Dreams Of The Highlander

by Sarah Hoss

  A few minutes passed when Alexander heard a horse whinny off in the distance. Gideon and Heather answered. He stood to see who was coming up the road. Hamish waved at him from his wagon. Upon closer inspection, he noticed Margaret and the kids were with him. Looking over at Marlana near the bench, he wondered if she had noticed them yet. What was he going to do now? His sister would have questions. What kind of answers would he give? He could only hope that they may not have spotted her. She was already at the door of the house and they were still a good ways away. What was Hamish thinking in bringing Margaret and the kids with Marlana here?

  Jogging to the house, he met her at the door. Taking her by the elbow, he ushered her inside and to the window. “My family is coming.”

  Marlana smiled, turning to peer out the window. “How exciting. Do you want me to make enough supper to include them?”

  She peered at him eagerly and he hated to disappoint her. “Nay, I’m going to speak to them, then send them home.” He frowned and peeked out the window, trying to judge how much time he had.

  “Alex, you can’t do that. Why don’t you want to see them?” She leaned over to peer out the window, bringing their faces mere inches from each other. She was oblivious to anything but the coming company. Marlana’s smile grew and he loved how her face lit up when she gave herself over to emotion. She was eager to meet others. Should he allow this to happen?

  “What am I supposed to tell them about ye? I canna explain who ye are or where ye come from.” He ran his hand through his hair and glanced back out the window.

  “If Margaret finds ye here, I will never hear the end of it.”

  “Is that what you are afraid of, a little teasing?”

  Alexander turned his head sharply when he heard her giggle.

  “Really, Alex, you can be so silly.”

  He reached out and grabbed her by the arms, turning her toward him. “This isna a game, Marlana, and I will not have my sister saying anything or telling me she told me so.” He let go when he saw the distress on her face. “I haven’t made love to anyone since my wife died. I doona tup for the fun of it.” He looked back out the window. “But that is beside the point. I still canna explain who ye are.”

  “I see. You are upset that she might think you have taken a mistress. Do I have the right of it?” She tilted her head to the side, her brows furrowed in hurt and sadness. “Best to hide me from the world so you don’t have to explain me to anyone, right?” She rubbed her arms where he had grabbed her. “Easier to save your wounded pride than to possibly help me get home. Well, I’ll just make it easy on you and hide away in the bedroom like a lowly slave. I swear I won’t make a peep, and save your precious reputation.”

  She bowed before him, then left him standing in the kitchen, slamming the door to the bedroom.

  He sighed. She had no idea of the things he’d done to try and get her home. Maybe he should have told her about his asking around. As for time travel, he didn’t have the first idea on what to do. How could he tell her that and not look the fool?

  He turned his head when he heard them approach. What a mess he’d gotten himself into. What was he going to do?

  He walked outside to the wagon and lifted Cathal out of his mother’s lap. Fiona started squealing from the seat next to her. Alexander laughed.

  “Ye must have patience, lass.”

  “Me next, Uncle.”

  Fiona sat in between her mother and uncle, grinning at him, eagerly waiting for him to pick her up. He helped Margaret out of the wagon and handed the boy to her. Turning back, he lifted Fiona from her seat to toss her into the air. Laughter rang out as he repeated this.

  “Ye have grown, wee one. Soon I willna be able to do this anymore.” He stood her on the ground and ruffled her hair.

  She stared up at him with total admiration in her eyes. “I doona care. When I get big enough, I’m going to marry ye,” she said as she ran off into the barn, pulling a carrot from the pocket of her dress.

  He laughed as he watched her leave. “Looks like I’m in trouble.”

  “It will pass as they always do,” Margaret said, patting him on the cheek. “I do say, for a first love, she could have done worse.” She shied away from him laughing, as he went to grab at her. Hamish finished tying the horses to the fence post and joined them.

  “So what brings ye all the way out here?” Alexander hugged his brother, patting him hard on the back.

