A Thistle & Hive Christmas: Book 4.5 of The Thistle & Hive Series

by Jennae Vale

  Teddy was about to speak when Wee Robert spoke up. “Dinnae blame Teddy. ’Twas my fault. Teddy was tired and he fell asleep. I wanted to see Tonn, so we snuck away without him knowing.”

  “Ye shouldnae have gone without our permission. What if ye’d gotten lost? And ye should never have left here with wee Emma. Do ye ken?” Robert’s stern tone was obviously getting his message across. Wee Robert nodded and gazed down at his feet. “There will be extra chores for ye to do when we return to Breaghacraig, lad.”

  “I’m sorry, Da. I shouldnae have done it.” Wee Robert’s voice began to quiver, but he stood tall and accepted his punishment like the little man he was. “I’m sorry Teddy.” He turned first to Teddy and then to Ashley and Cailin. “I’m sorry I took Emma with me.”

  Cailin pulled him in for a hug. “All is well, ye’ll ken better in the future. This is how we learn.”

  Teddy, who looked as if he’d like to melt into the nearest wall put a hand on Wee Robert’s head. “’Tis alright, lad. I’ll nae hold it against ye.”

  Edna knew Teddy well enough to know that he was still feeling responsible for what happened. “It’s alright, Teddy. It could’ve happened to any one of us.” She tut-tutted around the children, gathering them close and ushering them towards the door to the inn. “Mrs. MacDougall please come in and join us.”

  “I’m afraid I cannae. I must get back home. Marissa my dear, yer welcome to stay with me, if ye like.”

  Edna watched as Marissa and Teddy exchanged glances and she smiled to herself.

  “I’d like that,” Marissa said. “Bye Teddy. It was nice meeting you and the children.”

  Teddy gave a little half wave and the children all waved and shouted, “Bye.”

  Mrs. MacDougall turned the sleigh back towards the stables and as the others watched, she slowly disappeared into the falling snow.

  The children had their dinner and then headed upstairs where Maggie and Dylan took turns reading them Christmas stories. The adults were eating later so they could relax and enjoy some wine and a good meal without the excited chatter of the little ones. Christmas Eve was the following day and they quietly reflected on their time here in Glendaloch.

  Edna was on the phone with some last minute invitations and Angus was helping Dylan bring dinner to the table.

  “Dylan, this looks amazing!” Angelina said. “I’m so proud of you. I didn’t know you wanted to be a chef.”

  “Neither did I. It just sort of found me and I’m happy it did.”

  Bottles of wine were opened and everyone happily dug into their food. Hot homemade bread was passed, along with butter. The aroma was causing mouths to water.

  Edna returned with a huge smile on her face. “We’ll have some extra company with us tomorrow night.” She glanced Teddy’s way before continuing. “Frances and Marissa will be joining us.” She was thrilled with Teddy’s reaction, subtle though it was, she could see how happy it made him. “I also invited Dr. Ferguson.” Lady Catherine’s face lit up at this, although she too tried to hide her excitement.

  “It’s going to be a great celebration,” Ashley said. Edna was happy she was more relaxed since seeing Dr. Ferguson.

  “Edna ye and Angus have been a most gracious host and hostess. Thank ye so much for inviting us all.” Robert raised his glass of wine. “I’d like to make a toast.”

  The others all picked up their glasses and waited to hear what Robert would say. “To old friends and new. To family. To love. Sláinte!”

  The others all replied in kind and then drank from their glasses.

  Maggie leaned in to whisper to Dylan. “I think they like the food. It’s so quiet.” And since it was so quiet, everyone heard her and they all laughed and complimented Dylan on the delicious dinner.

  Chapter 13

  Christmas Eve

  “Granny, can we open our presents tonight?” Rowan pleaded. He’d been eyeing the pile of gifts under the tree ever since he’d arrived downstairs with his brother.

  “Ye’ll have to wait until tomorrow morning,” Edna responded.

  “Why Granny? Just one.” He placed his hands palms together in a praying motion in front of his chest.

  “Rowan, leave yer Granny alone.” Ewan was inspecting all the packages set under the tree himself.

