A Heartbeat Back to the Highlands

by Deborah R Stigall

  “The only way for us to know that for sure is for me to spend time with her. And to do that, I’m going to have to go…and be among the others.” Frowning, MacCallen glanced out the window as he saw Harley wheeling another of the residents out into the yard.

  The voice from the locket fretted at this news, the blue light changing to a troubled red. “Ye must be careful. Ye know I canna hold this glamour long.”

  “Aye…but I can help ye. Ye can trust that my powers will help in this struggle. If I’m but among them for a short time, we should be all right.” MacCallen inhaled deeply as he leaned back farther into the pillows.

  “Cailleach Bheur will help us. She has promised it will be so.” The aura surrounding the oval shaped locket relaxed once more to a bluish hue.

  Frowning, MacCallen shook his head as he stared into the depths of the locket. “She will demand a price. Never has the Sea Goddess given her assistance willingly. Ye must choose your words carefully, lest ye regret the pact ye make.”

  “We understand each other, she and I. Ye must not worry about what is to be done.” The light glowing from within the locket slightly began to flicker, as though growing weaker from within. “I must go now. Make haste for we have little time before the locket must be returned to complete our quest.”

  Closing the golden halves until they clicked into place, MacCallen wound the heavy linked chain around the locket and returned it to his pocket. Sliding out of the bed, he moved to sit in the chair beside the window so he could watch Harley and plan his next moves carefully. He’d been charged with a duty where there was much at stake. He was determined that he wouldn’t fail.

  *******

  “The man was an idiot! A complete idiot! Who in their right mind would toss aside a woman like Harley?” Mrs. Neeley wagged a bent finger at her friends as she watched to make sure Harley didn’t overhear.

  “I heard she caught him with his pants down with another woman. Is that true?” Tiny Mrs. Thorpe leaned forward in her wheelchair, her over-sized glasses sliding down her long nose.

  “All true….and on her wedding day no less! Can you imagine how the poor girl must’ve felt?” Olive Johnson scooted to the edge of the couch as she reached for her cup of tea.

  “And now she won’t trust any man at all. Why….I even tried fixing her up with my youngest son, Gerald but she said she’d rather just get a puppy. That at least…she could trust in a dog’s loyalty.” Mrs. Thorpe shook her head as she pushed her glasses back up her nose.

  “Your youngest son Gerald is nearly sixty years old! What in the world would a young girl like Harley want with him?” Mrs. Neeley sat back in her chair, frowning at the age difference between Harley and Mrs. Thorpe’s son.

  “Well, at least she wouldn’t be alone anymore!” Mrs. Thorpe snorted as she picked up her own cup of tea and settled back into her chair. “I’ve caught her when she didn’t know I was watching. I’ve seen the loneliness pouring out of those golden cat eyes of hers.”

  Leaning farther back in his seat, MacCallen turned his head slightly as he took in every word the women were saying. Fate must be with him, providing him all of this information about Harley and her most recent history with men.

  “Matilda, I wish there was something we could do for the dear. You know how fond I am of her.” Olive reached over to pat Mrs. Neeley’s hand as she sadly shook her head. “But Nattie, fixing her up with one of your over-the-hill sons is not the answer. That child needs a man who’ll really stir her blood.”

  MacCallen covered his smile with his hand, as he dropped his chin to his chest. “If they only knew.” He thought to himself as he glanced up to see Harley coming toward him.

  “Are you ready to go outside? It’s a beautiful day and I’d love to take a stroll while you tell me some more seafaring tales.” Harley held out her hand to MacCallen as she nodded toward the door to the gardens.

  “I think I’d best go back to my room. I’ve been up for quite a while now and I’m weary.” Slowly pulling himself up out of the chair, MacCallen leaned heavily against his three-legged cane.

  “Are you sure you couldn’t take just one lap around the gardens? I promise we’ll take it slow.” Linking her arm thru his, Harley looked up into his deep blue eyes as she tried steering him toward the door.

  “No, Lass. Not today. Besides, I believe I’ve told ye every tale that I know.” Firmly pulling his arm out of her grasp, MacCallen started down the hall to his room.

