by Jennae Vale
“How’s Wade?” Sara was obviously trying to lighten the mood by changing the subject.
“He’s fine. Holding down the fort for me.”
“So, he’s my replacement,” she teased.
“He’s not as good at getting in the way as you are, but he seems to be working out.”
They both laughed, remembering all of the times that Sara had caused Zeke more work because of some crazy idea she had.
“I’m going to go work in the garden and then head down to Helene’s to nab more veggies. Do you want to help me?”
“I’d love to,” Zeke said. “I’m curious to see the green thumb you’ve developed.”
Sara held her thumb up in front of her face. “It’s not green yet,” she giggled. “Maybe a little around the edges.”
He didn’t know what he was going to do without her. Ever since she was a little girl, she’d followed him around like a lost puppy. Now, she didn’t need him anymore. The truth was she probably never really did.
Jenna’s baby came into the world with a loud, indignant cry and was immediately cleaned, swaddled and presented to his mother and father. On first seeing the sweet family all snuggled together back upstairs in their chamber, Brenna, along with many of the others now present had happy tears in her eyes. Jenna was ecstatic, as was Cormac. They had a son and his name was Ethan. Dr. Ferguson declared both mother and son to be healthy, but exhausted.
“I think it would be wise for us all to give our happy family time alone now,” Dr. Ferguson announced. “Jenna and the baby need time to rest and Cormac needs time to savor his moment as a new father.”
The others all agreed and began filing from the room.
“I’m going to go back to the house if ye dinnae need me,” Brenna said as everyone began clearing the room to allow the new family some privacy.
“Go on. I’ll be back later. I’m going to help here,” Helene said.
“I’m going back to my room with Emma and Andrew,” Ashley said as she passed them. “Thank you so much for all your help this morning, Brenna. It’ll be good to have you here.”
“’Twas me pleasure,” Brenna said as she watched Ashley disappear into her own room.
“Come back for the evening meal,” Helene said.
“I think I’ll stay at home, if ye’ve no need of me,” Brenna said. “I’m tired and I’d like to have some time alone.”
“If ye change yer mind, ye ken the way.” Helene gave her a peck on the cheek and turned her attention back to making Jenna comfortable.
Brenna wrapped herself in the warmth of her cloak. Strong gusts of wind sent fallen leaves whirling across her path while even the trees were having a hard time standing upright against this onslaught of cold air coming in off the ocean. They swayed back and forth, the younger trees occasionally dipping almost to the ground. Dark clouds rimmed the horizon. A storm was brewing and would be upon them in no time. She hurried along not wishing to be caught in a downpour. She didn’t have much further to go, so she kept herself from worrying about the weather by worrying about the one thing that had been on her mind almost constantly since last night - Zeke and Helene. She knew she shouldn’t be jealous, but she was. She was jealous that Helene had gotten to experience Zeke’s love, something she doubted possible for herself. How could he ever have feelings for her when he obviously still loved Helene? She saw the way he looked at her during last night’s meal. He was so attentive to her every word. She was surprised Dougall hadn’t noticed. Helene and Dougall were married now and so very much in love. She knew nothing would come of Zeke’s love for Helene, but as long as he loved her there was no room in his heart for Brenna. She tried to remind herself that she didn’t like him at all, but she knew that was a lie, and it had been right from the start. Her inexperience in matters of the heart led her to want to protect herself from what she knew would be Zeke’s ultimate rejection. She hadn’t known what that rejection would feel like, or how it would play out. Now she knew, Helene was the woman Zeke wanted.
The sound of footsteps rushing up behind her, caused her to swiftly spin around, not wanting to be caught off guard.
“Brenna,” a smiling Zeke and his sister Sara rushed to her side. “We’d better hurry. It’s starting to rain.”
“What are you doing here?”
“We’re heading to Helene’s,” Sara said. “Is she home?”
“No. She’s still helping at the castle. Jenna had her bairn.”
