Page 5 of My Scarred Laird
He knew his father struggled with her loss. Callum once stumbled across his father holding a painting of their mother, sobbing in quiet grief. It was hard to see. Callum knew that the bond his parents shared was special. His father told them often how much he loved her and how she was the only woman meant to be in his arms and that their family was special. He told them that the men in their family knew exactly which girl they were going to marry. That they never had to guess or wonder. That they never felt desire for anyone other than the girl meant for them.
His father told him it was a great gift bestowed on their family that hadn’t let them down yet and had led him to meet their mother. He told them the story of how he was riding in the countryside and heard a lass singing.
He followed the sound, and it led him to the most stunning woman he had ever seen. He was instantly smitten and knew then and there that she was the woman that was meant to be at his side for the rest of his days. And that was it for him.
Callum wanted to truly believe there was a woman out there who could see past his scars and love him, but he didn’t hold out much hope.
He knew Culloden would one day take over the clan when he died as he would have no heirs, and his brother was a handsome man and Callum knew he was meant for a woman.
He kept the thought of finding his own woman close to his heart and knew that only a woman that practically fell from the sky and didn’t see his scars or his limitations was the only way he would marry.
None of the women in his clan was his. He knew that with absolute certainty.
He hadn’t had that spark with any of them, and he didn’t want to marry one who hated and mocked him anyway.
He wished for her though, praying that one day he would be lucky enough to find that woman. The elusive dream woman that haunted him. He kept those thoughts buried deep inside, not even giving a single hint that he longed for more in his life.
He needed to do what he could to learn to be the Laird one day.
While he worked hard on his body to keep it strong and capable, he could do nothing for the horrible scars that crossed his entire body. Could do nothing to deal with the hate that was constantly thrown his way, but he would do his best to keep his head high and maybe one day, he would have an ally at his side in the form of the woman that he wished so fiercely for.
* * *
Cullodenand their father found out who had ordered the attack on their clan.
The Duncan’s. They were a fierce clan that bordered them to the north, and their Laird was mean, hateful and wanted the land they had. Would stop at nothing to kill them all.
When Callum and Culloden were fourteen, their father planned the attack that would take the rest of the Duncan clan down. They had already killed a lot of the Duncan soldiers in the attack that had taken the lady of the keep, and their da wanted to finish it.
He had his brothers at his side, wanting to have them join him in battle in retaliation for the lady’s death, and Callum and Culloden wished they could join in the ranks of men going off to battle.
Their father hugged them both before he rode off, “Me boys, if I donna return, ken that I leave the clan in good hands. Ye are both mighty warriors and good boys tha’ will be the best for our clan. I know it. I love ye both. Callum, if I die, ye are Laird. Ye will take the best care of our clan ye ken how. Ye are a good man. And will no doubt be a good Laird. Ye have had a lo’ put on yer shoulders at a young age and have come ou’ the other side stronger than ever. I’m proud of ye. Proud of both of ye. Culloden, I have never seen a warrior as fierce as ye. I just ken ye will be the best man at the head of our warriors. Even as young as ye are. Ye will take the world by storm. I have no doubts. Take care of each other. Ye will need each other if I donae make it.”
They hugged him back and when their warriors left, went to battle with the Duncans. And when they came back victorious, it wasn’t without sacrifice.
Their father was killed in battle, along with his two brothers, and Callum became Laird. Just as his father said.
He found a letter addressed to him in his father’s study.
It said,
Callum,
Me dear boy. I ken ye will not understand me reasons for not coming back. I have been missing yer mother fer all these long years and cannae live without her anymore. I ken going ta battle with the Duncans ta restore our honor and get revenge on them for her death isn’t the wisest choice, but I must. And I fear that me broken heart will nae let me be the warrior I need ta be. I am sorry me wee boy. Fer leaving the clan in yer young hands. But I ken ye are capable. Ye are better than ye ken. More of a man than I ever could be. Ken that with Culloden at yer side, ye will lead the clan in the best way ye ken. I love ye both. I just need ta be with me girl. Be the man I ken ye are.”
Father
Callum had sat down hardin the chair and when he showed the letter to Culloden, his brother had cursed and thrown a chair across the room.
“How can father do this to us? He kens we cannae run this clan alone.”
Callum shook his head, “We are nae alone Cull. Ye are by my side, and I ken ye and I will be able to do this. Together.”
Culloden looked over, “All right. Ye are right.”
Callum shook Culloden’s forearm, “I will take care of the clan, ye take care of the warriors.”
Culloden nodded, “Tis me pleasure brother.”
