by Jennae Vale
Gealach and Dougall’s horse were still grazing when the fog cleared and they found themselves on the bridge.
“Thank ye, Edna.” Dougall said, hoping she could hear him.
“I brought yer horse, but I dinnae wish to have ye so far from me. Would ye mind riding with me, Helene?”
Helene appeared pleased he’d asked instead of telling her she would ride with him. “I can see a change in ye, Dougall. I hope ye’ll see me as yer partner now. I’m a woman who has opinions and ideas of me own, like Ashley and Jenna.” She smiled and he could see she was feeling pleased with herself. Rather than feeling threatened by this new Helene, he found her even more attractive. Perhaps going to the future had been a learning experience for both of them.
“Well then, m’lady, ye havenae answered me question. Would ye do me the honor of riding with me?”
Helene courtseyed and giggled. “Totes!”
Dougall tipped his head, scrunching his brow. Helene obviously could tell he didn’t understand what she was saying.
“I think I would like that verra much.”
Apparently, that was what ‘totes’ meant. Dougall laughed a real laugh, for the first time in ages.
“Are we going to Castle Treun?” Helene asked, sounding a bit apprehensive.
“Nae. Breaghacraig.” Dougal could feel her relaxing in his arms. The poor lass was frightened. “There’s much to tell ye, Helene and we’ve a long ride ahead of us.”
He got Helene settled on the horse, handing her the reins to Gealach, which he took once he’d vaulted up behind her. She snuggled back against him, causing familiar sensations to spread throughout his body. He felt whole again, realizing that without Helene he was only half the man he wished to be. Now that she’d returned with him, he knew he would treasure every moment, good and bad that they would share together for the rest of their lives.
They rode in silence for quite some time, simply enjoying being together again. Dougall couldn’t resist the urge to kiss her neck or put his nose in her hair, smelling the familiar scent he’d missed.
“Helene, I’ve something to tell ye,” Dougall said.
“What is it?” Helene sounded apprehensive.
“’Tis good news. Dinnae fear. I’ve decided that I nae longer wish to be Laird MacRae.”
Helene turned her head to look back at him. “Why? I hope ye didnae do it fer me.”
“I’ve thought much on it and realized what is important to me and what is nae important. I went back to see me Da and he had changed. So much so that I wondered if he were the same man. He’d married Greer.”
Helene interrupted. “He married the woman he wanted fer ye.” She seemed shocked and Dougall could understand why.
“I was just as surprised as ye. When I rode away from him to search fer ye, I told him he should marry her. I never believed he’d actually do it, but he did and now he is the happiest man on earth from what I saw. He wanted you to know that he is verra sorry for what he put ye through. He didnae intend for ye to die in the dungeon. He only wished to scare ye away from me. He sent one of his men to follow ye. He wanted to be sure that ye came to no harm.”
“’Tis strange,” Helene said, still sounding as if she couldn’t believe it.
“Aye. That it is. We talked and me Da still wished to find me a wife so I could be laird. I told him I didnae want that. The only woman I want is ye, Helene. I wish to marry ye. Me brother Fingall can be laird. He’s better suited to it than I’d thought in the past, so I have nae fear that the MacRae clan will be well cared fer. And now that they’ve both married Matheson’s, they have a good solid alliance with that clan.” He leaned forward, “Helene, look at me.”
Helene turned her head again to face him.
“I love ye. I wanted more than anything fer ye to be Lady MacRae and though it willnae be a Castle Treun, ye will be thanks to the MacKenzies.”
“What do ye mean, Dougall?” Her eyes were wide in astonishment.
“I mean that once we’ve married, Robert has given me a piece of land to settle on. We’re going to build a beautiful home that will be ours and ours alone. Ye’ll be the lady of the manor.” Dougall was enjoying the look of wonder on Helene’s face. “Do ye nae have a thing to say?”
Helene threw her arms around his neck, almost knocking them both off the horse in the process. Tears streamed down her cheeks. “Our own home! I cannae believe it.”
Dougall held tight to Helene as he straightened in the saddle once again. “I believe I’d like to stop soon. There’s a place up ahead where we can make camp for the night.”
“‘Twould be good to stop,” Helene agreed. “I’ve missed ye so, Dougall.”
They camped under the stars, wrapped in each other’s arms. They spent the night talking and loving each other. Helene was content. She was with her love once again, only this time she knew exactly how important she was to him. She also knew she had nothing to fear. Dougall would never abandon her. Theirs was a partnership that was made stronger by the adversity they’d been through. She’d learned so much over this difficult time, but in the end, it had been worth it
Epilogue
“Oh, Dougall, ’tis a beautiful place,” Helene exclaimed. Their home was finally finished and she couldn’t have hoped for a more perfect place. They’d married upon their return to Breaghacraig and at that time, Helene didn’t believe she could possibly be any happier. But now, gazing at their home, the home they’d built together, she found her happiness had increased tenfold. The MacKenzies had worked hard to help Dougall and they, along with the clan craftsmen, built it in record time. Helene, with a little help from Ashley, Jenna and Irene did all of the decorating. She was pleased that Dougall seemed to understand how important it was to her to have a voice in their lives together. He’d been happy with her decisions on their furnishings, complimenting her on her good taste in everything she’d chosen and made.
