by Jennae Vale
“Have fun,” Ashley smiled and winked at Cormac.
“We will, dinnae fash,” Cormac answered, eyes twinkling with mischief. “Come, let’s go, Jenna.” They left the noise of the hall for the contrasting silence outdoors. “Are ye warm enough?”
“I’m fine. The fresh air feels good and besides, I happen to know that, if need be, you’ll keep me warm.” Jenna poked Cormac in the side and when he tried to return the favor by tickling her, she squealed with delight and tried to run. Cormac wrapped his arms around her waist before she could get away and lifted her off the ground.
“Dinnae think ye can escape,” he chuckled. “We’re going this way.” He led her to the steps to the battlements.
“Oh, I’ve been here before. Ashley brought me up here.”
Cormac lifted an eyebrow. “Did she? Whatever for?”
“I’m not sure I’m supposed to say. It might be a secret,” Jenna said with a mysterious smile.
“Dinnae make me tickle it out of ye, lass,” Cormac teased.
“Okay, okay… she showed me a place where the women go, to watch you guys at work on the practice field.”
“I see. And what did ye think?”
“I was impressed,” Jenna admitted.
“And what precisely were ye impressed with?” Cormac thought he knew the answer to his question, but he wanted to hear Jenna’s response.
“Well, there was this one guy…” she started.
“Aye. And what is his name? I’ll be sure to work him extra hard tomorrow.”
Jenna giggled at that. “I think his name is… Cormac MacBayne. Do you know him?”
“Aye. I do. I hear he fancies a lass named Jenna. Have ye heard it too?”
“I think I might have heard that rumor going around,” Jenna teased him back.
Managing to draw her attention away from Cormac, Jenna was amazed by the darkness of the sky and by the bright dots of lights that were scattered across it. “This is beautiful, Cormac. Thank you for bringing me here.”
“‘Tis my pleasure. Ye shared yer favorite places in San Francisco with me and I wanted to do the same for ye.”
“I’m so happy that you did,” Jenna replied, as she snuggled closer to Cormac. “I’m feeling a little cold. Could you warm me up, please?”
“Ye dinnae have to ask me twice.” Cormac pulled her close and wrapped her in his strong embrace. “Is that better, love?”
“Yes. It’s perfect.”
TWENTY-SIX
The morning air was chilly, but Jenna was focused on the fact that she was about to mount a horse and take her first riding lesson since her accident as a child.
“Dinnae fash, Jenna. I willnae allow anything to happen to ye,” Cormac reassured her.
“Okay. It’s just that I’m afraid and I know Rose can sense it. Are you sure I won’t make her nervous?”
“She is a verra quiet mare. Many a child has learned to ride on her. Now ‘tis yer turn.”
Jenna tentatively stepped up next to Rose and laid her hand on the horse’s neck. “Hi, Rosie. Be good to me, okay?” Cormac helped her mount the horse and then took the lead rope and walked Rose around the circular pen near the stable.
“‘Tis important that ye learn to balance yerself,” Cormac instructed. “I’ll hold onto Rose and ye can concentrate on yer seat.”
Jenna did as she was instructed and Cormac had her first walking, and then trotting around without holding onto the horse or the saddle. He taught her how to sit, where to keep her legs and most of all how to relax on her mount. Rose for her part, was a star. She never once took a wrong step and she seemed as concerned as Cormac that Jenna stay safe in the saddle. Rose was a very placid horse and if she felt Jenna’s weight shift, she seemed to push herself instinctively to that side, in order to save Jenna from falling. Jenna’s confidence grew with every passing minute and she found herself smiling and enjoying herself.
“Shall we take her to a canter, Jenna?” Cormac asked.
Apprehension lit Jenna’s face. “I’m not so sure that would be a good idea.”
“Try it for me. Have Rose and I not taken good care of ye today?”
“Yes, you have,” Jenna said. She squared her shoulders and sat up straight and tall. Taking a deep breath, she said, “Okay. Let’s do it.”
“Jenna, put yer right foot back and squeeze,” Cormac instructed.
“Oh, my…” Jenna squealed when Rose broke into a gentle canter. She grabbed for the saddle for balance.
