Page 99 of Highlander’s Captive

“And she isna yer enemy. She wasna raised with the MacDougalls. She wasna even born here. She’s a complete stranger. An outsider.”

“Aye.”

“So she hasna a reason to betray ye.”

“But she did. She lied. And the MacDougalls are still her family even if they are her ancient ancestors. She might want to help them after all, for all I ken.”

“It wasna a betrayal.”

“Sure feels like it. Why do ye protect her, anyway?”

“I dinna protect her. I protect ye.”

“From what?”

“From yer stupid stubbornness.”

Craig wished now he had something in his hands he could throw over the wall and watch it smash on the ground.

“Loyalty is important to me. What’s wrong with that?”

“Nothing. Except, ye’re confining yerself to a lifetime of misery.”

His words resonated painfully in Craig’s chest. It wasn’t like Craig hadn’t imagined Amy in his life. She was his wife. They’d never even divorced, never said the words. But he thought about spending long, warm nights together, the trips to the mountains they’d take together, how she’d meet Marjorie. Marjorie would love Amy. Both had a very strong core. Both had gone through a lot but had survived and come out stronger. He imagined his and Amy’s children. Would they be red haired like her? Or dark haired like himself?

And he imagined many days, months, and years when he’d be thanking God for the gift of love and happiness that he’d have daily.

But he couldn’t have that. Because every minute of every day, he’d doubt her.

How could he ever trust her again?

Not that he’d see her again in his lifetime, of course.

Craig stood upright and faced Owen, crossing his arms over his chest.

“Why are ye concerned about my misery or happiness? Did ye suddenly become such a believer in love? Ye, who canna miss a skirt.”

Owen looked down. “No,” he said. “But I can see that ye, without her, are a much more stupid arse than ye are with her. And I like ye much more when ye’re a less stupid arse.”

Craig shook his head. “Ye’re definitely a more stupid arse with women around.”

“But it isna about me. ’Tis about ye.”

“Aye, aye. Try to change the subject.”

“Nae, I’m serious. Ye need to learn to trust people ye love, brother. Ye canna live like that anymore. Ye will regret it.”

“If the price for peace is regret, I’ll take it.”

“I dinna think ye will, though. One day, ye’ll be on yer death bed, as will we all. Will ye not regret driving Amy away? Will ye not regret missing a lifetime of happiness with her and risking the possibility she’d make a mistake?”

Craig exhaled, trying to think. He was angry at Owen for talking about it, for raising the doubt in him again.

The questions that had spun in his head ever since he’d found out the truth.

What if he was strong enough to believe her? What if he was brave enough to allow the possibility that she could be loyal? That she was an honest person. That she would rather die than betray him.

Like he would for her.