Read Online Amanda Forester by The Highland Bride's Choice - Free Book Online Page A

proceeded to walk in the general direction, pushing past the dense foliage. She struggled through, until Tavish took the lead and barreled through like a bull ram. The movement disturbed the trees, causing a cascade of cherry blossom petals to shower them.
    They walked for a short distance to the cliffs behind the castle, where the dense foliage cleared out and a tiny clearing opened to a small hut. It was almost entirely overgrown with bushes, vines, and wildflowers. Elyne stepped closer and realized the small cottage was actually made of granite and was partially carved into the sheer cliff face. The roof above had once been thatch, but now was growing wildflowers. Everything about the cottage was green and lush and inviting.
    “What is this place?” murmured Elyne.
    “’Tis beautiful.”
    “Aye, shall we explore inside?”
    The wooden door had been sealed shut with the overgrowth, but with some persistence and a bit of muscle, Tavish managed to wrench open the door. Inside was cool and still.
    “I doubt anyone has been in here for a long time,” whispered Elyne. The place had a reverent feel, making her put on her church manners.
    “I am sure ye are right,” Tavish whispered back. “Look, it seems part of the cottage was carved into the granite cliffs.” The far side of the cottage had a stone roof as opposed to overgrown thatch and benches carved into the rock.
    “It looks like this was used as a bench or table of some sort.”
    “Look, writing.” Tavish crouched down before the stone bench to examine further, rubbing off dust to see more clearly the words carved into the stone. “It is in Latin.”
    “What does it say?” asked Elyne, crouching down with him.
    “Faith.”
    “Faith?” Elyne began to clear the carved alcove of dirt, leaves, and debris. “See here, there is more writing.”
    “There is scripture carved into the stone.” Tavish cleared away the dirt from the walls to reveal more Latin on the stone walls on the back of the cave hut. “These verses all speak to faith.”
    “What was this place? It is too small to be a church or chapel. ’Tis naught bigger than a crofter’s hut.”
    Tavish trailed his finger along the carved words. “A hermit I warrant. He must have lived outside the castle wall, yet close enough to have daily influence on the faith of the inhabitants.”
    “I like it here. It has a goodly feel.”
    “Aye.”
    “What do the verses say?” asked Elyne.
    Tavish brushed off the stone wall, tracing the carving with his fingers. He worked out the translation like a puzzle, whispering to himself. “’Tis from the Book of Hebrews. Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. ”
    Elyne shook her head. “’Tis a hard thing to have faith when the future is unknown. I am worrit for my family surrounded by the English.”
    “Faith is to believe even when the outcome is uncertain,” Tavish said in a low tone, feeling the wall for more verses.
    “I never quite understood what I am to have faith in. I canna pretend that if I only had faith, no ill thing would e’er befall me or my kin.”
    “ Be always of good courage! ” Tavish read more from the wall with a smile. “ For we walk by faith, not by sight . ’Tis from Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians.”
    “What does that mean? How do I walk by faith? Should I ignore what is happening around me?” Elyne truly wanted to know.
    Tavish leaned against the wall, thinking on her questions. Tiny bits of dust danced in a shaft of sunlight beaming through the open door. “I believe faith is to trust that our Creator will be wi’ us, no matter the circumstances. And even in death, we are promised to be snatched from the grave and given life eternal.”
    “I’ve been told heaven is a nice place, but I’m in no rush to see it for myself,” muttered Elyne.
    Tavish laughed. “Nor I! But it is a comfort to know the Lord has overcome even the worst outcome. No matter what happens, we