A Turn In Time: Book 5 of The Thistle & Hive Series

by Jennae Vale

  Dougall shook his head. He didn’t think he could stomach it at that moment.

  “As for Greer, I took yer suggestion and I married her meself.” He chuckled as he made his way back to the chair. “She’s a feisty one, she is and may end up being the death of me yet.”

  Dougall was both shocked and relieved to hear this news.

  “I’ll find ye another lass to marry. Dinnae fear. There are many who’d give all they have to be married to the future laird of the MacRae’s.”

  “I’m nae ready to marry, Da. I need some time.”

  “This lass has broken yer heart,” he said.

  “Aye. She has.”

  “And yet ye still love her?” Paddraig seemed puzzled by that.

  “I do.” Dougall was baffled by his father. He wasn’t his normal irascible self. He actually seemed as though he cared about Dougall’s heart. “Da, ye seem so different to me. Has something happened to change ye.”

  “Aye. Yer sister Brenna showed me that I’ve nae been the best father to ye. She’s wise beyond her years, that one is. She spoke to me about yer absence from Castle Treun. She told me ‘twas me own fault and that if I ever wished to have yer respect that I would have to show ye the same in return. It took some time for me to see things her way, but she wouldnae let it rest. She has taught me that I should be kind to those I love and I do love ye, son.”

  What could Dougall say to that? In all his years, he’d never heard his father say he loved him.

  Paddraig scratched his head and sighed. “I must thank ye fer not wishing to marry Greer. I believe that has helped me disposition as well. I’ve been a lonely old soul since yer Ma passed and I was angry with ye when ye wouldnae stay here with me after she was gone.”

  Dougall was surprised to hear that. His father had never led him to believe that he needed or wanted him here.

  “Do ye wish to be laird when I’m gone, lad?” Paddraig asked

  “I’m nae as sure of it as I once was, Da. I thought I did, but if being laird means hurting those I love, as I’ve done with Helene, then…” Could he say the words? It had been his primary goal since he was a young lad and now it didn’t seem important to him. Since meeting Helene, he’d thought of being laird with her by his side as Lady MacRae. Without her he simply didn’t care.

  “I understand what yer saying. Ye’ve got time to make yer decision. I dinnae plan on leaving this earth soon, not now that I’ve found me lovely Greer. I plan to stay and enjoy me wife for as long as the good Lord above will allow it.”

  “Do ye mind if I go back to the MacKenzies?” Dougall asked.

  “Lad, if that’s where yer heart tells ye to be, then I willnae hold it against ye if ye go. I dinnae need ye here. I’ve yer brother Fingall to help me if need be. He’s grown up to be more responsible than I had imagined. Mind ye, he’s nae as responsible as ye, but he’ll do.” He laughed as he stood to go.

  “I’ll be taking Logan with me when I go, Da.” He thought Paddraig would object, but he didn’t.

  Paddraig nodded his head in understanding. “Get some rest, son. ’Tis still too early to be up and about. I’m going back to me warm bed and me even warmer wife.” He clapped Dougall on the back and then left him.

  “I’ve much to think about,” Dougall said aloud. He was amazed that all it took was his sister’s wisdom and Greer Matheson to cause his father to become more light hearted and loving than he’d ever been in the whole of Dougall’s life. He shook his head in disbelief. Life was strange at times and never stranger than it seemed at this particular moment.

  Dougall and Logan stayed on with Paddraig for another month. Dougall sent word to Breaghcraig to let them know he was back, but without Helene. He told them he was staying on at Castle Treun for a while longer because there were some projects and repair work that needed tending to and Fingall lacked the skills to do it himself. He hoped that would put their minds at ease. He knew they would be sad to hear Helene had not returned with him, but it was best they know before he returned to them.

