by Jennae Vale
“So you live here alone?” Dougall asked.
“I do.”
“Why?” Logan wondered.
“I don’t know. I’ve had roommates before and it’s been nothing but trouble. It’s just easier living alone.” She filled their glasses again.
“Do ye nae wish to get married and have a family?” Logan asked.
“Someday. I have to meet the right man first. That’s not always possible here in the city. The men are always looking for the newer, younger versions who move in. Then they get tired of them and move on again. It’s not the best place to find a husband.”
“But ye want one?” Logan asked. They’d all had more than a few drinks of tequila by now, and Logan was becoming braver where Sara was concerned.
“I guess so. The men I’ve met so far haven’t done much to make me think about it. I mean, if they’re all like the ones I’ve dated, then probably not.”
Dougall drifted off into his own thoughts. Things hadn’t gone exactly the way he planned. Yes, he’d seen Helene, but he’d failed to get her to leave with him. Now here he was in this strange time and place doing his best to understand what he could do to make Helene love him again. This tequila would help him forget about it all, at least for now.
Chapter 15
Helene had been very distracted all through her day with Zeke. She could tell he was doing his best to take her mind off of Dougall and she felt badly that he hadn’t been able to. Zeke had been so kind to her and there were many things she found attractive about him. He’d made her feel at ease from the moment she’d met him. He was very handsome as well. He wore his dark brown hair differently than the men from her time. It was short and well groomed. He had a short beard, which added to his good looks by framing lips that were full and appeared to be soft. He made her laugh all the time. He was also a man who knew how to make her feel important. He encouraged her to make her own choices and decisions. He asked her opinion and wanted to know how she felt about all kinds of things.
It wasn’t that Dougall didn’t, but in their time life was different. He loved her, of that she was certain, but he was also the only man she’d ever really been attracted to. So, her experience with men was limited. Meeting Zeke had opened a whole new world to her. Well, that and being transported through time. Besides, she was angry with Dougall. He’d gone off and left her alone with his father. An involuntary shiver raced through her at the thought of Paddraig MacRae, but the terror of her ordeal was nothing in comparison to the fluttering feeling in her belly and her racing heart at the sight of Dougall. No matter how angry she was with him, it was clear to her that she still loved him. So many conflicting emotions ran through her body and now she had to add guilt to it. Guilt for ruining the day Zeke had planned for her. She was so confused and it was affecting her ability to enjoy her time with Zeke, who had become her security here in this time. These two men meant so much to her, but one of them held her heart and she didn’t know if what she felt for the other could grow enough to overtake it.
“Are you cold?” Zeke asked.
“Nae. I was just thinkin’.”
“About what?”
“’Twas nae an important thing.”
“Helene, you know you can talk to me about anything. I’m here for you.”
“I ken ye are. Some things are best left alone.”
“Okay. Well then, what can I do to get you out of this melancholy mood you’ve been in all day.”
Helene didn’t know what to say, so she merely shrugged her shoulders.
“I know seeing Dougall this morning threw a monkey wrench into the works, but he’s not going anywhere. Sara will see to it that he and his companion are comfortable today.”
“I’m sorry. I’ve nae been a good companion today.”
“I understand. We’ve still got the rest of the day and evening ahead of us. Do you think you can just be with me in the moment? You can see Dougall later.”
“Aye. I will try.”
“Good.” Zeke took her hand and guided her towards the waterfront.
“Where are we going now?” she asked.
“You’ll see.”
They walked along the waterfront, passing pier after pier. Many people were making the exact same walk as they were. Zeke hoped Helene would be suitably impressed with his last romantic gesture.
When they came to the Ferry Building, Zeke led Helene through the doors and into the crowded center of the building. There were shops and restaurants bordering both sides of a wide aisle. He stopped in a shop that sold wine and picked out a nice bottle of Pinot Noir. Next they stopped at a cheese shop where they sampled different local cheeses and then decided on a couple, which he purchased. He did the same at the bakery, where he got bread and then a chocolate shop where he picked up their best dark chocolate. His arms were full with their purchases, but he had one more item to buy that would make their waterfront picnic complete.
“Two of your dungeness crab please,” Zeke said to the man behind the counter.
Helene’s eyes were wide with wonder.
“Are you hungry?” Zeke asked.
“I am.”
“Good.” He paid the man, taking the crab and adding it to his purchases. “Follow me.” Zeke led the way out the back of the building where they found an empty bench to sit at.
“Are you sure you’re warm enough?” He was concerned that as the day had gone on the temperature was getting cooler. He wanted Helene to be comfortable during this last leg of their day.
Helene nodded. “’Tis a beautiful city.” He followed her gaze and noted she was glancing at the Bay Bridge, which was now lit up and beautiful against the darkening sky above it and the bay below it. A ferry left from the dock on its way to Marin and Helene followed its departure with awe.
Zeke loved seeing the city he loved through the eyes of someone who was experiencing all it had to offer for the first time. He knew how amazing it was here and he could tell that Helene might be feeling the same way.
“Tell me about your life at Breaghacraig.” He hadn’t pressed her too much on this subject, not knowing whether it would make her homesick or not.
