Was he using her for a place to stay? He would get his papers and then leave with the goddess?
All men cheated. It was just a matter of when, not if.
Unable to face the empty house, she sank to her knees, curled up in a ball on the dock and sobbed.
After two days of wallowing, Violet sat in her grandmother’s sunroom inhaling cookies while telling her the entire sordid story.
“Duncan is staying with Sam at the marina.” Gram refilled their iced tea.
Gram let out a soft sigh.
“My daughter has her flaws, as we all do, but she and your father made a mistake staying together. Only those in a marriage know what truly takes place. We on the outside can judge or we can accept. Acceptance of their flaws does not mean we condone the behavior.”
Gram hugged her close. “You can’t keep judging men based on how your parents behave.”
Violet leaned back. “I saw them.”
“Perhaps.” Gram shrugged. “It is possible he’s telling the truth, and you misjudged him based on the wounds you carry deep in your heart?”
“I want to believe him.” Violet blew her nose. “But I don’t want to get hurt.”
“Oh dearie, if we go through life trying to protect ourselves from hurt, we may miss out on a once in a lifetime love. You can’t control another’s behavior, you can only control how you react.” Gram stirred sugar into her tea.
“I’m scared.” Violet pressed the palms of her hands into her eyes.
“You are one of the strongest people I know.” Gram smiled at Violet’s shock.
“You are. You do whatever you put your mind to. You’re not afraid to take business risks, to try new things.”
Her grandmother crossed her legs, one gold sandal hanging off her bright red toes.
“Maybe it’s time to take the same risks with love?”
Violet looked up at Gram.
Gram leaned back, a dreamy look transforming her, taking years off her face.
“I loved your grandfather with all my heart. So much so, no other man will ever measure up. He was my once in a lifetime. But that doesn’t mean I’ve stopped living, only that I recognize I had my soulmate and I am grateful for every moment we had together.”
Gram sighed. “When you’re young, you think you have time, but you don’t, dearie. It passes so quickly. Embrace life. Be open to love. Wring every moment of joy out of life before it’s too late and you find yourself full of regret. And possibly the loss of your soulmate.”
Gram touched her cheek.
“You must open your heart, see Duncan for who he is. An individual. He is not your father. He is trustworthy, and he loves you.”
Duncan wiped the sweat from his brow. The heat here was unlike any he had ever experienced. Sam had laughed and said wait until summer. Tired of his hair sticking to his face and neck, Duncan had gone to see the man Sam had been going to for years. ’Twas time for a haircut.
The barber wore a white jacket. There were comfortable chairs and things to read. The TV was on the entire time; it did not matter if ’twas a replay or live game as long as it was sports or car racing. Duncan found he enjoyed car racing verra much.
When he left, he felt lighter, the back of his neck exposed. His hair had not been shorn thus since he was a wee lad. As he worked in the stables, mucking out stalls and exercising the horses, Duncan was glad he had cut it all off.
He slept on a boat rocked to sleep by the gentle motion of the water. Sam knew the owner of the boat. The man was glad to have someone staying on board to look after her.
Did he dream of his homeland or of the life he had left behind?
Nay. He dreamed of her. With her eyes that reminded him of heather, a smile that lit up each time she saw him, how her short hair showed off her lovely face, and of her appetites.
He adored a woman who enjoyed eating, and Violet loved to eat. She was thin yet strong. If he had met her in the woods of Scotland, he would have thought her a fae warrior princess come to watch the humans.
Duncan would not beg her to believe he had not betrayed her. He had not lied; he had been truthful, so he would wait and she would come to him.
The full moon was in two days. If she had not come to her senses by then? Duncan swore and rolled over in the small bed.
In the evening he used a tablet Sam had loaned him to look up his homeland. To learn what had happened over the years, how the world had changed, battles won and lost, and now a woman on the throne of England.
The world had changed, ’twas still changing and Duncan did not want to miss a single moment. Technology fascinated him, how things worked, and what the world would look like ten or twenty years from now.
After dithering about like a dolt, Duncan finally emailed Connor McTavish to find out if they were related. He did not want to ask if the man had traveled from the past. That was a conversation best left for when they met.
For Duncan planned to stay here in the future. Once the full moon was over and the danger passed, he would go to Scotland, see his land and then decide where to live and what to do with his life.
The trip would be lonely and colorless without Violet, but he would stay. And one day she would find him. Unwilling to dwell on such womanly thoughts, Duncan went to the stables to work. He would work until he could no longer stand, until he was too tired to think of her.
Nay, he would not think on the picnic in the backyard.
The look on her face when he broke things.
The shy smiles.
The ride on the beach as the sun fell from the sky.
Nor dancing in the moonlight.
And he would most definitely not think on the kiss.
The perfect kiss that promised a thousand lifetimes together.
The next day Duncan sat on a bale of hay eating a huge sandwich. ’Twas called a Rueben, and he decided it was one of his favorite meals.
Sam held up his sandwich.