“Did she?” Sara asked, an air of excitement in her voice.
“Aye. She had a little laddie,” Brenna said. “His name is Ethan. Helene felt she was still needed, so she stayed.”
“That’s wonderful news,” Sara said.
They reached the front door of the house as the skies opened up and the rain fell hard and fast. Zeke shut the door behind them and went to the hearth to get a fire started. “Where’s Dougall?”
“I havenae seen him,” Brenna said. “I’m sure he’ll be back soon, unless he’ll be joining Helene at the castle for their meal. Please sit.”
“I’ll get us some tea,” Sara said. “Don’t worry. I know where everything is.” She hurried from the room, leaving Brenna staring at Zeke’s back while he got the fire going.
Broad shoulders tapered to a narrow waist as well-muscled arms stacked kindling and wood in the hearth. His strong hands adeptly used the flint to spark the fire to life. Brenna couldn’t help herself. She imagined those strong arms wrapped around her, holding her close as his lips found hers. She mentally shook herself. It wouldn’t do for Zeke to catch her staring so longingly at him.
“There. That should do it,” Zeke said. He stood and watched the flames for a moment before brushing his hands off and turning to Brenna with a warm smile. “I was hoping you’d be here,” he said.
“Why?” she asked, sounding more irritable than she meant to.
If he was bothered by her response, he didn’t show it. “I’ve missed you. We spent a lot of time together on our way here and I…”
“And ye what?” she interrupted.
“And I missed you.”
“Ye said that already.”
“I guess I did,” he chuckled.
Brenna removed her cloak, hanging it on a hook by the door. She was determined not to let her feelings show. What good would it do her? She’d only end up looking the fool for having feelings for a man who loved another. She sat in one of the chairs by the fire, staring into it. She had to say something, but what. She cleared her throat. “Are ye enjoying yer visit?”
“It’s been great so far. I’m learning a lot from the men. I’ll be able to take that knowledge back with me when I go home. I can take what I’ve learned and teach it to my students.”
“Tell me about San Francisco,” she said, enjoying the deep timbre of his voice. “I’d like to know more about the place where ye live.”
“It’s a beautiful place, filled with many amazing things that you’d have to see to believe. I’m sure Helene could tell you all about it, or even Sara for that matter.”
“Is San Francisco a big castle?” she asked.
“No. It’s a city filled with tall buildings, steep hills and thousands of people. It’s pretty perfect.”
Brenna tried to imagine a city that large. “And yer the laird of this place?”
“No. I’m not a laird. I’m just an ordinary person. I only said that to impress your father because I didn’t know how to explain to him who I really am.”
“So, ye lied,” she noted. “Have ye lied to me about anything else?” She watched Zeke as he appeared a bit uncomfortable with this lie he’d told, but she realized he hadn’t done it to hurt anyone.
“No. I don’t usually make it a practice to lie. I try to be as truthful as possible.” He gazed deeply into her eyes. “I wouldn’t lie to you, Brenna.”
Feeling herself falling into the depths of his sky blue eyes, she looked away. “I should see if Sara needs any help.” She rose and went into the kitchen. Sa
ra wasn’t there. Where could she have gone?
“She’s nae here,” she called to Zeke.
“She said she needed some vegetables. Maybe she’s in the root cellar. She’ll be right back,” he assured her.
Sara had left her here all alone with Zeke. She’d remain in the kitchen to avoid being alone with him. Cups were sitting on the table in the kitchen and she filled them all with boiling water and tea.
“Do you need any help?” Zeke asked, standing right behind her. So close she could feel his presence. He placed his hands on her shoulders and she felt the same sensation she’d felt when he kissed her. It traveled from his hands right to her core. The urgent longing she felt made her unsteady on her feet. His hands gripped her to keep her from falling. “You should sit down.”