“’Tis me home,” she hesitated momentarily. “’Twas me home.” There was a sadness in her eyes. Zeke wanted to pull her into his arms and offer her comfort, but he knew she wouldn’t accept it.
“The MacKenzies have been me family since I was a young lass.”
“But you worked for them, right?”
“Aye. ’Twas only natural. Me Ma and Da worked for them as well.”
“So if you are born to a family of servants, is it always the case that you will be a servant too.”
“Most often. I imagine there have been those who have become something more, but ’tis not what would normally happen.”
“And what of your parents. Where are they now?”
“Me parents died of an illness that swept through Breaghacraig when I was a wee lass. The MacKenzies took me in. They gave me a place to live and a job to do.”
It didn’t make sense to Zeke that the MacKenzies wouldn’t have simply adopted Helene and let her live as one of the family. “Did you have to work for them?”
“Nae. They wanted me to be one of them, but I wished to honor me Ma and Da and earn me keep. I didnae wish to be an added burden to the family. They had much to do after the illness was finally gone. So many needed their help.”
Zeke smiled. Helene was a truly special woman. She had a completely different set of values but, then again, she’d had a completely different life.
They ate and drank and laughed. When they were done, Helene packed away the leftovers to take back home with them. “Zeke, this has been a truly wonderful day. I’ve never done anything like this before. I will remember it always.”
“I’m happy I got to share it with you,” Zeke put a gentle arm around her shoulders. He never wanted to push Helene. He was moving at her pace, or the pace he thought she would be most comfortable with. They walked around
to the front of the building and Zeke hailed a cab.
They rode the entire way home without uttering a word. Zeke was happy to have Helene nestled under his arm and he was afraid to move for fear it would break this magical moment they were sharing.
The cab pulled to the curb in front of the house. Zeke paid the man and then helped Helene from the cab. She smiled up at him, her clear blue eyes shining brightly. He couldn’t help himself. He dipped his head and gently brushed his lips across hers. He felt Helene stiffen and though he was disappointed, he pulled away, leading her up the stairs to the house.
“I’m sorry about that. I don’t know what came over me.” Yes, he did. He was developing feelings for Helene. It was probably one of the dumbest things he could do. She obviously still loved Dougall and the last thing he wanted to do was complicate matters for her.
“Good night, Zeke. I had fun with ye today.” Helene stood on tiptoe and kissed his cheek before heading up the stairs to her room.
He watched her go and silently berated himself for ruining a perfect day. He didn’t know if it was possible to steal Helene away from Dougall, but he wasn’t about to stop trying.
Leaning against her closed bedroom door, Helene thought about the kiss she’d just shared with Zeke. Unable to control her reaction to it, she realized it had embarrassed Zeke. She liked him very much, of that she was sure. He was verra handsome and so kind, but he wasn’t Dougall. Granted Dougall was the only man she’d ever kissed in a romantic way, but kissing Zeke hadn’t been the same at all. There were no butterflies, no sense of being lost in the moment, no feeling of wanting it to go on forever. Maybe she just needed to kiss him again to be sure, but it seemed to Helene that the only man she wanted to kiss was Dougall.
She went into the bathroom and gazed at herself in the mirror. She was a different lass than the one who had arrived here in San Francisco covered in dirt, with hair that looked like birds were nesting in it. She’d also found her voice. Zeke and Sara had taught her not to be a doormat as they called it. It felt good to be able to say what she wanted, when she wanted. Back at home she’d always been a bit reserved, knowing her place in the world. She had no say in the running of Breaghacraig, she merely did what was expected of her without complaint. As for Dougall, he made all the decisions when it came to their relationship and Helene could see now that having a voice, speaking up and asking questions could have saved her from the heartbreak she was now enduring.
Cold water splashed on her face as she removed her makeup. She should really speak with Zeke. Tomorrow morning would be time enough. He was her friend, her savior and possibly someone she could build a life with. As for Dougall, yes he was here for her, but he assumed she would go running back with him. It was important to him to be laird of the MacRae clan and she would not keep him from it even if it meant he would marry another. She would not, however, be his mistress. That much was clear to her, that and the fact that she just might have to build a new life here in San Francisco. She’d speak to Sara about it when next they met. Sara was good at helping her understand exactly what it was she was feeling. Ashley was good at that as well. It made Helene sad to think she might never see her friend again, but she didn’t think she could go back to Breaghacraig knowing the possibility of seeing Dougall there and knowing that he could never be hers.
Zeke was kicking himself for being so stupid and for moving too fast. Helene was from another time and perhaps what he’d done would be considered completely inappropriate in the sixteenth century. He opened the refrigerator and noted that for once since he’d lived here, it was full. Helene had really taken to grocery shopping and she kept it stocked with all his favorite things. No more old cold cuts for him. She was a special lady. He laughed thinking about the first few days she’d been living with him. She had wanted to do all of the things she’d done back home, but she wanted to do them for him. He hadn’t seen any harm in letting her feel like she was contributing, so he agreed. Much to his surprise she’d prepared a bath for him and not wanting to disappoint her with the fact that he was a shower kind of guy, he’d lowered himself into the tub. He had found the warm water relaxing and had just sunk completely in so he could rest his head when the door opened and Helene appeared.
