As High as the Heavens (43 page)

Watching him, Heather felt her heart soar. For a fleeting instant her thoughts took wing, flying back to that
wintry January day when she had stood at the library
window, gazing down the birch-lined road leading from
Dunscroft Castle. Almost unconsciously, she had spoken
what she had imagined was an ill-conceived and totally pointless prayer, a prayer she had soon regretted when
it had seemed to set about a course of events that had
ultimately taken her to the Highlands.

But now, at this precious, achingly poignant moment
in time, she was glad-so very, very glad-that she had
uttered that prayer. Even in her darkest times, though
she thought she had, she had never totally given up on
God. He had been there all along, dwelling within her,
down to the very marrow of her bones.

Thank Ye, Lord, Heather thought, lifting a swift, fervent, and ever so grateful prayer. Ye are faithful. Yer love
is unfailing and as high as the heavens. I will sing Yer
praises forever!

"Come then, sweet lass," Duncan said just then, his
beloved voice raw and clogged with unshed tears. "Come.
It's past time we were heading west. For the Highlands.
For home."

"Aye, my love." With one final glance heavenward,
Heather reached over to take Duncan's hand and bring
it to her lips for a brief, tender kiss. "Aye, it is indeed."

Dear Readers,

I hope you enjoyed As High as the Heavens. Though the
plot to rescue Mary, Queen of Scots, from Lochleven
Castle happened almost exactly as depicted in the book,
Heather and Duncan's involvement was, of course, fictional. Willie Douglas and his brother George were actually the only ones responsible for sneaking Mary out
of Lochleven, right out from under the noses of Lady
Margaret and Sir William. There were other conspirators-Gordon, Seton, Fleming, Beaton, and Sempill-on
the outside also involved in the plot, though. I hope you
didn't mind my literary license in adding a few fictional
characters (including Robert Gordon) to that plot.

I'm considering a possible spin-off story about Duncan's twin brother, Colin. He'll need a lot of "reformation"
to become a proper hero, of course. In the hands of the
right heroine, though, we all know that such things are
possible. Email me via my website at www.kathleen mor-
gan.com and let me know what you think about a story
for Colin. There's also a spot there to sign up for a semiannual newsletter, featuring news about me, chances to
win free books and other goodies, plus a way to keep you posted when a new book is in the stores along with
other information that might be of interest to you.

Next in line is a Christmas novella that will be yet
another spin-off story of my popular Brides of Culdee
Creek series. It'll be out sometime in the fall of 2008 and
be entitled One Perfect Gift. And, as time goes by, you
can learn even more about One Perfect Gift by subscribing to my email newsletter or periodically checking my
website.

Blessings,

Kathleen