  Dougall spent his time instructing Fingall and found his brother to be a very attentive student. The last time they’d shared any time together was before he left to foster with the MacKenzies. Back then, Fingall was more interested in the lasses than he was in running the castle and, according to Paddraig, that had only recently changed with his betrothal to Gillian. Now, he was paying close attention to how Dougall handled things, asking questions when he wasn’t quite sure what he should do. Overseeing the workers meant having a general knowledge of what needed to be done. Dougall wasnae a stone mason, nor a carpenter, but he knew how to communicate his wishes to them and see that they followed his instruction.

  “Yer doing well, Fingall,” Dougall said.

  “Are ye surprised?” Fingall’s smile told Dougall that he wouldn’t be offended by the truth.

  “A wee bit, aye. Ye were never much for anything that included hard labor. Ye were more likely to be chasing after a lass or two instead.”

  “I’m nae a young lad, Dougall. I’ve grown and I understand what it means to oversee the castle and the clan.”

  “Ye’d make a fine laird.” Dougall clapped his brother on the back.

  “I’ll not have that chance unless it comes at your expense and I do not wish that.”

  “Let’s get this finished. I intend to return to the MacKenzies as soon as we’ve completed these tasks.” They filled a wheelbarrow with stones to complete the repair work they were doing on the section of wall in the inner courtyard that had fallen. Luckily no one had been nearby when it collapsed. After a day of hard work, the repairs were almost complete.

  “Do ye nae wish to stay with us?”

  “I’m happy at Breaghacraig.” He didn’t mention he wanted to be there in case Helene returned. “I’ll be back more often now that Da is a happily married man.”

  Fingall laughed at this. “I ken yer meaning, brother.”

  “Tomorrow we’ll look over the rest of the wall to be sure there are no other spots in need of repair.” Dougall placed the last rock in the wall and used his trowel to tap it securely into place.

  Covered in dust, Logan joined them. “Have we finished?”

  “Aye. Ye look as if ye could use a wee dram of whisky.”

  “I could. And some food.”

  “What of ye, Fingall? A wee dram to celebrate our success.”

  “Aye. Lead the way.”

  Helene was getting more and more comfortable with her life in San Francisco. She no longer spent her time in the house waiting for Zeke to return or for Sara to come by. She was quite proud of herself. San Francisco was a scary place for a medieval Scottish woman, but she somehow had managed to get over her fear and embrace her new life. She spent a few days a week at the studio with Zeke, helping with his younger students. She’d learned a lot about sparring and combat from watching the men at Breaghacraig on the practice field and she was pleased that she’d been able to use that knowledge to teach the very youngest students at the school. Zeke had expressed his admiration for her newfound confidence and Helene was pleased. The last thing she wanted was to be a burden to him or Sara. He’d given her a credit card and a phone and she’d made good use of them as she made her way around town. It was difficult at first to understand the workings of such unbelievable things and there were a few mishaps, but now she was a ‘pro’ as Sara had called it. Every day she felt herself getting stronger and more sure of herself. She could never go back to being the timid and meek woman she’d been when she first arrived. She hoped that one day she’d be able to go back to Breaghacraig. It was her home, after all, and she missed the friends she’d come to think of as her family. As much as she wanted to return, she felt torn. She loved Sara and Zeke. They had become very special to her and she couldn’t imagine leaving them, but perhaps if she did go back, she’d be able to visit them again. Edna had helped her get here once, she was sure it could happen again if she wanted it to. In the meantime, she was going to take full adv
antage of her newfound freedom and go to the movies on her own.

  Chapter 21

  Helene had just about given up on returning to Breaghacraig. She’d watched Zeke try every day for the past several weeks to contact Edna and she’d tried as well. As much as she wanted to go back home, she was becoming resigned to the fact that it was most likely never going to happen.

  “I’m heading off to the studio. Sara’s coming over in a little while. You two have fun today.” Zeke grabbed his jacket and headed for the door with barely a glance in her direction.

  “What time will you be back?” Helene asked.

  “Not ‘til much later. You’ll probably be sound asleep by the time I get back. I’ve got a lot to do today. We’re preparing for a competition, so I’ve got classes going all day and into the night.” He left, closing the door in her face.