“Ye can hold onto the saddle if ye like, Jenna. Dinnae be afraid. Yer doing verra well, lass.”
Jenna held the saddle with both hands for a minute or two and then, she put first one arm and then the other straight out to either side and relaxed into the saddle and the rhythm of the horse without holding on for support.
“Jenna, we’re going to go back to a trot and then to a walk.”
As Rose slowed to an eventual walk, Jenna’s face lit up with a glorious smile. “I did it, Cormac! I did it!” Stopping Rose, Cormac scooped her from the saddle and she wrapped her arms around his neck, kissing him soundly on the lips before alighting on the ground.
“Ye did it! I’m so proud of ye. Thank ye for trusting Rose and me.”
“I can’t wait to tell Ashley. She’ll never believe it.”
“Tomorrow I’ll take ye off the lead and ye can do it on yer own.”
She couldn’t believe it, but she was actually excited about overcoming her fear. It felt so good to be in control of something that had been a constant source of stress all these years.
“You’re the best teacher, Cormac. I love you,” she blurted the words before she could stop herself.
Cormac appeared stunned by the admission. “Do ye, Jenna?” he responded quietly.
“I do, Cormac,” she said, realization dawning. She really did. Back in San Francisco, she thought she might be falling in love with him, but she’d just confirmed it in her own mind. It wasn’t a romantic dream she’d been having. It was something so much more. “You’re everything I’ve ever wanted, Cormac. You’re kind, you’re patient, and you’re fun to be with. You make me feel so special. I’ve never had that before. I didn’t think it was possible for me to fall in love again and I’ve been denying it ever since we met. I thought I was a really bad judge of character because of what happened with Jonathan, but you’ve proven me wrong.”
Cormac seemed speechless. The love in his eyes was apparent. After a moment, he said, “Ye fill my heart, Jenna. It feels ready to burst with happiness. Does this mean ye’ll stay? Please, stay, Jenna. Ye can’t leave now.”
The euphoria Jenna had been experiencing vanished as she realized that this was not going to work. She had just told Cormac she loved him and she’d made the mistake of letting him think they had hope of a future together. Irene was right. She was going to break his heart and hers was going to be broken as well.
“Jenna?” Cormac sounded worried. “What’s wrong, lass? Ye were so happy and now ye seem…” His voice trailed off. He must have guessed exactly what Jenna was thinking.
“I’m sorry, Cormac. I shouldn’t have said any of those things to you. I’m a terrible person. Please forgive me.” Tears welled up in Jenna’s eyes as she realized what a dreadful mess she had made. “I’m so, so sorry.”
Cormac hugged her tightly to his chest. “Dinnae greet, Jenna, love. I understand. I truly do. ‘Tis a terrible trick that has been played upon us. ‘Tis nae yer fault. There is nothing for me to forgive.”
Jenna sniffled and gulped for air. Tear filled eyes gazed into Cormac’s and she saw that he too had eyes full of sadness. Why had this happened to them? She silently cursed Edna and once again was thankful she wasn’t standing in front of her. If she had been, Jenna might have knocked her on her ass. Cormac put one arm around her and holding the lead rope in the other hand, led Jenna and Rose back to the stables. Jenna was inconsolable as he handed Rose off to the stable boy.
“Come, Jenna, we can’t have t
he others see ye like this. Let’s sit for a moment.” He led her to a bench just outside of the stables, but hidden from the view of any passersby. There they sat, each in their own world of hurt. Each wanting something they knew was not going to be possible. It took a while, but eventually they were able to express their feelings.
“I’m sorry, Cormac. I’ve made a complete mess of things,” Jenna apologized again.
“Jenna. Ye must not feel that this is yer doing. ‘Tis not.”
“I know. I guess on some level, I wish I could stay here with you. Not go back home. I’d have you and Ashley.”
“Ye’d have much more than just the two of us. Ye’d have my family, my clan.”
“I don’t think your sister likes me very much. I don’t know that I’d fit in here.”
