The Draig's Choice

by Lisa Dawn Wadler

  The woman’s mouth fell open at the questions that Sarah had to admit were bizarre at best. But the man behind her straightened and offered a polite nod, seeming to recall his manners. “I am Graham, current Laird of the Draig. Allow me to present Kayla.”

  Sarah smiled as a sense of continuation filled her. This grown man is our descendant. So crazy.

  Conall’s arm tightened around her waist. “‘Tis my wife, Sarah and our wee ones, Rachel and William. I am Laird Conall. My father was also called Graham. ‘Tis fine to hear the name used by another laird.”

  Sarah added, “The year is 1318. When is it by you?” Does that question even make sense?

  Graham tilted his head and then answered. Sarah blinked in surprise that she had only been gone from her original time for less than a year. “I need you to contact my sister. To let her know that I didn’t just disappear.” She rattled off names, Green Bay, Wisconsin in the States, and the name of her mother’s dojo.

  “What is that?” Rachel asked as Graham took a cell phone from the back pocket of his running shorts. Conall echoed the question in her ears, though she knew he wanted to know if it presented a threat.

  “It’s a tool that will allow him to contact my family.” Turning to face Conall, tears filled her eyes. “They’ll know what happened to me.” Her throat constricted at the certainty.

  Graham asked her to repeat the information and she prattled it all off again, along with her sister’s and mother’s cell phone numbers. “Tell them I went through a door, just like this one, to save Bella.” Her rant continued with being stuck, meeting Conall, marrying him, their children and how much she missed them. “Oh, and make sure they tell Daddy that I met Robert the Bruce and that he was an ass.”

  “Arse.” William giggled.

  “That’s enough,” she corrected with a slight chuckle. The child had a knack for repeating only the worst.

  “The Bruce,” Graham whispered as he lowered the phone, his features crinkled as if he attempted to recall forgotten details. “Aye, my grandmother spoke of a tale of a marriage being honored by the Bruce. Was that you?”

  Conall laughed against her hair while she snorted in disgust at the mutated history. “Yeah, that was us, but honored is hardly the word I would use.” Telling them a quick and abbreviated version of the story, Graham’s eyes widened while Kayla stood mute.

  “But I want you to marry Da,” Rachel whispered with panic.

  “Don’t worry, sweetheart. I’m married to your Da and no one will ever change that.” Sarah brought relief to her daughter while Conall whispered in her ear.

  “You are mine forever.”

  “I’m out of memory,” Graham made a noise of disgust as he lowered his phone.

  “Did you record all of that?” Sarah asked as she mentally kicked herself for not asking or even noticing. Tech and I are no longer friends.

  Graham nodded and asked Kayla for her phone. She obliged and unlocked the screen. “Let me take a picture to add.”

  Sarah nodded as she told the children to hold still and smile wide. Conall silently accepted the command and stood tall at her back. With the distinct clicking of multiple photos, Sarah felt a weight fall away. They won’t worry, they’ll know where I am, or at least was.

  When the phone went back to the stunned Kayla, Conall twisted to her side and she heard a low growl. “Tell me, Grandson, why is our keep is such disrepair.”

  Sarah matched his angle and caught sight of their home on the hill, sans the stone walls. The structure she knew as solid, appeared aged and in need of more than a bit of care.

  “No one has lived in the old keep for nearly two centuries. All reside within a manor home built in the nineteenth century.” He went on with details of the stones from the walls being used for foundations and the grand scope of the building hidden by the tennis court.

  “You dinna ken the tales of your ancestors and you fail to respect your heritage by letting the keep fall to ruin.” Conall’s challenge threw her off balance with the vehemence.

  “Sweetie, it doesn’t matter,” Sarah attempted to reassure him.

  “Aye, it does. Generations untold lived beneath that roof.” He pointed to the keep in the future. “The laird tends his clan and his home, even if more than one exists.”

  “Grandfather,” Graham began. “You are correct. I’ve seen the ruins of many ancient strongholds and wept for their loss. I’ll see it done. I swear it.”

