Page 102 of Highlander’s Captive

They sat in silence for a while, letting this new reality sink in—where there wouldn’t be any more resentment, and the lost parts of them both could come back and live again.

“What now?” Dad said. “Do you have a man in your life?”

Amy sighed, the memory of Craig resonating in her in a dull ache. “Sort of. But I…I thought we wouldn’t be compatible because I couldn’t be happy in a relationship. My previous marriage didn’t work out—I felt trapped. And I didn’t think I’d ever meet someone I would feel like myself with.”

“But you did?”

“I did. I think so.”

“And you aren’t together?”

“No. We broke up. But now… I don’t know, something changed in me.”

The truth was, she looked at Dad and she didn’t want to end up like him, full of regret in the last years of his life. He’d lost his wife, the love of his life, and it had broken him. What if Amy lived her life here, as broken and as regretful as he was?

This reconciliation with him, it shifted things in her soul. She wasn’t afraid of closed spaces anymore. She wasn’t afraid to talk to him anymore. Forgiveness opened places she’d locked within herself many years ago. And what she found wasn’t scary.

It was healing.

It was bravery.

It was acceptance of herself.

What Craig had said. Ye lost yerself somewhere back in that barn… Ye must find yerself first.

Well, she finally had. Now, talking to Dad, she’d found the girl she’d lost.

And she felt complete. Strong. Loved.

The only thing missing was the man she loved.

“Yes, I think it did. Does he deserve you?”

“Oh yes. He’s the kindest and strongest man I know. You’d like him.”

“Maybe we can meet someday? I’m sorry, I don’t want to insist or anything. It’s up to you.”

Amy smiled. “No, no, I’d have loved to, but he lives in Scotland.”

Dad’s eyes lit up. “In Scotland? Coming back to your roots then, Amy. You’re Scottish through and through.”

“Not sure.” She chuckled. “He’d probably disagree.”

“Does he love you?”

“Yes. Yes, he does. He’s just as afraid to commit. I was, too. But I’m not anymore. And I think I can make him see he doesn’t need to be, either.”

She imagined herself with Craig, living with him in the Highlands. Exploring mountains together. The family they’d have. He’d be a wonderful father. He’d never do anything to hurt her or their children. He’d protect them.

It would be a hard life, back in time, no doubt. A life full of hard work without modern comforts or modern medicines.

But Amy wasn’t afraid of that. She’d take that any day for a chance to be with Craig as long as she could.

She sighed.

Was she considering going back to him?

Not just considering. She’d decided.