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“That’s true too,” Evan said.
Lachlan patted each of them on the back and maintained his grin. “Faith, me lads, faith.”
Andrew’s smile returned. “You’re going to need plenty of it.”
Alyce kept a brisk and confident tone with her good-byes, though tears pooled in her eyes. She refused to shed them, for if she did, they would all be crying like fools and she didn’t want the women to remember her that way.
“You’ll all do well, and I will return to visit,” Alyce assured them.
“Promise?” Megan asked, fighting her own tears.
“You have my word on it,” Alyce said and saw that Lachlan approached. The time was here; she truly was leaving her home and family.
“He comes for you,” Hester said sadly.
Alyce gave the slim woman an exuberant hug and whispered in her ear, “You must be the big sister now. Watch over them as I would and love them all as I do.”
“I will and thank you, thank you so very much for all you have done for me and the others.”
Alyce turned to the pint-sized Piper next and with a quick hug and a kiss to her cheek, she said, “You are an amazing wonder in the woods. I would never have survived them without you. Love and be happy with Evan, you deserve it.”
Piper was so choked with tears that she could only nod her head.
It was Rowena’s turn and the two hugged and smiled, and Rowena whispered, “You take care of yourself and the babe.”
“And you have a good life with Talon,” Alyce said and turned to Megan.
Megan threw herself into Alyce’s arms and cried. “I will miss you. You have been so good to me. You gave me my life back.”
“You took your life back,” Alyce said and looked around at the women. “We did well. We faced adversity together and grew stronger. We built a home with hard work and plenty of love and welcomed with open arms those who needed the same. Continue the good we have done and Everagis will continue to prosper along with all of you. And know that you all will remain in my heart.”
She turned quickly and walked away, her heart feeling as if it were breaking in pieces and didn’t stop when she reached Lachlan, she walked past him to the waiting horses and, without anyone’s help, mounted the mare Lachlan had ready for her and rode off without looking back.
Lachlan caught up with her a few moments later, which she had no doubt he would. She waited for him to chastise her, but he didn’t. He simply brought his horse alongside hers and rode in silence beside her.
His men caught up with them, a few moving in front to take the lead and the others trailing behind.
The ache still bit at her heart, though she knew it would fade. Her heart had pained her when her father had sent her away. She had felt betrayed, but eventually she healed. Did she really have any choice in the matter? She could either make the most of what life dealt her or surrender to what? Misery? Anger?
No, she had refused to do that. She had forged a new life with new people and now it seemed that she was about to do that again. And once again against her will. Would she ever truly be able to decide her own fate?
But if she were honest, hadn’t she decided her fate when she had fallen in love with Lachlan?
“If you grow tired, let me know and we will stop and rest,” Lachlan said.
She turned and stared at him for a moment before turning away from him to look straight ahead. There was love there in his eyes for her. It shined like a radiant beacon that reached out to her with tender concern and empathy and oddly it helped ease some of the ache from her heart.
“I am sorry I have caused you such pain,” he said.
His sincere concern continued to help heal her hurt, and she felt a twinge of guilt for the way she had been treating him, though not enough to forgive him.
“In time—”
She didn’t let him finish. “I do not wish to speak of it.”
“It would be better if we discussed it.”
“I don’t wish to discuss it.”
He opened his mouth and she interrupted him again.
“If you intend to tell me I’m being obstinate, you’re wasting your time.”
He smiled and she wanted to smack it off his face, for he had used it as a weapon against her these last two days. No matter what she had said or done; he had smiled. But then why wouldn’t he; he knew he would have his way.
“I know and you know that you’re obstinate. There’s no need to remind you.”
“Then what did you intend to say?” she asked curious.
“Anything that would allow for a conversation without argument.”
