by Jennae Vale
The bell above the inn door rang, signaling someone arriving. “I’ll go see who it is,” Maggie said. She opened the office door and then called over her shoulder, “It’s Elle and Hamish.”
“Tell them to join us,” Edna said.
Maggie waved them back to the office. Tina could hear her sister laughing with Hamish and as they came through the door, the look of love on both their faces made her heart happy. It also made her mind up for her. She wanted what they had and if she had to travel back in time to get it, she would. Of course, she was keeping that information to herself. She didn’t want Elle to talk her out of it, or to worry about her.
“Did ye two have fun?” Edna asked, smiling brightly at the happy couple.
“We did,” Elle said. “I love it here.”
“Me, too,” Hamish added. “Scotland is such a different place now. So much has changed, but thank goodness the whisky hasnae.” Hamish chuckled at this before continuing. “I will be glad to get back home. I’ve plans to make a crib for our wee one and cannae wait to get started.”
“I’ve got some news,” Tina said, nervously fidgeting with the arm of the sofa. “I’ve decided to take a vacation. I’m going to stay here in Scotland. Maggie and Dylan have offered to take me on a tour of the Highlands.”
“Oh, that’s wonderful, Tina. You’ve been working so hard on this tour for so long. You deserve a nice vacation.”
“Really? You don’t mind?” She couldn’t help but worry. What if they needed her for something on the trip home.
“Of course not. Why would I mind? I think we can manage to get ourselves home without you.” Elle grasped Hamish’s hand as a soft, sweet smile appeared on her lips. “We’ll be fine. I promise.”
“You’ll explain to Mom and Dad?”
“Don’t worry. I’ll tell them. I’m sure they’ll be happy you’re taking some time for yourself.”
She’d done it. She’d taken the first step. Once Elle and Hamish were gone she’d tell Edna she’d made her decision. A shiver of excitement bubbled up in her and she smiled. She was going to meet her man.
The following afternoon, they saw Elle and Hamish off. She hugged and kissed them both.
“I’m so happy you’re doing this, Tina. You’re glowing. I mean it, I haven’t seen you this happy in ages.”
“I’m really looking forward to it. You two have a safe trip home and take care of my little niece,” she said.
“Nephew,” Hamish said. This was a debate the two of them had been having ever since they found out Elle was pregnant.
“I hope you’re not disappointed when I’m right,” she teased, poking him in the ribs.
He put an arm around Tina’s shoulder, pulling her in to give her a hug. “I’ll miss yer sassy talk,” he said.
Her relationship with Hamish was one filled with teasing jabs at one another, but also genuine love. She had brothers and felt lucky to be close to them, so she never expected Hamish to worm his way into her heart the way he did. They were all very lucky to have him in their lives.
Their limo pulled up to the curb and once everyone said their goodbyes, they were off. Tina felt a sense of freedom as she watched the car drive out of sight. She’d never traveled alone before and she felt those butterflies again, something exciting was happening and she could not wait. Finally, she would be able to go somewhere on her own where no one would think of her as just Elle’s sister. There were a lot of unknown factors, but for once she was willing to just embrace the adventure of it and she was feeling pretty proud of herself.
Turning to Edna, she said, “Let’s talk time travel.”
“Am I hearing ye right, lass? Are ye going to do this?” Edna’s smile revealed she knew all along that Tina would go.
“I am. I’m a little nervous. Damn, who am I kidding? I’m a lot nervous, but I’m also excited.” Her hands were shaking uncontrollably and so she tucked them under her arms.
“You won’t regret it, I promise,” Edna assured her.
“When will I go?” she asked. Now that she’d made up her mind, it couldn’t be soon enough. She had to do it before she changed her mind.
