Page 53 of Highland Flame

“I’m just hot from the wax, that’s all,” she told her brother, wiping her hands on her work apron. “What is it ye wanted?”

“I came to tell you that you have visitors. Actually, I was looking for you as well, Cam.”

“Me?” Cam had the look on his face like he wanted to hide away rather than to do whatever it was the monk was going to ask him to carry out.

“Visitors?” Yvaine hurried over to the door. “Who even kens I’m here?”

“It’s Cam’s friend, Gavin, and his new wife,” said Gillies.

“Gavin is here?” Cam hurried to the door and looked out. “I wonder if somethin’ is wrong. He shouldna be here.”

“Davita is here as well?” asked Yvaine. “I wonder why she would risk takin’ the trip over the border.”

“Ye ken Davita?” Cam asked her.

“Of course, I do,” she answered. “Davita is my friend from the village.”

“Och, aye, that’s right. I should have remembered.” Cam swiped his hand through the air. “I’m sure cordwainers and chandlers have a lot in common.”

Cam guided Yvaine down to the courtyard where they met his good friend, Gavin. Davita was at his side.

“Gavin. What a surprise,” said Cam. “What the hell are ye doin’ here? I thought ye’d be back in the Highlands by now.”

Brother Gillies cleared his throat in a subtle reminder that Cam was cursing inside the holy walls once again.

“Cam,” said Gavin, shaking his hand and giving him a hearty slap on the back. “I highly expected to see North and Nash here, beggin’ me to take them back to Hermitage with me. Where are they?” He scanned the courtyard for his friends.

“They’re no’ here right now. They are havin’ a respite at Naward Castle while I slave away doing the chores for three in their absence,” grumbled Cam.

“They earned a break, you didn’t,” Brother Gillies reminded him.

“Davita? Why are ye here?” asked Yvaine, rushing over to hug her friend.

“Yvaine, I had to come. I felt so bad for ye, with losin’ yer husband and all,” said Davita.

“That’s right, she did feel a need to be with ye,” explained Gavin. “We may be newly married, but Davita wouldna let me rest until I brought her to ye.”

“I still dinna understand,” said Yvaine. “Why would ye risk the trip here just to be with me?”

“I figured ye might need a friend right now.” Davita put her hand on Yvaine’s arm. “Was I wrong?”

Tears filled Yvaine’s eyes but she quickly blinked them away. A friend was exactly what she needed at the moment. She felt honored and thankful that Davita would come all this way to be with her instead of spending her precious time alone with her new husband.

“I suppose it would be nice to have the company of another woman – besides Sister Edna that is,” said Yvaine with a smile.

“Where’s the girl?” Gavin asked Cam. “Did ye already find a family to take her?”

Yvaine’s eyes darted over to Cam as she waited for his answer. She wasn’t at all sure if he meant to keep or get rid of poor little Avianca. It seemed his decision wavered back and forth each day.

“Nay, she is still here,” Cam informed him. “Right now, Avianca is with Sister Edna. I was about to collect her to have a bite to eat together. The wee lass has taken a likin’ to me for some reason, and wants to spend time at my side.”

Gavin chuckled. “Well, mayhap it’s because ye are her faither. Now, where is this food ye speak of? I worked up an appetite on the trip here.”

The men headed away, leaving Yvaine standing alone with Davita.

“I still canna believe ye and Gavin traveled here by yerselves to see me.” Yvaine walked slowly with Davita as they headed over to the infirmary for the morning meal.

Davita smiled. “I have to admit, we were assisted. Gavin wanted to travel alone, but after the latest happenin’ with the English when ye came here, I begged him to ask for an escort. Some of the MacKeefes rode along with us, but turned around and headed back to Hermitage Castle as we approached the priory. Dinna let Gavin ken that I told ye. He doesna want to look weak in front of his friends.”