Catching his hand, she pressed the gold disk she’d dug out of the deepest recesses of her purse into his palm. “I once told Donell I was willing to leave my future mostly to fate. Your condition can be to make this adventure mostly permanent.” She pinned her stern gaze on Donell. “You will send him home if he ever needs you to. Won’t you?”
Donell pulled out a handkerchief and blew his nose noisily. “Aye, I’ll watch over him for ye, lass.”
Scarlett nodded, refusing to show her heartbreak to the others. This would be the hardest part about leaving, but it was for the best.
“Take this, too.” She thrust her purse at Rhys. “I won’t be needing it.”
“I doubt I will either, dearest Scar.”
His teasing brought a reluctant smile to her lips. One last quip to send her on her way.
“Money,” she told him. “There’s tons of cash in there. Withdraw more, as much as you can as quick as you can. You know my PIN number. The moment my mother figures out I’m ‘missing’ again, it’ll be no good.”
Rhys took the bag. “Dinnae frown so, lass. Let me remember ye wi’ yer bonny smile on yer lips.”
Scarlett forced one into place.
“Will we see ye again, Donell?” Connor asked.
“If needs be,” Donell responded with a mischievous grin. “Ready then?”
Everyone nodded in agreement, though emotion was thick in the air. Scarlett lifted Halli from the car seat and cuddled her. The reassuring weight of Laird’s arm fell across her shoulder and he pulled her close.
A flash of white and Dunskirk…their Dunskirk—stood before them.
They had time for one more swift farewell before another flash carried Emmy and Connor away with Donell.
Laird and Scarlett stayed there for a few moments. Reminiscing about all they’d seen and done. What they learned about what was most important in life.
Inside, Laird’s family awaited them. Brothers, sisters. There would always be an ache in Scarlett’s heart, filling the void of Rhys’s absence. However, with friends, family, Laird’s love and the joys of motherhood, the life she was meant to live would be beyond fulfilling.
Laird’s lips grazed her temple and happiness settled like a comforting blanket over Scarlett.
Everything was just as it was meant to be.
This time forever.
Forever, with her laird to hold.
Epilogue
Donell traced a finger across the title on the cover of the book in his lap. Conversations Among Men. Opening it, he read Hugh’s dedication for the hundredth time.
Savor each day, whenever it may be,
knowing it is the perfect time and place for you.
He sat back with a broad grin folding his face into deep creases. He liked to think he’d taught Hugh that. Taught them all. They’d all learned much about what was most important.
Now, everything was as it should be.
In Inverness in 2013, Hugh and Rhys painted the walls of the nursery while Claire looked on with pleasure. At least they’d chosen a suitable color.
Rhys hadn’t yet forgiven Jack for his duplicity. Fortunately, Donell knew how that turned out.
At Duart Castle in 1896, Connor lifted Emmy off her feet and spun her around with delight. They’d just found out she was pregnant. Of course, Donell had known all along.
Way back in 1519 at Dunskirk, Scarlett and Laird snuggled together on the settee in front of a roaring fire. Their hale and healthy children nearby. Halli asleep in her wooden cradle. Hermione waving her wand at one of the Harry Potter volumes whispering spells.
What a handful she would be.
Donell should know.
And at Rosebraugh Castle in 1747, Keir and Al were showing the wee lad they’d adopted how to see the stars through their telescope. Too bad it wasn’t the future they saw in the stars or they’d chuckle as much as Donell.
But then, how could they know that the boy they’d taken into their hearts and home had a great destiny of his own to fulfill? They’d never heard of the Earl of Stratheclyde before.
What Connor didn’t know about this ancestor couldn’t hurt him.
And besides, Donell did like having a few secrets of his own.
Aye, everything was as it should be.
For now.
It would be a while yet before he was needed again. Before Rhys needed him. Or Danny O’Bierne, for that matter.
These folks couldn’t last long without him.