“Tomorrow. We have to get ye some appropriate clothing to wear and I’ll send ye with a basket of goodies for yer hosts. Oh, and some scones for my Wallace. I can’t forget that.” Edna was busy rattling off a never ending list of things Tina would bring with her. Before she knew it, she was following Edna around the little village stopping in stores for treats and snacks for her journey, and a few mystery items as well. When they were out of earshot of other shoppers, Edna would tell her about the bridge and the fog, the castle and some of the residents there. Edna kept up the commentary and then steered them back to the inn with Tina’s head spinning.
When they got back she must have looked a bit dazed because Maggie only shrugged her shoulders and directed her back into the inn where Dylan and Angus were sitting at the bar having an ale. “Can I get ye something to drink, lass?” Angus asked.
“I think I’m going to need something stronger than wine tonight,” Tina said taking a deep breath.
“And why would that be?”
“I’m going to time travel,” she said.
Angus looked from her to his wife. “Edna! What have I told ye?”
“I ken it, Angus, but there’s someone waiting for her. Ye wouldnae deny her the chance at true love, would ye?”
He let out a breath, shaking his head as he went behind the bar and pulled out a cocktail shaker. “Would ye like a martini, lass?”
“Yes, please.”
“I make a good one,” he assured her.
“Good. Extra olives, please?”
“Yer wish is my command,” he said, bowing at the waist.
She liked Angus. They hadn’t had much of a chance to get to know each other, but he had a nice calming effect on her. She imagined he did the same for Edna who seemed a high energy lady. He placed a very large martini on the bar, winking at her as he did.
Tina hoped it was going to relax her enough so she could sleep later.
“Enjoy yer drink. I’m going to prepare yer things for the trip,” Edna said.
“I’m sure ye already know this, but just in case, ye won’t need yer suitcase or yer phone. They’ll be of no use to ye there,” Maggie said.
“Oh, okay,” Tina replied. She hadn’t really thought about the fact that she would be cut off from everything and everyone. “I’m leaving this all up to you and Edna. Whatever you say goes.” That was not how she usually operated and she could feel the panic starting to build inside her. “You know, I’m used to always being the one taking care of everyone else’s travel plans, it’s nice to leave it all to someone else.”
There must have been something off about her voice because Angus reached over and patted her arm kindly, “Edna will take good care of ye lass. There is nothing to worry about.” And just like that, she felt the panic subside. She didn’t know if Angus was magic, too, but there was definitely something calming in the touch of his giant hand.
She raised her glass in a toast and the others did the same. “To time travel.”
Chapter 3
Scotland - 1518
She’d done it. She’d traveled through time, through the fog and now she was seated next to a very happy Wallace.
“Edna said you loved those scones. She asked me to make sure you got them,” Tina said, placing the bag of scones on the wooden bench between them.
“Thank ye, lass. She’s right. I look forward to them with great relish.”
They started off down the path into the surrounding woods. The smell of pine scented trees tickled her nose with their delightful scent. Birds chirped happily from their perches up high and she thought how this wasn’t much different from her own time. She glanced over at Wallace, who despite his clothing looked very real. She wasn’t sure what she had expected him to look like, but his kind eyes and happy smile assured her all would be well. “Did you take my sister to Breaghacraig, Wa
llace?” she asked.
“Nae. Hamish brought her.”
She hadn’t heard that part of their story. She looked around them, wondering if the man she was supposed to meet would be meeting them soon. Edna had said Wallace would take her to Breaghacraig, but hadn’t said when or where she would meet her mystery man. Wallace was friendly enough, but not as chatty as Edna. She thought for a while about a topic they could cover. “Do you do this often?”
“Whenever Edna needs me.” He smiled reassuringly at her.
“How does she get in touch with you?” she asked.
“Through the fire. I cannae say that I’m used to it yet, but ’tis how she communicates with me.”
“When you say through the fire, what do you mean?” she couldn’t even begin to imagine.
“Through my hearth, ye ken.” He said it as if she should know exactly what he was talking about.
“Oh, I see,” she lied.
“Ye’ll see. If she needs to talk to ye, she may do the same.” He continued to guide the cart down the wooded path.