“I’m fine. Dinnae worry about me.” Her words were soft, when she’d meant them to be strong. What could she do? She was hopeless when it came to him. She tried to remember that he wasn’t touching her because he felt anything at all for her. He was only being the kind man that he was. It had nothing at all to do with her. He’d do the same for anyone. But would they be breathless at his touch, as she was?
He turned her to face him, lifting her chin with one crooked finger. She held her breath, eyes focused on his lips and he got closer still. He meant to kiss her. She waited in breathless anticipation. His lips softly brushed hers and she quivered at his touch. He held her face gently between his hands, gazing into her eyes. He bowed his head ready to kiss her again.
“Hey, you two,” Sara said as she bounded through the door.
Zeke stepped back away from her. “Hey, Sara,” he said.
“I’m sorry. Did I interrupt something…” They both shook their heads, no. “because it looks like I interrupted something.”
“Nae. Ye didnae.” She ran her fingertips across her lips, sorry Sara had returned so soon. “I had something in me eye. Zeke was trying to help.”
“Right.” It was obvious Sara didn’t believe her. She raised an eyebrow and shook her head. “I’d go back out, but it’s pouring out there.” She shook the rain from her cloak and walked towards them. “I helped myself to some carrots,” Sara said. “Zeke, we should go. This storm is only going to get worse. Unless you want to stay. I can walk back by myself.”
“No. I’ll come with you.” He gazed at Brenna. “Will you be alright here alone?” Zeke asked.
“Aye.” She walked them to the front door.
“I’ll see you tomorrow,” Zeke said. “I have something I want to talk to you about.”
“Hopefully your eye is better,” Sara said, a crooked smile on her lips. “Tell Helene I took these.” She held the carrots up in front of her.
“I will.”
Brenna closed the door after them, wondering what it was Zeke wanted to talk to her about.
“Well, that was interesting,” Sara said as they hurried along the path that would lead them back to the cottage. “I hope you know what you’re doing.”
“I’m a grown man, Sara.” Zeke grabbed her before she was about to step in a large puddle. “Watch where you’re walking.”
“Thanks. Logan’s always saying the same thing to me. I get so preoccupied I forget to look.” She skirted another puddle, before continuing. “Back to you. What’s up with you and Brenna?”
“Nothing. We’re handfasted. Who knows what that means.”
“It means you’re as good as married.”
“Not really.”
“Zeke, if you go, you’ll break her heart.”
“I know. I guess I’m afraid of my own heart being broken. I can’t let it happen again. I can’t fall for a sixteenth century woman. But it’s just that…”
“She’s irresistible to you. Like Milly with catnip,” she teased.
“Sara, come on. A little sympathy for my situation would be nice.”
“I’m sorry. It’s just second nature to tease first and ask questions later.”
“I came here for you. I had no idea I was going to end up with a wife.”
“You have to know that if Edna sent you here, it’s not surprising at all. She must think you and Brenna belong together and I’ll tell you, Zeke, she’s always right.”
Zeke thought about Olwydd. “You know, my horse was supposed to know the way. The man at the bridge told me not to worry.”
“Did you meet Wallace? I love him. He reminded me of Grandpa,” Sara said.
“He wasn’t there very long. Just to meet me and give me the horse. He told me the horse knew the way. I couldn’t figure out why I ended up at Castle Treun.”
“Now you know. It was Edna’s plan all along.”
Zeke shook his head in disbelief. “So, I guess I should throw caution to the wind and convince Brenna to go back home with me.”
“You might want to take things a little slower, for her sake. But you should definitely follow your heart and things will work out the way they’re supposed to. Don’t be afraid to take a chance, Zeke. A lifetime of happiness is worth it.”
They were completely drenched by the time they reached the cottage. Sara laid her cloak out in front of the hearth.
“I’m going to get changed into some dry clothes,” Zeke said. “Do you think Logan will mind if I borrow something else of his to wear.”
“No. Not at all. Bring those out when you’ve changed. I’ll dry them here with my cloak.”