  The door shimmered in the morning light and conversation ceased.

  “We don’t have long,” Sarah whispered. Leaning down, she spoke to the children. “Go find Uncle Peter. Be quick.” With ready agreement, the twins ran to the stables. She heard Bella bark and knew the dog would be on the kids’ heels.

  “Kayla, please turn on the video. I need to add another message for my sister.” The woman nodded and in seconds held up her phone.

  Sarah took a steadying breath before she spoke. “I know you’re going to think Graham is nuts but listen to him. He’s part of my family and that makes him yours. I’m sorry I’m not with you and that Aunt Marge likely threw your baby shower. Hopefully, she didn’t make those nasty deviled eggs with the pickle relish you hate so much.”

  “I need you to know that I am unbelievably happy. My life is perfect in all the ways that matter except for missing you and Mom and Dad. I love you all so very much and always will.” She added that she knew in her heart that her twins would love her sister’s twins, how she wished they could have grown up together.

  “Rachel, not a day goes by that I don’t miss you. There’s so much I want to share with you.” Her hand fell to her stomach. “Not being able to share my life with you sucks, but I wouldn’t trade any of it. I have what I’ve always wanted and needed.” She laughed. “But I’ll tell you one last secret. We’re having another baby.”

  “What?” Conall gasped behind her as his hand covered hers. “Were you going to tell me?”

  Sarah grinned wildly at him. “Of course, but I was going to tell you in the bath when the kids nap.”

  “Another bairn, mayhap another two,” Conall whispered before brushing a light kiss to her lips. “Aye, Sarah, tell me as you would. I greatly anticipate the how and when you will share such tidings with me.” The seductive quality of his low-pitched voice had the ever-present tingles kicking up a notch.

  “Congratulations,” Kayla said with the phone still pointed at them.

  “Oops, forgot what we were doing.” Facing the device, Sarah finished, “Tell your children that Auntie Sarah loves them and wishes she could be there.” Sarah nodded at Kayla, who lowered her hand.

  “Don’t you want to say goodbye?” Her question was the first solid one spoken.

  “We never say goodbye, it’s our thing.” Sarah swallowed hard at the exuberance and heartache mixed in the moment. “Please make her talk to you. She won’t believe you at first.”

  “I don’t believe it and I’m standing here,” Kayla mumbled with a nervous giggle.

  The door shimmered again, and Sarah’s gaze fixed again on Graham. “Thank you so much. I can’t tell you how much this means to me.”

  Before he could reply, Conall asked, “Do you still hold the sword of your ancestors and the dagger meant for your wife?” His hand gripped the one at her hip before he lifted the massive weapon from his back, the blue eye of the dragon glistening in the morning light.

  “Both are given a place of honor in the manor.” Graham beamed with pride, but Sarah winced waiting for Conall to react and decided to soften his reaction.

  “Sweetie, in their time, no one carries a weapon. It just isn’t done.” Conall exhaled at her back but she turned her head to follow his gaze to their descendant holding tight to Kayla.

  “You should honor your wife, even if the dagger is nay to grace her waist.” Conall kissed her temple and turned back to the wavering door. “Tradition means naught if ‘tis to be forgotten.”

  “I’ve never heard of that tradition,” Gr
aham answered with a frown. “I might have to dig up those journals written centuries ago.”

  “I’m not his wife,” Kayla blurted out and then blushed a bright red.

  “Yet,” Conall added. “I see the way he holds you, the manner in which he protects you.”

  Sarah nodded at their just having met and Kayla being a guest in the manor turned vacation spot. But she would never explain that part to Conall. He’d lose it if he knew a guest had to pay for hospitality. Then she let the vision of the pair in front of her soak in. Good luck resisting him, Kayla. He’s on you like white on rice and you are still wrapped in his arms.

  With the future before her, Sarah focused on the notion of old journals. “Graham, I’m going to write down the tales Conall has told me and add our story and that of Peter. I’ll tuck them away in the oldest part of the cellar for you to find. There will also be a letter for my family.” Then she contemplated the passage of centuries. “Or did someone find them?” Will they even last for so many centuries?