“Irene and ye are verra much alike. She is my sister and she believes ‘tis her role in life to take care of Cailin and me. Ye’d think she had enough to do with looking after her own bairns, her husband and being the Lady of the castle,” he chuckled. “You may not have brothers, or bairns, but ye have Dylan. Ye take care of him and ye’d be verra suspicious of any woman who was in his life for more than a mere night. Ye love him as though he were yer brother. Ye have yer friends and yer life in San Francisco. I cannae ask ye to give all that up for me and as much as I love ye, Jenna, I dinnae believe I could survive in San Francisco. I fear I would be lost and that I’d become a burden to ye. I couldnae live with that.”
“You’d never be a burden to me, Cormac. But, you’re right. It would be much too difficult for you to jump ahead by five hundred years and fit comfortably into life there. It was a fun vacation, but living it every day is something else altogether.”
“Well, then, I think we agree that we only have a few days together. So, I’d like to spend them with ye, Jenna. But I want to see yer smiling face and know that we are making the most of every second we have together. Agreed?”
“Agreed,” Jenna smiled for the first time since they’d sat down.
“Then let’s go see what mischief we can get into, shall we?”
He took Jenna’s hand and they wandered off towards the castle doors.
***
Cormac opened the doors to Breaghacraig and peeked around in search of his sister. It was totally silent inside. No one was around to disturb them. When he’d suggested that they see what mischief they could get into, both he and Jenna knew exactly what he meant. He wanted to be alone with her, but he had a few things he needed to get in order first.
“Wait for me up in yer chambers, Jenna. I willnae be long, I promise.”
“I hope not. I can’t get out of this dress on my own, Mister,” Jenna playfully eyed Cormac as she headed for the stairs.
Cormac laughed as he headed off to find someone to help draw a bath for them. Well, technically it had to be for Jenna. He couldn’t exactly tell anyone it was for both of them, but what they didn’t know couldn’t hurt anyone. He rounded up the tub, the largest one he could find, and the boys to bring the hot water. He also found some of Robert’s fine wine and two goblets. Cheese and fruit were next and for good measure, he went out to the garden and picked a beautiful red rose for his love.
Arriving upstairs in Jenna’s room, he found her waiting patiently for him in a chair by the fireplace, where he presented her with his treasures.
“I tried to start a fire, but I’m not very good at it,” she admitted.
“I’ll take care of that for ye, my sweet.” Cormac got the fire started and it was blazing merrily before long.
“Don’t you think that might be a bit too much heat?” Jenna asked.
“Not at all, love,” Cormac replied. There was a knock at the door and he opened it up to a troop of young boys with buckets of hot water and a large tub, which they set by the fire. Jenna seemed to be catching on as her tongue darted out to wet her lips.
“A bath would be very nice. Thanks for thinking of me,” Jenna said.
Cormac waited impatiently for the lads to finish filling the tub and then closed and locked the door behind them. He hesitated for only a moment before turning back to Jenna. “Shall we?” He motioned towards the tub.
Jenna glided across the room and was in his arms in a heartbeat. Their lips met in a tangle of tongues and lips. Their physical yearning for each other had reached its limit and Cormac could hardly wait to get Jenna out of her gown. He made fast work of the laces and had it pulled off her as quickly as possible. He admired her from head to toe and then led her to the tub. She stepped in and settled down into the water, sinking in up to her chin and staring at him wantonly. Cormac disrobed to Jenna’s appreciative stare and joined her, sloshing water out of the tub as he got in and sat across from her. Jenna leaned forward and kissed him gently, her tongue tickling his lips. Her hands went to work below the water line and Cormac threw his head back in ecstasy. He knew this had been a good idea. Perhaps the best one he’d ever had. He loved that Jenna was so uninhibited. She was so unlike any of the women he’d been with in the past. She was a beauty beyond compare and she was his. His for this short time and he would enjoy every minute he had with her. From the looks of her, Jenna was enjoying it as well. She scooted forward and lowered herself onto him. A moan escaped her lips and Cormac was lost to the incredible sensations that assailed him as Jenna slowly rocked up and down. His hands found her hips and guided her movement, just as their lips locked on one another. Cormac growled deep in his throat and quickened his movements within Jenna.
