Total pages in book: 104
Estimated words: 95326 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 477(@200wpm)___ 381(@250wpm)___ 318(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 95326 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 477(@200wpm)___ 381(@250wpm)___ 318(@300wpm)
“We cannot wait any longer. We need to know,” Cavell said, having already decided.
“We should talk with May first—”
Cavell stopped at the foot of the keep’s steps and turned to his wife. “A chieftain often must make difficult decisions, and this is one of them. Do I worry more about your da or your sisters? Given that choice, wife, which would you choose?”
Elsie gasped lightly. “How foolish of me. I had not given thought that while I was trying to save my da, I could lose my sisters.”
“You were trying to do the best for all of them when sometimes it is not possible. I would give my life to save what daughters we may have one day, and I believe your da would do the same. But he has improved and perhaps learning his daughters are not as safe as he planned, might give him the strength to do what he could to help save them.”
Elsie gripped her husband’s hand tightly. “Let’s do what we must.”
She was relieved to find May leaving her da’s bedchamber, but it was her husband who spoke to the healer.
“I need to talk with him and while it may upset him. It cannot wait.”
“Go easy if you can, sir,” May said with a nod of understanding, then looked to Elsie. “Your da improves, then slips back again. I fear he may never regain his full strength and I sometimes wonder if he wants to. He often talks of missing your mum. I think he would prefer to be with her.”
Elsie understood what her da was feeling. “They were close and seemed to grow closer as they aged and they never tired of spending time with each other, never stopped smiling at each other, and they always held hands when walking through the village. They got their strength from each other and my da lost not only his strength but part of himself when my mum died. He has never been the same.”
“Go gently, for his strength wanes today,” May advised.
“Melvin needs your help,” Cavell said. “He needs you to speak with Laurel. Find him and he will explain.”
“Aye, sir, and so you know, Ann sits with him now.”
Cavell held his wife back from entering the room as May took her leave and when her footfalls could be heard no more on the stairs, he said, “This may not be easy for you. You are not alone. I am with you always.”
“I sometimes felt alone even when my sisters were here, though I could never understand why. But I have not felt alone, not for a moment, since being with you.” She went to kiss his cheek, but he captured her lips in a loving kiss.
“You chased away my loneliness the moment I met you,” he said after ending their kiss with a gentle brush of his lips across hers, then turned a playful scowl on her. “Then you proceeded to frustrate me.”
She smiled. “Thank you, husband, for easing my heart before facing this task.”
He squeezed her hand and opened the door.
“Cavell. Chieftain Cavell, I should say, and Elsie, it is good to see you both,” Norris said with a weak smile.
Ann vacated the chair by the bed.
Cavell turned to the woman after his wife sat, her hand quickly reaching for her da’s frail one. “Give us time.”
Ann bobbed her head and left the room.
“Da, we need to talk,” Elsie said.
“Your brow puckers. Something upsets you,” her da said, his own brow scrunching in concern.
“I need to ask you something,” Elsie said hesitating, worried how her questions might affect her da and possibly damage any progress he had made.
“You can talk with me about anything, dear Elsie. That will never change no matter how old either of us gets. Now tell me what troubles you.”
“I worry about the threat of danger to me and my sisters. What danger is it, and who causes it?”
“What nonsense do you speak?” her da asked, appearing befuddled. “None of you are in danger.”
Her da had forgotten he had mentioned it to her. She wasn’t sure if that would be helpful or a deterrent. “You mentioned we were in danger, and you had to keep us safe when we spoke. Keep us safe from what or from who?
He pulled his hand from hers waving it. “You are all safe, I saw to it. I promised your mum.”
“Safe from what, Da?” she asked gently, not wanting to agitate him.
Her da stared at her, though she didn’t think he was seeing her. It was as if he was caught in a memory, and she hoped it would turn out to be a helpful memory.
“You were so tiny when I first held you. Your mum and I feared you wouldn’t make it, but she took good care of you, fought the devil himself to keep you alive.” He smiled and chuckled. “Unlike Leora, who made herself known from the start.” His smile faded. “Poor Sky worried us the most. We knew the problems she would face and were unsure how to help her. But your mum and I loved each one of you with…” He shook his head. “I knew the time would come. I knew it. I told your mum that…” He shook his head. “No more talk. I am tired.”