by Jennae Vale
“Great! Torture me again. I guess it wasn’t bad enough the first time we had to say goodbye to each other.”
“Ye needed more time together and I’m a hopeless romantic. I think ye belong together. Seven days isnae verra long, but it will be long enough for ye to realize ye are exactly where ye need to be.”
“You’re crazy and manipulative. I am not staying here. Yeah, I’ll stay for the next seven days, but after that I’m going home and you can’t stop me.”
“Well, I think I could, but our agreement is seven days and seven days it will be. Tomorrow is day one. Make good use of yer time, Jenna. Take care now, my dear, and I’ll be in touch at the end of yer stay.”
Abruptly, all Jenna could hear was the crackling of the fire and any sign of Edna having been there disappeared. She was spooked by what had just happened, but she was not going to go wandering around the castle all alone, searching for Ashley. She’d talk to her about it tomorrow. Right now, she needed to sleep. This had been the weirdest two days of her life and it had taken a lot out of her.
TWENTY-THREE
A light tapping on the chamber door told Jenna she wasn’t completely alone. She had been awake for hours and though it was definitely morning, Jenna wasn’t sure what she should be doing. The room was freezing and she really didn’t want to get out of bed to get the fire burning again. Nothing but embers and ashes remained from the fire Helene had started the night before.
Another knock sounded, this time louder and Jenna realized that Helene must have returned to help her get dressed. “Come in,” she called.
The door opened and Cormac peeked his head inside. “Good morning,” he said quietly. “May I come in?”
“Sure.” She shivered and pulled the furs up more tightly around her chin. “The fire’s gone out and I was too cold to get up and start it again,” Jenna explained.
Cormac immediately went to the fireplace and started a fire with little effort. “There, that should warm the room quickly. Do ye need any help getting dressed?” he asked. “I’ll send for Helene.”
“No. Cormac I need to talk to you. Maybe you could help me get dressed while I tell you about what happened last night.”
Cormac looked a bit apprehensive. “Are ye sure ye want me to help ye?”
“Yeah. You’ve seen me without my clothes before. I’m sure we can manage to put a dress on without having to call Helene. Unless, of course, there’s some rule against it here.”
“As ye wish, lass, I’ll be happy to help ye.” Cormac held out his hand and she reached for it, enjoying the familiar sensation of warmth spreading through her limbs. She stepped out of bed and he pulled her closer to the fire.
“My dress is over there,” Jenna pointed to the lavender gown draped over a nearby chair and Cormac retrieved it. Turning her back to him, she let the nightgown drop to the floor. Cormac’s sharp intake of breath told her he was paying close attention. He wrapped his arms around her, holding the dress so she could easily step into it. The closeness of his body and the hardness of his wanting as it pressed against her back had Jenna trembling. Maybe this hadn’t been such a good idea. She steadied her breathing and did her best to pretend she was merely feeling the cold. Cormac quickly pulled the dress up and she put her arms in the sleeves. He then expertly did up the laces and when he was done, he stepped away from her. She immediately missed the warmth of his body and turned to look at him for the first time since he’d entered her room. He was more handsome than words could express.
“Thank you,” she managed.
“Yer welcome, lass. Is there anything else I can help ye with?”
“No,” she answered. “I really wanted to tell you about what happened last night when I went to bed.”
“I’m listening.”
“Edna was here. Not physically, but I could hear her in my mind.”
“Ah…” Cormac seemed disappointed, probably because he suspected that meant she’d be leaving.
“She told me that I have to stay here for seven days. Just like you had to stay in San Francisco for seven days.”
“Did she say why?” Relief was tangible in his voice.
“Just that I needed to take the time to get to know you better. She said at the end of the seven days, if I still wanted to return to San Francisco, she’d send me back.”
“I see. How do ye feel about that, Jenna? Do ye want to get to know me better?” He seemed anxious, like a little boy awaiting his punishment.
“Yeah. I do want to get to know you better, but I don’t think it will matter. I’m still going home,” she said firmly.
