“No sir, I passed this place on my tour bus yesterday and I couldn’t sleep this morning so I wanted to come out and see it in person. It is so impenetrable looking and magnificent and yet so completely out of character with the area.” I said honestly, not telling the farmer that my feet had practically brought me here of their own free will and there hadn’t been a damn thing I could do about it. The closer I got to this estate, the harder it was to walk away and I didn’t understand that. It was like some kind of magnetic pull, drawing me closer to it and I had to shake off the sensation as hearing too many superstitious stories about haunted castles and little, mischievous nymphs.
“Aye, the Cameron clan has always cherished their privacy. They don’t usually take too kindly to trespassers.” He cackled with a wink and I blushed and nodded a bit ruefully.
“I understand and believe me, I don’t want to cause any harm. I’m just an American tourist, enamored with this entire island. I can’t seem to get enough of it.” My voice held a note of truth to it and the farmer nodded again, eyeing me carefully for a minute before he came to some kind of private decision.
“Ye seem like a nice lass, and I believe ye when ye say ye’re not looking to cause any trouble. I’m actually delivering a load of supplies to the estate, would ye like to tag along?”
“Would I? Oh, that would be wonderful, thank you so much! I promise I won’t get in anyone’s way.” I quickly climbed up into the passenger side of his pickup and he started us lumbering forward again towards the gated laneway. “So, what supplies are you delivering?” I asked conversationally, looking over my shoulder at the back of the truck and the tarps that covered whatever was back there.
“Meat primarily. The estate is large enough that they grow most of their own vegetables, but my farm next door supplies the meat. We raise sheep, cows and pigs, butcher the animals and then bring them here.”
“Wow, how many people live here?” I waited patiently while he got out of his truck and opened the gate and it felt like every cell of my being was electrified as we drove through and then he stopped to get out again and close the gate behind him. I rubbed my hands up and down my arms to rid myself of the sensation and gave in to a quick shiver as he climbed back in and we resumed our journey towards the buildings I could just make out in the darkness ahead.
“Oh, I’d guess at maybe fifty or so. There’s always someone moving in or moving on so it’s never a set number.”
“Wow.” We pulled up at the back of a big white stone house with a thatched roof, dark wood-trimmed windows and doors and as he climbed out, a side-door opened and a woman in a full-front apron came outside.
“Morning Mack!” She called out cheerfully and he chuckled with a wave.
“Mornin’ Alice! Got your monthly meat delivery here!”
“Right on time, as always! Take the invoice into the kitchen and Will will get it paid for ye. Also, feel free to grab yourself a tea and a bun if you’re hungry.” The woman hustled off into the darkness and Mack turned to me and gestured for me to get out of the truck. I quickly climbed out and went to stand beside him and he looked at me with a wink.
“Do ye have a name lass? If I take ye into the kitchen, I best have a name for ye.”
“Lani. Lani Williams.” I said quickly and he blinked at me for a minute, as though the name surprised him and with a chuckle, he shook his head and led the way towards the door.
“Never in my wildest dreams did I expect that name.” He held the kitchen door open for me and I stepped into a large, bright kitchen that smelled very strongly of scones, bacon and a fragrant tea and Mack came in behind me, letting the door slam shut behind him. “Mornin’ Will!” He boomed in greeting to the empty room and another man with an apron tied around his waist rounded a corner with a matching grin.
“Mack! Good to see you, mate! And who is the pretty young lass ye brought with ya today?” the other man handed us both cups of black tea and I sipped it gratefully, waiting with a certain level of anxiety for Mack to introduce me.
“This is Lani. She had some trouble sleeping this morning and said she might like to join me on my delivery. Is the Laird up yet?” the farmer said smoothly and I relaxed a little. Clearly he wasn’t ready to out me as a wanna-be trespasser just yet.
“Aye, Miss Ciara had a rough night last night, the babes were kicking up a storm I hear and when she finally fell asleep a little while ago he got up and went to his office to do some work.”
