Page 68 of The Highland Heir

Kieran tossed another stone into the waterand watched as the ripples stretched out across the surface.

“I can’t imagine having to look into the faceof the person you hated. The person who caused you so much pain,day after day,” Kieran said.

“But you were not the person thatcaused that pain. The auld laird loved me like his own children byblood. Our father should have been able to see you were an innocentchild. He should have loved you.”

Kieran expected to feel jealous of hisbrother for the life he’d been given. He had all the people herewho treated him as family, and yet he was also loved instantly bytheir father as well. But Brody wasn’t the reason Rolfe hatedKieran. He wasn’t to blame for being born of love, any more thanKieran was to blame for being born of manipulation and misery.

“I know I have no right to ask you foranything, but I will need your help learning my role as heir. Inever imagined I would one day be in charge of a clan. I fear thereis much to learn.”

“Fortunately, father is hale and hearty. Youwill have time to learn the extent of your duties. I would be happyto help, but I fear I was never . . . suitable. You won’twant my assistance if you wish to succeed.”

“I’m sure that’s not—”

They were interrupted when their fatherstepped out of the woods.

They both fell quiet. Kieran felt hisshoulders sag with the weight of the man’s disapproval. The sameweight he’d carried as long as he could remember.

“If you don’t mind, I’d like to speak to myson,” he said.

Kieran nodded and turned to leave, but Brodyhad also turned away.

“Kieran, please stay,” the laird said.

Confusion pulled at Kieran’s brows as heturned to stand before his father. Why would his father send Brodyaway?

“Is there something wrong?” Kieran asked whenhis father stood in stillness for a full minute. Kieran expectedhis father would only want to speak to him alone because Kieran haddispleased him in some way. Probably the way he’d nearly run fromthe table.

No doubt, his abrupt exit had embarrassed hisfather. As was normal, Kieran braced himself to hear how he was,yet again, a disappointment. He should have had a bit more wine. Hewas not as numb as he would have liked for this conversation.

“Yes,” his father finally said. “I’m afraidthere is something very wrong.”

Kieran stood straighter, awaiting hisfather’s criticism, as always. As a man, he was better able to letit wash over him. But he was already raw and bleeding from theevents of the day.

“I have been wrong for so many years.It is strange that I only just realized it today.” His father shookhis head as if baffled. Kieran felt just as confused.

“I’m afraid I don’t understand,” Kieranadmitted.

“Of course, you don’t. I don’t know that I domyself.”

Kieran swallowed. Unsure what to say, he saidnothing and waited.

“I heard part of your conversation withBrody. He asked for your help, and you don’t feel you are capableof providing proper guidance. Because I have found you lacking ineverything you do. Christ, lad. Why haven’t ye drawn a blade acrossmy throat by now?”

Rolfe chuckled darkly while Kieran staredwide-eyed at this strange man who had taken over his father’sbody.

“I would never . . .”

“I know you are loyal to me, Kieran, despitethe fact I’ve given you no reason to be.”

“You are my—”

“Laird? Father? They are naught but wordsuntil someone acts as such, and I have not been a good father toyou. And yet despite my shortcomings, you have become a fineman.”

Kieran looked away, unsure how to respond topraise from a man who had never offered it before. He wasunsettled, as if he had woken and found the sky green and the grassblue.

“I was a fool,” Rolfe continued. “I focusedeverything I was on missing what I had lost. It left me unable tosee what I did have. I had you.”

“Yes, but you were not sure I was truly yourson. It’s understandable you—”