Page 40 of To Charm a Highlander

“One thing I ask of ye,mo chridhe, even though it might no’ be easy for ye.”He paused for a moment.“Whoever ye are comfortable with in sharing yer memories is up to ye, but I do ask that ye speak again with Father McNeil.From what I understand he will be here for a bit of time.”

She took a deep breath.“That would be a hard one.”

“Mayhap, but he needs to ken that ye held this in yer heart for years.I am just as sure he will forgive ye as I am that Haydon would no’ consider what ye did a hanging offense.”

She looked into his eyes and held out her hand.“Hold me, Callum.”

* * *

Bright and early thenext morning, Donella hurriedly dressed and made her way to the chapel to see Father McNeil.‘Twas earlier than most folk were up, but she kenned the priest was always up before dawn to say Mass.

She entered the small building, loving the familiar scent of candles that brought back so many memories from her childhood.Once she’d been found in the woods, she’d avoided church, feeling as though sinners dinna belong there.Her wedding yesterday was the first time she’d been in church in years.

“Good morning, Lady Donella.Or should I be calling ye Lady Donella Gunn?”

She laughed at the mon’s cheerful attitude.“Just Donella would be fine, Father.”

He waved to a bench along the wall inside the kirk and they both settled there.“What brings the new bride here so early?Surely yer no’ wishing to undo yesterday?”He smiled despite his words.

“Nay, Father.I am most pleased with my husband.”She hesitated for a moment, not quite sure how to deal with her question.Always starting at the beginning was best.

“Years ago, when I was about fourteen summers, I was kidnapped and held for three days before I escaped, and a day later Haydon found me.”

The priest patted her hand.“Aye, I remember, lass.‘Twas a terrible time for yer whole family, especially the laird since he took a great deal of responsibility onto his shoulders for what happened to ye.”

“Yet he was so young and newly acting as laird.”

“’Tis the way of Laird Haydon, lass.He has always been verra protective of his women, his family and the clan.It took some talking to me about it to get him straightened out.”

This was something she dinna ken, but she had been so involved in her own pain and guilt, she hadn’t noticed anyone around her.For years.

The time had come to handle something that had tortured her for years.“Father, I was able to escape the mon who held me because—” She stopped and took a deep breath.

“Yes, lass, what is it?”

“I…I killed him.”

The priest sat back and closed his eyes.“And ye have carried this burden all these years?”

“Aye.One time shortly after I returned home, I asked ye if killing someone would send ye to hell.And ye said yes.”

“Ach, Donella lass, ye ne’er told me why ye were asking that question.If yer looking for forgiveness, ye have it.The good lord donna expect us to not defend ourselves.”

“But Jesus dinna defend himself with his captors.As the son of god he could have called the angels to his defense.”

Father McNeil shook his head.“Nay.That is no’ the same as what yer telling me.God had a plan for his Son and it dinna involve him taking a sword to his enemies.”He wagged his finger at her.“Ye need to spend more time with yer Bible, lass.”

She truly felt as though a large stone in her heart had melted.She had the forgiveness of Father McNeil and through him the good lord.“So I willna be going to hell?”

He actually laughed.“Well, I canna say that for sure, depending on the rest of yer life.But kenning ye as I do and with the life ye now have planned for yerself with bairns to one day take care of, I doona think ye will be roaming the countryside looking for people to kill.”

She let out a big sigh.“Thank ye so much, Father.”

“Now, lass, I want ye to return to yer husband, who loves ye verra much.”He stopped and grinned.“Aye I could see it in his eyes yesterday.And I could see yer love as well.Take care of each other and put all the bad memories behind ye.”

He raised his hand and blessed her.

Donella walked slowly back to the keep deep in thought.Aye, she loved Callum and she kenned he loved her, but she still had to overcome other problems before they could have a normal life together.