by Jennae Vale
“What do ye mean, for show?” Dougall asked.
“We’re not really married. It’s not what either of us wanted. The goal was to get her back here to you and then I’d be leaving for San Francisco as soon as I could convince Sara to go back with me.”
“Ye ken Sara’s married and happy here,” Dougall said, repeating the same thing he’d heard from both Logan and Sara.
“I know. I’m hoping Logan will come back with us.”
“He’s nay likely to be separated from her,” Dougall said, wiping the sweat from his brow. “Now, back to me sister. I’m nae so sure Brenna feels the same as ye about things.”
“What do you mean?” Zeke asked.
“I think she has feelings fer ye,” Dougall replied.
“She’s never said anything about it. I’ve told her my intentions right from the start, besides she’s made it clear to me many times that she doesn’t care for me.” He hadn’t really believed her, but until now he’d had no proof.
“She’s nae experience with men. Me Da kept her sheltered at the castle and refused to allow men to offer for her hand. She was useful to him until he married Greer.”
“I didn’t know. I promise I’ll be careful with her. I don’t imagine I’ll be seeing much of her now that she’s living with you, anyway.”
“I dinnae doubt ye’ll see her here. ’Tis nae like San Francisco. Dinnae break her heart, or I’ll be forced to break ye.” Dougall did his best to try to look menacing.
“Message received,” Zeke said. “Are you and I going to be friends, or has our past dictated that we can’t be?”
“I believe we can be friends. I dinnae hold anything against ye. Things worked out for the best with Helene and I believe she needed her experience in San Francisco, as did I.”
“I’m happy to hear it.”
A winded Logan joined them. “Shall we go back to the cottage. I’m hungry.”
“When are ye nae hungry?” Dougall chuckled.
“Yer lucky I am or I’d challenge ye to fight,” Logan cocked an eyebrow in an attempt to appear fierce. He then turned to Zeke. “Sara is making a delicious meal fer us.”
“When did she learn how to cook?” Zeke asked.
“She’s spent many an hour in the kitchen at Breaghacraig since she’s been here. ’Tis a good thing, too. Her first attempts were difficult to choke down.” Logan smiled at that thought.
“I can hardly wait to see what she’s made.”
“If ye’ll excuse us, Dougall,” Logan said.
Dougall nodded and waved as they turned and walked away.
The path to Logan’s cottage was dotted with small crofts on either side of the road. Each was surrounded by a small plot of land and in most cases, was meticulously kept. As with any small town in America, everyone here at Breaghacraig seemed to know each other. Logan waved to everyone they passed and in some cases, he stopped to introduce Zeke.
“This is Sara’s brother, Zeke Barrett,” he said to a tiny little, old woman. Her hair was completely white, but yet she was in her yard, working her garden. “Zeke, this is Bethia.”
“I’m pleased to meet you,” Zeke bowed his head in her direction.
“Yer sister is a sweet lass. She’s been a big help to me.” She moved closer to the short stone wall separating her from the men.
“Really?” Zeke was surprised to hear this, but he shouldn’t have been. He knew his sister was both kind and compassionate.
“Aye. She helps me clean me croft when it needs it. Me back isnae as young as it once was,” she smiled. “And she brings me food. I’m happy to have them so close by. It eases me mind.”
Zeke smiled warmly at Bethia. Sara had made herself as invaluable here at Breaghacraig as she had back home in San Francisco.
“We’ll speak with ye later, Bethia. Sara is expecting us,” Logan said.
“Och, dinnae let me keep ye from yer meal.”
They waved good bye and then were on their way. “Sara has really made herself a home here,” Zeke observed.
“Aye. She has.”
Sara was standing in the doorway waiting for them to arrive. “I was wondering where you two were.”
“We stopped to speak to Bethia,” Logan said.
“I hear you’ve become indispensable around here,” Zeke said.
“I wouldn’t say that. I just like to be helpful. Bethia’s a sweet woman and she doesn’t always feel well enough to do heavy work, so I help when I can.”
