Total pages in book: 97
Estimated words: 91636 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 458(@200wpm)___ 367(@250wpm)___ 305(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 91636 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 458(@200wpm)___ 367(@250wpm)___ 305(@300wpm)
Aliss ignored it. She was more concerned with her mother’s whereabouts. “Have you found mother?”
“She is in the kitchen ordering everyone about,” Tarr confirmed.
“Kirk knew—”
“And should have informed me immediately where you both had gone,” Tarr finished. He glanced from one twin to the other. “While I want to believe you both safe here on Hellewyk land, I would be a fool to assume that. We now believe the person who poses a threat to you both could be here right now. I do not intend to take any chances. While there are numerous guards posted, you must be diligent in keeping me informed as to your whereabouts at all times.”
“He is right,” Aliss agreed. “I trusted Kirk and I still do, but Tarr should have been told that I left the keep.”
“I also agree it is wise, for the moment,” Fiona was quick to add.
Tarr grinned and shook his head. “I can see that your tenacious manner is going to challenge me.”
“What is life without a challenge?” Fiona asked, and gave him a quick kiss.
“Peaceful,” Tarr answered as she stepped away from him.
“Boring,” Fiona countered. “Aliss and I were just about to go look at the cottage near the end of the village to see if it would suit her needs.”
“That is a good-size one. I think you may like it,” Tarr said.
Fiona quickly mentioned it needed repairs.
“None that cannot be done easily,” Tarr said, and hooked Fiona’s arm over his. “I will go with you and show you where it is.”
Raynor waved to them and hurried over, joining with them as soon as he learned of their destination.
Aliss saw the cottage before any of them, and when she did her eyes rounded. It was much larger than she had thought with two windows and remnants of a garden that wrapped around from the front of the cottage to the back. The front door hung open, the hinges broken, shards of broken pottery lay strewn about, and a bench tilted precariously on one leg. She stared for a moment imagining how it would look once repaired, the garden renewed and bursting in the spring with herbs and flowers. She hurried forward eager to see what other repairs would be necessary to her new home.
“Great,” Fiona mumbled. “She likes it.”
“What is wrong with that?” Tarr asked.
“It is far from the keep.”
Tarr glanced over his shoulder. “The keep is directly behind us.”
“It is not next to it,” Fiona snapped, and walked off to join her sister.
“Fiona is so accustomed to protecting Aliss,” Raynor said. “It is not easy to relinquish that responsibility after all these years.”
“I can take care of them both. She need not worry, though I do understand it,” Tarr admitted hesitantly. “I wonder what Fiona will do when the day comes that Aliss weds.”
“Aliss claims she will never wed.”
“Not likely,” Tarr said, “but the choice will be hers to make. I will see to it.”
“Good, I am pleased to hear that. Now, let us go help Aliss convince her sister that this cottage is perfect for her.”
Raynor remained with an ecstatic Aliss who was busy making mental notes of the repair work needed before she could move in while Tarr and Fiona returned to the keep.
“You are upset with your sister’s intended move,” Tarr said, their pace unrushed.
“She is so happy.” Fiona looked off, avoiding Tarr’s eyes.
He slipped his arm around her to snuggle her close to his side as they kept walking. “Of course she is, she has a home here with her sister. She is relieved and finally feels settled, and makes plans to be a permanent part of the clan Hellewyk.”
Fiona turned a sudden smile on him. “You are right. I had not thought of it that way. She is happy here because we are together and shall remain so.”
“Then you approve of the cottage?”
Fiona stopped and turned her head to glance over her shoulder. “She will be safe there?”
“Once this matter is settled, she will be safe anywhere on Hellewyk land.”
She took hold of his hand, locking her fingers tightly around his. “I once thought you selfish and demanding. I see now that you unselfishly provide for your clan. They come first to you—”
“You come first to me,” he whispered, almost as if it were a prayer on his lips. “I no longer think of you as the woman I will wed but of the woman I love.” His smile came slowly as he pushed the fiery strands of her red hair out of her face. “You stole my heart and glad I am that you did.”
She brought his hand up to her mouth and kissed it. “I may have stolen your heart, but I gave you mine.”
“I would have stolen it if you had let me.”
“You were taking much too long; it was easier to just give it to you.”