  Her hands on her hips, Harley chewed her lower lip in aggravation. She didn’t like losing a battle of the wills. It wasn’t good for MacCallen to stay isolated in his room. By the strength of his grasp, she didn’t believe his weariness excuse for a minute.

  “Harley, come over here and sit with us a bit. Leave that stodgy old Scott to himself.” Olive patted the cushion on the couch beside her as she nodded for Harley to sit.

  “What are you ladies up to? You look like you’ve been plotting.” Harley tapped one foot as she arched her brows. Every one of them looked like a teenager who’d been caught out after curfew.

  “We’ve decided that we’re going to help you find someone. You know….fix you up.” Nattie Thorpe smiled so widely nearly every tooth of her dentures showed.

  Holding up her hands as she backed toward the hallway, Harley quickly shook her head. “Sorry ladies, but I’ve got to go check on the dinner menus and make sure we’ve got all the supplies we need.” Turning on her heel, she nearly ran down the corridor, safely out of range of the plotting matchmakers.

  *******

  Pursing his lips as he sat up in bed, MacCallen held the locket tightly in his fist. “It’s time,” he whispered into the darkness. “Are ye ready?”

  In immediate reply, the moonstone incrusted in the locket’s face emitted an eerie glow. Inhaling deeply, MacCallen watched the door. Soon, Harley would be making her evening rounds ensuring everyone was settled in comfortably before she went home. Tonight, he would be empowered to complete his quest. All of the elements were perfectly aligned.

  “Mr. MacCallen, are you feeling okay? Rosa said you didn’t eat a bite of the pie I snitched for you.” Pushing thru the doorway, Harley stopped short as she walked into the deep shadows of the darkened room. “Mr. MacCallen, are you awake?”

  “Aye, Lass. I’m resting but I’m no asleep.” MacCallen patiently waited for Harley to walk closer. He needed to look directly into her eyes.

  “Are you okay?” Harley quickly made her way to the bedside, fearing that the old man had taken a turn for the worst.

  “Fine, Lass. But please….sit here…on the side of my bed. I’ll tell ye my favorite story about the sea.” Patting the blanketed side of the bed, MacCallen held his breath as he watched Harley move closer.

  Lightly perching on the edge of the bed, Harley smiled down into the old man’s eyes. “I thought you told me you didn’t have any more stories about the sea? Have you been holding out on me?”

  “Hold out your hand.” MacCallen watched Harley, hoping she’d do as he asked since his time was quickly running out.

  Holding out her hand, Harley patiently waited; wondering what the old man had up his sleeve. A strange chill ran thru her body as he enclosed her hand in both of his and smiled up into her eyes. When he pulled his hands away, her mouth dropped open at the beautiful locket lying in her palms.

  “This is beautiful Mr. MacCallen. Did you find this on one of your journeys?”

  Slowly turning the locket about in her hand, Harley’s eyes widened in admiration at the detailed workmanship of the piece. The heavy gold of the locket was shaped into curls and cusps that looked like the waves of the sea. Each link of the heavy gold chain was also decorated with whirls and flowing lines. The face of the oval locket held a huge moonstone that seemed to be glowing as the locket warmed to her tough. Harley couldn’t remember when she’d seen such a lovely piece of jewelry. She was completely mesmerized by the piece.

  “This locket was fashioned by the Sea God Manannan M
ac Lir to give to his Goddess Bheara. The stone only glows for those who harbor a true love of the sea and for those few, great magic lies within.” MacCallen watched Harley closely, waiting for her reaction.

  Smiling, Harley looked up at MacCallen as she held the necklace up by the chain. “Magic? Wouldn’t that be something?” Humoring the old man, Harley cocked an eyebrow. “What kind of magic could this lovely thing do?”

  MacCallen’s eyes narrowed as he pushed himself up in the bed. “It’s said that if ye hold the locket up to your heart, your deepest desire will come true.”

  “My deepest desires? Now that’s a pretty tall order for something this tiny to do.” Harley bent to return the locket to MacCallen’s hands as she rose from the edge of the bed.

  “Try it….or are ye afraid?” MacCallen folded the locket back inside Harley’s hands, staring deeply into her eyes. “Hold the locket to your heart. See what comes to a true believer.”