“She’s a saint,” Logan said, kissing her cheek.
“I always knew it,” Zeke smiled.
Sara greeted him with a kiss on the cheek and then taking his hand brought him to the table. “Sit. I’ll get the food.”
Zeke was impressed and a bit dismayed by how well Sara fit in here in this time. He would never have expected her to do so and was secretly hoping that by the time he got here she’d be more than ready to go back home with him. This might be more difficult than he’d originally anticipated.
“I cannae believe Da expected ye to marry Nevil Munro. What was he thinking?” Dougall snarled. He was angry and Brenna could do nothing more than watch as he paced back and forth before the fire, ranting and raving. “Did the man learn nothing from his experience with me? And Munro, of all people. I’ve heard rumor that he murdered his last wife.”
“Dougall, calm yerself,” Helene said, going to him and placing a hand on his arm.
“I’m sorry, me love. ’Tis a sore subject with me. When last I saw him, I thought him a changed man. I was wrong.”
“Greer has been trying to get rid of me from the first day she arrived. When Da married her, it became her purpose in life to humiliate me at every turn. She and her sister made me feel quite unwelcome in me own home.”
“Do ye believe she encouraged this match?” Dougall asked.
“I do. Da nearly said as much. She wants the castle to herself. With me gone she’s gotten what she was after.”
“But why Munro?” Dougall rubbed his chin, appearing thoughtful.
“She wanted to hurt me. I didnae do anything to her to make her hate me, but hate me she did.”
“I’m going to have a long talk with Da. He has nae right to displace his only daughter for the likes of Greer Matheson.”
“Dougall, ’tis fine. If ye and Helene dinnae mind, I’d like to live here with ye. I cannae go back there.”
Helene came to sit beside her. “Brenna, you are welcome here. Ye’ve nothing to fear here in our home. Consider it yours as well. Isnae that right, Dougall?”
“Aye. Of course, ’tis.” His face softened as he gazed at Brenna. “Yer me wee sister. Me home is yer home. I’ll nay let any harm come to ye.”
The anxiety Brenna had been feeling about her circumstance dissipated. Her brother wanted her here and Helene was very welcoming. Maybe everything would finally be settled for her. She’d found a place where she already felt accepted and wanted.
“If ye dinnae mind, I’m feeling a bit tired. I’d like to retire to me room for a rest.”
“We’ll see ye for the evening meal,” Helene said.
“I’m to meet with Robert at Breaghacraig. I’ll be back later,” Dougall said as he walked to the door. Helene followed him, kissing him goodbye and then went to the kitchen while Brenna went upstairs.
Brenna wondered what Zeke was doing. She hadn’t seen him since last night at the castle and she found herself daydreaming about him and about his kisses. Flopping herself down on her bed, she closed her eyes and imagined Zeke as he’d been that last morning at Castle Treun. She imagined lips, both soft and demanding on hers. She recreated the scene so well in her mind’s eye that the same sensations she’d felt then tickled her insides. Her eyes popped open and she sat up. Brenna had to see him again. All this thinking and dreaming wouldnae do. She wanted real kisses and his strong hard body pressed against hers. Standing she walked to her window and opened the shutters to gaze out on the open fields that led to the cliffs by the sea. She b
reathed in the cool, salty air, clearing her head of the silly thoughts of romance she hadn’t been able to shake. Zeke didn’t want a wife. He’d told her as much. He’d only handfasted with her to save her from her life at Castle Treun. Closing the shutters, she went back to the bed. One thing she knew for certain, Zeke or no Zeke, she needed something to do here at Breaghacraig. She wasn’t one who enjoyed sitting around doing needlework. That would only lead her to think things she didn’t wish to think about. She was going to the castle with Helene the next morning and she made up her mind to see if they needed her help there.
Zeke went for a walk. There was probably another hour before the sun set. He walked in the direction of the ocean, alongside the battlements of Breaghacraig. He told Logan he needed some time alone to think and Logan told him his favorite spot for doing just that.
