by Katy Baker
“Let’s begin,” Merith said.
Gretchen answered Merith’s questions. She said the words in all the right places. She spoke clearly, loudly, so that nobody would mistake her enthusiasm. All through the ceremony she gazed up at Ewan. She couldn’t tear her gaze away. He drew her in like a magnet and held her.
Then it was over, Merith was pronouncing them husband and wife and Ewan was picking her up, spinning her around and kissing her deeply, soliciting more cheers from the onlookers.
Gretchen flung her arms around Ewan and pulled him close. “My husband,” she breathed into his ear. “I like the sound of that.”
“My wife,” he replied as though trying the word out. “My love. Thank ye for making my life complete, Gretchen.”
“Through the arch with ye both!” Merith said, stepping back.
Gretchen glanced quizzically at Ewan.
“It’s a Murray tradition that newlyweds step through the archway. It symbolizes the first step on our new life together.”
Gretchen curled her fingers through his, squeezing his hand tight. “Right. Well, come on then.”
Together they stepped forward, passing under the arch of intertwined branches and emerging on the other side.
“Well that wasn’t hard, was it?” she laughed, turning to look at Ewan.
But Ewan wasn’t there.
In sudden alarm, Gretchen spun around. She was standing in the same spot, the archway rising above her, but she was alone. The altar, the guests, the wedding party was gone.
What the hell? She turned in a circle, taking in her surroundings. Behind her, Dun Carrick filled the mouth of the valley but there was no sign of life. The gates stood open and the windows were dark. A gust of wind suddenly blasted down the valley, sending Gretchen’s hair streaming out and squeezing tears from the corners of her eyes, making her squint.
When it died down she saw a small figure standing in front of her, head cocked to one side.
Irene MacAskill.
“You!” Gretchen cried. “What have you done? Where is everyone?”
“Still fond of yer questions, I see,” Irene said jovially. “That’s good. An inquisitive mind. I like that.”
The woman looked exactly the same as the last time Gretchen had seen her – seeming old beyond measure but somehow young at the same time. Her skin was wrinkled, her hair as white as bleached bone but her eyes sparkled with life. She was wearing a dress made from the Murray plaid and had a brooch in the shape of a deer pinned to her lapel.
“And you’re still fond of not answering my questions!” Gretchen snapped. “Where is everyone? Where have you taken me?”
Irene MacAskill tapped her nose conspiratorially. “It’s not the where that matters. It’s the when.”
“What do you mean?”
“Look around ye, lass. Nothing’s changed. Ye are in the same place but a different time.”
Gretchen looked around. The place looked like Dun Carrick but it was empty, devoid of life, and there was an odd feel to the atmosphere, as if everything had just...stopped.
“We’re outside of time,” she breathed, as understanding dawned on her.
“Aye,” Irene MacAskill nodded. “That we are. The question is: which time do ye wish to return to?”
“What do you mean?”
“Surely yer friend Darcy told ye that there is always a choice to be made? I dinna have the power to choose for ye. Ye made the choice to come here, to this time. Ye need to make the choice whether to remain or to return to yer own time. What will it be?” She smiled up at Gretchen, hands clasped in front of her.
“You mean I could go home if I wanted? Just like that? But what about everyone here?”
“They’d forget ye. Just as ye’d forget them.”
Forget them? Forget Darcy, Amy, Isabelle?
Forget Ewan?
Never.
Gretchen shook her head. “No. I can’t do that. I won’t. I want to stay.”
Irene MacAskill frowned at her. “Are ye sure, lass? When ye make that choice, there’s no going back.”
Gretchen hesitated. She knew she belonged here. It felt so right. And yet... Her mom would miss her. Her friends and colleagues would miss her. How could she abandon them?
She turned to look at Irene. “When I came here, you said I could avert a disaster. You sent me here to stop the clan war between the MacFarlanes and the Murrays. Why? What do you care about such things?”