“Wow! I’m glad you told me because otherwise I’d probably freak out.” She thought she probably would anyway. That seemed a crazy way to talk to someone, but wasn’t this whole thing crazy?
“Lass, I dinnae understand the way ye speak. I dinnae ken ‘freak out.’”
Tina laughed. “I guess you wouldn’t. I just mean I’d probably be scared.”
“That I understand and the first time she spoke to me I, as ye say, freaked out.”
She laughed again. He’d put her quite at ease and their journey to Breaghacraig was no longer as scary as she thought it would be when she’d stepped across the bridge. This was definitely doable. She’d just pretend she was vacationing at a medieval theme park. That should help and when she got to Breaghacraig, she’d meet her man and be on her way back home in no time. She settled into her seat and took in the sights. In some ways, the scenery they passed seemed similar to Livermore. Throw in a winery or two and it could be. She wondered what her sister had been thinking as she made this journey. She’d have to remember to ask her when she got back home. She’d told Elle she was going on a tour of the Highlands and so she was. She just hadn’t said what century she’d be touring in.
“Ye seem like a happy lass,” Wallace observed as he drove his horse up to a ground eating trot.
“You know, I am happy. I’m looking forward to seeing what the future holds for me.”
“So ye dinnae ken it?” he asked.
“No. Should I?” Did he know something she didn’t?
“Nae,” he said, not offering anything else.
“Did Edna tell you anything about the man I’m supposed to meet?” she asked. Her curiosity was getting the better of her.
“I’m afraid she didnae.” He just shook his head at her and turned back to the horse.
“Okay. It just kind of sounded like you might know something.” Tina felt the panic wanting to resurface again. She took a deep breath and reminded herself that this was an adventure, she closed her eyes and blew out the breath and felt the panic start to dissipate.
“Lass, as I’ve said. I dinnae ken much of what ye say. I probably misunderstood ye. Now, settle back. We’ve got a long way to go, but dinnae fear I haven’t lost a lass yet.”
Tina tensed up in her seat until she noticed Wallace winking at her. “Wallace! I’m surprised at you!”
He chuckled. “I like ye, lass. I think I’m going to enjoy this.”
The day started off with such promise, as had the day before and the day before that. Those had ended poorly for him, but Donal hoped that today might end differently. The lass in the kitchen was back and she’d agreed to meet him by the postern gate at sunset. If all went well, he’d be exactly where he wished to be, in the arms of a beautiful, buxom red-haired lass. The mere thought of it set his pulse to racing and his kilt to rising. He spun quickly leaning on the well to hide his more than obvious arousal at the thought of Bess… Beth… Oh, what was her name? He nodded to the few passersby who gave him curious stares as he ran names through his head determined to get it right. “Bethia!” he exclaimed out loud, slamming his palm into his forehead. How was it that he couldn’t for the life of him remember it.
“Donal? Did ye call me,” Bethia asked, approaching the well with an empty bucket.
“Och! Aye. Aye. I did.”
She smiled sweetly at him as she lowered her bucket into the well.
“Here. Allow me to help ye with that,” he said. No one would ever accuse him of nae being chivalrous. She moved out of the way as he hoisted the now filled bucket up and set it on the ledge of the well.
“What did ye want?” she asked.
“I wished to tell ye how beautiful ye…” Bethia didnae seem to be listening to him. He was trying to woo her a bit and instead she was glancing towards the gate.
Turning his head to see what was so fascinating, he noted an elderly couple speaking with the guard, who glanced around and upon seeing Donal pointed in his direction.
“Who are they?” Bethia asked, standing so close to his side that his arm brushed her breast.
He fought to control his erection as the couple approached. “I dinnae recognize them,” he said. He turned towards her and his arm again brushed her breast. Tonight was definitely going to be better than the last.
“Are ye Donal?” the elderly man shouted as he got closer.
Donal was startled at the man’s angry tone. He turned to give him his full attention, “Aye,” he answered. He looked from the man to the woman and back not recognizing these people.
“We’ve something for ye,” he said, motioning to the woman who was carrying something.