  Growing slightly uncomfortable, Harley tried backing away only to find herself unable to pull her hands out of the old man’s grasp. “It’s lovely, Mr. MacCallen. But I’m not much of one to believe in magic. I need to be going…so, why don’t you take the necklace and I’ll get you tucked in for the night.”

  Mr. MacCallen seemed to grow as he moved to stand in front of Harley while keeping her hands imprisoned between his own. Harley’s eyes grew wide as she watched the formerly arthritic old man rise from the bed with amazing ease.

  “It’s time, Harley. I’ve come in answer to your call. I’m to take ye to one who needs ye as much as ye need him.” Pulling her closer, MacCallen spun Harley back against his chest while still keeping her hands grasped between his own.

  “What are you doing?” Harley tried wriggling free, her panic mounting as she found she couldn’t get out of the huge man’s embrace. “Let me go!”

  His mouth near her ear, MacCallen pressed the locket against her chest as he softly whispered to her, “Close your eyes, Lass. What have ye been wishing for? What have ye been searching for…calling out for…all those nights beside the river.”

  Her panic mounting, Harley swallowed hard. MacCallen wasn’t the frail old man he had seemed. In the few minutes in which it had taken for him to ensnare her, he’d grown in strength and seemed younger somehow.

  “Who are you?” Harley whispered, her heart pounding against her chest.

  “Your guide. I’m here to show ye the way. Ye have nothing to fear from me.” Folding his hands over hers, MacCallen continued holding the locket tightly against her chest.

  Beginning to feel faint, Harley closed her eyes as she felt the locket humming against her skin. As soon as her eyes closed, a blinding flash shot behind her eyelids and a roaring filled her ears.

  “He’s killed me.” She weakly moaned to herself as she quickly lost consciousness.

  MacCallen smiled as he looked down at the locket in his hand, the moonstone glowing brightly with a blue white light. Holding it to his ear, he nodded in satisfaction as he heard the steady beating of Harley’s heart.

  CHAPTER TWO

  “There! Look there to the west! Do you see the sails?” Aveline stretched to point over the stone walls surrounding the perimeter of Castle MacKay.

  Shielding his eyes against the sun, Caelan searched across the horizon. “Aye….that’s your brother. I can just make out his colors.” Dropping his hand, he patted Aveline’s shoulder as he watched the ship draw closer to the MacKay docks.

  “Lucky for the lad we’ve spotted his ship. I think your mother was about to pull him through the Mirrors if he didn’t show up soon.” Caelan smiled as he remembered Rachel ranting about thoughtless males and their inconsiderate ways until he’d finally silenced her with a passionate kiss that led her thoughts to more pleasant ideas.

  “He’s been gone too long this time, Papa. It’s bad enough that he has to leave us at all. But when he stays away from us for this long of a time….He’s trying to hide something from us, Papa. Something’s just not right. I feel it and so does Mama. There’s something going on with Ronan and we’ve got to take care of it before it’s too late.” A worried frown shadowing her face, Aveline tiptoed to peer over the walls. Watching Ronan’s ship as it entered the mouth of the bay, a calculating smile slowly blossomed across her face.

  Smoothing Aveline’s wind tossed hair away from her forehead; Caelan eyed his daughter with a troubled gaze. The youngest of his brood, Rachel had told him that Aveline would also be the most powerful in the mystical ways. It was just a matter of guiding her down the right path and ensuring that she be taught to use her gifts wisely.

  “What have ye seen, Avey?”

  Her pale green eyes narrowing, Aveline impatiently brushed at the reddish blonde strands loosed by the persistent breeze. She had to be careful what she said about her brother or her mother would find out that she’d been working with the Mirrors of Time alone.

  “I’m just worried about Ronan, Papa. He’s been gone so long. Maybe it’s just a matter of missing him.”

  His lips thinning into a line of suspicion, Caelan cocked one eyebrow as he watched the emotions flitting across his daughter’s face. She was up to something. He’d bet a keg of ale on it. He made a mental note to speak to Rachel about it….only hoping that whatever it was that Aveline was into this time….wouldn’t backfire on them all before he or Rachel found out what it was.

