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Willow broke down in tears, clinging to Mara. The older woman’s arms wrapped around her, offering comfort.
“Jacob was a good man,” Carmag said. “He will be missed.”
Tara stood stock-still, listening to the chorus of accolades for the old man that circled the room, each more profound than the last. And try as she might, she could not shake the thought that she was responsible for Jacob’s death. And then there was Trey.
An icy shudder racked her body and the hand of fear suddenly gripped her hard and strong. She dreaded the overwhelming feeling that something bad was about to happen again.
The door burst open, and Cora, the basket weaver, hurried in. “Please help me. Rand is lost in the storm, and Alida went in search of him.”
Chapter 17
Reeve couldn’t reach Tara before she fled the keep. He was grateful that she had the sense to grab her fur-lined cloak off the peg as she went. He knew she blamed herself for everything that was happening, and it would do him little good to say otherwise. The best thing he could do was let her seek the solitude she probably believed necessary while he helped find the children.
As for Jacob, he was an old man, older than most, and he had lived his life as he pleased and died the same way. Reeve was angry that the soldiers had returned to torment the old man, and he wondered if they were the ones who had attacked Trey, a cowardly bunch for sure. If so, he and his brothers would indeed see that they paid for their evil deeds.
None of what happened here was due to any curse. He didn’t know how he was going to convince Tara of that, but he was damn well going to make her see reason.
He and his brothers were quick to organize men. Duncan would remain at the keep to help with Trey. Carmag would see to Jacob’s body being stored until burial, after the ground thawed, and Reeve and Bryce would lead a group of warriors in search of the children.
Bailey, Kate’s husband, was fast to volunteer since he had come upon one of Rand’s hiding spots once before. Reeve wished there were time to go comfort Tara, but time was of the essence for the children. They wouldn’t be able to last long in the snow. Even though the snowstorm had abated somewhat, snow was still falling, and the air was decidedly crisp.
Mara took charge of Willow, and Mercy went to stay with Trey. Duncan would join her as soon as he helped Carmag take care of Jacob.
Reeve did wonder over Trey’s remark about Tara. Why would he point to her and say death? Had it been the fever talking, or had he learned something? Reeve didn’t know what to think, and he wondered what Trey would say when he woke and turned clearheaded.
He refused to think anything other than that Trey would grow strong and survive. He had survived the loss of the woman he had loved beyond measure though it was obvious to Reeve and the others that Trey had never fully accepted her death, and it worried them.
It had been a year since Trey had lost Leora, and he continued to mourn her. And he continually blamed himself for her death. No one could convince him otherwise, and the family had stopped trying, knowing that only time would heal his suffering.
Would Trey wish to join his beloved? Would he surrender to death, feeling it was less painful than life? Reeve could only pray that such was not the case.
“Ready?” Bryce asked, handing him a torch as they made ready to leave.
“Ready and hopeful,” Reeve said, thinking not only of the children but Tara as well.
Tara refused to feel helpless. She would not let this curse claim innocent children. She hurried to her cottage, relieved that the snowstorm had lost its force though snow continued to fall. At least visibility was better, and she found her way home without difficulty. Before she opened the door, she realized that she had walked the entire way, short as it was, barefooted. Annoyed at herself, she entered her cottage. There was no point in returning for her boots until she was dressed and ready to join the search.
She found her extra pair of wool stockings, which she had no intentions of putting on until she had her boots. She topped her linen blouse with a wool one and wrapped a wool scarf around her head and folded a blanket over her arm. Once done, she returned to the keep and found it nearly deserted.
She made a quick trip to Reeve’s bedchamber and slipped her stockings on and then her boots, ignoring the slight swelling that remained but wasn’t severe enough to prevent her from getting her boot on.
She hurried out of the room and straight to Trey’s to check on him before she left.
Mercy was there alone, and she smiled when Tara entered.
“You go to find the children?” Mercy asked.
“I must,” Tara said.
Mercy nodded. “If I could, I would join you.”
“You are needed here.”
“I know,” Mercy said, “but let me tell you some of the places Rand likes to play and, in particular, hide.”
Tara listened, nodded, and went to leave. She stopped suddenly, and turned. “What of Bliss?”
“Roan was wise enough to send one of his men to fetch her once they had found Trey,” Mercy said, and shook her head. “Roan felt that Trey would not survive and hoped that perhaps Bliss could work a miracle.”