“Well, then, I guess we should get started. I’d like to show ye my world, just as ye showed me yers.” He watched her with one eyebrow cocked, waiting for her answer.
“Okay. Can we start with breakfast first? I’m starving.” She gave him her most brilliant smile. It wasn’t faked, but very real. She really was happy to have the opportunity to spend time with him. Once Edna took the choice of leaving immediately, away from her, Jenna realized she probably would enjoy this experience, just as Ashley had suggested. “Cormac, I’d like to apologize. I know, I know, I’m always apologizing for my behavior, but I unjustly accused you of kidnapping me. Edna set me straight and I wanted you to know that I am so sorry I doubted you.”
“‘Tis nothing for ye to concern yerself with. I understand why ye would think those thoughts and I dinnae hold it against ye.”
“Good. So we’re okay, then?” she asked hopefully.
Cormac nodded. “Aye, we are.”
Jenna threw her arms around his waist and hugged him for all she was worth. She felt Cormac’s arms wrap around her and an audible sound of relief escaped his lips.
“Breakfast?” she asked.
“Aye.”
Cormac was so relieved to have the Jenna he loved back, he could hardly contain his excitement. Everyone was already seated and eating when Cormac and Jenna arrived in the great hall. Irene looked up, with surprise written all over her face. He knew she was concerned about him; she had shared that much with him last night. She wasnae sure Jenna was to be trusted with Cormac’s heart. He understood Irene didnae wish to see him hurt, but he was not a little boy anymore and he was capable of handling anything life threw his way, including the possibility that Jenna would end up breaking his heart. If that was to happen, so be it. He wouldnae allow that to ruin the next seven days with her.
“Good morning,” Jenna greeted everyone cheerfully. “I’d like to apologize for my behavior yesterday. I was very tired and I felt out of place, so I wasn’t on my best behavior. I hope you can all forgive me.”
“Of course we can, lass. Shall we start by properly introducing ourselves? I be Robert, the laird of Clan MacKenzie and I’m happy to know ye.” Robert stood and came around the table to take Jenna’s hand in his. Raising it to his lips, he gently kissed her knuckles. Jenna turned a becoming shade of pink. Right behind him was Cailin, who also took Jenna’s hand and kissed it. Jenna had already met everyone, but this was their way of letting her know that she was welcome among them, even if she hadn’t been at her best on their first meeting.
“I be Cailin, Cormac’s brother and husband to Ashley, but ye already ken that.” Cormac saw Cailin wink conspiratorially at Jenna.
Irene sat silently, her face a stony mask. “I believe ye met me sister Irene when we arrived yesterday, and ye already know Ashley,” Cormac said.
“I’m very happy to meet all of you and I’m looking forward to getting to know you better,” Jenna said shyly.
“Jenna will be staying with us for seven days and then she’ll decide if she wants to return to her home.” Cormac wanted them to know what was taking place, so they would all be comfortable with each other.
“Why seven days?” Irene asked.
“My trip to San Francisco was for seven days and Edna thought it would be a good length of time for Jenna to get to know me better and to get to know all of you. It will also give her time to spend
with Ashley.”
“That’s exciting news, Jenna! It makes me very happy,” Ashley bubbled.
Taking Jenna’s hand, Cormac led her around to her seat beside Ashley. “I will use the time to show Jenna around Breaghacraig and while she’s here, I will teach her to ride a horse.”
Jenna immediately protested. “Cormac, I don’t think that’s a good idea. I’m only going to be here for seven days, I really don’t need to know how to ride.”
“Jenna’s afraid of horses. She had an accident when she was a child,” Cormac explained to the others.
“That’s right,” Ashley chimed in. “I remember that day you came to the barn with me and took a lesson. You never wanted anything to do with them after that.”
“And I still don’t,” Jenna said firmly.
“Cormac I believe there’s a mare in the stables that would be perfect for Jenna,” Robert offered. “She’s verra sweet. Ye’ll love her, Jenna.”
“I don’t know,” Jenna began anxiously.