  “Ma, perhaps we can do what we did when I was a little girl.” Lena put a hand on each of her sons.

  “Ye were a little girl, Ma?” Ranald asked.

  “Yes, I was. What do ye think, Ma?” She looked to Edna, awaiting her answer.

  “I think we can do that. Alright boys, if ye are good wee ones and ye eat all yer dinner, ye can open one gift tonight. Only one though, ye ken?”

  “Us, too?” Wee Robert chimed in.

  “Yes, all of ye.”

  The children jumped up and down their little faces filled with excitement.

  “I believe ye’ve made them all verra, verra happy,” Angus said.

  “Aye. I’m a powerful one, I am.” Edna laughed and then turning away from the tree addressed the adults. “Ye will have to wait until tomorrow morning, and I’ll nay hear another word about it. Ewan, I’m talking to ye.” Edna winked at Lena.

  The door to the inn opened and Marissa and Frances walked in. Edna noted that Teddy sat up a little straighter in his seat when he saw them.

  “Hi! Merry Christmas!” Marissa waved at everyone. “Hi, Teddy.”

  He waved back and gazed awkwardly in her direction. He was quite a shy one, but Edna thought if anyone could change that, it might be this adorable American lass.

  The door opened again and this time Dr. Ferguson came in, followed by the Calhouns. “I’m so sorry I’m late. I got wrapped up in some paperwork and completely lost track of time.”

  “Yer not late, Arthur. Welcome Daniel and David. We were just about to sit down to eat. Come everyone, take yer seats.”

  Angus had put several of the dining room tables together to make one very long one. Maggie had decorated the table with festive greenery and ribbons. The Christmas themed dinnerware added to the holiday feeling, with red and green plaid napkins in the shape of Christmas trees, placed on each setting. Candles were lit all along the center of the table and plates of delicious food were set within easy reach of the guests.

  Dylan was pretty pleased with himself. He’d made many traditional Scottish dishes, including steak pie and roast goose. Vegetables were also in abundance, with many different ones to choose from to please everyone’s taste. The guests happily passed platters of food down the table, with the parents, along with some help from the others, filling their children’s plates before taking their own food. He smiled, happy that he had a hand in tonight’s celebration. “How is it?” he asked Maggie as she took her first bite of the steak pie.

  “Mmm…” she managed through a mouthful of food.

  “Dylan, ye’ve done it again, lad. Delicious. We’ll nae miss John when he leaves us.” Angus had piled his plate high with all of his favorites.

  “Thank you, Angus. It means a lot to me,” Dylan replied.

  “Aside from the fact that Dylan has made our Maggie so verra happy, we love having him here with us. He is a gem.” Edna spoke to everyone at the table. “Shall we all raise our glasses to toast him?”

  Everyone stopped what they were doing and picked up the glasses of champagne that had been set before them. The children had sparkling cider in their glasses and they felt very grown up being able to join in with the adults.

  “A toast to a good man. A man who has made our lives much easier by his mere presence. And to a man who is a damn fine cook. To Dylan.” Angus made the toast and then glasses were clinked all around as the others nodded in agreement.

  Dylan felt good about his life here in Glendaloch. He felt loved and appreciated and he’d learned that he was so much more than the surfing football player he’d been back in San Francisco. He liked this much better. He’d found the love of his life and like his cousin Jenna and his friend Ashley, he�
�d found a family and in his mind, nothing could be better.

  Maggie was so proud of Dylan. He’d gone above and beyond to make this Christmas Eve celebration special for everyone. The food was delicious, for which she was thankful. She wasn’t much of a cook and had never truly been interested, so having a husband who cooked delicious meals every day was a dream come true.

  “Maggie, how’s Witchcraft 101 coming along,” Jenna asked, using the term she’d heard Maggie call it in the past.

  “You’re a witch?” Marissa asked, a look of wonder on her face.

  “Aye. So is me Auntie Edna.” She smiled warmly at Marissa, who still appeared to be wrapping her brain around what she’d just heard. Maggie turned her attention back to Jenna. “Well, I think I’m in the advanced class now, wouldnae ye say, Auntie?”

