Chapter 79

A few minutes later, James entered the house, shed the coat he wore as protection against the wind, and sat at the table. I filled our mugs and took a seat opposite him. The man’s open stare seared my soul, but I could not say why. Yes, I could. My renewed liaison with Andre Tiller lay exposed beneath it.

“I have treated you badly,” James started and then paused to clear his throat. I made no comment. “When you came to me and forthrightly revealed what had happened, I was angry. I felt betrayed right down to my bones. I don’t recall being so hurt since the day Billy left me to return to the tiospaye.”

“You had a right. You were betrayed.” I pushed aside my mug of tea, no longer interested in it.

“You are human. We are human. We all make errors. Mine was reacting in mindless anger. I regret my decision and have come to ask you to stay. I have been happy—truly happy—only twice in my life. With Billy and with you. So, I have come to beg you to forgive me, as I have forgiven you.”