Irene narrowed her eyes. “Ah, ye are a perceptive one, lass. Many time-lines hung in the balance at this moment. Many futures would be decided by the outcome of events. Not least the fate of yer friend Darcy’s bairn. There are great things in that child’s future. Great things for Scotland. I couldnae let that be jeopardized.” She stepped forward and laid a hand on Gretchen’s arm. “Ye did well, lass. Better than I could have hoped. The future is safe, thanks to ye.”
“And to Ewan,” Gretchen corrected. “None of this would have happened without him.”
“Aye, I know it. Which is why he was given his choice as well.”
“His choice? You’ve spoken to him?”
“Did ye think ye were the only one caught up in this? Nay, lass. I needed both of ye to pull this off. So Ewan had a choice too. To forget all about ye or to risk his heart on a lass that might leave him to return to the future. Do ye know what he chose?”
“Me,” Gretchen whispered. “He chose to remember, even if that meant losing me. So he knows? He knows I’m from another time?”
Irene MacAskill nodded. “He does. He’s made his choice. Now the both of ye are waiting on yers.”
Gretchen bit her lip. She really had no decision to make at all. It was made the minute she fell head-over-heals for Ewan Murray. But still she hesitated.
“My mom,” she breathed. “How can I leave her? We’ve never been exactly close but even so, I can’t just disappear. She’ll go frantic.”
“Would ye like to talk to her?” Irene asked. “Say goodbye?”
“I could do that?” Gretchen said, a spike of excitement going through her.
Irene didn’t answer. Instead she clasped the deer brooch attached to her lapel and the scene around them swirled. The Highlands disappeared and Gretchen found herself and Irene standing in the lobby of a large, glass-walled building. People hurried by on all sides but they looked muted, as though Gretchen was watching them through a pane of misty glass.
“This is my mom’s office building,” Gretchen said, looking around. “But I’m guessing we’re still outside of time.”
The doors opened and a woman strode through. She was tall and slim, wearing a sharp business suit and high-heels that clicked on the polished floor.
Unexpected emotion suddenly welled up inside Gretchen. “Mom?”
Her mom halted and looked around for a moment, her eyes sweeping over the spot where Gretchen stood but obviously not seeing her. She headed towards the elevator. Gretchen hurried after her.
“Mom? Can you hear me?”
She hesitated again. Then she dug into her bag and pulled out her cell phone, pressing it to her ear.
“Gretchen, darling. Is that you?”
She thinks I’m on the phone, Gretchen thought.
“Yes, Mom. It’s me. “
“Are you all right, darling? You don’t normally call me at work.” She pushed the button to call the elevator, checking her watch and looking distracted.
“I’m fine, Mom,” Gretchen said. “It’s just that I’m...I need to...”
“What is it, darling? I’m late for a meeting.”
Gretchen smiled, despite herself. Her mom hadn’t changed. “Listen, Mom. This is important. I’m calling to say I won’t see you for a while. I’m going away. To Scotland.”
Her mom frowned. “Why on Earth would you want to go there? Is this about your friend, Darcy? I’ve told you before, leave it to the police. Do you really think you can find her when they can’t?”
“That’s just it, Mom. She has be
en found. She’s safe and well and living in Scotland. I’m going to go stay with her for a while.”
“For how long?”
“I don’t know. A while, probably.”
Her mom sighed. “Okay. Fine. You need some money?”
“No, Mom. I don’t need it.”
The elevator beeped and the doors began to slide open. “Okay, honey. Stay safe.”
“I will. Mom? I love you.”
Her mom halted, surprised. “I love you too, darling.”
Then she stepped into the elevator and the call cut off. Gretchen sighed. It was done. She turned back to Irene MacAskill who was watching her patiently.
“Ready?” the old woman asked.
Gretchen took one last look up at the departing elevator then squared her shoulders. “Ready.”
Irene clasped her brooch again. The world lurched, throwing Gretchen forward. She stumbled but somebody caught her arm to stop her from falling.
“Careful,” Ewan said by her side. “Trips through the arch can be treacherous.”
Gretchen righted herself and looked around. She was back at Dun Carrick. Ewan stood in front of her, watching her with a puzzled little smile on his face. The archway was several paces behind them now and through it she could see the wedding guests watching them, waiting for them to lead them back to the keep and the planned festivities. There was no sign of Irene MacAskill.
