Highland Sanctuary (8 page)

Just when he thought she would accept, the stubborn woman shook her head and backed away. "Please, I prefer to walk alone as I always do."

"Verra well." Leith nodded. "We'd be honored to escort ye in the mornings, or give ye a ride—especially if it's raining."

"Think about it." Gavin wanted to keep trying, but he took his brother's cue and relented.

"Thank ye. Good day." She dismissed them with a brief curtsy.

They rode in silence for a while, waiting until they were out of hearing. After rounding a corner, Leith glanced over his shoulder and cleared his throat. "With the exception of Lesley, I've never seen ye so taken before. She's comely and bright to be sure, but there's the question of her lineage and station."

"Don't fash yerself, Leith." Gavin sounded harsher than he intended. "I'm quite aware of what Da would say. But yer concern isn't warranted. I get the impression that Serena has no desire for me—at least not in that way. "

A scream echoed through the woods. Gavin straightened as he calmed Sholto. Female weeping followed. Gavin's blood raced. It didn't sound like Serena, but a strong desire to go back and see to her safety seized him.

"It's from up ahead," Leith said. "Come on. We might be of help."

"Ye go. I canna leave Serena unprotected in these woods." Gavin turned his horse. "I'm goin' back for her."

"Good idea." Leith charged forward, stiring up a cloud of dust behind him.

Gavin rode Sholto until he saw Serena walking with her stick. He slowed as she glanced up at his approach, an uncertain expression in her green eyes. Serena shivered.

"What was that?" She rubbed Sholto on the neck. Her hand trembled. "I thought I heard a scream."

"Ye did." Gavin grabbed her hand, leaned over, and met her gaze. "I've come back for ye. An' this time I won't leave without ye. These woods are too dangerous."

"What happened?"

"I'm not sure. Leith went on to check it out. We'll likely see for ourselves in a wee bit." Gavin offered her his arm. "Grab on. I'll pull ye up."

At first he thought she would refuse, but then she closed her eyes and clutched him. He lifted her and she gasped as she settled behind him. Her arms wrapped around his middle. He liked having her next to him—mayhap too much.

Gavin nudged Sholto forward. He galloped toward the sound of a weeping lass bent over a dead cow. She lifted her tear-stained brown eyes, her dark hair fell over her shoulder.

"'Tis Lavena!" Serena said.

Leith had dismounted and bent examining the animal. The blood still oozed to the ground, a recent kill.

"My sister didn't get around to her chores this morn, so I offered to help her this evenin'. We needed the milk. I couldn't find her an' now I know why." Lavena's lower lip trembled and fresh tears filled her eyes. "Who could do such a horrible thing? We depend on our animals. We don't have much as it is."

"Could it have been Quinn's wolf?" Gavin asked.

"Nay." Leith stood and stepped back, pointing at the carcass. "Look at the wound. The cut is smooth and clean. Only a sword or a dagger could have done that. Whoever it was didn't steal this animal for food or profit or they wouldn't have left it here." Leith met Gavin's gaze. "The question is—why?"

Serena stepped into the small, humble home she had come to cherish over the years. Relief filled her aching muscles as she pulled off her cloak with a sigh. Her first day working back at the castle had tired her more than she thought it would, but the murdered cow had shaken her even more.

"Here she is." Tomas stood from the wooden chair he'd been sitting in at the table.

Her mother bent over an iron pot hanging from the hearth, stirring. Gunna stood kneading dough on the other side of the table from Tomas. The aroma of rabbit stew lifted in the air, a musky scent mixed with onions, carrots, and spinach leaves. Any other time she would welcome the smell, but for the moment, her stomach rolled.

"Did ye bring us another rabbit, Tomas?" Serena asked, hanging her cloak on a peg by the door.

"Aye." Her mother straightened, rubbing her hand on her lower back. "And a good thing he did or else we'd have no meat with our vegetable stew this night."

"I went hunting this afternoon with Quinn and Beacon. Surviving their boasting was quite an adventure. I thought the two of them would scare away the prey before they stopped arguing over who would bring back the most meat."

Glad to free her mind from the recent troubles, Serena grinned. The two behaved more like brothers, fighting one minute and planning events the next. She had no doubt they'd defend each other to the death.

"I caught two rabbits, I did. And I thought to myself," Tomas touched a finger to the side of his head, "who would enjoy such a fine feast and be so kind as to share their even finer cooking? That's when I thought of the three of ye." He bent in a mock bow, dipping his chin where she could no longer see his gray eyes. A thin layer of brown hair on his head reminded Serena of the peaches a peddler once brought to the village.

"Serena, I believe yer advice to Gavin about Quinn helped him handle things peacefully," Tomas said.

"Dearie me, but she preaches to all of us, ye know." Gunna covered the dough biscuits in the oven pan and carried them to the fireplace.