  Zeke had been noticeably trying to avoid her. He spent more and more time at the studio and less and less time with her. He had made his feelings known to her and had accepted the fact that she still loved Dougall. He was always a gentleman with her and he treated her with such kindness and respect. In truth, she felt quite guilty that she didn’t feel the same way for him. She was holding out hope that someday she would find Dougall again, but perhaps she should consider giving Zeke a chance. She couldn’t right now, but maybe given some time she could love him. He was sweet, handsome, a hard worker. He had many qualities she found admirable, but she somehow found herself always comparing him to Dougall.

  Helene heard a key in the lock and assumed it was Zeke returning. He’d probably forgotten something. She should really say something to him, but when the door opened it was Sara.

  “Hey. You ready to go out?” Sara’s bright and cheery persona beamed at her.

  “Nae yet.” Helene sank into the nearest chair and held back the tears that threatened to spill.

  “What’s wrong? Did Zeke do something?” Sara asked.

  “Nae. Zeke did nothing.” Helene gazed at Sara who had seated herself opposite her and was leaning forward with a concerned expression on her face. “I guess that’s the problem. He did nothing. I don’t think he wants to be around me. He leaves the house verra early every morning and he comes back when I’m in bed. I don’t know what to do. This is his house but he hardly spends any time here and ’tis me fault.”

  “Wow. I had no idea. You do know how he feels about you right?”

  “Aye.”

  “You don’t feel the same?”

  “I wish I did.”

  “Hmmm…”

  “He’s such a good man. Any woman would be happy to be with him. What’s wrong with me? Why cannae I let the past go and start over?”

  “You’re not ready yet. That’s all. There’s nothing wrong with you. Believe me.”

  “Thank ye, Sara. Yer always so kind to me.”

  “You’re my friend. I know Zeke pretty well. He is my brother, you know.” She giggled and so did Helene. “I’m sure he’s just giving you your space so you can get over Dougall. He doesn’t want you to feel pressured into having a relationship with him.”

  “I dinnae wish to hurt him the way I did Dougall.”

  “Helene, you would never purposefully do anything to hurt anyone. That’s just not you. And that’s why Dougall and Zeke love you. You have a sweet, sweet soul. I wish I could be more like you.”

  “You remind me so much of me friends, Ashley and Jenna. I would like to be more like ye. I want to be strong and to speak me mind, like ye.”

  “That gets me into trouble sometimes. Like with Logan, for example. I would have liked him to stay so I could get to know him better. Or I wish he had at least asked me to go back with him, but he didn’t. I think I scared him away.” She shook her head and shrugged her shoulders. “I don’t know. I guess I just don’t have luck with guys from any century.”

  Helene couldn’t help but smile at her friend. Sara was a beautiful young woman, but as Helene had come to find out, the men of this time were not always interested in long term commitment.

  “Let’s go have some fun instead of sitting around here feeling sorry for ourselves.” Sara stood and taking Helene by the hand pulled her up from her seat.

  “Shouldn’t we go help Zeke at the studio?” Helene asked.

  “No. Absolutely not! I’m working at the studio later and he doesn’t need your help right now either. He’s got Wade there with him.”

  “What will we do then?”

  “I’m going to take you on a sightseeing tour of the city. You know where the stores are and you know how to take the bus, but you haven’t seen some of the things that make San Francisco such a beautiful city, so today’s the day!” Sara grabbed her purse and headed for the door.

  Helene was happy to follow her.

  “You’re off then?” Paddraig Macrae asked. He stood in the courtyard with Fingall, Greer and Gillian.

  “Aye, Da. I’ll be back from time to time.”

  “Well, I hope so. Ye were gone far too long this last time.”

  Dougall looked at his father differently now. All those years of feeling unloved and unworthy had melted away and now he thought he’d truly miss him.