“I...um...I...” Gretchen mumbled.
“It’s all right, love,” Ewan said. “I was a little disorientated after her visit too. It will pass.”
Gretchen looked up at him, her eyes widening. “She said you know! You know where I’m from!”
“Aye, love. Not at first. Not for a long while. Ye see, Irene MacAskill paid me a call. Told me there was trouble coming but I’d be sent help to fix it. I only had to recognize that help and embrace it. Turns out I couldnae help that last part since I fell hard for ye.” His expression turned serious, worried. “What choice did ye make, love? Whatever it was, I’ll honor it.”
Gretchen’s heart swelled. How had she managed to find such a man? Such a strong, honorable, wonderful man? A man who put her feelings above his own every time? A man who’d sacrifice everything for her?
She reached up and cupped his face in her hands. “I chose you, Ewan. Isn’t that obvious? You really think I could go home and leave all this? Leave you? My heart is here. My life is here. And my home? Well, that’s wherever you are.”
Ewan breathed out slowly as if he’d been holding his breath. He pressed his forehead against hers. “Ye have no idea how relieved I am to hear ye say that, love. Irene MacAskill is a meddler but I thank the Lord that she decided to send ye to me.”
He bent down and kissed her, long and deep. His warm lips against her sent tingles through Gretchen’s body. Her arms went around his neck and he held her tight, pressing her close. Arousal swept through her, making her giddy.
Then a chorus of whooping and cheering brought her back to the present and she broke the kiss, blushing as she glanced at the guests.
“Come on,” Ewan said, taking her hand. “We’ve got celebrations to attend.” He watched her and his eyes were full of desire. In a gruff voice he added, “But the minute we can slip away, I’m going to show ye exactly how glad I am ye stayed, wife.”
Butterflies fluttered in Gretchen’s stomach at the thought. She squeezed his hand as they began walking back towards their guests. “I’ll hold you to that, husband.”
THE CELEBRATIONS WENT on long into the night. Gretchen lost count of the number of people she danced with, the number of toasts made in her honor, the number of gifts placed in front of her. It was wonderful and a little overwhelming. This was more than just a wedding to the clan. It was the sign of a new era, an era of peace for all. Robert and Quinn MacFarlane along with their wives, Rebecca and Darcy, sitting at the head table with Merith, Jenna and Amy was a symbol of that.
So the clan celebrated with reckless abandon and Dun Carrick echoed to the sound of music and laughter as it hadn’t for many a year.
Some time after midnight, Ewan pushed back his chair and looked down at Gretchen.
“That’s it,” he growled. “I canna wait any longer. Come, wife.”
Before Gretchen could protest he bent and picked her up, hoisting her into his arms. Then he turned and strode towards the steps. They were followed by a chorus of cheering and good-natured banter. Gretchen barely heard. All her attention was focused on her new husband.
He carried her up to their chamber, kicking open the door and pushing it shut behind them. Someone had been in to light candles and a soft golden glow lit the sumptuous room.
Ewan lowered her to the floor and pushed her against the wall, his lips finding her neck and kissing hungrily. She sighed as his lips brushed her skin, placing tiny, sensual touches along the curve between her neck and shoulders that sent goose bumps riding up her arms. She hissed softly. God, it felt so good.
His lips traveled up to her ear, his teeth nipping lightly on the lobe, his tongue circling inside.
Gretchen threw her head back as arousal swept through her, her nipples hardening painfully against the fabric of her wedding dress. She could tell how aroused he was by the hard bulge pressing against her stomach and the sensation of it sent her thoughts into a frenzy. She turned her head, found Ewan’s lips and kissed him deeply, opening her mouth wide and inviting his tongue inside. He obliged. They kissed wildly, passionately, Gretchen tangling her fingers in his hair, Ewan’s hands sliding down her back and pressing her closer.
