by Jennae Vale
“I don’t know. I just thought… we’d never talked about it and… well, I wasn’t sure you wanted to leave your cousin behind.”
“As long as we can come back and visit every once in a while, I don’t mind at all. You’re my life now, Maggie. I can’t imagine spending a moment of it without you.”
Overjoyed and relieved, Maggie threw herself into Dylan’s arms. “I love you so much,” she said.
“And I love you,” Dylan answered. “We’ll make a good life in Glendaloch.” He had a serious expression on his face now. “I have one question though.”
Maggie wasn’t sure what that question could be. “What is it?”
“Can I bring Chester?” Dylan asked.
“I wouldn’t think of leaving him,” Maggie answered.
Dylan looked deeply into her eyes. “You know, all these years, I’ve thought I was incapable of loving someone and now, I know that I’d only been waiting for you.”
EPILOGUE
M aggie and Dylan approached the bridge at mid-afternoon and were pleased to see the fog was already there waiting for them. Dylan called to Chester, making sure that he stayed right by their side as they rode into the grey mass in front of them. As usual, they could see and hear nothing except for the small lightning strikes of color that flashed around them. Within moments, they found themselves in the clear. Maggie checked to make certain they were all accounted for and then smiled as she spotted Edna waiting for them.
“Auntie, it’s so good to see you,” Maggie said, beaming from ear to ear.
“I’m so happy yer back, my dear, but where is your uncle. Did ye lose him?” Edna anxiously searched the bridge. The fog had dissipated and Angus was not with them.
“Auntie, he wanted to stay and spend some more time with Lena and the children. He knew ye’d understand,” Maggie explained.
“I see.” Edna stopped speaking for a moment and her bottom lip trembled. “I was hoping…” Edna burst into tears.
Both Dylan and Maggie leaped down from their mounts and ran to her. Maggie gathered Edna into her arms. “I’m so sorry Auntie. I know you’ve missed him.”
Edna sniffled and dabbed at her eyes with a hankie. “It’s just that we’ve nae been apart since we first met. I thought he’d want to come home to me, but I do understand he wants more time with Lena and the babes. Do ye really believe he’ll come back, Maggie?”
Maggie had never seen her aunt so distraught and she wanted to reassure her that Angus hadn’t abandoned her. “He does want to come home to ye, but he didnae know whether he’d get another opportunity to enjoy the boys while they’re still small.” Maggie took Edna’s arm and they started their walk back to the inn. Dylan and Chester followed along behind, leading the horses.
“Did he say when he will return?” Edna asked, appearing for all the world as if she might burst into tears again.
“I think he’d like to stay for Christmas and return soon after,” Maggie said gently.
Edna wasn’t saying anything and her silence had Maggie a bit worried. She peeked back over her shoulder at Dylan, sending him a pleading look.
“Edna, I wonder if maybe you’d like to join Angus? Maggie and I can take care of the inn. It would be no trouble and you’d get to spend the holiday with your family.” Dylan winked at Maggie.
“But who would mind the bridge?” Edna sputtered. “I’m the bridge keeper.”
“I would, Auntie. I believe it’s time for a changing of the guard, so to speak. It’s about time you had a life away from the responsibility of the bridge. I’m sure ye can trust me to guard it in yer absence. I’ll be here when ye both return, which I hope will be for Hogmanay, as that’s when Dylan and I plan to marry.” Maggie stopped and turned to Edna. Searching her face, she could see Edna was obviously thinking carefully about what she and Dylan had suggested.
“Well, we’ve a lot to talk about then, and many plans to make,” Edna finally said, regaining her composure.
Maggie smiled back at Dylan, happy to be on familiar ground once again. The path back to the inn was one she knew like the back of her hand, having spent much time exploring it alongside Edna and Angus. Before she knew it, they were on the road heading for the inn. The ever-present Teddy was waiting for them.
“Teddy, please take the horses to Mrs. MacDougall’s barn. Then come right back, I have some news to share with ye,” Edna requested.
Teddy took the horses from Dylan and petted Chester on the head before leading them off towards Mrs. MacDougall’s property. The big dog made his way to Edna’s side, seeming to understand that she needed some comforting. She leaned over and rubbed his ears affectionately. “And how was your adventure, Chester?” she asked. He wagged his stubby little tail in answer. “Come, let’s go inside. Have ye eaten?”