  “I’ve never heard of such being found. I’ll look today and hopefully find them. Anything you leave for your sister will be delivered in person.” Graham bowed low and then ducked as another tennis ball shot over the court fence and nearly struck him in the head.

  Conall let go of her and picked up the ball that rolled into their world, its course a reminder of the ball that had changed her life. “I bet the beastie would care for a few more if you have such to gift.”

  With a shout from Graham, boyish shouts and laughter filled the air while tennis balls rained over the court fence. Kayla and Graham threw over a dozen balls into the door that threatened to close any second.

  Damn it, where’s Peter?

  “Thank you, for everything,” Sarah said, as the opening became a constant shimmer. “Kayla.” She waited until the woman focused on her. “Sometimes you have to take a chance in life. Don’t let fear rule you. Make the choices you want and let life be an adventure.” She had no idea why that message seemed important, but Kayla frowned before she chuckled and grinned wide.

  I nailed that one.

  Conall held up his left hand, his shirtsleeve falling back to his elbow to reveal the bottom portion of the two-headed dragon tattoo. “Fare well, Graham. To have seen our grandson continue on our legacy fills my heart with such pride and hope. Be a fine laird and a better man.” His hand lowered as his gaze fell to Kayla. “Be warned, lass. When a Draig man loves, he does so with his soul.”

  Sarah wrapped her arms around Conall from the side, knowing that his message applied to her. His love would always be all-encompassing and complete, as would hers. Conall held her close and secure against his body. A gentle kiss graced her temple before she looked back at the shimmering door.

  Graham’s arm tightened around Kayla’s waist and she squeaked in surprise, but her hand rested on his arm rather than pushing it aside.

  That poor woman has no idea what she’s found, provided passion is a family trait. Or does she?

  At the crunch of running steps behind her, Sarah turned her head enough to see Peter running with Rachel in his arms and Neil just behind with William squealing and laughing on his shoulders. The eyes of both men rounded wide with the door shimmering and wobbling. “Holy crap,” Peter called as William repeated the mild profanity.

  With her gaze locked back on the door, Sarah again thanked Graham for his vow to contact her family. Both in modern times gaped at Peter and Neil’s rapid approach, but only Graham raised his hand in greeting. She could hear Bella running circles around the men carrying her children and knew the beloved ball would be trapped in her jaw.

  Then she blinked, and the door closed. No hint of anything out of the ordinary remained. Both she and Conall stayed in place, watching a sight that no longer existed. Waves battered the cliffs, filling the air with surf pounding.

  “Such a sight to behold twice in a lifetime,” Conall murmured. “Does his offer bring you peace or sadness?”

  Thinking over the implications, Sarah shifted and wrapped her arms around his neck while pressing her body close to his. “A bit of both, but I’ll no longer worry that my family is worried.” With a nuzzle against his neck, she laughed. “But I would love to see the looks of surprise and shock as my sister and parents see those videos.” She imagined the scene at her parents’ kitchen table, the location where important matters were discussed. Then she answered Conall’s questions about videos, even if she doubted he truly comprehended the technology that would bring them to life for her family.

  Peter stopped at their side, panting, and Sarah kissed Conall’s neck before taking Rachel in her arms. “I can’t believe I missed that. Was it really an opening to our lands in the future?”

  “Aye,” Conall replied as he took William from Neil. She knew he spoke for the children’s benefit. “You have seen the wonders created by a wise ancestor. Let us break our fast and I shall tell you the tale of doors in time opening. Someday you will tell the same tale to your children.”

  “Are they all gone?” Rachel asked with a pout. She loved visitors.

  Rather than confusing the three-year-old with time travel eccentricities, Sarah merely said, “Yes.”

  “I want my meal,” William said as he took Conall’s face in his chubby hands. “And my tale.”

  Neil shook his head and chuckled. “For years I wondered how such would appear, now I ken.” He glanced down at the grass filled with bright yellow tennis balls. “I will gather Bella’s gifts and hold them until the need arises.”