“For me?” What could it be? He hoped it was something good.
“Aye. ’Tis yers,” the man practically hissed at him.
The woman raised a plaid wrapped package with shaky arms and placed it into his hands. As soon as she did, it began to wriggle and shriek.
“What’s this?” he asked, a look of horror on his face.
Bethia peeked into the blankets.
“’Tis a bairn,” she said. The look she gave him was one he would never forget. Shock and something else rested there. Accusation.
“Why do ye give me yer bairn?” he stuttered out.
“She’s yers,” the woman said, her voice choked with tears.
“I dinnae understand. I have nae child.” These people were daft.
“Ye do now,” the old man said. He motioned to his wife and they began to walk away.
He glanced at Bethia, who was shaking her head in apparent disbelief. She picked up her bucket and turned away from him.
“Bethia. Dinnae leave. The bairn isnae mine.” He scrambled after the couple. “Wait. Take her back. She isnae mine.”
The man turned and pointed a crooked finger at Donal’s chest, “Ye soiled our daughter,” he yelled and all of Donal’s blood drained from his body. He was suddenly very cold and very still. “And now that she’s gone…” he stopped and clenched his jaw for moment before continuing, “we cannae care for this wee one. Yer her Da. ’Tis yer duty to care for her.”
“Gone?” He looked to the old woman, but she would not meet his eyes. “Is she dead?” he asked.
“Aye, the fever took her from us.” The fight had gone out of the man and somehow, he looked even older than he did before. “She hadnae been well since the birth. We held out hope she would regain her strength, but then she fell ill. We dinnae have the means to care for the child. She’s yers now.” He turned and started walking away again.
Donal watched him take a few steps, his mind racing and he realized, he didn’t know who the man was talking about. “Wait. I dinnae ken who yer daughter is. Please tell me.” He hadn’t been so panicked at any point in his life, even in the heat of battle.
“Her name was Sionaid. Sionaid MacGregor.”
The woman wept silently as they marched away from him. He watched them head toward the gate an
d just stood there. The child had stopped shrieking at some point and he looked at her to try and make sense of this.
“Sionaid.” Blast his faulty memory.
“Do ye nae remember her?” Bethia asked.
He didn’t know when she had walked up beside him, but she’d obviously heard enough of the man’s story to know what happened. “Nae. I dinnae.”
“Shame on ye. Ye lout.” He looked up at her suddenly and saw sparks of anger glowing in her eyes. “She was one of the kitchen maids.”
“When?” This couldn’t be happening to him. They must be mistaken. Maybe if he hurried he could catch them and give the bairn back.
“She hasnae been here for well over a year.” She took her bucket and began to walk away from him.
“Will I see ye at the postern gate?” he asked, knowing deep in his heart what the answer would be.
She turned on her heel and came back, one finger poking him right in the chest, “Ye are a daft fool if ye think that I, or any lass here would ever meet ye again.” She turned back and was soon out of sight. He hurried towards the gates, his eyes scanning the many people going about their daily chores, coming and going through the gate. He couldn’t find them.
He approached the guard, “The people who were looking for me, where did they go?”
“They got in their wagon and left. I wouldnae have thought their old nag would go that fast, but they were certainly in a hurry,” he answered. The bairn wiggled and nearly fell out of his arms. “What have ye there, Donal? The fruits of yer labor?” The man chuckled and Donal vowed that once he had this straightened out he’d be back to land a solid blow to the guard’s protruding nose.
Just outside the castle gates, all he could see were the crowds of people coming and going from market day. There were carts, horses and throngs of people. So many that he’d be lucky to find the man and woman who’d just ruined his life.
He didn’t believe curses truly existed, but the way the last few days had gone he could be convinced of it. He headed back to the courtyard, awkwardly holding the bundle he’d been handed. Securing the bairn in one arm, he used his other hand to move the plaid to find a very unhappy wee one staring out at him, tears spilling from her eyes, face red from all the angry screaming she’d been doing.