“And what of Mr. Hugh? I haven’t seen hide nor hair of that man in a long while!”
“Och, Mr. Hugh spends much of his time in his cottage these days. All his crazy talk of fairies, black magic and dragons has about got the Laird tied in knots. Bun, lass?” the jovial man offered me a warm scone on a plate and I took it a bit shyly. This wasn’t quite what I had in mind when I had set out to come here and yet I didn’t know what I had expected to do if I had made the journey on my own. Stand outside the stone wall and... do what exactly?
The side door opened and closed with a bang and the woman from earlier came back in, wiping her hands on her apron before going to give Mack a big kiss on his wrinkled cheek, making the old man blush.
“Well, it’s all there and accounted for, just like usual. Has Will paid ye yet?” She grabbed a wooden spoon and went to slap the old farmer’s hand with it when he reached out to grab a strip of bacon off a plate and he made a face at her.
“I raised that strip of bacon from the day it was born. I can steal a nibble every so often.” With that he crunched loudly on the crispy piece of meat in his fingers and then waved his invoice in the air. “And no, I have not been paid yet! The man shoved tea and buns in our faces and that’s about all I’ve been given! Not even an offer of a drizzle of honey to go on the bun!” The banter between the three made me smile and I stood back and watched in amusement until a tall man, I would guess he was in his mid-thirties, with broad shoulders and a close-cropped beard walked into the room, dark circles under his eyes.
“Did I hear mention of bacon and tea?” the newcomer asked tiredly and was instantly presented with a plate of food and a steaming cup that he took over to a marble-topped island surrounded by stools in one corner.
“Sir, what can we send up to Miss Ciara? Is she still awake?” Alice asked him and he hung his head and shook it at the same time.
“Bless her heart, Ciara is finally asleep. Those babies are going to be the death of her.” He sighed and sipped at his tea and when he lowered his cup, his gaze landed on me. “And who might you be?” he asked, his tone tired and yet authoritative and I swallowed hard.
“My name is Lani. I came here with Mack this morning because I couldn’t sleep.” I repeated the basic truth that the old man had used earlier but the Laird’s gaze, he must be Mr. Cameron, never faltered.
“Are you a relative of Mack’s? Because I’ve never known him to fraternize with someone so much younger than him.”
“Sire,” Mack stepped forward but before he could say anything more, a fifth person came into the room.
“Ciara! My love, what are you doing up? You should be resting.” Mr. Cameron said in immediate concern, starting to rise off his stool, but before he got too far, she let out a small gasp and her hands went to her very pregnant tummy. I leapt to her side without thinking and put my arms around her to support her, helping the young woman over to the island and easing her down on a stool.
“Are you okay?” I asked in concern and she nodded a bit sheepishly.
“I’m fine, thank you. These twins just don’t want to sleep, it seems.” She rubbed her big tummy affectionately and her husband frowned.
“You need sleep, my love. Let me talk to the doctor.”
“And what is he going to be able to do Edan? I can’t take any medications and herbal remedies are just hocus pocus.” She argued weakly. While the husband and wife glowered at each other, I went over to the cupboards, looking for a glass. Alice must have known what I was after because she pointed to a
cupboard and I quickly got a glass and filled it with water, taking it to Ciara who smiled in thanks and sipped at the water gratefully. I stood just behind her in case she needed anything else and that eventually brought the Laird’s gaze back up to me.
“Well, seeing as I am at a stalemate with my wife, that gives me a moment to come back to you and who exactly you might be.”
“Sire, I can explain.” Mack tried to speak up again but the other man raised a hand to hold him off.
“You’ll get your chance, Mack, not to worry. But right now I’m interested in hearing from this young lady.” His dark brown gaze never wavered from my face and I swallowed hard and locked my hands behind me, squeezing my fingers together to give me courage. Time to come clean and admit that I had no right standing in their kitchen, or anywhere else on the property.