“Lass, I told ye I’d find ye the most gentle horse in all of Scotland and I believe ye’ll fall in love with her. I won’t let any harm come to ye,” Cormac assured her.
“I know, but horses are so big and I don’t know how you can stop it, if it wants to toss me off,” Jenna worried.
“Let’s eat breakfast first and we’ll talk about it later. How does that sound?”
Jenna smiled in agreement and helped herself to some food. “This is so good.” She started eating and Cormac relaxed and did the same. The family discussed their plans for the day as they ate breakfast. Cormac took suggestions on things he should share with Jenna while she was visiting and Jenna seemed agreeable to most of them. He was going to have to overcome her fear of horses for some of the activities. It wasn’t that he minded sharing his horse with her, but Cormac felt sure if she could ride a horse of her own, it would build up her confidence, and she could begin to see Breaghacraig as the beautiful place he knew it to be, instead of something to fear.
So far, Jenna was feeling better about being at Breaghacraig this morning. She decided she was going to try and be open to new experiences - with the exception of learning to ride. Cormac was crazy, if he thought he was going to convince her to try it. She still had memories of her fall years before, and the fear and pain it had caused. He’d have to be extremely persuasive to convince her and she doubted that would happen.
After breakfast was finished, Jenna went walking with Cormac and he showed her around the castle. They had already done a tour of the interior and now they had moved outdoors. Cormac had shown Jenna the postern gate, which led out through the back of the castle grounds, the barracks, the blacksmith and now they were heading towards the stables.
Jenna didn’t have a good feeling about this idea. Stopping dead in her tracks, she tried to divert Cormac in a different direction. “What’s over there?” She pointed vaguely off into the distance.
“Where?” Cormac asked.
“Over there,” she pointed again.
Cormac sighed heavily. “Jenna, we’ve already been over every inch of the inner courtyard. Let’s go into the stables. There’s something in there I’d like to show ye.”
When she didn’t budge, he tried grasping her hand and tugging. Still no movement. Jenna was quite determined she was not going into that stable and she appealed to him with wide eyes. “I can’t go in there, Cormac, there are horses in there.”
“Jenna, ye’re always so brave. Please, trust me, I won’t let them harm ye,” Cormac coaxed quietly.
Jenna stared up at him with obvious fear in her eyes.
“I promise,” he said.
“If anything happens to me, I’m going to be so angry with you,” she snarled.
“I’ll take my chances. Come.” He led her in to the darkened stables. The smell of horses, sweet hay, and leather assailed her nostrils. It wasn’t a bad smell, just different to what she was used to. Adjusting to the lack of good lighting, she also noticed how quiet it was. The only sounds she could hear were those of the horses, munching on hay in their stalls. She was surprised at the peaceful feeling that came over her.
“I know this is all new to ye, but Jenna, I want to share the things from my world with ye. Just as ye did with me, in San Francisco.”
“Okay, I get it,” Jenna said, relenting a tiny bit.
Cormac led her down the line of stalls. Each one they passed held a horse, whose head bobbed up with a mouthful of hay when they passed. It seemed the horses were curious about who was visiting the stables. As they approached the last few stalls, Saidear, popped up and nickered at Cormac. Jenna approached the horse with caution, holding out her hand for him to sniff. “Hello, Saidear,” she whispered. “It’s good to see you again.” The horse snuffled against her hand and stuck his nose further out to sniff her hair. She could feel the warmth of his breath against her face. Feeling a bit braver, Jenna touched his soft nose and let her hand glide up to his forelock, which she fluffed with her fingers. Cormac stood beside her, not saying a word. She knew he was letting her experience this at her own pace.
Cormac handed her an apple. “For Saidear,” he said.
Jenna looked questioningly at him. “You want me to feed him?”
“Aye. Put it in yer hand like this.” He showed her how to lay her palm out flat and place the apple on it. Then he held her hand out in front of Saidear, who scooped the apple up and happily munched away on the sweet treat.
Jenna giggled. “I did it! He didn’t bite me.”
“Jenna, come see this lovely mare over here.”
