Read The Brightest Star in the Highlands: Jennie and Aedan (Clan Grant Series Book 7) for Free Online Page A

happiness on his mother’s face this morning. It had made her hard work worthwhile, hadn’t it?
    Aye, in a way, it had. She did enjoy healing people, especially members of her clan. But the screaming of wounded Grant warriors echoed in her mind. The present clash in the Highlands had drained her. All the blood, all the tragedy had sapped her ability to enjoy what she did. She didn’t want to continue. Though pleased to see that the occurrence of her bad dreams had ebbed, she feared they would return as soon as she healed another wounded warrior, fresh from the fields. The abbess strode out to stand at her side, causing her to jump. She was so wrapped up in her thoughts that she hadn’t heard the other woman’s approach.
    “Good morn to you, Lady Jennie.” Abbess Margaret wrapped her shawl tight around her against the wind.
    Her voice was just a whisper, but it was a balm to her soul.
    Jennie forced a smile, hoping she could avoid answering her true. “Aye, ’tis a lovely morn, Mother Margaret.” Her chin lifted and she gazed into the warmth of the abbess’s green eyes.
    “Och, Jennie Grant. You mustn’t lie to me. ’Tis no need.”
    Jennie blushed, hanging her head at being caught at her trickery. How had she guessed?
    “You are lost, my child. Are you not?”
    Jennie nodded, her eyes misting at how very appropriate that word was for her. Lost. So driven to be a healer for so many years, she had finally achieved that status. Now her entire being was in complete turmoil. She no longer knew who she was, what she should strive for next.
    “Aye,” Jennie sighed, kneading her hands in front of her. “Lost is a fine word for my state of mind.”
    “Allow me to describe what I see. Will you humor an old woman?” Her finger went under Jennie’s chin to lift her gaze to hers.
    Jennie nodded, giving the abbess her complete attention. “As you wish, Mother Margaret. I would love to hear your thoughts and listen to any guidance you may have.”
    “I see a young woman who has a remarkable talent, one so many strive—and fail—to gain. Yet you are not pleased with the talent you have been given, are you? I see someone who just saved the life of the Cameron, yet you struggle with where you belong.”
    “Aye,” a bare whisper broke away from her lips. She opened her mouth to speak, but the abbess lifted a hand to stop her.
    “Please allow me to finish.”
    “My apologies, Abbess.”
    “You are dealing with a guilt that is too much for you to bear. You love your family more than anything, and all of your family expects you to become a healer for your clan. Your sister is well renowned for her skills, and you could achieve the same status, but you don’t know if you wish this for yourself.” She crossed her arms and stared at the clouds—a kindness.
    “Aye,” Jennie sniffled, swiping at her tears.
    “You feel as if you have betrayed them by walking away. The strain of the fighting, the present clan skirmishes that no one understands, has brought you an untold number of wounded. You cannot handle it, yet your upbringing tells you that you have betrayed your duty to your people.”
    “Aye. You are quite intuitive.”
    The abbess turned to face her and reached up to cup her cheek with one hand. “And where do you go from here?”
    “I do not know,” she answered. Her palms came up to grasp each side of her head after the abbess dropped her hand. “I do not know. And worst of all, I know not where to turn, or who to turn toward.”
    “And?” The abbess crossed her arms in front of her, waiting patiently for Jennie to finish.
    “I have failed my family. What do I do?”
    “Have you tried asking God? I expect He is the best one to give you guidance in this matter.”
    “I have tried, but to no avail.” She hung her head, ashamed that the Lord had not come to her aid, afraid the abbess would judge her for being ignored by Him.
    The abbess reached for Jennie’s hands and wrapped hers around them. “Then