  “Ye doona live so far away that we canna come for a visit.” Hamish slapped him on the shoulder.

  “Well, it’s glad I am that ye came. Ye’re welcome anytime. Where is Callum?”

  “Sandy is ready to foal. Since she is small and it’s her first, Callum’s been staying close. When I heard Hamish was coming here, I asked if we could come along.” Margaret reached down to straighten Cathal’s jacket.

  He looked over at Margaret, then leaned in to whisper to Hamish. “I need to talk to ye before we go inside.”

  The expression on his face must have been serious, because Margaret and Hamish both stepped a little closer to him. Margaret automatically put her hand on Cathal’s back, as to shield him. “What is it?”

  “Och, nothing bad to be sure.” Alexander peered at his brother as if willing him to understand. To see what was in his mind.

  Deciding that he had to trust Hamish and Margaret, Alexander began to talk. “Ye will remember my telling ye of the dreams I’ve had?”

  “Aye, I do.” Margaret moved closer to Hamish, bumping her elbow into him. Hamish glanced down and smiled, then shook his head. Margaret turned back to Alexander. He watched the by-play, scratched his cheek, and resumed talking.

  “Well, I want to know first what ye think of them.”

  “I doona know what to make of them. Maybe they have something to do with Mairi’s death.” Hamish cocked his head as he studied him.

  Alexander flinched. That thought had crossed his mind a time or two—up until the day he woke and found Marlana in his house.

  Margaret slapped at her brother and gave him a hard glare. “Have ye no sympathy? To be talking that way to him.” She glanced over to Alexander. “I am not saying that his answer couldna be the one, I just think he should have been nicer about it. May I say what I think?”

  “Aye.”

  Margaret sent Cathal on his way so he could run and play. “Ye mind yourself now.” She watched him chase his sister for a moment, then returned her gaze to Alexander.

  “As for yer dreams, I think they’re about the woman in the dreams and not about Mairi.”

  He shifted his feet and crossed his arms over his chest. “How do ye know that?”

  Margaret laid both of her hands on his arms. “I think if it had been about Mairi, then ye would have remembrance dreams of her, things done in your time together. But ye’ve been having them for a year, maybe less, and never of her. I also think they are of this mystery girl because the dream repeats itself. There is a message here for ye to get. How do ye feel when ye wake up?”

  He sighed and shifted his feet again. He heard the children’s laughter and turned to watch them as they played in front of the house. When he started to turn back to his brother, it wasn’t the kids that caught his eye. Marlana had been peeking through the curtains, but ducked back in when he saw her. Talking to Hamish and Margaret was the right thing to do.

  He focused on Margaret’s question. “I feel as if I know her. I feel sad that I canna help her. That’s all I seem to want to do, is help her.”

  “Then that is what ye shall do when the time comes.”

  He ran his hand through his hair and chuckled. “That’s the thing.” He shifted his feet again, putting his hands on his hips. “She’s here.”

  The look of surprise that crossed their faces was priceless. They glanced at each other, trying t
o process this information, then stared at him, waiting for more. Hamish searched around as if Marlana would suddenly materialize outside.

  “Where is she?” Margaret asked.

  “She’s in the house. I had all intentions of sending ye home. This made her angry, saying I was hiding her. She went into the bedroom.”

  “Are ye?”

  He looked sharply at Margaret, then shifted his eyes away. “Maybe ...” He shook his head, then stared at the ground, searching for answers. “When it comes to her, there is a lot of explaining to do and I doona have all the answers.” He grunted. “Damn, I doona have any answers.”

  Hamish pointed toward the house. “Ye mean the woman ye had me keep an eye on is the woman from yer dreams?”

  “Aye.”

  Margaret smiled, “Can we meet her or do ye plan to tease us, then send us on our merry way?”

  Hamish kept shaking his head. “I canna believe it. A year we have talked of this, and now ye say she is here. I have so many questions.”

