QUOTE : He’s not come again for some time now, though he promised to return. But truly, what does it matter?” “It matters more than you know.” The poignancy in his voice hurt her, and she felt the urge to stem his words with her fingertips, but he kept on. “I ken one day he’ll come for you and you’ll simply disappear. Withoot a word tae anyone. Withoot a trace.” Put this way, it sounded so selfish, so unfeeling, if it ever did happen. “I—he—” she began, then stopped, contemplating all the uncertainties before her. His voice dropped lower, yet more a whisper. “You’re needed here, Lael. The settlement needs you. I need you.