“My name is Lani,” I began and then hesitated before giving my last name. After the way Mack had reacted to hearing it, I didn’t know if I should volunteer it just yet. “And...I have to be completely honest. I have no right being here. I was on a tour bus yesterday that drove by your estate and I was in awe of the stone wall you’ve built around your place. I couldn’t sleep early this morning and felt drawn to come out here to see the wall, just to touch it. It sounds silly, I know. Mack saw me and offered to let me come along on his delivery if I promised not to get in anyone’s way. So, here I am.” I finished, my gaze dropping to the floor as I waited to get in trouble, and very likely taken into custody for trespassing. Mr. Cameron opened his mouth to say something, but before he could, his wife spoke up.
“What were you touring? You clearly don’t sound like you’re from around here.” She asked in interest, turning on her stool to see me behind her and I smiled slightly.
“I’m from Hawaii, and am here on a castle tour with my best friend. It’s been my dream to come to Scotland since I was a little girl.” I admitted a bit sheepishly to her and she laughed lightly.
“I’ve lived here all my life and have yet to do one of those castle tours. Perhaps you can share some of what you’ve seen with me.” She smiled warmly and I nodded eagerly.
“Sire, you should know - “ Mack tried again to interject and just when I thought he was actually going to be allowed to speak, Ciara stood up and surprised us all by looping her one arm through mine and grasping her water glass with the other.
“Come and entertain me with some of the stories of the castles you’ve seen so far. Perhaps the tales will help settle my babies and we’ll finally get some sleep.” She led me out of the room and into a parlor with a comfortable-looking couch and recliner. She headed for the easy-chair so I took her glass of water and set it on the table beside the chair and then helped her ease into it and get herself comfortable. She gestured to the couch to her right and I perched on the edge, ready to spring into action at a moment’s notice if she needed anything. “Tell me, what did you see yesterday?” she rested her hands on her swollen abdomen, took a deep breath and closed her eyes as I started telling her all about the two castles that Rachel and I had seen that day.
After thirty-minutes of me talking to her quietly, I paused in my story-telling and listened, regarding her closely. Her eyes were still closed, her breathing was even, her hands were still on her tummy and I’d bet almost anything that both she and the babies were finally asleep. Taking a deep breath to strengthen my nerve, I rose to my feet and started to go back towards where the kitchen was, ready to face whatever awaited me there. But when I turned, I saw the Laird standing in the doorway, quietly watching and I had no idea how long he had been there.
“You have a knack for storytelling.” He kept his voice low so he didn’t disturb his wife and I shrugged slightly in embarrassment.
“It’s not hard to do when I’ve visited some pretty amazing places over the last few days.” I walked towards him and he moved out of my way to let me go back to the kitchen and when I walked in, the first thing I noticed was that Mack was gone and it was daylight outside. Momentary panic rose in my throat at the thought of the old farmer being gone; he had been my ride here, but I squashed it. Everyone obviously knew I came with him and if he was gone, they clearly had an idea on how I was going to leave.
“And now you’re here of all places.” His voice followed me into the bright room and I nodded slightly, unsure what else to say. “Mack explained his side of the story and it is remarkably like yours so I must admit that you were telling the truth and just came out here to be nosy.”
“I never dreamed I’d come onto this side of the wall sir, and for that I am very sorry. I just wanted to touch the wall, run my hand along the stone masonry. I can’t explain to you why because I don’t understand why myself. But I genuinely mean no harm to anyone here.”
“Of that I have no doubt either. Mack also suggested I ask ye what your last name is, but he refused to answer when I asked if he knew what it was. Now, why do ye think that piece of information would be anything I care to know?”
“I have no idea sir. But to save you the trouble of asking, my last name is Williams.” He blinked rapidly a few times, much like Mack had at the name, but before he or I could say anything more, we were interrupted.
