Chapter 22

22

T he last time Finlay had been at the farm was when night had fallen. To see it in the daylight was to be reminded of his childhood. His father used to sit him at the table and tell him about the future that awaited him, and how proud he was of being a guard. He said he didn't even mind that Finlay hadn't become a farmer, because Finlay was doing something noble. He was serving the Laird and justice, but that had all fallen apart. Finlay stood in the distance, flinching as he remembered the insults that had been flung between father and son. Brandon had seemed intractable then, but Finlay had not been much better himself. He had stormed away in a flurry of emotion, slamming the door behind him. That noise had reverberated through the years, clanging in his mind even now, reminding him of the broken bond between himself and his father.

It wasn't only his father he had let down, but his mother as well. On her deathbed, she had made Finlay promise that he would always take care of his father. In the end, he had fled, running away from his home, his past, and his responsibilities. But now it was time to face them again. He straightened his tunic and composed himself, collecting his emotions as he walked towards the house.

It was gentle and quiet. The fields looked well-tended, and the stables and barns were clean. He assumed his father had help. It pained Finlay that this help hadn't come from him. He glanced over at the old horse, who whinnied when she saw him. Her mane was thick and she looked happy. At least she was still being cared for. The closer Finlay got to the door, the more he was tempted to run away, but he forced himself forward, pretending that he had a sword to his back. Before he knew it, he was knocking on the door, holding his breath, trying to ignore his thumping heart.

Brandon opened the door and for the first time in years, father and son were standing face to face. Brandon blinked twice, flinching a little as he didn't expect to see his son standing there. Finlay wore a sheepish smile, bowing his head.

"What are ye daeing here?" Brandon asked. Finlay wasn't sure if he could hear suspicion or accusation in his father's voice. Perhaps both were present. This was the moment of truth or, rather, for truth. Too much of Finlay's life had been defined by lies and cons. It was time to liberate himself from all of that.

"I'm here tae apologize, Da, and tae try and be yer son again. I know a lot of years hae passed between us, and maybe it's tae much for ye tae get past, but I want ye tae know that I never stopped thinking of ye. I never stopped wanting tae make ye proud and I'm sorry that I disappointed ye. I came back and I went tae the Laird. I told him what happened. I never stole that sword, and the truth came out. But the rest of it… I should nae hae lost myself tae a life of gambling. I turned a new leaf and I am a guard again. The Laird gave me another chance and this time I'm nae gaeing tae let anything get in the way. I'm trying tae amend my mistakes and I want tae amend them with ye as well. I know it might be tae much tae ask for forgiveness, but I'm here. I'm here and I want tae make things right," he said. The words flowed out of his mouth in a rushing torrent. Once they started spilling out of him they didn't seem to be able to stop.

Brandon regarded him silently. The corners of his mouth twitched and Finlay honestly wasn't sure if Brandon was going to hug him or banish him from his sight.

"Ye dinnae steal the sword?" he asked in a rasping whisper.

"Nae, Da. I told ye—" Finlay felt his emotions rising again. He took a deep breath to compose himself. "I tried tae tell ye before. I just dinnae know who was responsible then."

"I dinnae believe the Laird could hae made a mistake. I'm sorry tae, son. I should never hae condemned ye like that. I never wanted ye tae run away. I just wanted ye tae let justice take its course. I hae missed ye over the years. It's nae been the same without ye. But tell me something; ye hae come by. That money…it was from ye, was it nae?"

Finlay hung his head and nodded.

"Ye should hae come by then, lad. There's always a seat at the table for ye."

"Ye would hae just been disappointed in me. After I left, I became the villain that everyone condemned me as. I dinnae think I deserved tae be here. But I hae changed now."

"I'm glad of yer change of heart," Brandon smiled and placed his hand on Finlay's shoulder. His eyes glistened with tears, and Finlay felt emotion rising within him as well. "Dae I dare ask what caused it?"

Finlay cleared his throat with a dry chuckle. "Well, it was a woman, although she moved on."

"A shame, but we all hae tae live and love in our time. Come inside, lad. I'd like tae introduce ye tae a couple of people who live on the farm. They hae been helping me out. I'm sure that there is still some breakfast left for ye if ye are hungry," he turned inside and called towards the kitchen. Finlay followed him, drinking in this moment as he stepped through the threshold of the door and truly returned home. The aroma of porridge filled the air and the place was warm, as though it was inhabited by a family who truly cared for each other. Even though it was his home, Finlay couldn't help but feel as though he was intruding.

