Free Highland Sanctuary by Jennifer Hudson Taylor Page B

across from Tomas, while her mother faced Gunna. They bowed their heads and closed their eyes. In silence she gave thanks for holding her tongue about the murdered cow. Gunna didn't need the stress.
     
"Father, thank ye for this meal and the friends we have. Please bless this family with yer protection, provision, and wisdom. In Jesus' name."
     
"Amen," everyone said together.
     
Tomas dug his spoon into the stew. He chewed and swallowed. "Gavin tells me he and his men will be attending kirk this Sunday. 'Twill be nice to have some visitors again. I only hope I don't shake and blunder my words."
     
"Even if ye do, I doubt they'll think much of it. They've already met most of the villagers. Surely, one more oddity will not alter their opinion." Mother sipped her water.
     
"Aye, but it was definitely enough to keep me out of the pulpit elsewhere, wasn't it?" Tomas raised a dark brow.
     
"But not here." Mother leaned forward and tapped a finger on the table. "This place has been our sanctuary in the Highlands all these years and likely will be. I think of it as God's saving grace—a holy place He's gifted to us and no one else."
     
Tomas linked his fingers. "Evelina, ye put too much value on a place. Our home here could be invaded as well as any other." Tomas shook his head. "Nay, this village isn't yer sanctuary from the cruel world. It's God Almighty. He's the only one who can protect ye. Change is comin'. The strangers who have come to restore Braigh Castle are proof enough. We must be strong in our faith."
     
"Which is why I wish they would all leave." Serena let her spoon drop against her bowl. "The whole lot o' them."
     
"Ye don't mean that." Mother turned to her. "Gavin and Leith MacKenzie have been verra attentive to ye."
     
"I do mean it, and I wish they wouldn't."
     
"Dearie me, lass, ye sound bitter." Gunna propped her elbow on the table and leaned her cheek on her palm. "If ye ask me, I think Gavin has taken quite a likin' to ye. He keeps comin' by to check on ye."
     
"Aye. He seems to stare at ye a great deal." Mother nodded. "And it would be a long-awaited answer to my prayers."
     
"Mither! How could ye?" Serena sat back in her chair and folded her arms. "What kind of life could I possibly have with a man like Gavin MacKenzie after he discovers my fits? If he doesn't think I'm demon-possessed, most likely his family and neighbors will."
     
"There are plenty of families and neighbors here who know. I believe God has a mate for ye, lass. Ye must have faith. Gunna and I won't live forever. I don't want ye to be alone."
     
"I won't be alone. I have the villagers. Mither, please, I couldn't take it if Gavin were to discover my secret and think evil of me. I'd rather die!" Serena stood. Her chair swayed. She strode over, grabbed her cloak, and ran outside.
     

5
A
s Gavin and Leith approached camp, scattered fire pits looked like orange globes against the dark. The smell of burning wood and peat moss teased Gavin's senses, while roasting meat turning on a spit churned his stomach in hunger and made his tongue ache for a taste.
     
Men's voices carried in soft tones, mingling with the nightly sounds of nature and crackling fires. The horses Gavin and Leith led breathed heavy like a continuous sigh. Their hooves clopped against the hard ground as if their legs were too heavy to lift.
     
"Is it ye, Gavin? Leith?" One man turned toward them.
     
"Aye," Leith answered. "What a day we've had, but first I want somethin' to eat. I'm starving."
     
"We went hunting and have some venison." Craig said, falling into step beside them. "One of the canvas tents the giant nearly destroyed has been repaired."
     
"How?" Gavin studied his friend in the firelight. "I thought they were beyond repair."
     
"Turns out one was. The village seamstress offered to work on it today. I believe her name is Kyla. That's all she would tell me. A strange creature, she is, but verra skilled with a needle and thread."
     
"Aye. I've met