Dougall proudly gazed at their manor. “Do ye think ye’ll be happy here with me, Helene?”
“Aye, ye silly man. I love ye. I’d be happy anywhere ye were.”
His smile warmed Helene’s heart. She took his hand and the two of them walked through the doors of their new home together. She imagined what it would be like with bairns running from room to room, while she did all of the things she had watched Irene do at Breaghacraig. She wanted her home to be just like the castle she’d live in since childhood.
“Come, let’s see the rest.” It was their first time walking through their new home since everything had been completed. Dougall led her from room to room and each was better than the last. The final door they entered brought them into their bed chamber.
Helene gasped. “Oh, Dougall! I cannae believe me eyes.” The bed was as grand as Laird and Lady MacKenzie’s bed at Breaghacraig. It was quite large, with four posts and a wooden canopy atop it. Curtains hung at each post and the bed was covered with furs to keep them warm. A hearth was positioned on the wall opposite the bed.
“The furnishings ye chose on yer trip to Edinburgh with the ladies, finally arrived. I wished to surprise ye. I instructed the men to place everything exactly where ye wished. I hope ‘tis to yer liking.”
Happy tears fell from her eyes and Dougall brushed them away. “’Tis perfect.”
Excited voices could be heard coming from downstairs. “Dougall! Helene!” It was Ashley and from the sounds of it the rest of the MacKenzies had joined her.
They hurried down the stairs to greet their friends, who came bearing food and drink. “We wanted to help you celebrate your new home,” Ashley said.
“I couldnae keep her away another minute,” Cailin added.
“Come in. Come in.” Excitement shone in Helene’s eyes. These were her first visitors. She gazed at Dougall who watched her with a look of admiration on his face.
“Everything is so beautiful, Helene,” Irene said. “The things we picked out in Edinburgh are perfect. Dinnae ye think.”
“Aye. Come let’s show them th
e rest.”
Dougall led the group through the house, where they stopped and admired everything from the furniture to the rugs, complimenting Helene on her choices and Dougall on the construction.
Returning downstairs they were greeted by Wee Robert and the other children, who had been picking flowers and presented Helene with an enormous and colorful bouquet. “’Tis fer ye, Helene with good wishes fer yer new home,” Wee Robert said, sounding much like his father.
“Shall we eat,” Cormac said.
Helene couldn’t help but laugh as Jenna poked him in the ribs and eyed him with an arched brow.
Dougall led the way to the dining room, where there were enough seats around the table for everyone. The food was laid out along with pitchers of ale and everyone helped themselves. Laughter and happy voices could be heard long into the evening and when everyone had finally gone home, Dougall and Helene basked in the glow of the fire crackling in their hearth.
“I’m so happy,” Helene said. She was happier than she could ever remember being in the entirety of her life. “Will it always be like this?”
“I believe it will,” Dougall answered, taking the opportunity to gaze deeply into her eyes. “I love ye, Lady MacRae. Ye made me the happiest man on earth the day ye became me wife..”
“I love ye, Dougall. I’m proud to call ye husband.”
Dougall took her in his arms. Helene kissed him with all the love she had in her heart. Salty, sweet tears of joy ran down both their faces and mingled together on their lips. They both had the love they’d wanted all along, the love they waited for and the love that would last a lifetime.
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Acknowledgments
Thank you to my editor, Jen Graybeal for your helpful insight in editing this book.
A big thank you also goes to Sheri McGathy, of Cover Art by Sheri, for the beautiful cover design for A Turn In Time.
Thanks to my family and friends for your support and encouragement throughout this process.
And thank you to you, my readers. Without you none of this would be possible.
About the Author
Jennae Vale is a best selling author of romance with a touch of magic. As a history buff from an early age, Jennae often found herself day-dreaming in history class - wondering what it would be like to live in the places and time periods she was learning about. Writing time travel romance has given her an opportunity to take those daydreams and turn them into stories to share with readers everywhere.
Originally from the Boston area, Jennae now lives in the San Francisco Bay area, where some of her characters also reside. When Jennae isn’t writing, she enjoyed spending time with her family and her pets, and daydreaming, of course.
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Also by Jennae Vale
THE THISTLE & HIVE SERIES
Book 1 A Bridge Through Time
Book 2 A Thistle Beyond Time
Book 3 Separated By Time
Book 4 A Matter of Time
Book 4.5 A Thistle & Hive Christmas
THE MACKALLS OF DUNNET HEAD
Book 1 Her Trusted Highlander
A HIGHLANDER IN VEGAS