“You know, Sara, if I could come here for a vacation every year and you came home to San Francisco once a year, I think that would be good. The thought of never seeing you again isn’t alright with me.”
“Me either. We’ll have to bring it up to Edna and see what she says. She’s the one who’ll have to arrange it, but I’ll bet she would.”
Zeke felt at peace for the first time since he’d arrived here in the sixteenth century. It seemed this was his destiny, so he should just accept it and let it happen.
Alone in the kitchen, Brenna wondered what it might be like to live in Zeke’s world. Would she fit in? Would she be afraid or feel lonely? She knew the answer to the last question. No. She couldn’t ever feel lonelier than she had these last months since her Da had been married to Greer. She didn’t wish to be a burden to Dougall either. She loved her brother and Helene, but the honest truth was that she’d hardly spent any time with him since he’d been here at Breaghacraig and she was just starting to get to know Helene. Yes, they were famliy, but couldn’t Zeke be her family, too? Wouldn’t life with him be exactly what she wanted? So many questions, but she didn’t know if he even wanted her. His kisses said he did, but maybe that was all he wanted from her. First, she had to know if he still loved Helene. If he did, all her questions would be answered and she would then have no choice but to make Breaghacraig her home.
Chapter 17
The stormy weather continued well into the next day. A true sign that winter was on its way, even though it was still a few months off. Brenna visited the castle early in the morning in hopes that she might speak with Ashley and Jenna. Neither of them were up yet, so she wandered around the castle searching for the one other person she knew came from the future to live here at Breaghacraig. She found her in the kitchen helping Mary, the cook.
“Good day to ye, lass,” Mary said. “Ye be out and about early this morn.” The counter was lined with loaves of bread that would be placed in the bread oven for the day’s meals.
The aroma of freshly baked bread wafted her way as Sophia removed several loaves from the oven and placed them on the wooden table. Once they were safely set down, Sophia smiled and waved at Brenna.
“Good day to ye,” Brenna answered.
“Are ye Brenna? Dougall’s wee sister?” Mary asked.
Sophia dusted her hands off on her apron and glanced up at Brenna, curiosity in her eyes.
“Aye. The bread smells delicious.” She hadn’t eaten breakfast this morning and her tummy was revolting at the lack of food.
“Come, sit, me dear. Sophia, get the butter and
some honey for our guest.”
“Oh, thank ye, Mary.” She sat at the table. Mary poured them all some tea and then sliced one of the loaves fresh from the oven.
Sophia hadn’t said a word, but she placed the butter and honey within easy reach of them all before sitting next to Brenna.
“Ye must be Sophia,” Brenna said.
“That’s me,” Sophia replied as she slathered butter onto her thick slice of bread, before passing everything to Brenna.
Brenna couldn’t wait another moment. In her mind there was nothing better than fresh, warm bread and a cup of tea. She followed Sophia’s lead and buttered her bread before drizzling it with honey. She took a bite and closed her eyes to relish the flavors. A bit of honey dribbled onto her chin.
“Here ye go, lass,” Mary handed her a damp cloth to wipe her face.
“’Tis quiet here this morn,” Brenna said.
“’Twas a busy day yesterday. The two new mums are still abed, as are their husbands. I haven’t seen anyone yet this morn. They’ll call to us when they’re ready to break their fast,” Mary explained.
“Ethan is a beautiful bairn,” Brenna said.
“I havenae seen him yet. Mayhap in a day or two. Did ye see the bairn, Sophia?” Mary tried to bring Sophia into the conversation.
“I haven’t. Latharn says he’s quite a handsome bairn. I hope to see him soon.”
“Latharn’s her man,” Mary explained.
Mary was a lively woman. Her hair was wrapped in a kerchief, but sprigs of soft brown curls escaped here and there around her head.
“Ye’ve been the cook here for many years, Dougall tells me,” Brenna said.
“Aye. Far too many to count,” Mary laughed.
“And, Sophia, ye are Mary’s helper?”