  “Then you’ll join us,” Sarah added, “It’s a family meal.” Over the years, she’d made a point of including Neil, for Peter’s sake, and because she adored the man. It didn’t matter to her or Conall who Peter loved as long as he was loved in return.

  “Go inside and find Lena. Both of you wash your hands.” Conall set down William and then lifted Rachel from her arms, who giggled as she swung in the air before her booted feet hit the ground. The children dashed toward the keep and Peter and Neil left for the stables for a bucket to hold the tennis balls.

  Conall sighed as his gaze stayed on their children being met by Lena in the courtyard. “When I saw Bella and the yellow ball, my heart raced with such fear. What if you entered the door out of curiosity? What if one of the bairns wandered too close? I ken the tales only speak of others coming here, but I could nay stop the panic.”

  “I would never leave you,” Sarah reassured him as she cupped his jaw. “You are my love and my life.” She pulled him down until his forehead rested against hers. “I’m sorry about how you found out there will be another baby. I wanted to wait until I was certain and then tell you the way I had promised years ago.”

  Pulling her close, Conall dug his fingers into her hair. “You shared tidings worthy of being told to your sister. But I will endeavor to tire the wee ones, for I seek a long bath with you.”

  Sarah buried her face in his neck as she pressed against the sculpted planes of his body. “We met our grandson many generations removed today.”

  “Aye, love, and our clan will continue and thrive. While such should matter, I only care that you are with me this day and for every morrow.”

  “Are you sure this is enough?” Sarah asked as she turned the wrapped bundle in her hands. Flickering torchlight danced over the layers of oiled animal skins in which lay stacks of parchment containing the tales she knew of travelers from her time. There was also a twenty-plus page letter for her sister and gifts for her family. Stuart had made four more Draig pins, each a work of art. There was one for Graham and the others were for Rachel and her parents.

  “We’ve covered this already,” Peter mocked. “The skins are waterproof and sealed with wax, it’s the best we can do.” But his gaze remained on the mason who mixed what would seal in her letters and gifts for centuries. The package in his hands, labeled and addressed for Graham to track down his parents, if possible, shook with nerves.

  “I have faith if you both lack for it,” Cona
ll reassured them as his hands roamed her squirming belly. She knew he adored being with her for every single moment of the pregnancy, watching her body change and feeling slight movements become strong kicks.

  The when to finish and seal the promised letters had been a topic of much debate. Sarah had come to the conclusion that she had no desire to chronicle her entire life because she needed to live it. I don’t want Rachel and my parents reading the end of my story. I want them to picture us in the middle of our adventure, living and loving. Conall had wholeheartedly agreed with focusing on their present.

  He’d added a separate letter to mix with hers. Even thinking about the prose bought moisture to her eyes. Conall had declared his love for her, belatedly requested her hand and solemnly vowed to protect and love her, and their children, forever. She knew no woman or family could ask for more.

  Leaning back into his strength, she handed over the package to be sealed. The mason tucked their packages into the carefully cut hole and sealed the gap. Memories of her family flooded her heart and she nodded in approval at the deeply carved etching on the cellar stone, which had Graham’s name, followed by the year that he had spoken.

  A hearty kick in her belly had her gasping and Conall’s hand bouncing. He kissed her hair and only spoke when her belly quieted. “Soon we shall welcome another new life.”

  Sarah sighed as soft contentment washed over her. Worries for the family that had loved, nurtured, and occasionally challenged, while supporting her fell away. She’d moved forward into creating a family and support network to fill her life. She knew very few individuals had what she did, a complete and loving world.

  Shifting to face Conall, she smiled into his tender gaze. “Let’s go upstairs. I’m done making peace with my past and ready to live for our future.”

  Peter spoke as he knelt beside the mason, who had begun sealing small cracks. “I’ll stay down here. We should patch up a few more spots.”

  Conall’s hand covered hers as he led her through the cellar, from the original foundation into the newer section and then up the stairs into the bright daylight. “I have a mind to spend the rest of the day with my family. Mayhap the wee ones would enjoy a walk to the village.”