She was in a place with no trees. She could see green grass and enormous rocks with larger ones behind them. Perhaps she would show her mother this beautiful place someday, she thought. Then she remembered to check her daggers. Both were gone, even the one strapped to her leg. She didn't want to think about who had removed it.
Her head was pounding and when she touched it, the large bump on the top nearly filled her whole palm. Obviously, she had been left for dead and she knew why. She had just arrived outside the Ferguson hold and it was easy to see the Fergusons were preparing for a war. She was ready to go back when everything went black.
Rachel needed to get home to warn them, but how?
She thought about her family and how worried they must be. Then she thought about Connor and allowed her mind to remember how it felt to be in his arms. She didn't push the memory away this time and instead, let it linger. If only he were holding her now. She was so lost and alone, and she needed to feel his strong arms around her. She closed her eyes and slept.
*
It was early afternoon when Catherin climbed the stairs of the Keep and walked down the balcony. Her head was high and her tears were gone. The door to the last bedchamber was open and when she went in, Anna was sitting with her back to the door looking out the window. The countryside was beautiful this time of year. The trees were lush and the birds sailed through the air.
Catherin bent down, slipped her arms around her daughter's neck from behind and kissed her cheek. "Justin says I cannot hear his heart again until I tell you how sorry I am."
Anna lovingly put her hands on her mother's arms. "And you would do anything to hear his heart."
Catherin let go, got a chair and joined Anna. "Justin thinks so. I only do it now so he will hold me. Let's not tell him, shall we?"
Anna smiled. "I was afraid you would never speak to me again."
"I thought of that, but I decided it would be too dull. Kevin tells you everything first and I have enjoyed hearing it second."
It was enough and both women felt relieved. At peace once more, they went back to waiting for Rachel.
*
It was the most magnificent stallion Rachel had ever seen. His eyes were as black as his coat and he was walking straight for her with his ears perked up. She wondered if the horse meant to trample her and then wondered if she could move fast enough to get out of his way. But the horse slowed, stopped and put his head down so she could look into his eyes. She saw her own reflection.