"That's not true. I merely give a wee bit of advice when it's needed." Serena clenched her fists at her side and pretended to glare at the sweet woman she thought of as a grandmother. "What can I do to help?"

"Ye can pour that pitcher of water over my hands outside. They need washing." Gunna headed for the door.

"And when ye finish that, ye can set the table. I think the rabbit stew is about done," Mother said.

Serena grabbed the soap and pitcher and followed Gunna out. A nip in the air made her shiver without her cloak. The skyline looked like a dark gray canvas with sparkling jewels. It was rare that clouds didn't congregate above them, hiding the stars.

"I think Father Tomas is verra lonely," Gunna said as Serena poured water over her hands. She lathered the soap and scrubbed the dough off with expert force. "I wonder if he ever regrets giving his vows to the church, especially after the way they treated him—sending him here."

"Well, I'm glad they sent him here. He's one of the best things that ever happened to our village." Serena said. "Although, I'm sorry he now has a speech problem when he's nervous and that's why he lost his other church."

"Loneliness has it's own grief." Gunna's voice faded as she paused. Serena knew she was thinking of her own dear husband, dead two years before Serena's birth.

"Let's not dwell on the past." Serena laid a hand on her shoulder. "Mither and Tomas are waiting."

"Aye, that they are."

To Serena's relief, Gunna's tone brightened in an instant. Serena disliked it when Gunna became distressed. It was like her own heart wept with her. Serena ushered her inside. "Warm yer hands by the fire, Gunna. It's cold out."

Gunna hobbled over to the fire.

Serena allowed her gaze to stray to Gunna's bulky form, her gray bun such a familiar and dear sight. The back of Serena's throat stung with the realization that Gunna was getting on in years and might not be with them much longer. Serena's heart swelled and tightened.

"Hurry, Serena. I've already flipped the bread cakes for Gunna," Mither said.

Launching into action, Serena dismissed her wayward thoughts. "I ran into Gavin MacKenzie and his men at the castle." Serena left out the part about actually running into Gavin and landing on his toes. She set out the wooden bowls and spoons, while her mother filled them with stew.

"Father Tomas, I'm sorry but water is all we have to offer." Gunna poured water into the cups.

"Ye know perfectly well that is fine by me." He rubbed his belly. "I feel blessed the three of ye took pity on me and let me have a wee bit of that delicious stew I've been smelling for the past hour."

Serena handed Tomas a warm bread cake. "And we enjoy the entertaining conversation."

"Oh, dearie me!" Gunna gasped, setting down the water. "Look what I've gone and done." She set the cup she had spilt upright. Water soaked the wood and leaked through the cracks onto the dirt floor.

"Don't worry, Gunna." Serena grabbed a nearby towel hanging on a wall peg and mopped up the access water. "I'll take care of it."

"I canna see like I used to." Gunna wrung her hands together and side-stepped from one foot to the other.

"Come, Gunna. Ye need to rest awhile. Ye've been up on yer feet far too long." Mother pulled out a chair and gestured to it.

Sighing, Gunna settled in the seat. She shook her head in disbelief. "I didn't used to be so awkward." She looked at Tomas. "I'm afraid I'm more of a bother than a help these days."

"There comes a time to be served. Ye've spent all yer years serving these two. Let them return the favor. It'll make them feel good," Tomas said.

"I agree with Tomas." Mother poured more water in Gunna's cup.

Serena sat across from Tomas, while her mother faced Gunna. They bowed their heads and closed their eyes. In silence she gave thanks for holding her tongue about the murdered cow. Gunna didn't need the stress.

"Father, thank ye for this meal and the friends we have. Please bless this family with yer protection, provision, and wisdom. In Jesus' name."

"Amen," everyone said together.

Tomas dug his spoon into the stew. He chewed and swallowed. "Gavin tells me he and his men will be attending kirk this Sunday. 'Twill be nice to have some visitors again. I only hope I don't shake and blunder my words."

"Even if ye do, I doubt they'll think much of it. They've already met most of the villagers. Surely, one more oddity will not alter their opinion." Mother sipped her water.

"Aye, but it was definitely enough to keep me out of the pulpit elsewhere, wasn't it?" Tomas raised a dark brow.

"But not here." Mother leaned forward and tapped a finger on the table. "This place has been our sanctuary in the Highlands all these years and likely will be. I think of it as God's saving grace—a holy place He's gifted to us and no one else."

Tomas linked his fingers. "Evelina, ye put too much value on a place. Our home here could be invaded as well as any other." Tomas shook his head. "Nay, this village isn't yer sanctuary from the cruel world. It's God Almighty. He's the only one who can protect ye. Change is comin'. The strangers who have come to restore Braigh Castle are proof enough. We must be strong in our faith."

"Which is why I wish they would all leave." Serena let her spoon drop against her bowl. "The whole lot o' them."