Despite those feelings, he was glad that his father had company on the farm. It had always broken his heart to think of Brandon living alone up here, so far removed from the rest of the world. As they walked through to the kitchen, Brandon was speaking highly about the help. Then Finlay entered the kitchen and saw a beautiful figure of a woman standing with her back to him, washing out some bowls. Her brown hair was long, and her hips had pleasing curves. There was something familiar about her.

"Anne, there's someone I'd like ye tae meet. This is my son, Finlay," Brandon said. Somehow Finlay knew it was her even before Brandon uttered her name. Time slowed as she turned around, showing Finlay her profile. There was the elegant nose, the soft lips, the gorgeous eyes. Emotions surged through him, as powerfully as the first time they had seen each other. The spark of recognition was intense, as was the petrified terror at meeting each other in this unexpected place when they had both said their farewells. Finlay hadn't been prepared for this at all and his mind was in disarray. His mouth hung open and he stared at Anne, unable to bring any words to his lips.

Anne wasn't much better, placing her hands against the counter to steady herself.

For Brandon, it was an incredibly awkward situation. His gaze moved between Anne and Finlay, arching an eyebrow as he realized this was not the way strangers greeted each other. "Dae ye know each other?" he asked. The question lingered in the air. Had this been planned? He knew what Anne was capable of…was she here to take advantage of Brandon? Suddenly panic filled his mind. His father was a lonely old man and Anne had needed somewhere to stay, but had she known Brandon was his father? He needed to speak with her, and he needed to do it quickly.

"I think we might hae encountered each other once or twice," he said smoothly. "Anne, could I see ye outside?" he was already moving towards the garden as he spoke. He gave Anne a glaring look of intent that she could not refuse. They left a bemused Brandon in the kitchen. Anne closed the door behind her and Finlay rounded on her.

"Are ye taking advantage of him?" he asked, jabbing a finger in the air.

Anne couldn't believe that she was standing in front of Finlay again. She kept blinking, expecting him to disappear, yet there he was, and he was Brandon's son! Now it all seemed to make sense, the estranged son, the way Finlay had spoken about his own father…and she could also see the resemblance as well. Her heart rejoiced at the reunion, at least until he had dragged her outside and accused her of taking advantage of Brandon.

As soon as the words left his mouth, fire raged in her heart and she scowled, glaring at him.

"Ye would dare think this of me?" she gasped, the words scorching her tongue. All the elation at seeing him again in this impossible situation fled, replaced by a deep anger. "And ye hae the cheek tae think this of me when ye are the one living under Murdoch's thumb?"

Finlay glanced back towards the house, a worried look on his face as he did not want Brandon to hear this. He pursed his lips and took a breath.

"I'm nae working for Murdoch. Things never got that far. I went back tae the keep tae steal from the Laird, but as soon as I did I threw myself at the Laird's mercy and told him the truth. He took pity on me. Gavin confessed tae the original crime. I was ready tae pay my penance for all the bad things I hae done before, but I wanted him tae know the truth about the relic. Thankfully, the Laird is wise and just. He took pity on me and allowed me tae become a member of his guard again."

"Sae ye hae been here all this time?"

"Aye, as hae ye," Finlay arched an eyebrow towards her.

"But what about Murdoch? Is he nae angry with ye?"

"Oh, I'm sure he is, but he knows better than tae try and hurt one of the guards. Besides, when he realized what hae happened, he moved elsewhere. I think he sensed that the winds were changing and he was nae gaeing tae be able tae get away with things as he hae before. The Laird sent some guards tae hae a word with him, but found his inn abandoned. Hopefully, we will never see him again." He took a moment and then spoke softly. "I thought ye would hae left as well. I never imagined ye would stay here after what happened."

Anne averted her gaze. To think that Finlay had been here all this time and she had been oblivious to it. "Aye, well, I was speaking with yer Da and told him my plight. He said that he could use some help on the farm. I could nae refuse such kindness. I hae nae idea that he was yer Da, though. But it makes sense now."

"And I hae nae idea that ye were here. I came by taeday tae explain tae him what happened."

"Why dinnae ye come sooner?"

Finlay scratched the back of his neck. "I could nae work up the courage. It hae been a long time and I was nae sure how he would react."

"He regrets the way things ended between ye," she flashed him a soft smile. Finlay nodded.

"I'm glad that we hae the opportunity tae begin again."

"Perhaps that can be the case for us as well," Anne said. "It seems we both hae the opportunity tae begin honest lives."

"Ye would be able tae forgive me even after I lied tae ye?"

"As long as ye can forgive me for lying and stealing from ye," she said, smiling widely. They both chuckled and closed the distance between them, as though they were drawn together by strings of fate. Their eyes sparkled as they both realized that they could actually have what they thought they were going to lose. No longer did they have to trick each other, and there was no reason for them to lie to each other again.