  “Aye. I think I’ve taught ye just about all that I ken. Ye no longer need me help. Yer a full-fledged witch, my dear.” Edna beamed with pride.

  “Coming from ye, that’s high praise.” Maggie’s eyes twinkled with unshed tears of happiness. “I don’t know if I’ll ever get that meddling thing down that ye do so well.”

  “I’m a proud meddler, although I prefer to be called a matchmaker. The proof is right here at my dining table. My meddling… I mean my matchmaking has brought together most of the couples here tonight.”

  “I doubt that yer done though.” Maggie glanced down the table at Teddy and Marissa who were engaged in a very animated conversation. “If ye ken my meaning.”

  “Aye. Verra observant of ye. I’ve more up me sleeve, but I’ll nae speak of it now.” Edna took a sip of her champagne. “Marissa, my dear. What brings ye to Glendaloch?”

  Marissa looked up from her conversation with Teddy. “I’m here doing research for a book I’m writing.”

  “A book! How exciting! We’ve a famous author at our table.” Edna raised her glass in Marissa’s direction.

  “Not famous at all, actually. This is my first book.”

  “What’s it about?”

  “Well, it’s funny you should ask.” Marissa hesitated for a moment before speaking again. “It’s about a witch who helps people travel back in time.”

  Everyone stopped talking at once and glanced at each other.

  “Did I say something wrong?”

  “Nay. Of course not, dear. I’m sure ye’ll laugh when I tell ye that everyone here has time travelled, with the exception of Teddy, Arthur, Frances and the Calhouns.”

  It was Marissa’s turn to be silent. As a matter of fact, she looked like she might faint. Teddy grabbed hold of her hand, worry etching his brow.

  “You’re teasing me, aren’t you?” Marissa sat up a bit taller and took a deep breath.

  “Nae. I’m verra serious.”

  “I’m sorry. I’m having a hard time understanding. You mean to tell me that I came here to Scotland to research a time travel romance and I somehow stumbled upon two witches and a time travelling family.”

  “Aye.” Edna knew it would take time for this to sink in, but she wasn’t worried. She knew Marissa would eventually be more than fine with it.

  “Is this true, Mrs. MacDougall?”

  Frances had been eating her dinner and apparently doing her best not to get involved in this conversation. “Aye. I’m afraid so.”

  “Wow! I’m at a total loss for words and yet I have so many questions.”

  “Dinnae worry yerself. I’ll answer any questions ye need answered and on the day after Christmas when everyone goes back to their own time, ye’ll see how ’tis done. Maybe ye can put it in yer book.”

  “If you’ll excuse me, I think I need some fresh air.” Marissa stood, practically knocking her chair over in the process. Teddy steadied it and followed her as she headed outside, where the others watched as she paced back and forth in front of the window, with Teddy following along behind her.

  “She’ll be fine. ’Twas simply a shock to her system,” Edna said. “Please, go back to yer meals. Children, dinnae shovel yer food into yer mouths. Take yer time. Ye’ll have to wait until we’re all done eating before ye can open yer gifts.”

  There was a collective grumble from the children as they pouted their disappointment.

  “Dinnae fear, we’ll be done eating in another hour or two,” Edna teased.

  “Granny!” Rowan exclaimed, causing the adults to burst into laughter.

  “Rowan, my darling, we’ll finish our dinner and then before we have dessert, we’ll give ye each a gift to open. How does that sound?”

  “I’m done,” Ranald shouted.

  Edna checked around the table. The children sat at attention, waiting. The adults were all smiling and nodding their heads. “Alright. Follow me and I’ll give ye yer gift from Angus and I.”

  The children stood and ran to Edna who led them to the tree. She picked out two large boxes, almost as tall as Ranald and Rowan. “This is a gift for ye to share.” The children appeared disappointed by this. “Ye’ll see. ’Twill be far more fun when ye play with each other.”

  Rowan and Ranald tore into the wrapping paper, their little faces lit with anticipation. Wee Robert took charge of the MacKenzie children’s package. When they’d finally gotten the paper off and had opened the box, they found hand carved castles populated by little tiny wooden people.

