Page 4 of Highlander’s Viking Sin

“I just haed a wee argument with Emmel, that’s all,” she confessed.

“What about?”

“Oh, I told him that I’m gaeing tae travel tae the Lowlands, and he acted as though I haed lost my mind! He had the gall tae tell me that I should nae gae because it’s tae dangerous.”

“Well, he is the leader of his village.”

Isla scowled. “He’s nae my leader.”

“He might hae a point, Isla. Are ye sure ye want tae leave right now? It haes been only recently that the Vikings hae attacked. If there are any of them left in the Highlands, they might be desperate and see any wagon as a target.”

Isla pressed her lips together and lay her palms flat on the table. “I’m gaeing,” she said.

“But cannae it wait another week or sae? Just tae be safe?” Ewan asked.

“Nay!” Isla said.

Ewan furrowed his brow and walked toward her. He took her hand and squeezed it gently, which was enough for choking emotions to burst out of her.

“Why is it sae important for ye tae leave now?” he asked softly.

Isla sniffed back her sorrow and composed herself before she spoke. “I dinnae want tae be here for the wedding,” she admitted. Ewan nodded with understanding. “Dinnae get me wrong, I’m happy for her, for them both, but every time there’s a wedding, I’m reminded that I’m never gaeing tae hae one of my own.”

“That’s nae necessarily true,” Ewan said. “I’m sure there’s some man out there who can make ye happy.”

“There is nae. We both know it, Da. And it’s fine. I made my choice. I would nae trade Andrew for the world, but there are times when it hurts, and I just want tae be away from it all.”

Ewan placed a hand on her shoulder and squeezed it gently. “I wish I was a more important man and knew more important people. Then maybe I could find a husband who is worthy of ye,” he said.

“It’s nae yer fault, Da. Ye hae done everything ye can tae make me happy. I dinnae need a husband anyway. I hae everything I need here with ye and Andrew.” She forced a smile, but they both knew that she didn’t have everything she needed. She dried her eyes, and that was all they said of the matter. She had been in love once, and perhaps that was all anyone was able to have in this life.