Maggie giggled at that. It was typical of Edna to worry about everyone else, even when she was dealing with her own sadness. They headed into the dining room, which was empty at this time of the day. Edna kept it closed until dinnertime, so they had the place to themselves. After they were seated, Edna hustled off to the kitchen while they made themselves at home.
“What do you think? Do you mind this being our new home?” Maggie asked Dylan with a questioning gaze.
“I’m very happy to be here. You might not believe this, but I’ve always wanted to live in a small town. I think it’s the reason I loved Breaghacraig. Everyone knows everyone else. It’s a tight knit community where friendships and unbreakable bonds are made to last a lifetime.”
“True, but sometimes living in a small town is like living in a fish bowl,” Maggie said.
“That’s part of its charm,” Dylan replied, in his usual laid-back style.
Edna returned a short while later, with a tray of food for Maggie and Dylan, along with a bowl of food for Chester. “Chester,” Edna called. “I’ve brought ye a treat.”
Chester, who had been napping in front of the fire, perked up immediately, cocking his head to the side and making Edna laugh.
“Here ye go, my sweet.” Edna placed the bowl in front of him. Chester didn’t hesitate for a second, diving right in and finishing up before Edna even got back to the table to sit with Maggie and Dylan. “So, ye wish to marry on Hogmanay,” Edna said. “We’ve nae much time to plan.”
“We don’t need anything elaborate, Auntie. Just a small gathering of our families and some friends.” Maggie glanced at Dylan who was nodding in agreement as she spoke.
“It will be lovely, Maggie. We’ll have it right here at the inn. What do ye think?” Edna asked.
“That would be perfect. But what about you, Auntie? Will ye be crossing the bridge?” Maggie reached out to hold Edna’s hand. “I believe I’ve proved myself capable. Do ye trust me to guard the bridge for ye?”
“I do, Maggie. I trust ye verra much. And ye Dylan. Ye will be here to help her and that eases my mind. I cannae tell ye how happy I am for the both of ye.”
“And we’re happy for you,” Dylan said. “You’ve spent your whole life orchestrating the comings and goings across the bridge and now it’s your turn. You get to go on an adventure.”
“Aye. I do and I’m happy to go, but first I must be sure ye ken how the inn runs, so I willnae go right away.”
“But ye will go soon. Uncle Angus will be missing ye as much as ye miss him. Ye cannae keep him waiting.” Maggie new it was hard for Edna to give up control of the inn and the bridge, so she understood that it would probably take a few days, maybe even a week, before Edna could bear to pass the baton to her.
“Aye. Dinnae worry about me. Now, eat yer food and then ye can go get settled in upstairs for a rest.”
“Auntie, Dylan and I will be sharing a room,” Maggie stated firmly, although she was somewhat afraid of what Edna’s reaction might be.
“Why would ye nae?” Edna asked, winking. “I’m not as old fashioned as ye may think, miss. And dinnae ye think that yer meeting was accidental. I may have had a wee bit to do with it.”
“Well, I’m happy you did, Edna,” Dylan said as he gave her a hug. “Very happy indeed.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jenna was born and raised a New England girl, just outside of Boston, Massachusetts, where her imagination was always bigger than she was. Surrounded by an abundance of nostalgic, historical landmarks her love of history and creative writing was formed. Her large extended Irish and Italian families were not only a great source of support and inspiration, but her home was always filled with laughter, love, lots of good food and amazing story telling.
After years of wearing many different career caps, Jennae was determined to do something she had always loved and her vivid imagination took over once again as she decided to follow her dream of writing stories that tapped into her love of magical people and places.
Jennae now lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her husband, where they’ve raised two beautiful and talented children. Along the way they’ve gathered a menagerie of pets, including dogs, cats, chickens and horses to make their family complete.
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OTHER BOOKS BY
JENNAE VALE
The Thistle & Hive Series
Book One - A Bridge Through Time
Book Two - A Thistle Beyond Time
Coming in 2015
A Thistle & Hive Christmas
A Matter of Time - Book Four of The Thistle & Hive Series
Table of Contents
Copyright
Acknowledgments
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Epilogue
About the Author
Other books by