Page 96 of His Forgotten Highland Bride

She didn’t answer right away. Brushing away all he had said without truly hearing it wouldn’t have been well done. So she thought through each word he said, and then, after careful consideration, she answered as she’d expected to.

“All is forgiven husband. Let us shake off all the guilt and move forward.”

He nodded slowly and looked up at the darkened sky. “I know the first thing I want to do in this new start.”

She tilted her head taking in the soft smile on his face. He seemed lighter, and she was so happy to see he had done what she’d asked and cast off the guilt that would easily consume him. “What is that?” she asked, hoping he planned to kiss her as she longed for.

Instead, he took her hand in his and stared into her eyes. “I love ye, wife,” he said, causing her to gasp in surprise.

As much as she dreamed of him loving her, she never thought he would. After all, he hadn’t chosen her. Hadn’t wanted her. But she’d asked him to shake off the things of the past, and this doubt was something keeping her tethered to that old life.

It might have been the hardest thing she’d ever done. For this insecurity had wrapped itself around her soul long before she’d even met him and had only twisted tighter when he’d left.

She closed her eyes and gathered all the strength she had. Feeling his hand in hers, she pulled from his power as well and ripped the vile weed from her very being. The force of it made her stagger, but he supported her, his arms coming around her, holding her tight.

He loved her. She opened her eyes and saw the truth there in his patient gaze. “You love me,” she said.

Her words lit off a spark that ignited his smile.

“Aye, lass, with all my heart. I look forward to spending the rest of my days telling you so.”

And then, finally, he kissed her.