“When the Laird cast them out, he turned his back on my Ma, but my uncle, he never did. He brought them food and helped my Da finish this cottage. And when th’ time came, it was my uncle who sent down the best healer from the keep to make sure my entrance intae this world was as gentle and pain-free for my Ma as possible. And it was. For the first five years of my life, we were happy here. My Grand Da did not last much longer after my birth, and my uncle became Laird. He welcomed my Ma and Da back intae th’ clan, even offered them a place at the high table, but my Ma said nay. She was happy here. It wasn’t before long that they were expecting again.”
“But Aidam,” Ellie said. She had been watching the rain gently fall outside the cottage, her hand still on his arm, but when he spoke, he felt her grip tighten. “Ye dae nae have any siblings.”
“Nay, and that’s where our love story takes a turn…”
* * *
Ellie watched, her hand still on Aidam’s arm, as he took three deep breaths.
“My Ma was so happy to be with another babe,” he said. “She said she kent the bairn was a girl.”
“How old were ye?” Ellie asked. She remembered the first time she met Aidam. She had been a bairn of seven. He had to have been older, but not much.
“I was ten,” he replied. “I was looking forward tae being a big brother. I ken most boys would want another brother to knock around and lord over, but not me. I was excited for a wee girl. I wanted to be her protector. I wanted tae show me Mam that I could be strong. I’ll nay forget th’ mornin’ we lost her. I had been in the garden with my Da. We were getting ready tae bring in the last of the autumn roots when we heard Ma scream.” He paused and looked away from her, and Ellie slid from her chair and knelt in front of him. “There was so much blood.”
She could not help the gasp that escaped. He was so young. Much too young for what she knew was the conclusion of his story. “It was a long time ago. My Da did not last much longer after that. They said he came down with a lung disease, but I kent it was his heart. When Mam and the babe died, his heart broke in two. He tried to be strong for me, but in the end, it was just too much.”
“Oh, Aidam.” Ellie had no words, but she grabbed both of his hands, entwining them with her own. Her own heart-breaking for him. For the boy he had been.
“Don’t. It was all much too long ago for ye tae feel sorry for me, lass,” he said, but he kept her hands clasped. All the years she had known him, she had never once thought to ask about his parents. She just took for granted that he was an orphan in his uncle’s care. Never knowing or understanding what he had gone through, all of this time, she thought him nothing more than a fickle flirt. When really he was masking so much pain.
“I dae nae feel sorry for ye, Aidam,” she said. “But I owe you a world of apology. I misjudged ye. Most likely for our whole lives.” Ellie was overcome with emotion, and the tears she had been hiding from him all day flowed now, freely down her cheeks. She no longer wanted to hide from him or lie to him. “I have something I need tae tell ye.”