His fingers found the clasps of her dress and expertly undid them. As the dress came loose, Gretchen stepped out of it, leaving her in only her under garments. The night air had a chill to it that sent dimples across her bare skin.
Ewan’s eyes roved up and down, taking her in. Stepping close, his smooth hands slid down her body, along her sides, round her naval, following the soft contours of her flesh. Gretchen closed her eyes, savoring the thrill of anticipation that raced through her nerves. Ewan tugged at her undergarments, pulling them off and tossing them aside. Then he bent and took her breast into his mouth, his tongue licking and teasing her nipple. She groaned, arching her back as he sucked and a core of fire began to burn in her abdomen.
Ewan’s caressing became stronger, his teeth nibbling her nipple hard enough to elicit a gasp of pain. Gretchen tangled her fingers through his thick hair, loving its soft texture against her skin.
After a moment he growled, grabbed her shoulders and pushed her toward the bed.
She laid back on the soft covers and he bent to kiss her, his lips warm and hungry against hers, his tongue slipping inside to caress her own. She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him back, her nostrils full of his heady aroma. His warm hand moved down her body, exploring her skin, tracing a line of fire up her sides and back down.
Gretchen reached up, grabbed his plaid and untied it. It fell away and pooled on the floor by the bed. The candlelight highlighted the contours of his muscled body, making it almost seem to ripple. She took in his hard, wide, chest, his strong thighs—and his manhood standing rigid.
She swallowed at the sight of it, evidence of how much he wanted her. His desire was matched only by her own.
“Ewan,” she whispered.
She didn’t need to say anymore. With his knees he pushed her legs apart and leaned over her, hands on either side of her head as he stared down at her, his black hair falling forward to frame his face.
His eyes sparkled like emeralds in the candlelight. “Gretchen,” he said, his voice coming out in a throaty whisper. “I love ye with all my heart. Do ye know that?”
Gretchen swallowed against a lump in her throat. “I know it. I feel it every time you look at me.” She reached up and traced the line of his cheek with her thumb. “My husband. My Ewan. Always.”
He closed his eyes and a low moan escaped him. He lowered his hips and Gretchen shifted, tilting up to meet him. The head of his man
hood bumped against her skin, sending tingles of pure delight through her abdomen. Ewan opened his eyes, held her gaze, then thrust hard and deep, entering her in one smooth motion.
Gretchen gasped, her nails digging into the flesh of Ewan’s back. He pulled out and drove in again. Gretchen moaned and wrapped her arms around him, her hands caressing the muscles of his back and down to his hard, tight buttocks.
Still propped on his hands, Ewan watched her with those deep green eyes of his as he slid out and then drove deep into her once more, filling her deeply with each stroke. Gretchen tightened her grip on his buttocks, delighting in the way his muscles contracted as he plunged into her body. As the pleasure began to mount, she tipped her hips up to meet his eager thrusts, moaning deep in her throat.
Ewan lowered himself on top of her. A tingle of electricity shot through Gretchen’s body as his weight settled and his skin touched her, his stomach pressing against hers, the contours of his chest resting against her breasts.
Ewan’s strokes became rougher, deeper, more urgent. Gretchen lifted her legs and wrapped them around his hips, groaning as an ache began to build inside. It spread up through her abdomen into her belly and out into every muscle of her body. She arched her back and raked her fingers down Ewan’s back as pulses of ecstasy started to sizzle through her.
Ewan’s breathing was hot and ragged against her ear. Gretchen screwed her eyes tight shut, losing herself in the sensation of it all. Nothing, nothing, had ever felt this good. She’d never known her body was capable of feeling such things.
She felt on fire. She felt alive.
The waves of ecstasy grew stronger, stronger. She was swept away, lifted high, and then suddenly she went cascading down the other side, crying out as her climax took her.
A moment later Ewan shuddered and they both went spiraling down into bliss together.
They both lay there, tangled and sweaty but eventually Ewan raised himself onto his hands and smiled down at her. He didn’t say anything. He didn’t have to. His look said it all. She gazed back up at him, trying to tell him without words what he meant to her. Ewan rolled onto his back and she rested her head on his shoulder.