She dinna have time to spare. Home called to her more than it ever had. To be honest, she missed her da and brothers, the games they’d play with her, and perhaps most of all, the hugs and kisses her sire freely gave. Tears filled her eyes and she let them fall. It had been a long time since she’d cried, purging the regret and sorrow she carried around. Another trait she’d gotten from her father, to keep all the pain inside. Eventually it would go away. But after five years of silence, Keely doubted it very much.
Coming back to the MacKays had proven that theory wrong. Seeing Alex, finding John dead, and almost getting killed—it sucked the strength from her body. She sagged to the floor, the deep sobs wracking her body.
“Dearest Father,” she cried. “I desperately wish ye were here…”
A knock sounded and Keely dinna know what to do. There was no way to hide her grief. She forced herself to her feet, wiped the tears from her eyes and cheeks, then took a deep breath. Maybe if she dinna answer, whoever it was would go away.
Another light rap came, and she sighed.
“Who is it?”
The door opened and Jamie stuck his head inside. “Ye are summoned.”
“By who?” Keely stared at Alex’s handsome cousin. “I am quite comfortable in this chamber.”
Jamie entered the chamber, sure to leave the door open. He took a closer look at her. “Has something happened?”
“Nay,” she said. “I-I doona know how to explain it.”
“Ye’re scared of what’s to come, lass? Miss yer family?”
It embarrassed her to admit it, but Jamie seemed genuinely concerned. “I never should have come back.”
“Regrets canna fix anything, Keely. It will only make ye suffer. Alex is a reasonable man about most things.”
Most things…“Not with me.” Alex’s cold and ugly smile when he ordered her locked in a cell had stuck in her mind like a bad dream.
“The two of ye must come to terms, lass.”
She wanted nothing else but doubted it would ever happen. “Do ye know what he wants to see me about?”
Jamie shook his head. “He’s been unusually quiet.”
When they were younger, if Alex had something on his mind, he’d disappear. Normally, she’d await his return. But on one occasion, she sought him out. The memory of his warning echoed around her.“Leave before ye discover the man I truly am.”
She heeded his words. What he meant exactly, she cared not to find out. The ominous look on his face had been enough.
And now, she imagined Alex the same way.
“I prefer to stay here,” she said.
“I understand. But I must take ye to him,” there was determination in his voice.
“Ye have forgiven him, completely?”
“Should I not?”
“We are flawed creatures,” she responded. “Forgiveness doesna come easily to a Highlander, but holding a grudge does.”
“He is my kinsman.”
“Aye. Laird John was his brother and couldna forgive him for leaving.”
“And now ye fear Alex willna forgive ye for doing the same?”
“Can ye blame me? Look what he has done to me already, Jamie. For the sake of the happy memories we share, please let me go. Turn yer back and I will slip away.”
“Holy mother of Christ.”
