Page 39 of All In Good Time
“I can’t. I mean I would, but it’s a secret and I can’t share it with you.”
“Obviously ’tis something to do with Logan.” He looked up into the sky as if he were thinking about what it could be.
“If all goes well, I promise I’ll tell you, but I can’t until I get to speak with Rory Mackall.”
“Fair enough then.” He began to whistle, putting Sara at ease. She knew he’d keep his word and she would do the same.
* * *
Despite the factthat last night had been the end of any relationship Logan would have with Sara, she’d seemed unfazed and perhaps even happy. He knew she wasn’t happy about not being with him, but he was at a loss to understand her mood. For his part, he was having a hard time keeping away from her and felt that he should visit Aisla this morning to remind himself that he would soon be a married man with the responsibility of a wife and bairn to come.
Logan was sure that Alpin had left the house for the day, so he wouldn’t have to deal with his disapproving scowl. Aisla was out in the garden when he arrived.
“Logan. Yer here early today.” Her bright smile welcomed him.
“I wanted to be sure you weren’t too tired from the feast last night.”
“I’m fine. I got a good night’s sleep and I’ve had me ginger tea this morning. I feel quite well today.”
“Good.” Logan walked to her side and kissed the top of her head. Placing an arm around her shoulder he led her to the house.
“Is all well with ye, Logan. Ye seem as though ye’ve something on yer mind,” she cast a curious gaze up at him as they walked.
Logan took in a shaky breath and then spoke quickly before he could change his mind. “I do. I have something to share with ye, but it willnae change anything. I am committed to marrying ye and I wish to be honest. ’Tis the way any good marriage should be.”
Aisla watched him carefully and nodded. “I agree. Honesty is always best.”
“I ken yer friends with Sara Barrett,” he said, opening the door and waiting for her to pass through.
“Aye. She’s a lovely lass.” Aisla was gazing at him with her head tipped and eyebrows raised, obviously wondering what this was all about.
“She came to Breaghacraig to find me, Aisla. I hope that doesnae shock ye much.” There, he’d said it. He steeled himself for her reaction, but was surprised by her response.
“I dinnae believe ye to be a saint, Logan McPhail. I have known ye too long fer that.”
Logan tried to read her face, but it remained neutral. “There’s more. She loves me and…” Logan paused. He didn’t want to hurt Aisla, but Dougall said that husbands and wives tell each other everything. If there was any hope for their union, he needed to be honest. “I love her. I’ve told her there can be nothing more between us. That I’m marrying ye and she understands. She’ll nae come between us. I promise.” Everything came out so fast he wondered it if any of it made sense.
“Logan, I’m aware that she loves ye,” she said, much to his surprise. “And I ken ye love her too. Ye cannae sacrifice yer happiness fer me. I willnae let ye.”
Logan panicked, he couldn’t abandon Aisla. She needed him as did her babe. “Ye have nae choice. I am going to marry ye.” He realized he was yelling and took a deep breath. He tried again, at a more reasonable volume, “Yer bairn will need a father. Ye’ll need someone to protect ye and provide fer ye.”
“I’ve me Da. He’ll take care of me. Besides, I’ve told him ye arenae the father of the babe. I dinnae ken if he believes me or nae, but I’ve told him. So, Logan, yer free to be with Sara now.”
Logan couldn’t believe his ears. He’d been given a choice. He could finally be with Sara, but that would mean that Aisla would have to fend for herself and he simply couldn’t let that happen. “I’m a man of me word. I said I’d marry ye and I will. Sara will be leaving soon. She wouldnae be staying here, even if we could be together. She doesnae belong here and I dinnae belong in her world.”
Aisla didn’t say anything. Instead, she stood by the fire, gazing into it with an unreadable expression. After a moment or two, she said, “I dinnae ken it. If two people love each other, ye would think they would move heaven and earth to be together.”
Logan was furious with whoever this man was. If he ever got his hands on him, there’d be hell to pay for all the trouble and heartache he’d caused. He went to Aisla and standing behind her placed his hands on her shoulders to turn her around. “’Tis a complicated matter. I’ll nae try to explain it to ye. I’ve come here to reaffirm my allegiance to ye,” Logan took a deep breath. Even with Sara by his side, he would never be happy knowing the shame that would consume Aisla and the bairn, “and to set a date fer our vows.”
Aisla looked up at him, shaking her head. Her brow furrowed, “I’m nae prepared to do that this day. I’ll speak with me Da and see if he has any objections to us going forth with our marriage. I’ll send word when I know.”
“’Tis what’s best fer ye and the babe,” Logan said. Logan cupped her face in his hands, his face serious and his determination evident.
“What’s best fer ye, Logan?” she softly asked.
“Marrying ye is what’s best for all. I’ll await word from ye then.” He closed the door behind him, thinking of what had transpired last night and trying desperately to block the euphoria he felt when he pictured Sara in his arms.
* * *