Nothing that had happened to him since coming to this time was what he had expected, or even wanted. Now, here he was finally at Breaghacraig. He found his sister and now knew deep in his heart that convincing her to go back home with him was a fool’s errand. That didn’t mean he’d give up. On the contrary, he had to be sure it was right to leave her here. As he approached the rocks leading down to the water, Brenna came to mind. He wondered how she was today. She must be happy to be here, away from Castle Treun and the craziness of that place. If he knew one thing, it was that Helene would take good care of her. He needn’t worry about her when he left. She’d have a new family to love her. He sat atop a large boulder, enjoying the sweeping views of the coast and the water. This really was a beautiful place. It might actually rival his beloved San Francisco. He wished he could share San Francisco with Brenna, but he didn’t need the entanglement of a woman in his life. Especially one who would need him to guide her and teach her all about life in the future. No. It was better for Brenna to stay here. Besides, he had no intention of ever putting his heart on the line again. The pain he’d felt when Helene left was something he didn’t wish to ever experience again. It had nearly crippled him. If it hadn’t been for the studio, he wasn’t sure what would have happened to him. Still, he couldn’t help but remember their first morning together after the handfasting. He’d enjoyed the playful way they’d kissed and he smiled remembering how surprised he was to find she was so inexperienced with men. A warm feeling of happiness overcame him. He could probably count on one hand the times he’d actually been truly happy about anything besides the studio since Helene’s departure. One good thing about this trip to the past was that he discovered that he was no longer in love with Helene. He thought it would be difficult to see her, but in the end, after some momentary awkwardness, he felt comfortable with her. She was his friend and always would be, although he’d probably never see her again when he went back to San Francisco. Still, there had been a value in speaking with her and seeing her happiness. He realized his heart was no longer broken. Now, he had to decide if he’d ever be that vulnerable again.
As the sun finally set, Zeke made his way back to Sara’s home. There was little light to see by, but he now knew the way.
Walking back the way he’d come, he passed Bethia’s little cottage and noted that the door was wide open. He stopped to see if she was alright.
“There ye are, lad. I saw ye walk by earlier and I was waiting fer ye to return.” Bethia appeared in the doorway.
“It’s cold out here. You shouldn’t have your door open,” Zeke observed.
“If ye think ’tis cold out there, ye should come inside. I need help starting me fire.” She turned and moved further into the cottage.
Zeke followed her and stood in the doorway. She was right. It was freezing inside. “Where do you keep your kindling?”
“’Tis all around the back.” She came back to the door and grabbed onto his hand for support, limping around to the back of her cottage.”
Zeke loaded his arms with kindling and firewood. “Bethia, hold my arm. I don’t want you to fall.”
She did as he said and they slowly made their way back to the front and through the door.
Zeke struggled to see. “Do you have any candles?” he asked.
“Aye, but I need the fire to light it.”
He went to work and with little trouble, got the fire started.
Bethia lit her candle and set it on the table. “Thank ye, lad.”
“You’re welcome. Do you need me to help you with anything else?”
“Sit for a minute.” She pointed to one of the two chairs set by the table.
Zeke obliged her, wondering what she was up to.
“Yer sister and her husband have been verra kind to me. I can see yer much like them.” Bethia lowered herself onto the chair opposite him.
“I’m happy to help,” he said.
“Are ye married… Zeke, is it?”
“That’s right. I’m not… I guess I am married.”
“Where is yer wife?” she asked.
“She’s staying with her brother and his wife. They live here at Breaghacraig as well,” he explained.
“Why are ye nae staying with them then? Yer wife must miss ye.”
“I wouldn’t say that.” Bethia was really putting him on the spot and she seemed to be enjoying it if the huge grin on her face was any indication.
“Och! Ye’ve had a fight.”
“No. No fight. We’re only handfasted. We don’t really want to be married.” He was probably telling her way too much. He should just shut up.
