His gaze shot up to hers, and he whispered, “I didn’t say that.” He yanked his hand away and took a mouthful of porridge.
“But you did. You all did. Uncle Aedan?”
He pursed his lips and nodded. “Both of them standing at the end of my bed.”
Derric tossed his utensil down and said, “Enough. Stop trying to make us all daft. It can’t mean anything. Dyna, what the hell does it mean? Joya? Tell them all they’re daft. Nay, don’t say anything, just tell me… Nay, don’t tell me.”
Dyna leaned over and kissed her husband’s cheek. “You’re talking in circles, love.”
He sighed, so deeply everyone heard him. “I know. I don’t believe in ghosts, but what else could it be?”
“Spirits. They’re just spirits who have come for two reasons. One, to let you know Claray is safe until the storm ends. And secondly, they wish to let us all know they are happy where they are,” Riley said. “Grandsire knows how hard this Yule will be without him. And I think he’s especially sensitive to how his death has impacted Dyna and Claray.”
“Did anyone see anything different?” Tara asked.
Dyna mopped up the wetness on her cheek with her sleeve. “Nay, they looked verra happy. Grandsire especially. And he was young again.” She giggled through her tears. “Called me stubborn. He said to stop grieving for him, but I… Actually, after some of the things he said, mayhap I can.” Then she reached over to her husband, kissed the top of his head, and said, “He mentioned how fond he was of you, you big oaf.”
“I’m going outside to check on the storm,” Derric said, giving her hand a squeeze.
Alasdair jumped. “I’ll go with you.”
Els said, “I’ll be behind you.”
Both followed Derric out the door without a backward glance, passing Brin at the door.
Brin said, “I’ve been out to the stables. We should be able to look for Claray by high sun. The wind is slowing and so is the snow, but ’tis still mighty deep. ’Twill make for slow movement over to the abbey. When we leave after a storm, we always stop there to check on them. We’ll search for Claray from there.”
“She could be perfectly safe inside the abbey.” Aedan got out of his chair and brought over another loaf of bread from the side table, slicing it for the group.
“Grandsire said she’s in a cave.” Dyna didn’t even look at anyone as she said it. “He said ’tis my favorite one, so it must be the one closest to the abbey.”
“Aye, I believe you’re correct, Dyna,” Uncle Logan said. “We’ll go check it.”
“Poor Claray. It must be mighty cold in that cave.” She couldn’t help but feel an ache in her heart, for her sister and her grandparents.
“Nay,” Riley said. “She has angels protecting her.”
How she prayed Riley was right.
The door flew open, shocking them all to attention. Derric entered, then stepped aside for everyone to see the newly arrived guest. “Look who I found outside.”
“Come in, Thorn,” Dyna called out, waving him over. “You won’t like what you’re about to learn, but you can surely help us. Fill your belly, we have traveling to do if the storm is done.”
Chapter Sixteen
A Christmas gift for all…
They spent a very busy day and stopped only for a quick meal because there was still much to do. Thorn had enjoyed the day, and even though the men were brutal in their teasing, he bore the brunt with a smile on his face. Claray beamed and said, “I must go back in the kitchens and help Cook prepare more meat pies.”
Thorn moved over and whispered in her ear. “Before you do that, would my betrothed mind a short stroll this eve? The snow is quite beautiful, and it calls to me.”
“Aye,” she said, leaning against him with a smile.
He helped her don her mantle and scarf, then found his own. Just before they left, Dyna called out to them. “Where are you two going in this weather?”
“Just for a stroll. The snow is lovely and ’tis quiet and magical at night. We won’t be long,” Claray said just before they closed the door.
They moved across the cobblestones and out through the gates. He waved to the guards, indicating they were going to the small hill a short distance away.