  “So do I.” Alexander said.

  He motioned for them to follow him. Hesitating just a second before he opened the door, he walked in and indicated for them to sit at the table. After offering them a drink, he went to the bedroom door, took a deep breath, and knocked.

  “Marlana?”

  When she didn’t answer, he slowly opened the door and went in, closing it behind him. He walked over to where she sat on the bed and stopped in front of her, but she refused to look at him.

  “I’m sorry for fighting with ye earlier. Ye were right. I shouldn’t hide ye away. But ye must understand that we are going to have to come up with a plan when it comes to talking about who ye are. Anyone learns the truth, and there will be hell to pay.” He squatted down in front of her. “Look at me, please.”

  Marlana brushed the hair out of her face and did as he asked.

  “These are precarious times. They’ll brand ye a witch and if that was to ever happen, I couldna save you. Do ye understand?”

  She nodded. Had he sent his family home? She laced her fingers together and rubbed her thumbs over each other.

  “I told my brother and sister about ye. They are outside and want to meet ye.”

  She gasped. Never in her wildest dreams did she think he would do it. What would she say to them? What would they think of her? She straightened and started wiping the tears from her face.

  “I must look a mess. I can’t go out there like this.” She tried to smooth out her clothes and ran her fingers through her hair, trying to give it a quick brush.

  “Ye are beautiful. It’ll be fine, come now.”

  Her heart soared at hearing him call her beautiful, but it didn’t replace the fear of meeting his family. She said a silent prayer, asking that she didn’t embarrass herself. She needed someone else on her side right now.

  Grabbing the hand he held out for her, she announced she was ready to go. He tucked a lock of hair behind her ear and smiled. How could he be so handsome? When he acted this way, her heart melted. She tried to smile for him, but it was weak.

  “Ye look like a lamb being led to the slaughter. Breathe.” He then demonstrated by taking big deep breaths. She did as he instructed and it helped a little, she didn’t feel as dizzy.

  “I feel like a lamb being led to the slaughter. Oh Alex, now that I think about it ...“She shook her head in indecision. “... I’m not sure I can do this. I may puke.” She let out an unsteady breath.

  Laughing, he took her hand and led her out the door.

  Peeking out from behind him, the first thing she saw was his family sitting at the table waiting, watching. All eyes were on Alex and her. Even the kids were not moving, just staring. How could she have been so eager to meet them before? She could feel the butterflies take wings in her stomach. She squeezed Alex’s hand and he returned the gesture. A few seconds passed before Alex finally spoke.

  “I would like to introduce to ye Marlana Crawford.” He stepped away just a little so they could see her better, but he didn’t let go of her hand and for that, she was grateful.

  “Marlana, ye know my brother, Hamish.” Hamish stood and gave her a sweeping bow. He was just as handsome as Alexander and the bow made her feel like a lady. He wore a kilt with a loose gray shirt that sported a V-neck.

  “My lady,” he said. He was such a charming man and she’d never been treated like this before, her smile grew bigger and she nodded, whispering her thanks.

  Hamish took over the introductions. “May I introduce our sister, Margaret?”

  Margaret grinned. “It’s nice to make yer acquaintance. These are my children, Fiona and Cathal.”

  “Your family is lovely. Thank you for the warm welcome.” Her face ached from all of the smiling and she was relieved to see that their greetings were genuine. What started out as a nervous gesture was now very real. Her nerves were calming down some.

  Fiona escaped from her mother’s side to approach. “Ye’re pretty and I like yer name.” Her big, gray eyes held such innocence. Marlana squatted down. Fiona wore a dress of tan and a sash of Macpherson tartan that crossed over her shoulder.

  “I like your name, too. It sounds very grown up.” Marlana reached out to touch her hair as it lay in Shirley Temple curls down over her shoulders. The color was like her uncle’s, black as the midnight sky on a moonless night. Fiona reached out to Marlana, wanting to be held and Marlana looked at her mother, not quite sure what to do. When Margaret nodded her approval, Marlana swept her into her arms and stood.