“Do ye nae like her?”
“I was just helping her out of a difficult situation,” he said.
“So, she’s with child. ’Tis yers?”
Zeke nearly choked on his surprise, “No to both of those. I should go, Bethia. Sara and Logan will be worried about me. I was only supposed to be gone a short while.” He stood to go, suddenly very uncomfortable. He wasn’t even ready for a wife and Bethia was ready to make him a dad, too.
“I hope ye’ll come back and visit me. ’Tis lonely here,” She looked around the small croft with a wistful eye.
“Do you have any children?”
“Me husband and me children are all dead.”
“I’m so sorry to hear that.” Zeke reached over and covered her small weathered hand. She patted him with her other hand and smiled at him.
“Dinnae be. ’Tis been a long while now.” She struggled to stand up and Zeke was at her side in an instant.
“Here, let me help you.”
“Thank ye. Now that ’tis warm, I believe I’ll go to bed.”
He glanced around and now that he could see, he realized this little cottage only had the one room. Her bed was up against the wall. He helped her over to it and held her hands while she sat down.
“Ye can go now. Thank ye for yer help.” She looked up at him, with the smile back in her eyes. “Ye should stay with yer wife. ’Tis best.”
“Thanks for the advice, Bethia. Good night.” Zeke closed the door behind him and smiled. She just needed some company tonight and even though he hadn’t been there long, he hoped it had helped.
“There you are,” Sara said as he walked through the door. “I was just about to have Logan go searching for you.”
“Sorry. I got waylaid by a certain little old woman who needed my help,” Zeke said.
“Bethia. Isn’t she the sweetest? I think sometimes she asks for my help just so she’ll have someone to talk to.”
“I think you’re right.”
“I check in with her every day. I try to bring her food and make sure she has everything she needs.”
“She’s a kind heart, me wife,” Logan added. “Can we eat now?”
“Yes. Now that Zeke’s here I’ll get the food. Sit down.”
“Did ye get any thinking done?” Logan asked.
“I did. I don’t know that I solved the problems of the world, but it was nice to try putting some things in perspective.”
Sara placed the food on the table and they all helped themselves. Zeke glanced up once or twice to see Sara g
azing lovingly at him. He had to admit, this was nice.
Chapter 15
Brenna spent the morning with Helene as she busied herself around the castle. She was excited to meet Ashley and Jenna, as they hadn’t joined them for dinner the other night.
“Helene,” Cailin said, as he rushed her way with a sweet little one in his arms. “Would ye mind taking Emma? I’m off to the practice field.”
Helene held out her arms and Emma did the same. “Come here me sweet,” she cooed. “Is Ashley still abed?”
“She’s feeding wee Andrew. I’m sure she could use yer help getting dressed.” Helene took baby Emma from Cailin as the men headed out to the practice field.
“Do ye think Zeke will join them,” Brenna asked, trying not to appear to interested.
“I’m sure he will. If ye’d prefer to go watch them, I dinnae mind.”
“Nae. I’d much rather spend the morning with ye,” she lied.
Helene scrunched her nose and made a face at her. “Yer nae fooling me, lassie.”
“’Tis true. I wish to meet Ashley and Jenna.” She tickled little Emma under the chin.
“Would ye like to hold her?” Helene headed for the stairs with Brenna following behind.
“Mayhap I will later,” she said.
“Alright. Follow me.” They reached the first landing and headed down the passageway. As they approached Ashley’s chamber, they could hear the distinct sound of a newborn babe fussing. Helene knocked on the door.
“Come in,” Ashley called.
They entered the room and Helene handed baby Emma off to Brenna as she immediately began opening the shutters to let the light in.
“Thank you, Helene. I meant to have Cailin do that before he left, but I forgot. This little one has been demanding all of my attention.”
“Would ye like to get out of bed?” Helene asked.
“I would, but I could use some help.” Ashley smiled warmly at Brenna. “Who have we here?”