Catherin walked away and started to sit down, but Anna grabbed her shoulders and pulled her back up. "You are going to hear this whether you want to or not. I am tired of paying for my sin against you; I am tired of wondering each day if you will insist we leave and I am tired of being your mother."
Catherin tried to twist out of her daughter's grasp, but Anna was not finished. "Are you listening to me? I was the child, not you! Where was my comfort?"
Her mother started to cry, "I want Rachel back."
"So do I, but your tears will not hurt my heart this time. I won't let it happen. We have behaved like children far too long. If you go out before Kevin says it is safe, I swear I will not let you back in."
Anna stormed out the door and headed up the path so fast Kevin had to take long strides to catch up with her. She was oblivious to all the people standing outside their cottages with their eyes wide.
"Do not touch me, Kevin." Her tone was only just a little softer.
"And risk a broken arm? I would not dream of it."
"That is not funny."
"You are right." He put his hands behind his back and wondered how far she would go before she slowed down.
"I am so upset, I could rip someone's head off."
He wrinkled his brow and decided he should try to stay out of her reach.
She walked all the way to the gardens and started back, before she abruptly stopped and covered her face with her hands. "Dear God, what have I done?"
Kevin hurried to get in front of her, but he didn't take her in his arms. He tenderly put a finger under her chin and lifted her face. Tears were streaming down her cheeks and he had no idea what to say. A woman handed him a cloth for her tears and he realized they had an audience, so he smiled to reassure the people. "She will be fine." Reluctantly, the MacGreagors went back to their own homes.
Anna took the cloth and tried to wipe her tears away, but they kept coming. "I should go back, she needs me."
"Justin is with her. Let her have time to think about your words."
"But I have never abandoned her before."
"You have not abandoned her now. She knows that. She does not always consider your feelings and I know it hurts you deeply. I have seen it in your eyes."
"Am I the one who made her so weak?"