  “Why, you’re a big girl.”

  Fiona giggled.

  Alexander led Fiona and Marlana to the table, then he pulled out a seat for her. She took it and set Fiona on her lap. An uneasy quiet fell over the room. No one was sure where to begin, what to say or do.

  “I was beginning to fix supper. Would you like to stay for the meal?” She glanced over at Alex and he nodded his head in approval.

  “That would be lovely,” Margaret said, smiling. “If ye doona mind, I would like to help, that will give us a chance to talk.”

  Dinner went well and Marlana took a deep breath. Everyone enjoyed the food and she learned a lot from Margaret on cooking. They made one of Alexander and Hamish’s favorite meals and the men seemed pleased with themselves. While she and Margaret cooked, they never once discussed anything pertaining to her situation. She knew those questions would come when everyone was together at the end of the meal. Margaret was very friendly and made her feel comfortable, which made her miss Lilly and Victoria. How she wished she had girlfriends around to sit and gab with. Things were so screwy right now, she needed to vent.

  After clearing away the dishes, she brought out dessert. When everyone was settled and eating, Alexander nodded at Marlana. She shrugged, nodded. She was as ready as she ever would be to tell a tale. Though they had never discussed anything, she knew what she was going to say. She had a lie all made up and ready to go.

  “I’m sure ye are wondering as to details about Marlana,” he said as he glanced over at her. “She’s from America. She was sent over here to holiday when her people were lost to her. Now she’s here alone. She stumbled on this house thinking it looked familiar.”

  What Alexander said surprised her. He simply told the truth that ventured off the path just a hair. Time travel was the only thing left out.

  Hamish asked the first question. “So ye have no family here? What about back home?”

  “No, sir. My parents passed away over a year ago in an accident and I’m an only child. There’s no one back home for me.” God that sounded pitiful. She glanced away for a second, trying to stay the tears, then smiled when she felt Alexander’s hand rest on her arm. The smile must have looked as weak as it felt, but there it was anyways.

  “Whom, may I ask, did ye come here with?”
>
  How did she tell them she came here alone? She stared at Alexander.

  “She was sent here to join her friends with a chaperone. They were not able to make the journey after all. Her chaperone died of an apoplexy and because that left her alone, she was then robbed of her funds. That is why she does not go back home right away.”

  She couldn’t take her eyes off him. He was smooth and quick-witted. Everything he said could have actually happened.

  Margaret’s brows furrowed, she was thinking very hard on something. Searching both of their faces, she asked, “Maybe that is the reason for the dreams?”

  Alexander’s face went from surprise to anger, then showing nothing at all. Margaret peered down at her foot, then at her brother. She seemed confused. Had she said something she wasn’t supposed to?

  “What dreams?” Marlana peered around the room at everyone, finally settling on Alexander. “What dreams?”

  “I, too, have had dreams. It’s no big deal.”

  “I’m confused. You’ve had dreams? For how long?”

  “A year.”

  “What are the dreams about, Alex?” She bit her lip, waiting.

  He regarded his brother, then peered back at her. She wished she knew what he was thinking. Something told her that his answers would change her life, which was why she had to ask the question again. But did she really want to hear the answer?

  “Alex, what are your dreams about?” She grew impatient.

  “Ye.”

  She sat, startled. She didn’t know what to think. She studied the room, giving her time to gather her thoughts. When she focused back on them, their faces had grown concerned. She shook her head. Her gaze flickered around the house, taking in all the details that reminded her she was not where she was supposed to be.

  She was supposed to be in Scotland, on vacation in her own time. Not trying to explain herself to strangers in the year 1702. Now, to find out that the one person who has been in her dreams all this time, had been dreaming about her? Why was this happening?