Page 40 of Redemption

“The child did no’ meant to upset you, mo ghràdh.”

“I know,” she sniffled as she wiped a fresh tear drop off her cheek. “I simply wasn’t prepared...”

“For Caleb to have his daughter tell you what the rest of us have been telling you for so long?” There was a gentle note of chastisement in his voice that made Patience nod her head.

“I…it was so unexpected.” She drew in a deep breath. “I had thought that if Caleb were to reach out to anyone it would be to one of us—his siblings.”

“And yet he chose his daughter,” Julian whispered gently against her brow.

“She’s never said anything that made me even think she had the gift like other members of the family.” Patience shook her head as she grappled with what had just happened.

“I do no’ think anyone expected Alma to have the gift of the an dara sealladh, let alone as strong as it appears to be,” Julian said quietly. “She will need your guidance, Patience.”

She nodded at her husband’s words, but she wasn’t so sure Alma needed her as much as Julian might think. The child seemed quite comfortable with her gift, but it was possible Alma’s only experience had been communicating with her father. Julian might be right in thinking her niece would need someone to confide in. A soft knock on the morning room door made Patience slide free of Julian’s grasp, and he chuckled.

“It is no’ like we are no’ married, mo leannan.”

His amusement made her glare at him as she invited the visitor to come in. The sight of Aunt Matilda sent a wave of reassurance through her. The Scotswoman was the only mother she’d ever really known as her own mother had died from a terrible fall when Patience was five. The older woman moved toward her with a gentle smile on her still young-looking features. As her aunt stopped in front of Patience, the older woman tenderly cupped Patience’s face with both her hands.

“Are ye all right, me darling lass?” There was a shadow of deep concern in her aunt’s eyes, and Patience nodded.

“Yes,” she said with a nod. “As usual, Julian knew precisely what to say.”

“Aye, I’ve nae doubt he did.” Matilda Stewart beamed at the Highlander before returning her gaze to Patience’s face. “Do ye feel up to returning to the salon? Alma is beside herself. The wee bairn thinks she’s responsible for making you cry.”

“But she didn’t,” Patience exclaimed softly with regret that she’d managed to upset her niece.

“Aye, but she’s a true Rockwood. She’s stubborn and somewhat blind to the truth of things just like her aunt.” The gentle chastisement made Patience wince, and her aunt smiled then leaned forward to kiss her brow. “Do no’ take my teasing to heart, lass. I would no’ have ye any other way.”

With that, her aunt turned and headed for the door. Patience remained immobile for a brief second as the door closed behind the Scotswoman. Julian pulled her back into his arms and brushed his mouth against her ear.

“We can no’ replace their parents, mo ghràdh, but like Aiden, they are ours to love just as if they were our own,” Julian whispered. “We might no’ have our own bairns, but that means we have even more love to give them.”

A wave of emotion swept through Patience as she looked up at her husband. The deep love she saw darkening his eyes made her heart soar. She had no idea what she’d done to deserve such a man, but she would love him now and beyond the veil. With a tender kiss, she wrapped her fingers through his and pulled him toward the door. As she did she glanced over his shoulder and could have sworn she saw the faded outline of Caleb watching them with a grin on his face. His shadowy image was a bittersweet moment, but it filled her with hope.