by B. J. Scott
Her hand trembling and heart racing with excitement, she flipped back several pages in the book, to the exact spot the entries had previously ended and started to read from there. She poured through a vivid recount of everything that happened after Ayden left for Stirling, most of which playing out the way it did when she was in 1304, but paused when she reached the part where she’d confronted MacConnery, then tumbled over the cliff.
Stunned to see that the account of what happened immediately before she died, she continued to read, reliving those terrifying moments in her mind.
Gasping, she clutched at her throat, struggling to draw a breath and to calm her racing heart. “She didn’t fall to her death with Ewan MacConnery. Catriona didn’t die. Ayden saved her at the last minute,” she said aloud. Tears of joy sprang to her eyes and she scrubbed them away. There was still a bit left to read and she had to find out what it said.
February 20th, 1305
Today has to be one of the happiest days of my life. In the wee hours of the morn, I gave birth to our son, Ciaran Ayden MacAndrews. We named him for Ayden’s cousin, who lost his life at Stirling Castle. Ayden is bursting with pride. I dinna think there could be a more caring, loving man in all of Scotland, and I am so fortunate to call him husband. I know in my heart he will be a wonderful father. He said he’d like to have another babe next spring, and I pray we are so blessed.
He was such a comfort and help to me during the birth, never leaving my side for a minute, na when the pain got so strong the midwife put knives under the mattress and most men would rather be drinking whisky and boasting about their prowess as a sire, na when Cora told him the birthing chamber was no place for a man and ordered him to leave. To see our tiny son cradled in his father’s strong arms as they nap in a chair beside my bed, brings tears of joy to my eyes, and makes my heart sing. We are truly blessed.
Katherine closed the book and hugged it to her chest, tears of joy rolling down her cheeks. She had no idea how it happened, but Catriona and Ayden had a life together, found happiness in each other’s arms. She slid her hand across her belly. They had a baby, in February. Nine months after the day she and Ayden were wed and made love for the first time. She was pregnant when she learned of Ayden’s supposed death at Stirling and before she was sent back to the twenty-first century. Could she still be carrying his child now? Maybe what Ayden said was true. He did have enough love in his heart for the Catriona in his memories and for her as well, that he actually loved her and not a just memory of what could have been.
Katherine slid to the edge of the bed, wiped her face with the back of her hand, then listened. The clock in the parlor had started to chime. It was midnight — she had to find Ayden. She had to tell him she loved him and wanted to be with him for eternity before it was too late.
“Ayden,” she shouted, “I just read Catriona’s last entry in the journal. I don’t know how it happened, but the blank pages are now full. Full of her hopes, her dreams for the future, and the happiness she’s found in your arms. They had a baby and plan to have more. They have their whole life ahead of them. Maybe there is a chance for us after all.”
With the journal clutched against her chest, her pulse racing, and her breathing coming in short sharp pants, she sprinted from the bedchamber and into the parlor. She had to find Ayden before the final stroke of midnight. She had to tell him she loved him and wanted to be with him forever.
“I’m here, Ayden. Please tell me I’m not too late.” She paused, hoping to hear his voice. But sadly, her plea went unanswered. The clock that until yesterday wasn’t running chimed for the twelfth time, then the entire cottage was silent.
“I love you, Ayden MacAndrews. Damn it, I love you with all my heart and will forever.” She sank to her knees before the hearth, weeping.
“What now?” she sobbed. “Am I destined to spend my life alone, prattling about this old cottage the way my aunt did?” she asked aloud. “After our time together, I could never love another. While I may not fully understand what happened these last few days, I do know one thing. You gave my life meaning and without you, my life and my heart are empty. Nothing here is as important as my life with you in the past.” She lowered her head and squeezed her eyes shut. “Please tell me I’m not too late.
But there was still no answer. Ayden was gone and her heart that had found new life sank like a stone in an icy loch. She was prepared to take a leap of faith and willing to give up her life in the present for love in the past. She sat on the floor and rocked back and forth, clutching the hand on which she wore Ayden’s ring to her chest, hot tears streaming down her cheeks. She had no reason to hold them at bay.
“Dinna cry, mo maise. I told you I’d make things right.”
Her head came up at the sound of his voice. And when he smiled down at her with his soulful blue eyes, her heart skipped a beat.
“Ayden, you’re still here,” she said on a strangled breath, and launched herself into his arms. “How? It’s past midnight and I didn’t make my decision to go back with you in time.”
“But you did.” He slid his arms around her waist and drew her against his chest. “You spoke of your love before the final strike of midnight.”
“Then why didn’t you answer me, show yourself when I called out your name?” She thumped her fist against his chest.
He caught her hand, brought it to his lips and kissed her knuckles. “I just had to know for sure that you had made up your mind and would come with me of your own free will.” He gently tucked a lock of her hair behind her ear, then caressed her cheek. “You had seemed so uncertain. What made you change your mind?”
