Total pages in book: 46
Estimated words: 42873 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 214(@200wpm)___ 171(@250wpm)___ 143(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 42873 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 214(@200wpm)___ 171(@250wpm)___ 143(@300wpm)
Dawn smiled grateful that when alone with her, Flanna did not address her formally. She shook her head in response having no appetite, then gestured with a question. She had no worry that Flanna would not understand her. The woman had come to know her gestures well.
“Aye, all goes well with the move. Turbett is thrilled and eager to work in the new larger kitchen and he has instructed Coyle on his duties as the cook here. Lucerne has been a great help in choosing the staff to replace those who worked here since they have all chosen to go to the new keep with you and Lord Cree.”
Dawn forced her smile to remain on her face, truly pleased that all was going well but still unable to shake off the sadness she felt.
“Turbett and I are most grateful for the lovely cottage Lord Cree had built for us. We look forward to making wonderful memories there.”
“Flanna! Flanna, I need you!” Turbett shouted from somewhere in the keep.
“My husband would be lost without me,” Flanna said with a wide smile and hurried off.
Dawn waved her off with a smile and recalled the days Cree had demanded her presence much like Turbett did with Flanna, but no more. He was too busy to miss her. Her smile gone and her self-pity returning, Dawn left the keep going to visit the one person that had always been there for her.
“I was just coming to see you,” Old Mary said when Dawn stepped out of the keep. “Come walk and talk with me while the sun still shines on this beautiful spring morning.
Dawn hooked her arm around Old Mary’s, tempering her gait since the old woman had a slight shuffle to her walk. Her shoulders appeared more stooped than usual, which often was a sign that something weighed on her.
“Everyone is excited about this move. Lila and Paul along with their son Thomas and daughter Gwenda have already moved into their new cottage. I hear Paul built all the furniture for it, but then he is a talented craftsman. Besides thrilled with the new larger cottage, Lila is excited about the cottage built for the weavers. Their fine wool cloth is much in demand and selling well to merchants here and in foreign lands.”
Dawn was happy for all of them and glad her best friend Lila would be living close by though she would miss being able to visit with Lucerne so easily. She supposed it was time for Sloan to take command of the keep though still be under Cree’s rule. They had been longtime friends and he deserved the honor after fighting many years by his side.
“I am happy for them, but I do not need to move. I am fine where I am,” Old Mary complained.
Dawn pointed to Old Mary, then patted her own chest.
Old Mary continued her cantankerous complaining. “I know you want me close, but I am old and set in my ways.”
Dawn shook her head and patted her chest more vigorously as she fought back tears that threatened to spill.
Old Mary stopped, not only Dawn’s forceful gestures upsetting her but what she spotted in her eyes. “Tears? You are not happy with this move?”
Dawn shrugged and annoyed she had allowed tears to fall, wiped the few away.
Concern weighed heavily on Old Mary for Dawn as she asked, “You do not know?”
Dawn’s glance fell to the ground as if she had to give Old Mary’s question a thought or was it that she knew and did not want to admit it? Her confused thoughts had her nodding her head.
“Change can be upsetting,” Old Mary said and chuckled. “Listen to me advising you when I complain about moving.”
A small smile broke on Dawn’s face, and she patted her chest and pointed to Old Mary once again.
“Of course, I will move into my new home.” Old Mary gave Dawn’s arm a squeeze. “I will always go where you go.”
Dawn hugged the old woman who had been like a mother to her after her mum had passed, and they both got teary-eyed.
“All will go well, worry not,” Old Mary assured her,
Her words gave Dawn hope since Old Mary often saw things before they happened.
“You should go join your family and partake of the joy. It can be contagious,” Old Mary encouraged.
Dawn wished she had the desire to do that, but she didn’t. She nodded anyway.
Old Mary stared at her oddly for a moment. “Be careful, Dawn, do not let anything, even your own misgivings, divide you from your family.” She shook her head as if shaking herself from her thoughts. “I best go see how those fool warriors are handling the things I want to take to my new cottage.”
Old Mary’s words of warning made Dawn realize that she should talk with her husband about how she felt. They did not keep things from each other. They had always been truthful with each other, and she did not want that to change. Why then had she kept silent?