  “Go and fetch your mother. We’ll all go down to the dock to greet your brother.” Caelan watched as Aveline grabbed her skirts and turned to run down the steps. Shaking his head, he came to the conclusion that three sons had been much easier to raise then his one wee daughter.

  “What is that lass up to now?” Emrys reached the top of the stair, after dodging Aveline’s bouncing exit to collect her mother.

  Leaning his arms against the carved out stone wall, Caelan shook his head as he watched his son’s boat skimming smoothly up to the docks.

  “I don’t know. But she warrants watching. Have ye noticed anything strange or perhaps missing from your library?”

  Emrys slowly made his way across the walkway to lean wearily against the wall. His advancing years were finally beginning to take their toll. He was too old to attempt to keep up with a young girl who appeared to be more powerful than any of the druids in his present or his past.

  He’d managed to survive training Faolan, Ronan and Latharn. But their little sister was to be his undoing. She was more headstrong and wily then any of her siblings had been.

  “She’s been expressing a great deal of curiosity about the Mirrors of Time. She’s asked me several times to describe how I looked thru the portals to find her mother. Rachel has also noticed that Aveline seems more intent on learning to control the Mirrors then she is on any of her other studies.”

  “Have ye talked with Faolan or Latharn about it?” Caelan rubbed the stubble of his chin as he wondered about his daughter’s motives.

  Emrys snorted as he leaned upon his staff. “Ye know those two are absolutely useless against that wee rascal. She’s got all three of her brothers eating out of her hand and not one of them would be the first to betray her.”

  Crossing his arms over his chest, Caelan frowned as he heard the sound of Rachel and Aveline approaching. “I’ll speak to the lads…and convince them that as Avey gets older and more powerful; concealing her mischief might not be the wisest of courses to take.”

  *******

  “Ronan, this wine is very good. Where did you say you got it?” Rachel intently watched her son over the rim of her glass. He’d grown thinner. He was still as tall and broad shouldered as his father but he’d somehow become leaner…tougher during this last jaunt at sea.

  Gone was the softness of youth from his body, he was now a hardened muscular man who would be given a wide berth by any who didn’t know him. His face was tanned and weathered from his life aboard the ship. His dark hair had grown down past his shoulders, and he wore it in a warrior’s braid. His deep green eyes were shadowed with
…something. What was going on with her son?

  “We picked this up in Dela Ruga. I thought it would meet to your liking.” Ronan flashed a smile across the table at his mother...fully aware that she was sizing him up. As soon as dinner was over, he was absolutely positive that she’d corner him for a more thorough cross examination.

  “Father and I looked over the rest of the cargo. Ye’ve done well, little brother.” Faolan proudly clapped Ronan across the back, glad to have his middle brother at home.

  “Did you see the silks I found for ye, Avey?” Ronan winked down the table at his little sister.

  “I did! But I’m happiest with the fact that you’re finally home. Ye were gone too long this time, Brother.” Beaming at Ronan from her seat beside her mother, Aveline sighed in complete satisfaction. Her brother had been out to sea for nearly a year this time and she had missed him terribly. Faolan and Latharn catered to her every whim but Ronan had always been her favorite.

  “Ye were gone a bit overlong this time, Son. Ye need to remember that ye have family who worries about ye.” Caelan pushed the untouched food around on his plate. He wasn’t hungry. He had everything he needed sitting around this table. His family was once again whole.

  Dagun cleared his throat as he noticed Ronan’s jaw flexing as he clenched his teeth to bide his words. “We’ve had such a prosperous year, it didna’ seem like we’d been away so long. Time passes so quickly when the fates smile upon ye.”

  “Aye,” Ronan nodded as he set his goblet on the table, staring down into the crimson depths of his wine. “Forgive me for causing ye to worry. It’s just that when I’m at sea….I’m truly at home.”

  “This is your home. Not that ship!” Aveline folded her arms across her newly blossoming chest as she fixed her brother with a narrow-eyed glare.

  “Aveline! I’ve explained this to you many a time. Be thankful when your brother is among us and be watchful when he’s at sea.” Rachel nodded sternly at her daughter as she pushed her untouched plate away.