  Paddraig gathered him into a hug and whispered only loud enough for Dougall to hear. “Ye give the lairdship some thought, will ye?”

  “I will, but as ye’ve noted, Fingall would make a fine laird.” He quietly answered. It was a secret kept between himself and his Da.

  “Aye. I’d rather it be ye, but if ye decide against it, then Fingall ’twill be.” He continued hugging his son. “Dougall, if ye see that lassie, Helene, please give her me apologies.”

  “I will, Da, but I doubt I’ll ever see her again.”

  “I’m sorry, lad. I shouldnae have interfered. Don’t let me stop ye from finding her and making things right.”

  Dougall didn’t wish to explain to his father about time traveling to the future. He’d think him a daft idjit. There was no point in telling him anyway. It wouldn’t change things with Helene. “Goodbye, Da.”

  “Logan, take care of me boy.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  They mounted their horses, waved goodbye and began their journey back to Breaghacraig. They’d take a different route this time as Dougall didn’t wish to pass the spot where he’d made Helene his for the first time. He simply couldn’t bear it.

  Alone again and a cup of tea in hand, Helene sat curled up on the sofa, staring into the fire blazing in the hearth. Zeke’s cat Milly purred softly, nestling into the soft blanket covering Helene’s legs. It was a chilly night in San Francisco despite the fact it was almost mid-June. Mentally she had drifted off to Breaghacraig and the first time she’d really noticed Dougall. Helene had a secret spot she would go to on the castle wall that looked down on the practice field. There she observed the warriors of Breaghacraig as they engaged each other in mock battle. She didn’t know why she hadn’t noticed him before, because this particular day he stood out so completely she hardly noticed anyone else on the field. His long, curly blonde locks cascaded across his bare shoulders, causing an unexpected reaction in Helene’s stomach. Butterflies, hummingbirds and dragonflies all beat their wings at a frantic pace and she found herself gripping the stones atop the battlement to steady herself. From that moment onward, she was acutely aware of Dougall MacRae, although he didn’t seem to notice her at all. A soft smile curled her lips at the memory, followed by a sadness for what should have been. A silent tear coursed down her cheek and plopped into her cup of tea.

  The fire began to pop and spark, startling Helene from her reverie.

  “Helene!”

  Did someone call her name?

  “Helene, ’tis I, Edna Campbell.”

  She stiffened, afraid to move. Milly didn’t seem at all concerned as she snored softly from her spot in the blankets.

  “Are ye nae going to answer me?” the voice said, sounding somewhat perturbed.

  She hesitated, but if this was truly Edna Campbell, then
Helene needed to speak with her.

  “Aye. Edna?”

  “Helene, I’m speaking to ye from far away. I ken ye dinnae understand how I’m doing this, but ye ken I’m a witch, aye?”

  “A witch.” Helene muttered.

  “Come, lass. Ye must have more to say than that.”

  “Why did ye make me come here?”

  “Ah, at last. I didnae make ye go there. Well, I guess I did, but in me defense ye had no food and were in a terrible state. I couldnae fix it for ye from here, so I sent ye to San Francisco where I knew Zeke would be more than happy to help ye.”

  “Aye, but he’s fallen in love with me and I cannae return his feelings.”

  “Well of course ye cannae. He’s not meant to be with ye, so dinnae fret over his happiness. It will come.”

  “If I’m nae meant to be with Zeke, then who?”

  “Dougall MacRae.”

  Helene’s heart skipped a beat. “He’s nae here with me. He left without me. I dinnae believe he really wishes to be with me.”

  “He does. Verra much so.”

  “Then why didnae he stay here and wait fer me. Why did he leave me alone with his father back at Castle Treun?”

  “There were things you both needed to learn. Dougall never left ye with the intention of not returning fer ye. And when he left ye here in San Francisco, it was only because ye didnae appear at the appointed time. It was time to return to the past and the fog doesnae wait fer anyone. He believes ye no longer wish to be with him and he is doing his best to get on with his life.”