“What did ye say your name was, lass?” a booming voice spoke behind me from the direction of the door leading outside and I turned in surprise, my gaze landing on an older man who was standing there, with the same tall, broad build the Laird had but with a walking cane in his hand even though he didn’t look like he was in need of it. I could only presume I was looking at the elder Mr. Cameron, who the girl on the tour bus had called crazy.
“Uh,” I started in surprise but before I could go any further, the younger Cameron interrupted.
“Da, this does not concern you.” His voice left little room for argument but the older man didn’t budge, his gaze just swiveled from me to his son and back again.
“Edan, I’m speaking to the young woman, you’ll get your turn. Lass, I believe I asked ye a question. What did ye say your name was?”
“Lani. Well, I go by the name Lani because my full name is a bit of a mouthful.” I admitted, and then wondered why I brought that up.
“So what exactly is your real name ‘Lani My-Name-Is-A-Mouthful?”
“Kailani Alikae Williams, sir.”
“Kailani Alikae Williams. Does it have a meaning? A mouthful like that has to mean something.”
“Da….” The Laird’s voice turned a little pained, like his father had a habit of either embarrassing him or making him think he was crazy, but again the older man held his ground and I turned my attention to him fully, not because I necessarily wanted to, but because I suddenly felt that this man deserved far more respect.
“Both names are Hawaiian; Kailani means sea and ski, Alikae means protector.”
“A protector of sea and sky. And your last name is Williams?”
“Yes sir. May I ask why you are so interested?”
“Yes, I’d like to know that as well.” Edan said bitingly and the elder Cameron gave his son a stern, almost patronizing look.
“The name Williams means nothing to ye, son? And one that is a protector of the sea and sky no less?”
“Old man, if I had my way you’d be locked up for good, did you know that?” Edan muttered a touch darkly and his father glowered at him.
“Think, boy! Have you learned nothing of the history of this family?” the elder Cameron snapped and Edan blinked once at the words.
“That’s ancient folklore, nothing more. And we haven’t had a Williams living here in over sixty years!”
“I’m sorry, what are we talking about?” I was officially lost and was looking back and forth between father and son, desperately hoping someone would throw me a bone and explain this sudden turn in conversation.
“Lass, what were your grandparents names on your father’s side?”
“My Dad’s parents? Why?”
“Humor an old man, aye?”
“Edith and Dennis Williams.”
“Coincidence.” Edan snapped and I shook my head, trying to clear the confusion and unease that was starting to creep into the mix.
“What is? Can someone please explain what is going on?”
“Easy lass, it’s nothing to worry about. Your grandparents, Edith and Dennis Williams were from the Isles, weren’t they? And they left the Isles before she gave birth to a son, am I correct?” the elder Cameron asked gently and I nodded silently.
“And now you’re here, although I bet your Da doesn’t know it, right?”
“My parents were killed a few years ago, but for as long as I can remember, he has told me never to come here. I just don’t know why.” Although I’m starting to get a vague idea, I thought to myself, and it might be because you people are crazy.
“And yet, here you are. Standing in the same kitchen that your grandparents once ate in, you drove along the same laneway they once walked upon and the one they left behind when my own Da, took them to the airport where they boarded a plane for America and never came back.”
“I don’t understand. My grandparents lived here?” My head was starting to spin and I took a deep breath, turning to look out the window towards where I knew the sea was, even though we were too far away to see it.
“Not just your grandparents lass, but every descendant of the Williams family spanning the last few centuries.”
“The protectors were always men! She is clearly not a man!” Edan declared, trying to regain the upper hand in this conversation and I shook my head again in confusion, turning to him with questioning eyes.
“Protectors?”
“Aye lass, you come from a very powerful lineage.” The elder Cameron nodded and his son snorted.
“Here we go. Nothing but superstitious wives’ tales!”
“What kind of protectors?” I was doing my best to ignore Edan’s outbursts and the next thing out of his father’s mouth had me completely forgetting that he was standing right beside me.
“Dragons.”
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