Roderick's Purpose - Ellie St. Clair Page 0,1

of respect in McLaren’s eyes. Roderick had perfected the art of listening even when not entirely focused on the topic at hand. The youngest of three brothers and the son of a Highland chieftain with high standards of work ethic, Roderick was well used to being ordered about.

As the meeting broke up, Roderick made for the door as quickly as he could, but he hadn’t gotten far when a firm grip encased his shoulder. He turned to see his brother beside him, dressed in the same bright red jacket and blue pants that Roderick had laughed at when he first saw Callum so dressed but a couple of years ago.

“Is anything amiss, brother?” Roderick asked in response to Callum’s serious expression. While Callum didn’t approach life with quite as carefree a spirit as Roderick — although perhaps, with a wife and a daughter now, he didn’t have much choice — Callum was typically quick with a grin and had a similar sense of humor.

“We are patrolling together today, Roderick, to watch the building in Qu'Appelle,” Callum said, one side of his lips rising in a half-smile. “You didna hear that part, perhaps?”

Roderick shrugged. “Sure, I did. Now tell me why the long look on your face.”

Callum sighed, his brows coming together in a vee.

“Are you happy, Roderick? I mean, here in the Northwest Territory, in this role ye’ve taken on?”

“Of course,” Roderick said with a shrug. “Why would ye think I’m not?”

“It simply seems that perhaps … you do not have the sense of law and justice that is required as an officer with the North-West Mounted Police.”

“Are ye having regrets, Callum, for recommending me to this position?” Roderick asked, his spine stiffening at the thought that his brother might no longer want him here. “I know perhaps I’m not the officer McLaren would like me to be, but—”

“It’s not that,” Callum assured him. “We need men of every type to do the best job we can. No, what I’m wondering is how you feel. You seem to still be… searching.”

“Are you going soft on me, brother, with a wife and child now?” Roderick said, laughing off Callum’s question. “I feel just fine! I always do. You know me, Callum, I’m happy no matter what the circumstance.”

His words didn’t seem to have the desired effect, however, as the look of concern remained in Callum’s eyes. He finally nodded, though, and dropped his hand. “I know you came here looking for something, and I’m just not sure it was all you expected. I dinna want you to remain here because you’re too proud to return home.”

Roderick laughed off Callum’s words, but they dug in like a snake bite, its venom going straight to his heart. For Callum was right. Roderick had come here because he always thought the Americas held such a sense of adventure, of freedom that couldn’t be found at home. In the Highlands, life was ever-changing, with more and more people leaving the fields and villages for the cities or to travel over the ocean, searching for more abundant work, food, and a better life. His family had done a fairly good job of keeping their people content, particularly now that his brother Finlay had married Kyla MacTavish from the adjoining property and the clans had joined forces, coming up with creative means in which to stay prosperous.

But there didn’t seem to be a place for Roderick. Finlay had all well in hand, while their brother Adam was kept busy with his inventions. There was always the need for another body to work, sure, but it was just taking orders from his brother.

Now, however, he had traded one man’s orders for another’s. It wasn’t, as Callum thought, that he didn’t respect the law or justice. Roderick knew and believed they were required for a well-functioning society. No, it was that he didn’t like having to do everything the way another man required it. Roderick felt that he could offer more, if only he was given the opportunity to do things in the way he saw them. He felt more action was required, and all they seemed to do here was talk about what they were going to do.

What Callum had seemed to determine, however, and what Roderick had been trying so hard to hide, was that the longer he remained here, the more he yearned to return to the Highlands. This land was beautiful, to be sure, a hidden, lush valley amongst the stretches of prairie land surrounding