“Oh, Jenna, Jenna,” Cormac cried out as Jenna called his name in response, each reaching their climax and seeing it in one another’s eyes.
“That was fun,” Jenna said breathlessly. “I like your idea of mischief.” Jenna sat with her back nestled into Cormac’s chest. They stayed that way until the water was no longer warm.
“The water’s getting cold, aye. Let’s get out and under the covers.”
They got out of the tub and dried each other off. Jenna scurried across to the bed and Cormac grabbed the food and wine, bringing it with him. He climbed in next to Jenna and poured them a goblet of wine each, and then placed the bottle on the floor. The plate of food sat in his lap.
“This is a very romantic way to spend an afternoon, Cormac,” Jenna batted her eyelashes playfully at Cormac.
“Aye. I have a bit of romance in me, love.”
“You certainly do,” Jenna seemed to have forgotten her woes for now, happily wrapping herself in Cormac’s embrace.
They finished their wine and set everything aside. Jenna yawned heavily and lay her head on Cormac’s chest.
For Cormac’s part, he was content. If only he could find a way to make this moment last forever.
TWENTY-SEVEN
“Ashley, are you sure this is a good idea?” Jenna asked for the umpteenth time, as they walked along the path to visit one of the outlying cottages.
“Jenna, it’s fine. I do this all the time. Don’t be such a worrywart,” Ashley chided gently.
“Okay. But I don’t want to be around when Cailin finds out we’re gone,” Jenna warned.
“I want you to meet this sweet little family. They were among the first I met when I got here. You’ll love them.”
Jenna wasn’t so sure about that. They had been walking for what seemed like an hour and her feet were starting to hurt. She wasn’t sure at all that it was what a pregnant Ashley should be doing. They rounded a curve in the road and before them sat a small cottage. Smoke was coming from the chimney and the sounds of children playing were evident in the otherwise silent surroundings. Jenna just wanted to spend some time with Ashley and the rest of her time with Cormac. She didn’t really care about meeting people, but she couldn’t seem to get that message across to Ashley. It was apparently really important to Ashley that she get to know these people. Ashley had explained that Heather and Finn were not aware of the whole time travelling thing, so Jenna was going to have to be careful not to give anything away. The basket of goodies she’d been
carrying was getting heavy and Jenna would be happy to hand it over once they arrived.
“Lady Ashley!” A young sandy-haired boy came running towards them with a dog by his side.
“Willliam!” Ashley called and opened her arms to welcome him into her embrace. “How are you, William? I haven’t seen you in a while.”
“I be fine, Lady Ashley. Me mum will be happy to see ye.” Jenna caught his questioning gaze when he looked her way.
“I’m Jenna,” she offered. “I’m a friend of Lady Ashley’s.”
“Are ye from America, too?” he asked.
“I am.” She handed him the basket. “We’ve brought some American surprises with us.”
“Thank ye, Lady Jenna. We be verra grateful.”
By now, the other children were headed their way. Each greeted Ashley with a hug, the youngest, Mary, climbing into her arms. She threw her arms around Ashley’s neck and hugged her tight. They were all introduced to Jenna, who found herself, surprisingly, enjoying the chance to meet them. As they walked towards the cottage, a man and woman came out and waved to them.
“That’s me Ma and Da,” William announced.
“Heather and Finn,” Ashley added.
“Good day to ye, Lady Ashley,” Finn said as they approached. “How be ye, this fine day?”
“I’m fine, Finn. You all look to be doing well,” Ashley said.
“Aye. That we are,” Heather responded. “‘Tis good to see ye.” Heather came forward to embrace Ashley.
“Heather, Finn, this is my good friend Jenna. She’s just arrived from America.”
“Ye must have had a long journey, Lady Jenna.”
“It wasn’t too bad,” Jenna responded. She didn’t get the whole Lady Jenna thing, but Ashley had told her to go along with it.
“Are ye from the same place in America as Lady Ashley?” Heather questioned.
“Yes. We grew up together.”
“Will ye be staying for a while then?” Finn asked.
“Unfortunately, no. I have to return home soon.”
“Please, come inside. I’ll make us some tea,” Heather offered.