“The trick is to use a whole handful of meat, then you put the sauerkraut, then the special sauce, so the sauce is on the cheese, not on the bread. The cheese goes next to the bread. Otherwise the bread ends up soggy when you toast it.”
Sam talked as he chewed. He passed Duncan a bottle of ale.
“Listen youngster, I’ve been around for sixty-five years and one thing hasn’t changed in all those years.” He paused and grinned at Duncan, the lines in his face deep, carved as if from stone.
“Women. They are the same. Nowadays they want men to understand them and they are okay with making more money than men.”
He took a deep drink from the bottle and smacked his lips.
“Heck, they’re strong too. Not just in what they can do, but have you ever seen a woman give birth?”
At the look on Duncan’s face, Sam laughed.
“I hadn’t planned to, but when my late wife was in labor and her sister was stuck in traffic, I had to be in the room. Let me tell you, it was the most terrifying thing I’ve ever witnessed. Women are powerful.”
“Aye. Violet is strong and brave. It doesna change her not believing me.”
Sam squinted at Duncan. “Don’t be an idiot. The full moon is tomorrow. Would you rather let your pride keep you warm or make things right with Violet? Can you live with yourself if you go back and never see her again?”
“I will stay inside during the full moon and once ’tis past, I will have all the time in the world to woo Violet.”
Sam shook his head. “You have a lot to learn about women, my friend.”
Duncan gathered up the trash from their lunch and disposed of it. He turned to Sam.
“What if she does not want me?”
Sam cracked one green eye open.
“Don’t be a fool, that girl is in love with you. Now go on, what are you waiting for? Go get her back.”
23
Violet spent the day at the beach thinking and working up her courage to find Duncan and apologize. Profusely.
Sometimes when you were rea
dy for change, the Universe obliged in a massive way. She’d turned her life upside down, going from wanting nothing more than designing clothes to selling her designs to a factory in Italy.
She’d created perfumes with Duncan that she was incredibly proud of, and they too had sold to the same design house in Italy.
Now she had no idea what she was going to do next. Gram had laughed, saying she was only twenty-one, she had all the time in the world. Violet felt lighter than she had in years.
All the worry and fear of measuring up had vanished, leaving her scoured clean, a bright shiny new slate upon which to write her new life.
She’d had a breakthrough, accepted that while she didn’t approve of her parents’ behavior, she could still love them. Though it would be a long time before Violet was ready to be in the same room with them.
Gram was her family, for now that was enough. In time, she’d figure out what kind of relationship she wanted with her parents. Forgiving didn’t mean getting over the hurt.
She was walking along the beach, the cool air coming off the ocean making her shiver when she saw a man. He was barefoot in jeans and a long-sleeved tee… it was him.
Duncan came to a stop in front of her. “I was coming to find you but I wanted—”
“To clear your head first?” She felt a smile tug at the corner of her mouth. “I was doing the same, then I was going to come and find you—”
Her mouth dropped open as she realized what was so different.
“You cut off all your beautiful hair.”
Violet couldn’t stop staring. He looked like he’d stepped out of a magazine, yet she could see the untamed highlander underneath the polish.
“Why did you cut it all off?”
“Ye liked my hair.” He grinned at her. “I knew ye did.”
“I loved your hair.” She went still. “I mean, who wouldn’t love thick black glossy hair.”
Violet pressed her lips together. No more hiding.
“I love how your hair moved when the breeze caught it. And I loved how it felt like silk between my fingers.”
“Love,” Duncan said. “Aye, I love how light and free I feel.”
He touched her face.
“Nay, lass. Do not look sad. I love your time, your country, and I love being here. I dinna wish to go home.”
She stepped into him, his arms came around her, and she breathed in the scent of him that mingled with the smell of the ocean.
“I don’t want you to go.” Violet looked up, stared into dark blue eyes. “There’s supposed to be thunderstorms tonight. The full moon.”
“Aye, I heard. I must stay inside until morning, that is what the witch said.”
“I’m so sorry.” Violet cleared her throat. “I’ve spent every moment since you left thinking about my life.”
She wiped away a tear.
“My past is the past. I know you didn’t cheat on me. I believe you and I’m sorry I ever doubted you.”
He took her hand as they walked on the beach; the water cool on their feet.
“I should not have left, I should have stayed.”
Violet shook her head as a cloud covered the sun.
“No, I was too angry, I wouldn’t have listened.” She bent down and picked up something black. It was a small shark’s tooth.
“It was like something broke open inside me after you left. I know it will take time, but I promise to try, to always listen, and not to jump to conclusions.”
She put the shark’s tooth in the pocket of her jeans, grateful she’d worn a sweatshirt and jeans today.
“I know now there’s no guarantee that a relationship will work out. But if I don’t try, I’ll be alone forever.” She stopped and looked up at him as a few raindrops landed on her face.
“I don’t want to be alone. I turned to tell you something a hundred times, but you weren’t there. I want you here, every single day, Duncan McTavish.”
He swung her up in his arms, spinning her around.
