Read Online To Wed A Highlander by Michele Sinclair - Free Book Online

they had both retreated into themselves. It was only when they were verbally sparring with each other that they came alive. His clan needed this marriage, but he truly believed Colin and Makenna needed each other as well.
    His fears had disappeared the moment Makenna trusted Colin to help her in the chapel. Their vows were not made under protest, but were heartfelt. At that moment, Alexander felt true hope for his daughter and his clan. He could let go now. He just needed to say good-bye.
    Makenna smiled at him, and Alexander hooked her arm in his, leading her away from the chaos. “I’m glad you are no longer still angry with me, Áille.”
    “How could I stay angry with you, Father? You are the only man I will ever love.”
    He smiled at her innocence. “Ah, Makenna, you have so many changes ahead of you, but do not let your adventurous spirit be one of them.”
    “Don’t worry, Father. I doubt I will be transformed into a dutiful, dull domesticate just by merely uttering the words.”
    “No, I doubt that anything in this world is powerful to fully tame your wild nature.” Alexander maneuvered Makenna out of view to a private spot just inside the base of the rear tower. “But what I want you to understand is that marriage will change you, but it will be for the better. If you let him, Colin will not take away, but add to your life. Learn to lean upon him for the hard times. If you do, you will never be alone again.”
    Makenna shook her head. “Father, you just don’t understand how it is between Colin and me. You have no idea what he has said and done over the past few years. He thinks I am wild—”
    “You are wild,” Alexander responded, interrupting.
    “—and impetuous. He thinks I care for no one but myself.”
    “Then you must show him differently. I have seen more than you realize, Aille, and you and I both know that he has only seen one side to you. I know it has been hard these past two years, especially after losing Deirdre. I went through the same after your mother passed. You were young, but I know the feeling of abandonment and how it changes a person. It makes one very defiant, not wanting to rely on anyone or anything.”
    “He has definitely seen my defiance,” Makenna replied, looking down as she twisted the ties to her bliaut.
    Alexander put a finger under her chin and lifted her gaze. “Does he know of your loyalty? Does he understand your perseverance to perfect what you are determined to learn? Has he seen that you have a heart more full of compassion than anyone—aye, anyone—I have ever known?”
    “I’m telling you he has known me for almost two years and doesn’t care about those things. Only you can see the good side of me.”
    Alexander dropped his hand. “I was there in the chapel when fear overcame you. It was Colin, not I, that gave you the peace to continue.”
    Makenna stared at the ground, remembering. “He made me a promise.”
    “A promise?”
    “To never make me do anything I didn’t want to.”
    “Do you think he meant it?”
    Makenna nodded, the movement barely detectable. “He meant it. Colin is arrogant and self-assured and loves to intimidate everyone near him. Probably why I enjoy showing him that he cannot with me. But he never does or says anything he doesn’t mean.”
    “Do you trust him?”
    Makenna rolled the question over in her mind, knowing the answer. Outside of her father, she trusted Colin more than any other man. With him, she might be aggravated, but she always knew where she stood. Yet she found it impossible to say as much aloud.
    Makenna looked directly into her father’s green eyes and nodded. “I do.”
    Alexander knew how difficult that had been to admit, but he knew Makenna was telling the truth. “Trust me, Áille, everything will be fine. Remember I love you, and I would never have asked you to commit yourself to Colin if I did not truly believe your life would be the better for it. He can make you happy…if you let him. And