She turned to the stall across from Saidear. A beautiful little black horse stood there. She had soft, licorice eyes and a sweet demeanor. Her ears were pricked forward in Jenna’s direction.
“What’s her name?” Jenna asked.
“Rose. Like the flower.”
“Hello Rose, like the flower.” Jenna held her hand out to the mare, who gently sniffed it. “I’m sorry. I don’t have an apple for you. Saidear ate it all.”
“Here, love. I have one for her.” Cormac handed her another apple.
Rose was very dainty in her approach to the apple, unlike Saidear; she took her time and delicately bit a single bite instead of taking the whole apple. Jenna looked up at Cormac with wonder in her eyes. This wasn’t so bad. These horses were actually very sweet and gentle.
Cormac put a halter on Rose and handed a lead rope to Jenna, who looked at him questioningly. “Here you go. Let’s go for a walk with her.” They walked out of the stables and into the sunshine and Jenna had to blink several times to adjust to the brightness. “This way,” Cormac said, leading them through the gate that led out of the castle.
“Where are we going?” Jenna asked, with a tinge of apprehension in her voice.
“Don’t worry. We’re nae going far and I’ll nae have ye get on her today. Just get to know her for now. Ye must learn to trust each other.”
Jenna smiled and breathed a sigh of relief. She wasn’t going to be coerced into riding today. Thank goodness. She wasn’t prepared for that idea, but she could take Rose for a walk. As they strolled, Cormac explained different things about Rose that Jenna needed to know. He explained how a horse’s ears were a good way to tell what they were thinking. Pricked straight forward, they were paying attention to something ahead of them. Pinned back and they were showing displeasure. One ear forward and one ear back suggested they were listening to their rider and paying attention to what was in front of them. He gave her lots of useful information and she realized what a wonderful, patient teacher he was with her. She knew she had not been quite as patient with him when their circumstances had been reversed. She felt badly about that. “Cormac, I’m sorry for all the times back home when I was impatient with you. You know, when you were asking me questions and I’d tell you to ask Dylan. I was rude and you didn’t deserve that.”
“Lass, don’t trouble yerself. I ken ye thought I was playing a trick on ye. Now ye ken I wasnae. D
innae fash. I have thick skin.” He gave her one of his blindingly brilliant smiles and Jenna knew all was forgiven.
“I like Rose,” Jenna said, surprising herself with the admission. “She’s very sweet.”
“I’m happy ye like her. Mayhap tomorrow, ye’ll feel comfortable enough to get on her for a wee ride.”
“Maybe. We’ll see.” Jenna was softening her stance regarding the whole riding thing, feeling as if she could do anything, as long as Cormac was by her side.
They continued walking and Jenna was quite taken with the beauty of the surrounding area. It was so picturesque. It was also very quiet. She hadn’t realized just how much noise was constantly being made in her own time. No cars and no planes here in medieval Scotland. No cell phones either and if she was honest with herself, she wasn’t missing it. This truly was a new experience.
“I’m happy yer here, Jenna,” Cormac said. “I was hoping I would be able to show you Breaghacraig and I’m pleased to do so now.”
“It’s beautiful, Cormac. Everything about it is…” Jenna struggled to find just the right words. When she couldn’t she said, “It’s so different. I like it.”
Cormac’s whole face lit up. He reached an arm out and pulled her towards him, lifting her in the air, and twirling her around. Jenna shrieked and laughed at his antics. He put her back down and held her close, tipping her chin up so she was looking directly into his devastating blue eyes.
“Ye make me so happy, Jenna.” And then he kissed her, sending her head spinning and her legs wobbling. She kissed him back with a heart full of passion.
Their lips parted and Jenna said, “You make me happy, too, Cormac.” She snuggled in closer to him, resting her head on his chest. With her eyes closed and feeling at peace with her situation, Jenna was surprised to feel whiskers tickling her cheek, followed by soft, warm horse breath in her ear.
“I think Rose is feeling a wee bit jealous,” Cormac laughed.