“Can I help ye with yer bath?” she asked.
Zeke wasn’t sure what to do. She stood there with those big blue eyes sweeping over his body. “I’m fine, Helene. Thank you, though.”
He thought that would have done it, but no, Helene had a wash cloth in hand which she lathered with soap and then began washing his back. “Surely ye cannae reach back here. I’ll just help with this and then I’ll leave ye be.”
Zeke’s hands shot to his hardened manhood, covering it so she couldn’t see what she was doing to him. “Helene, really. You don’t have to do that. I guess back in your time it’s okay for a woman to help a man bathe, but it’s not… so much… now.”
“I’m so sorry, sir. I didnae mean to…” Helene’s hands stilled and she looked very embarrassed.
“It’s Zeke, Helene. I’m not sir. I’m Zeke and it’s okay. You had no way of knowing.”
“I’ll leave ye then.”
She had disappeared out the door and Zeke breathed a sigh of relief. She’d been there little more than twenty-four hours and he’d already been drawn to her. She was the damsel in distress and he wanted to be her knight in shining armor.
He closed the refrigerator door, deciding he wasn’t hungry after all. Better to get a good night’s sleep and not think about his disappointment.
Chapter 16
Bright and early the next morning, Dougall rousted Logan from bed. “Get up. We’ve got work to do.” He was back in charge and barked out orders to Logan as he would have done back in his own time.
“Work? What are ye speaking of, Dougall?” Logan rubbed the sleep from his eyes and stretched.
“We must find a way to get Helene to return with us. I cannae be away too much longer. I wish to begin our life together and I wish to do it now.” He impatiently paced back and forth across the small space.
“Sara thinks ye should take yer time and woo the lass.” Logan was obviously still trying to wake up.
“Sara thinks that does she?” Dougall raised his voice, losing patience with Logan’s moonie-eyed admiration for everything Sara said and did. He stood, arms crossed and a menacing look in his eyes. If Logan knew what was good for him, he’d get up and follow orders.
“Aye. She says ye need to allow Helene to make the choice. Ye cannae force her.” Logan said, finally sitting up and facing Dougall.
“Sara doesnae ken the way of it fer me and Helene. And neither do ye, Logan.” Dougall pointed a finger in the direction of Sara’s room and then at his friend. He hadn’t slept well. His thoughts all night long were of Helene in the arms of Zeke. As much as he tried to blot it from his mind, it kept returning over and over again. Now, this morning, he’d had enough of it and all he wanted to do was get Helene and head back home where they belonged.
“I’m sorry, Dougall. I ken ye love her, but mayhap Sara has a point,” Logan barked back.
“What are you two talking about so loudly.” Sara entered the living room holding her head.
“Do ye nae feel well, Sara?” Logan asked, obviously concerned.
“I think I drank too much tequila last night. My head hurts. You two don’t seem any worse for wear.” She walked past them and into the kitchen.
“Do ye have any food?” Dougall asked.
“I don’t usually cook much. You can get coffee downstairs.” She rummaged through the cabinets and finally found what she must have been searching for. She opened the bottle and poured some of the contents into her hand and then put it in her mouth. She followed that with a long drink of water. “I’ll get dressed and we’ll go down together. Maybe some coffee will help.”
Dougall noted that his friend, who was back down on the sofa, followed Sara with his eyes and a longing that truly must be noticed by the object o
f his attention. If she didn’t notice, he deduced she must be blind.
“Get up. Ye heard the lass. We’ll go downstairs fer food and more of that coffee,” he commanded. Dougall was feeling very out of sorts this morning.
Logan rubbed his eyes again as Dougall shook his head at their situation.
“Why would Edna bother to send me here if Helene wasnae to come back with me. I dinnae ken it.”
“She’s a witch. She can do as she likes,” Logan said.
“Ashley and Jenna say she sends people through time with a purpose in mind. She can be quite manipulative, but the end result is usually worth whatever she puts ye through to achieve it.”
Sara came back into the room, looking much better than when she left. She had gotten dressed and brushed her hair into something resembling a horse’s tail from Dougall’s perspective. She even had a smile on her face. “Come on. Let’s go.” She bounced off ahead of them. Dougall and Logan followed behind, both fascinated with the way her horse tail hair swung back and forth as she walked.
Dougall and Logan followed her out of the apartment and down the stairs to the street. They sat at the same table Sara had been sitting at when they’d first met her. Now that he thought about it, Dougall was suspicious about the fact that Sara was one of the first people they met and she just happened to know where Helene was. Hmmm…
“Sara, when we met ye here yesterday, ye didnae ken we were coming?”
“No. It was a surprise to me, although seeing two big guys in kilts did catch my attention, which is why I spoke to you before you passed me by.” Dougall noted the flirtatious glance she sent Logan’s way.
“I thought it might have been fer another reason.” Logan gave Sara a look that Dougall knew he had practiced on many a lass back in their time.
Sara blushed and looked away.
“Hey, you’re back with your friends.” The server from the day before approached their table.
“Yep,” Sara said. “Three coffees and cinnamon rolls all around.”