“It will be.Because ye’re nae the same man ye were nine years ago. Ye’re stronger, wiser, more experienced. And more importantly, ye’re aware of what ye could lose. That awareness will make ye better, nae worse.”
Elijah stared at her,something shifting in his expression. “How do ye do that?”
“Do what?”
“Make it sound so simple.Make me believe things might actually be all right.”
“Because they can be.If ye let them.” Piper offered him a small smile. “Ye took the first step today, with Connor. Ye comforted him. Held him. Let him see that ye care. That’s all he needed. That’s all either of them needs.”
“It doesnae feel like enough.”
“It’s a start.And starts are important.” Piper paused. “For what it’s worth, I think ye’re a better faither than ye give yerself credit for.”
“I’mnae sure I agree with that assessment.”
“Well,lucky for ye, I’m nae askin’ for yer agreement.” Piper’s smile widened slightly. “I’m just tellin’ ye what I see.”
Elijah huffedout something that might have been a laugh. “Ye’re very sure of yerself, Miss Armstrong.”
“Someone has to be,since ye’re so busy doubtin’ everythin’.”
This time,it was definitely a laugh—quiet and brief, but genuine. The sound made something warm bloom in Piper’s chest.
“Ye said yer parents sold ye,”Elijah said after a moment. “To pay their gamblin’ debts.”
“Aye.”
“And before that? Before the hunt?”
“Before that,I worked at a bakery in me village. Gave them every coin I earned, because I was too afraid of what they’d do if I dinnae.” Piper’s hand went to her necklace. “I had nothin’, really. Nothin’ except this.”
“The necklace.”
“Aye. Our neighbor, Alexandra.”Piper pulled the necklace out from beneath her dress, letting it catch the fading light. “Shedied when I was fourteen. From an illness. I was with her at the end, the only one with her.”
Elijah leaned closer,studying the necklace. “May I?”
Piper nodded,and he took the pendant gently between his fingers. His touch was careful, reverent almost, and Piper was acutely aware of how close he was. Close enough that she could smell leather and pine. Close enough to remember.
Daenae think about the kiss.Daenae.
“This is definitelythe MacTavish clan symbol,” Elijah said, his brow furrowed. “And the craftsmanship is exceptional. This is nae a trinket, Piper. This is valuable. Probably worth more than most villagers would see in a lifetime.”
“Alexandra said it was special,”Piper said quietly. “But she never told me how special. Never told me where it came from, or why she had it.”
“She must have been nobility,”Elijah said, releasing the pendant. “Or married into it. This kind of piece is only given to women of high standin’ in the clan.”
“That’swhat yer maither suggested. That Alexandra might have been runnin’ from somethin’. From a life she dinnae want.”
“And she endedup in yer village.”
“Aye.In a tiny cottage next to a family of gamblers who beat their daughter.” Piper tucked the necklace back beneath her dress. “She saved me, in a way. Taught me that I was worth somethin’. That I deserved kindness.”
“She sounds like a remarkable woman.”
“She was.”Piper’s throat tightened. “She was the only maither I ever really had. The only person who ever made me feel like I mattered.”
“Ye do matter,”Elijah said quietly. “More than ye ken.”
