A Soldier's Salvation (Highland Heartbeats Book 7)(63)

“Perhaps this is all the sort of thing we can work out together over time,” she suggested. “There is no need to act in haste. If we were to spend a little time with Padraig—perhaps until he feels better settled, too, as it’s likely he’ll face many challenges—we could spend more time making plans. Nothing has to be decided today except the fact that I want to be your wife.”

He let out a sigh which might have been a laugh. “Still? You saw what I did in the woods. How easy it was for me.”

“I like to think it was easy because you did it on my behalf,” she murmured.

“Aye, lass! What did you think? I don’t consider it an amusement.”

“Well, then?”

“That isn’t the first time.”

“I didn’t think it was.”

“And you still love me?”

“Oh, Rodric.” She leaned against him, winding her arm around his. “I’ve loved you every day since I was old enough to understand love. Perhaps before then. Yes, I still love you. I’m certain that I will to the last beat of my heart.”

“You wouldn’t mind being the wife of a man who might be wanted by the authorities for some of the things he’s done?”

The thought did chill her heart somewhat. “All there is to do is hope things work out for the best. They always do. Even if it takes a lifetime.” Her hand found his, their fingers intertwining.

He kissed the top of her head, his lips lingering there. “I think it would be only fair to escort Sarah back to the Duncan house and meet up with the men there. Explain to them our plans.”

“Of course,” she whispered. “I’d think they’d want to congratulate you on your happiness.”

“They’ll want to slap me on the back and ask you if you’re completely daft for marrying a such a scoundrel,” he snickered.

She shrugged, smiling as she imagined how much enjoyment the men would derive from taunting her new husband. “Either way, I’ll enjoy it.”

He leaned back, looking down at her. “We’re truly going to do this, then?”

“We truly are. Perhaps you’re the daft one if you didn’t know it.”

He shook his head, smiling in amazement. “I must confess something I’ve never told anyone else.”

Another confession? “What is it?”

“I’ve spent a good deal of time wondering why I was spared during the war—the Battle of Largs, in particular. Jake Duncan—Phillip’s brother—saved my life. I was moments from dying there, on the field, lying on the ground after my horse threw me. That’s how I got this,” he added, motioning to his wounded shoulder.

“Oh, my dearest…”

He nodded. “A enemy soldier was nearly about to take my head off when Jake threw himself in front of me and took a wound which nearly killed him. Sarah saved his life, but it was very close.”

She remembered overhearing them speak of Jake in Alan’s room, while she watched from the doorway.

“Since then,” he continued, looking just over her head, out toward the horizon, “I asked myself why I was spared. Why me? Why not any of the men who died there, or throughout the rest of the war? I felt in my heart that there had to be something, some reason, some purpose I was spared for.”

A wide, brilliant smile spread across his face. “And now I know. It was you. You were my salvation.”

Tears filled Caitlin’s eyes. “Oh, Rodric.”

“It’s true. I know it now, lass.” He cupped her chin, stroking her jaw with his thumb, his eyes so deep and clear she was certain she’d drown in them as she gazed helplessly up. “I was spared because of you. You needed me—and I needed you. It wouldn’t be right for me to be taken in battle before what was meant to come to pass had come to pass. I believe this.”

It made perfect sense, just as Padraig leading the clan was the only course of action which anyone should have ever considered. Everything had fallen into place as it was destined to do.

“I believe it, too,” she agreed.

He caught the tears which trickled down her cheeks. “You cry frequently.”

“It seems I do,” she gasped, laughing at his observation. “But only because I’ve had reason to do so as of late.”

His lips replaced his thumbs, kissing away what remained of her tears. “I vow to you, Caitlin, that I will do everything in my power to ensure the only tears you shed are tears of joy.”

Her heart swelled as she once again reflected on the way it had all come to be.

“Excuse me! You two!”

They turned to find Sorcha standing by the front door, smiling. “If you aren’t too busy out there, you might like to come inside so we can discuss the plans for your wedding ceremony. If you think I’m going to let you traipse all over the Highlands without first witnessing you taking vows together, you’re sadly mistaken!”

Rodric burst out laughing. “I wasn’t aware we had an audience. I suppose our voices carried.”

Caitlin could only shake her head at her aunt, who’d known all along the way things ought to be. The two of them stood, hand-in-hand, and walked to the little house where so much of their history—and their love—had first come to pass.