In the meantime, he’d take that vacation he’d promised himself. The Highlands in spring had become his favorite time of all the places and times he’d visited. Perhaps he’d do a little fishing.
After that…
Mayhap he’d find another project to occupy his time.
Author’s Note
I hoped you enjoyed this finale to the Laird for All Time series. Were it not for the many requests I’ve received from readers over the years, it may have never happened. So thank you!
It’s a different approach to time travel romance to bring our heroes and heroines into the modern era. More unusual, I know, to take the magic out of the equation. I hope I’ve provided a mix of both. Many believe our fates are set and futures assured. Others believe the future is ever shifting. Changing from one decision to the next. David Hume provided an excellent theorem on the matter of free will. One of the most interesting topics discussed while I earned my minor in religious philosophy years ago.
If the idea of free will is to be accepted, the future cannot be predicted. That means the past itself was formed along the way. There’ve been a thousand debates about whether the past could be changed if time travel were possible. Or if it’s static and consistent.
There are also a lot of books available on the subject, if you ever get that curious.
Donell’s method of time travel is entirely theoretical. Not possible currently but based on the quantum theory I presented in A Time & Place for Every Laird, at least probable.
We’ll have to wait and see.
As for Auld Donell’s plan for the future, I guess we’ll just have to wait and see about that, too.
If you enjoyed this book, please take a few minutes of your time to leave a review for me. I’d be forever grateful.
While success for me personally is measured in bringing you joy, a moment of emotion, and escape from the hectic thing that is life, it is also measured by the quality and quantity of the reviews my books receive. They don’t just help other readers decide to spend their time and money on a book, they help me, too. I read each one that is posted. I take what you say to heart and use it to improve and grow.
Best wishes to you all.
Angeline
About the Author
Angeline Fortin is the author of historical and time-travel romance offering her readers a fun, sexy and often touching tales of romance.
Her 2015 time travel romance, Taken: A Laird for All Time Novel, was awarded the Virginia Romance Writers 2015 Holt Medallion Award for Paranormal Romance. She is a PAN member of the Romance Writers of America and Midwest Fiction Writers.
With a degree in US History from UNLV and having previously worked as a historical interpreter at Colonial Williamsburg, Angeline brings her love of history and Great Britain to the forefront in settings such as Victorian London and Edinburgh.
As a former military wife, Angeline has lived from the west coast to the east, from the north and to the south and uses those experiences along with her favorite places to tie into her time travel novels as well.
Angeline is a native Minnesotan who lives in Apple Valley outside the Twin Cities with her husband, two children and four dogs.
She is a wine enthusiast, DIY addict (much to her husband's chagrin) and sports fanatic who roots for the Twins and Vikings faithfully through their highs and lows.
Most of all she loves what she does every day - writing. She does it for you the reader, to bring a smile or a tear and loves to hear from her fans.
You
can check out her website www.angelinefortin.com for summaries off all her books, companion information and sign up for her newsletter for news about upcoming releases. You can contact her at [email protected].
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Also By Angeline Fortin
Regency Historical Romance
Pride & Penitence
The Questions for a Highlander Series:
A Question of Love
A Question of Trust
A Question of Lust
The Perfect Question
A Question for Harry
A Question Worth Asking
The Laird for All Time Series:
A Laird for All Time
A Time & Place for Every Laird
Taken: A Laird for All Time Novel
Love in the Time of a Highland Laird
Time Travel Romance:
Nothing But Time
My Heart’s in the Highlands
Short Stories:
In The Holiday Spirit in Spirits of the Season anthology
The Leap in Romancing the Lakes of Minnesota~Autumn
Alone with the Devil in Romancing the Lakes of Minnesota~Winter
A Three Night Stand in Romancing the Lakes of Minnesota~Summer
Copyright © 2017 Angeline Fortin
All rights reserved
Names, characters, and incidents depicted in this book are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental and beyond the intent of the author or the publisher. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.
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A Laird to Hold Page 27
