day for two weeks straight and they stayed in the water until they were wrinkled from head to toe. Watching those two swim is a thing of beauty.”
    It was Justin who questioned him next. “Did they laugh? I love it when Catherin laughs.”
    “Did they? They could hardly stop laughing. They cried too. They cried so hard they broke my heart and gave themselves a vile headache -- which made them laugh again. They were hel ping each other heal, you see.”
    Again , Harold walked a little closer t o the trees before he continued, “Laird MacGreagor, Anna said to say thank you for not coming after her. She feared you would and she needed this time with her mother. I could tell you stories...oh well, we best not get into that.”
    “Is she coming back?”
    “I will not say just yet. You see, Anna had to wait until her mother figured out where to go and what to do. With her husband dead, she has no one to tend her or any family to turn to but Anna.”
    “Does she not understand we will gladly care for her?” Justin asked.
    “I cannot rightly say what Catherin understands.” He turned the n and looked directly at Kevin. “ They need a door in the wall. They can swim the moat, but they need to be able to go out whenever their fear overcomes them. Do you agree?”
    For the first time in wee ks, Kevin felt there was hope. He quickly nodded. “We will begin it today.”
    “Good. Put it as close to the forest as possible so they can slip into the woods before any enemy sees them. If you are not aware of how to hide a door in a wall, I will assist you. I have three of my own. Next, Catherin wants a cottage where she can raise Rachel in peace. She wants to learn to protect herself and how to cook. She wants Athena to teach her. I think it would be good for both of Stoneham’s wives.”
    “Done!” Justin said.
    “Anna says your people will not let her learn how to do anything and she feels useless. Can you correct this problem?”
    Kevin quickly nodded, “I can and I will.” He could feel her before he saw her, and held his breath as he slowly turned to look behind him. She was standing next to her mother with Threcher on the other side.
    Rachel started to squirm, so Catherin let her down and when she ran to him, Justin caught the child, swung her up high and then kissed her cheek. “I am so happy to see you, Lassie.” He lifted her high again and made Rachel giggle. He hoped, but he hadn’t