Anne hummed to herself as she filled bowls with ladlefuls of oats. Brandon and Rory came in from outside. As soon as dawn broke, they were up with the roosters, getting a bit of work done while Anne made breakfast. She had fallen into her new role with ease, tending to the house while the men tilled the land. Brandon was clearly enjoying the fact that he had people to help him. Rory’s youth and vigor helped him farm more of the land than before, while Anne could go around and see to the animals. She had a particular fondness for the old horse and always made sure to give it a treat every day. Brandon didn’t mind, he said that the horse was his son’s favorite as well.
Anne hadn’t tried to pry about Brandon’s son. It always seemed to bring a tear to Brandon’s eye when he mentioned the son, so Anne tried to avoid the topic altogether. As far as she was concerned, they had each suffered enough tragedy for an entire lifetime so they did not need to wallow in it. She was happy to see Rory thriving as well. Since getting settled on the farm, he hadn’t mentioned becoming a guard or running away to join an army. He had a natural affinity for the work and absorbed everything that Brandon taught him. Even though the old man wasn’t related to them by blood, it was easy for Anne to think of him as family. He had taken them into their home and given them the opportunity to live without ever questioning their integrity.It was the second chance she needed, and she was determined to make it last for a long time.
She only ever occasionally ventured towards the keep. It was far quieter than when the gathering had taken place, although the market did bring about many people. When she tended the stall, she found herself glancing towards Murdoch’s bar, wondering what Finlay was getting up to. She hoped that he had found a way to escape. At one point, Anne had mentioned Murdoch to Brandon, but Brandon acted as though she had spoken a curse. He said he didn’t want that name ever mentioned again in his house, and it made her fear for Finlay’s life.
If he had escaped, then she hoped he had found somewhere safe to run. Her romantic heart wondered if he would scour the Highlands searching for her again, but he was doomed to fail as she would have been right under his nose. It was sad that their story had to end like this, but she supposed that was the way it went for some people. You couldn’t have everything in life, after all, and now that she had a sturdy roof over her head she wasn’t about to be greedy. Brandon had occasionally brought up the idea of marriage to Anne, but she had avoided the topic with a coy laugh and a dismissive wave of the hand. He did not press too much, and she was glad of it.
Life was quiet and uneventful. She did not have to live in fear of running out of coin. Food was plentiful and she could turn her mind to other matters, like cooking. She was an adventurous cook and liked experimenting with flavors, and she loved rewarding the men for their hard work with a hearty meal.
Halfway through eating, Rory cleared his throat. “There’s something I want tae ask ye both,” he began, speaking in a most serious tone. Anne wore an amused smile, wondering what he was going to ask. “I know I hae been working on this farm day inand day out, and I enjoy the work. But when I was near the keep the other day I got tae talking tae a blacksmith and he’s looking for a new apprentice,” Rory’s words began to falter. “I know that ye need my help here, but I was wondering if I could gae and learn after him. I already told him about the farm and he said that I could begin by learning from him just a few times a week, and he said that if I start making my own weapons, then I can get a commission for them and that would help offset the work I cannae dae here. Dae ye mind if I dae that?”
Anne saw the light in his eyes. Brandon looked proud as well.
“I think that’s a wonderful idea,” she said.
“Aye, lad, people are always looking for talented blacksmiths. I’m sure ye will be one of the best if ye apply yerself like ye hae done here,” Brandon said. Rory smiled with relief, clearly having been afraid that he wasn’t going to get what he wanted. He then finished off his breakfast. Anne started to see the future take shape before her eyes, and it made her smile.
Then, there was an unexpected knock at the door. Brandon frowned, for they were not expecting anyone, but he got up anyway. Anne picked up the empty bowls and took them into the kitchen.
22
The last time Finlay had been at the farm was when night had fallen. To see it in the daylight was to be reminded of his childhood. His father used to sit him at the table and tell him about the future that awaited him, and how proud he was of being a guard. He said he didn’t even mind that Finlay hadn’t become a farmer, because Finlay was doing something noble. He was serving the Laird and justice, but that had all fallen apart. Finlay stood in the distance, flinching as he remembered the insults that had been flung between father and son. Brandon had seemed intractable then, but Finlay had not been much better himself. He had stormed away in a flurry of emotion, slamming the door behind him. That noise had reverberated through the years, clanging in his mind even now, reminding him of the broken bond between himself and his father.
It wasn’t only his father he had let down, but his mother as well. On her deathbed, she had made Finlay promise that he would always take care of his father. In the end, he had fled, running away from his home, his past, and his responsibilities. But now it was time to face them again. He straightened his tunic andcomposed himself, collecting his emotions as he walked towards the house.
