Page 7 of A Fierce Archer

Since her horrible abduction, Catriona had only ventured as far as the flower field outside the walls. Accompanied by other women, it had helped ease some of her anxiety. The thought of traveling to the village made her wary.

“What if someone stops us along the way? I am not sure that it would be a good idea to travel together. Someone could...”

“Nothing of the sort will happen, Catriona. It is time for ye to visit yer family. Time for ye to face things. Ye cannot expect to spend the rest of yer life cowering in here.” She motioned around the room.

In her heart, Catriona agreed wholeheartedly with Lady Fraser. Ever so slowly, she nodded. “I will try. Ye are right. It has been many days since I have seen my parents and my sister. I will go with ye.”

Lady Fraser clapped. “That is good news, dear one.”

***

Catriona was thankful for the security of the closed carriage as they traveled to the village.

Despite her initial trepidation of traveling, she was excited to see her family. It would be a treat to see them all at the same time. Although her sister and mother had often visited, her father rarely came to Fraser Keep. His work running the mill kept him and his workers busy for most of the year. When he wasn’t milling the grain, he dispensed and sold grain for the rest of the seasons.

“Once we deposit ye at yer family home, I will go to the market, see about Flora and then we can return to the keep. If ye wish to remain longer, ye can send word to the coachman,” Lady Fraser said with a pleased smile playing on her lips.

Considering she wished to spend time with her family and still afraid of any reactions that would bring them to worry, Catriona decided it was best to keep the visit short. “I will not be staying. Once ye are ready to return, please stop by for me. I am afraid to remain too long and...”

“No need to explain,” Lady Fraser said. “Tell yer mother I will come inside for a visit once I return for ye.”

Catriona peered out to see that they’d arrived at her house. The structure was the same and yet it seemed so small compared to where she’d been living for the past year. The sight of her childhood home gave her comfort.

Immediately, her mother rushed out through the front door to greet her.

“Dear daughter, I am so happy to see ye,” her mother said, hugging her tightly and ushering her into the house. Once Catriona settled in the kitchen, her mother turned to look out and motioned for a young lad to come near.

“Go to the mill and ask my husband to come at once. Tell him Catriona is here. Then go and fetch Audra. Tell her to come and bring the babe.” Her mother spoke quickly, barely catching her breath. “Tell my husband to bring flour.”

Excited at the prospect of earning a coin, the boy raced off, closely followed by a dirty, hairy dog of questionable breed.

Once again, her mother hugged her close. “If I’d known ye were coming, I would have cooked one of yer favorite meals. All I planned to make today was a simple stew.”

“I adore anything ye cook, Mother,” Catriona assured her. “My visit will not be long today. It is my first time leaving the confines of the keep. I will only be here for a part of the day. I must return with Lady Fraser.”

“Does this mean ye are getting better? It must be or else ye would not dare venture out.” Her mother caressed Catriona’s face and pressed a kiss to her forehead. “My dear girl, how I have missed ye.”

Tears welled in her eyes and Catriona blinked them away. How could she tell her mother that she wasn’t the same person? She would never again be the carefree woman who’d gone to visit the Frasers that day so many months ago. Instead, she attempted a smile. “I miss ye as well. I hope to come visit often, now that I see I can without incident.”

“Good. Ye must spend time with yer sister. Now that she has the new bairn, she seems to be constantly at her wits’ end.”

Her sister, Audra, was ten years older than Catriona and had been married for six years. Despite the difference in their ages, they’d been close until Audra left home. Now with five children, it was comical to see her once calm and orderly sister constantly frayed and barely kept together.

“Does she require help?” Catriona asked. “I thought Geoffrey hired a nursemaid,” she said, referring to her sister’s wealthy husband.

Her mother shrugged. “I hate to admit that my grandchildren are quite disorderly. They run nursemaids off rather quickly.”

The door opened and her father barged in with a wide grin directed at Catriona. Although he neared, he did not move close enough to touch her. Catriona hated that he had to be so cautious, but the last few times he’d visited, she’d had a hard time allowing him close.

“It has been several weeks since I’ve seen ye. I am sorry for not coming, but ye know this is the busiest time at the mill.”

Catriona moved to him and leaned against him. Immediately, the familiar woodsy scent of her father filled her senses, making her feel secure and safe.

“May I hug ye?” her father asked in a soft voice.

“Aye.” Upon her response, his arms circled her, and Catriona let out along breath at her lack of an adverse reaction.

Moments later, the sounds of children and a loud shrill wail made Catriona flinch.