When her feet touched the ground, Violet finally looked up. Her insides twisted.
“Look at the sky, we have to go inside.”
Duncan held her tighter.
“Nay, lass. We are where we should be.”
He inclined his head. His lips tasted like salt. They were warm against her cold skin as he kissed her, the kiss full of promise.
Lightning lit up the sky. Thunder boomed and this time lightning hit the water.
“We have to go in.” Violet tugged on his hand, but Duncan wasn’t moving. He was shaking as he looked to the sky and the gunmetal gray ocean.
Duncan knew Violet was urging him inside, but he could not move. The ground rumbled under his feet as lightning flashed around them, the sea angry and churning.
A moment before it happened, Duncan felt the change. He shoved Violet from him and pulled his blade, but he was no match for the angry sky as the lightning found its mark as the witch said it would.
The ground trembled, and bright white light surrounded him. Duncan could see Violet screaming but could not hear her.
As he looked at the water, he could see his home. The scent of dirt, snow, and stone filled his nose.
“Nay.” He thrust his blade in front of him as if to stop what was coming for him, a force pulling him back to his own time.
Duncan turned, saw Violet crying, and swore.
He closed his eyes. The highlands. He could smell the dirt and the heather. See the sun glinting on the loch.
He heard Violet sobbing. There was no more time. Muscles straining against the wind, Duncan threw the blade into the sea. He closed his eyes and said over and over, “I wish to stay with Violet.”
He was still saying the words, when he felt a small warm hand against his face.
Her face was as pale as the moon.
“You stayed. I was so afraid.” She threw her arms around him. “Stay with me forever, Duncan.”
He sank to his knees in the sand, pulling her to him, brushing his mouth over her skin.
“I have doomed ye.”
“I’m right here. What are you talking about?”
“The witch said if I stayed…”
“What?”
“She said if I went back you would become a famous fashion designer of clothes and move to a great city, but you would never have babes. If I stayed you would not be famous and you would never leave this place.”
He gripped her hand, unwilling to let go, for he was selfish and wanted her for himself.
“I have stolen your dreams.”
“Duncan, stop.”
Violet shook her head. “I already decided to sell my designs. I don’t care about being a famous designer. I don’t want to be alone forever. I want kids. Someday. A bunch of them running around creating chaos.”
She took his hands in hers. “I made my choice before the lightning hit. I want us to be here. Together.”
“Truly?”
The sun broke through the clouds, turning the wet sand to gold.
“Always.” She leaned forward and pressed her lips to his as his arms came around her, holding her close.
“I love you, Duncan. With you I’m whole again.”
“I love ye, Violet. I will love ye until the end of time.”
24
Violet stood on the dock with Duncan looking at the water. He’d bought the stables where Sam had found him a job. The guy who owned them wanted to retire and move to Colorado to be close to his grandkids.
Duncan planned to give not only riding lessons but would offer retreats for rich men to come and learn the art of swordplay and warfare. After he fixed up one of the barns and turned it into nice rooms. Violet would decorate them.
“I heard from Connor today.” Duncan stroked her back.
“He is coming to visit, said he would aid me in getting started.” He kissed the top of her head.
“He said there was much to discuss. That I was not wrong in thinking we came from a similar place, but given his history
he did not want to say too much in an email.”
She turned to look at him. “So he is from the past? It’s really him? I can’t wait to hear his story.”
Duncan frowned. “He was not so fortunate. No one believed him and he ended up in a mental institution for a bit.”
“That’s terrible.” Violet shuddered, thinking of how lost the man must have been with no one to talk to, no one who believed in him.
“Violet?” Duncan tugged on her hand. “Would ye like to go to Scotland? See my home?”
She laughed. “I was going to tell you and then, well, I acted like an idiot.” Violet put her arms around this amazing man that was hers.
“Gram gave us tickets to Scotland. And since I find myself unemployed with lots of time on my hands, let’s go.”
He lifted her into the air, swinging her around, making her shriek. When he put her down, he looked serious.
“What is it?”
“I know ye can earn your own way in this world, but I can provide for us.”
She spoke softly, not wanting to injure his male pride.
“We can provide for each other. As equals. You can do the heavy lifting and I’ll cook since you always burn the toast.”
“Aye, I would like that verra much.”
“Who knows, maybe we could split our time between here and Scotland? Come here in the winter. The beach and the mountains.”
“We would be, what did you call them? Snow eagles?”
“Snowbirds.”
He took her hand in his. “Tell me the story about the ring again.”
The ring was engraved with thistles all around the silver band. It had a pale blue stone and there was writing inside.
Violet pulled off the ring and held it up for Duncan to see. “The words have worn away, but Gram said the shopkeeper told her the ring belonged to the wife of an outlaw who loved her so much he sailed to the ends of the earth to find her when she disappeared during a storm.”
“I would search the world and through a thousand lifetimes to find ye. I love ye, Violet.”
Falling Through Time: A Lighthearted Time Travel Romance (Knights Through Time Romance Book 13) Page 13