It was gentle and quiet. The fields looked well-tended, and the stables and barns were clean. He assumed his father had help. It pained Finlay that this help hadn’t come from him. He glanced over at the old horse, who whinnied when she saw him. Her mane was thick and she looked happy. At least she was still being cared for. The closer Finlay got to the door, the more he was tempted to run away, but he forced himself forward, pretending that he had a sword to his back. Before he knew it, he was knocking on the door, holding his breath, trying to ignore his thumping heart.
Brandon opened the door and for the first time in years, father and son were standing face to face. Brandon blinked twice, flinching a little as he didn’t expect to see his son standing there. Finlay wore a sheepish smile, bowing his head.
“What are ye daeing here?” Brandon asked. Finlay wasn’t sure if he could hear suspicion or accusation in his father’s voice. Perhaps both were present. This was the moment of truth or, rather,fortruth. Too much of Finlay’s life had been defined by lies and cons. It was time to liberate himself from all of that.
“I’m here tae apologize, Da, and tae try and be yer son again. I know a lot of years hae passed between us, and maybe it’s tae much for ye tae get past, but I want ye tae know that I never stopped thinking of ye. I never stopped wanting tae make ye proud and I’m sorry that I disappointed ye. I came back and I went tae the Laird. I told him what happened. I never stole that sword, and the truth came out. But the rest of it… I should nae hae lost myself tae a life of gambling. I turned a new leaf and I am a guard again. The Laird gave me another chance and this time I’m nae gaeing tae let anything get in the way. I’m trying taeamend my mistakes and I want tae amend them with ye as well. I know it might be tae much tae ask for forgiveness, but I’m here. I’m here and I want tae make things right,” he said. The words flowed out of his mouth in a rushing torrent. Once they started spilling out of him they didn’t seem to be able to stop.
Brandon regarded him silently. The corners of his mouth twitched and Finlay honestly wasn’t sure if Brandon was going to hug him or banish him from his sight.
“Ye dinnae steal the sword?” he asked in a rasping whisper.
“Nae, Da. I told ye—” Finlay felt his emotions rising again. He took a deep breath to compose himself. “I tried tae tell ye before. I just dinnae know who was responsible then.”
“I dinnae believe the Laird could hae made a mistake. I’m sorry tae, son. I should never hae condemned ye like that. I never wanted ye tae run away. I just wanted ye tae let justice take its course. I hae missed ye over the years. It’s nae been the same without ye. But tell me something; ye hae come by. That money…it was from ye, was it nae?”
Finlay hung his head and nodded.
“Ye should hae come by then, lad. There’s always a seat at the table for ye.”
“Ye would hae just been disappointed in me. After I left, I became the villain that everyone condemned me as. I dinnae think I deserved tae be here. But I hae changed now.”
“I’m glad of yer change of heart,” Brandon smiled and placed his hand on Finlay’s shoulder. His eyes glistened with tears, and Finlay felt emotion rising within him as well. “Dae I dare ask what caused it?”
Finlay cleared his throat with a dry chuckle. “Well, it was a woman, although she moved on.”
“A shame, but we all hae tae live and love in our time. Come inside, lad. I’d like tae introduce ye tae a couple of people who live on the farm. They hae been helping me out. I’m sure that there is still some breakfast left for ye if ye are hungry,” he turned inside and called towards the kitchen. Finlay followed him, drinking in this moment as he stepped through the threshold of the door and truly returned home. The aroma of porridge filled the air and the place was warm, as though it was inhabited by a family who truly cared for each other. Even though it was his home, Finlay couldn’t help but feel as though he was intruding.
Despite those feelings, he was glad that his father had company on the farm. It had always broken his heart to think of Brandon living alone up here, so far removed from the rest of the world. As they walked through to the kitchen, Brandon was speaking highly about the help. Then Finlay entered the kitchen and saw a beautiful figure of a woman standing with her back to him, washing out some bowls. Her brown hair was long, and her hips had pleasing curves. There was something familiar about her.
“Anne, there’s someone I’d like ye tae meet. This is my son, Finlay,” Brandon said. Somehow Finlay knew it was her even before Brandon uttered her name. Time slowed as she turned around, showing Finlay her profile. There was the elegant nose, the soft lips, the gorgeous eyes. Emotions surged through him, as powerfully as the first time they had seen each other. The spark of recognition was intense, as was the petrified terror at meeting each other in this unexpected place when they had both said their farewells. Finlay hadn’t been prepared for this at alland his mind was in disarray. His mouth hung open and he stared at Anne, unable to bring any words to his lips.
Anne wasn’t much better, placing her hands against the counter to steady herself.