“I just realized that I loved you more than life itself and wanted to be with you, no matter what I had to do. And I read this.” She picked up the journal from the floor and handed it to him. “Catriona finished her entries. She didn’t die. You saved her from MacConnery before she fell.” Tears of joy ran down her cheeks. “You and Catriona lived a long and happy life. You had a baby, and—” She threw her arms around his neck and kissed him. “I want that life for us, Ayden. I believe Catriona finished her journal for us.”
“I believe it, too.” Without hesitation, he lifted her from the ground, and spun her around in a circle. I prayed to hear you say those words. You’ve made me the happiest man on earth. Again,” he said, and carried her towards her chamber.
“Where are you taking me?” she asked playfully, even though she was pretty sure she already knew.
“To bed. I have close to seven hundred years of catching up to do, and plan to start now.” He flashed her a mischievous grin.
“I thought we were returning to 1304.”
“That has all been taken care of, ma gaol.” He nipped at her bottom lip and smiled.
Katherine glanced around the room. The furnishings were the same, but there was something different in the air. She couldn’t put her finger on it, but things had changed. As he carried her toward the bed, they passed the window and she could hear the sound of children playing in the yard and could smell the heather blossoms on the breeze.
“Will you and the mistress be needing anything, Lord MacAndrews?” a woman asked.
Katherine recognized Cora’s voice right away and buried her face against Ayden’s chest. They were home.
He spun around with Katherine in his arms and smiled. “Just some privacy and perhaps a good meal in a few hours,” he replied. “We’ll take it in our room.”
Cora gave them both a knowing glance, a broad grin curling her lips. “Things are finally as they should be,” she said and pulled the door closed.
Ayden made his way to the bed in a few strides and gently placed her on the mattress. He immediately started to undress her, then hesitated. “What’s wrong? Why the frown?” he asked, and brushed his fingers lightly across Katherine’s brow.
“I’m afraid if I close my eyes again, I will wake up in my apartment in Manhattan and this will all have been a dream.” She gazed up at him, her eyes searching hi
s for answers.
He laid on the bed beside her and tugged her against his chest. “You have naught to fash about. I love you, Catriona, and nothing will ever part us again.” He pressed his lips to hers, then playfully kissed the tip of her nose.
She placed two fingers on his mouth. “Say my name again.”
A wry grin tugged at his lips. “Catriona,” he whispered as if in prayer.
The sound of his voice made her swoon. Hearing him say her name and knowing his words were truly meant for her and no one else, made her heart soar.
“We are home and have a long and happy life ahead of us.” He slid his hand over her belly. “And I know we will be blessed with many babes. But practice does make perfect.” He wiggled a brow.
She wrapped her arms around his neck and smiled inwardly. She didn’t want to share her suspicion about being with child until she was certain. “I’ll hold you to that promise, m’lord,” she murmured, then kissed him soundly.
The End
About B.J. Scott
With a passion for historical romance, history in general, and anything Celtic, B.J. always has an exciting work in progress. Each story offers a blend of romance, adventure, suspense, and, where appropriate, a dab of comic relief. Carefully researched historical facts are woven into each manuscript, providing a backdrop from which steamy romance, gripping plots, and vivid characters--dashing alpha heroes and resourceful, beguiling heroines you can't help but admire--spring to life. A PAN member of RWA, World Romance Writers, and Savvy Authors, B.J. also writes contemporary, paranormal, time travel, and romantic suspense.
C.S. Lewis first captivated B. J.'s imagination in the fourth grade, and her desire to write sprang from there. Following a career in nursing and child and youth work, B.J. married her knight-in-shining-armor, and he whisked her away to his castle by the sea. In reality, they share their century-old home in a small Canadian town on the shore of Lake Erie with our dogs and a cat. When she is not working at her childcare job, on her small business, or writing, you will find her reading, camping, or antique hunting.
To find more books by B.J. Scott visit her Amazon author page
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More by B.J. Scott
Highland Hearts Afire – Time Travel Romance
Talisman of Light
Will changing the Past destroy their future?
Intent on setting a wrong to right, Alex Innes flies to Scotland to return an Ancient Talisman to its rightful resting place. But his plane crashes and he finds himself in twelfth century Scotland, where winter holds the country in its icy grip and only one maiden can set it free. Ciara Dunmore offers her life to appease the winter hag on the Imbolc Festival, but Alex has different plans for the beguiling lass who has captured his heart. Will changing the past destroy their future?
Other Scottish Historical Romance
Bedded by her Highland Enemy
Her Highlander's Promise
Fraser Brothers Trilogy
Highland Legacy
Highland Quest
Highland Homecoming
Blades of Honor series (Sequel to Fraser Brothers Trilogy)
Highland Hellion
Highland Resurrection
Highland Deliverance
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