  “’Tis beautiful,” Fiona said. “Did ye make it?” She looked to Angus, who Edna noted stood proudly watching how happy he’d just made six little children.

  “Aye. Do ye like it?” he asked.

  “Aye. We love it.” Wee Robert said.

  “Angus you outdid yourself this time,” Ashley said. “That is amazing.”

  “They’ll have many happy years playing with it,” Irene added. “Thank ye so verra much, Angus.” She stood and went to him, throwing her arms around him and planting a kiss on his cheek.

  The children were enthralled and played happily on the floor. The adults picked up their conversations where they’d been left off. Edna’s gaze scanned the table and she knew it was time to exit to the kitchen. “I’ll go get more champagne.”

  “I’ll get it, Edna,” Dylan volunteered.

  “Nae. Ye sit and enjoy yerself. Ye’ve done enough this evening.” She went through the kitchen doors, where she waited patiently. It wasn’t long before the kitchen door opened and Cailin walked in.

  “Edna, may I have a word with ye?” he asked.

  “I was expecting ye, lad. What troubles ye? Although I believe I already ken the answer.”

  “’Tis Ashley. She wishes to stay here in Glendaloch.”

  “And ye dinnae wish to?”

  “Nae, but I would stay for Ashley. I want her to be happy and I want her to stop worrying about Emma.”

  “I understand. Won’t ye miss yer brother and sister?”

  “Aye. I will.” His head was bowed momentarily, but when he looked up at Edna she could see determination in his eyes. “Ashley is me wife and I love her more than life itself. I’ve been watching her suffer every day since Emma was born. She fears for our daughter’s life and it causes her nothing but grief. I hate to see her this way. She has always been so happy. To see her smile was much the same as seeing the sun shining in the sky, but now it’s as if she’s always behind a very dark cloud. I cannae watch the pain she is in take her away from me. I’d do anything for her, even if it means I must leave me family.”

  “And ye need my help?” Edna was touched by his love and devotion to Ashley. She would help him in any way possible.

  “We’ll need a place to stay until we get settled here. Could we stay here with ye, in the cottage?”

  “Of course. Ye are always welcome in my home. I love ye both as though ye were my own children.”

  “Thank ye, Edna. I’d ask that ye nae say a word. ’Twill be my gift to Ashley. I’ll tell her tomorrow.”

  “As ye wish, Cailin.”

  He turned and left her alone in the kitchen, wondering what she could possibly do to help the situation. She had an
idea. She only hoped it would work.

  Chapter 14

  Christmas Day

  It was still dark when the children scurried downstairs, where Edna sat waiting for them, along with Angus who was thoroughly engrossed in his newspaper. The sun wouldn’t rise for some time. Winter in the highlands meant extremely short days. The candlelight and warmth of the fireplace added a cheery ambience to what might otherwise be a depressing time of year. The fairy lights outside of the inn and up and down the street lent a magical quality to the little village of Glendaloch.

  “Good morning, children!” Edna went to them, wrapping each one in a grandmotherly hug. “Why are ye up so early?” she teased.

  The children rolled their eyes,something they’d learned from their time traveling aunties. Edna couldn’t help but laugh. They were a delight and she cherished each and every moment she got to spend with them. It would break her heart to see them leave tomorrow, but she knew that she had the ability to arrange for visits, either in her time or theirs. It was something she planned to do more often now that she had help with the bridge.

  “Do ye nae think ye should wait for yer parents?”

  The children exchanged glances and then shook their heads vigorously.

  Edna chuckled. “Well then, at least wait until I’ve served ye some hot chocolate. Come with me to the kitchen while we get everything we need.”

  The children gazed longingly back at the tree and gifts, but did as requested and followed Edna into the kitchen.

  “Good morning,” Ashley said as she yawned and stretched.

  “Good morning.” Jenna was seated on the sofa, coffee in hand. “I have such a hard time getting used to the fact that it’s eight o’clock in the morning and still dark outside. You think I’d be used to it by now.”

  “I know.” Ashley plopped herself down on the sofa next to Jenna.

  “Is Emma still sleeping?” Jenna asked.

  “She’s all snuggled up with her daddy.”