A Turn In Time: Book 5 of The Thistle & Hive Series

by Jennae Vale

  A Turn In Time

  Book 5 of The Thistle & Hive Series

  Jennae Vale

  Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Epilogue

  Acknowledgments

  About the Author

  Also by Jennae Vale

  Copyright © 2016 by Jennae Vale

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  Created with Vellum

  For my family

  Chapter 1

  With his men by his side, Dougall MacRae was just finishing his patrol of the MacKenzie lands and was headed back to Breaghacraig when the sounds of a lone rider galloping his way caught his attention.

  “Hold,” Dougall said, raising a hand to signal his men. They all stopped and listened. The rider was approaching from their rear, so they spun their horses to face the unknown man as he neared. Dougall rode to the front, waiting to see if this rider was friend or foe.

  “Dougall!” the rider called. “What luck!”

  Dougall squinted his eyes as he gazed into the setting sun. The man approaching was tall, but his features were hard to see as the sun was at his back. As he neared, Dougall saw shoulder length dark hair, a full beard and laughing brown eyes. He’d recognize that face anywhere.

  “Rest easy men, ’tis an old friend.” Dougall nudged his horse forward to greet the man he hadn’t seen in a long, long time. “Logan McPhail. Is it really ye?”

  “Aye, Dougall. Ye look no worse than when I saw ye last.” Logan laughed as he guided his horse closer to Dougall’s, leaning across he threw an arm around his old friend in a back-breaking hug.

  Dougall returned the favor, heartily whacking him on the back for good measure.

  “’Tis good to see ye. What brings ye here?” Dougall pulled away from Logan and raised an eyebrow in question.

  “I’m here to find ye, of course. Yer father requests… nae he commands yer presence without delay.” It seemed Logan was uncomfortable sharing this news with him.

  Dougall was puzzled. He’d been here with the MacKenzie’s almost his entire life, with the exception of a few trips back home to visit with his family. Since his mother passed five years ago, he’d not ventured home at all and he could honestly say he hadn’t missed it. His father was an overbearing brute and he preferred to be as far away from him as possible. What could he possibly want him for that would require sending Logan with a directive to come at once?

  It was obvious that Logan was reading Dougall’s face for any clue as to how he was accepting this news. “Before ye ask, I dinnae ken what he wants with ye. Only that ye ride back with me immediately.”

  “’Tis nae possible. I must return to Breaghacraig with me men. Once there I will tell the MacKenzies that I’ll be away for a while.”

  “Dinnae fear, I’ll give ye the time ye need. I couldnae find ye, afterall.” Logan laughed, rolling his eyes in his head.

  Dougall nodded his thanks. “Come then. We’re on our way back. We’ve been out on patrol for the past sennight and I fer one cannae wait to be back.” Thoughts of Helene, his love, danced in his head. It would be good to hold her in his arms once again.

  “A good meal will do us all good,” Logan said.

  Dougall realized that if anything, he had missed Logan. He’d been more like a brother to him than any of his own had been. Logan, too, had fostered with the MacKenzies, but he’d gone back home to see his family and while there had been put into service by Dougall’s father, Paddraig MacRae. He’d not seen him again for these past five years until this very moment.

  “How have ye been?” Dougall asked, with a glance to his friend.

  “Fine. Yer Da keeps me busy.” Logan cast his glance in Dougall’s direction.

  He didn’t need to say more. Dougall understood that his father was a difficult task master. “Do ye wish ye could’ve stayed at Breaghacraig?”

  “Aye. It was home to me.”

  “As it is to me.” Dougall had an unsettling feeling in the pit of his belly. What if his father was calling him back to stay? He’d have little choice but to abide by his father’s wishes. And what of Helene? He couldn’t leave her behind. It would be best for him to take her with him. He could introduce her to his father and tell him of their plans to wed. That made him feel a little bit better. As long as he had Helene by his side, all would be well. He relaxed and made up his mind not to worry about what might be in store for him back with Laird MacRae.

  “Cailin and Cormac will be happy ye’ve returned, if only for a short stay. They’ve both wed, ye ken.”

  “Aye. I’d heard they finally settled down. I didnae think I’d ever see the day. The lasses at Breaghcraig must be heartbroken. But they still have ye unless, of course, ye’ve settled down yerself.”

  “Nae. Though there is a lass in me life. This trip back to Castle Treun has me thinking to bring her along, but first I must ask her to be me betrothed.”

  “Dougall! Why is it ye didnae tell me about that bit of news before this moment?”

  “I wish to wed Helene, but I was waiting fer a time when I could provide her with a home and more security.” Dougall checked with Logan to see if he understood. Logan nodded. “Someday I’ll be laird and I wish her to be Lady MacRae, but in the meantime, I hadnae wished to subject her to life at Castle Treun. It seems now, with your arrival, that I may have to.”

  Logan gazed off into the distance and Dougall wondered why his very talkative friend suddenly had nothing to say.

  Helene was happily attending to her duties. Dougall would be back today. She’d missed him terribly while he was out on patrol, and the mere thought of seeing him again had the butterflies in her belly fluttering their wings in delight.

  “Will Dougall be home tonight?” Ashley asked as Helene put the finishing touches on her hair.

  “Aye. I can hardly wait,” Helene gushed.

  She’d become good friends with this lovely lass who’d come all the way from twenty-first century San Francisco to marry Cailin MacBayne, Laird MacKenzie’s brother-in-law. They confided in each other about their hopes, dreams and their men.

  “I know what you mean. I hate it when Cailin has to be away. Thank goodness that doesn’t happen too often.” Ashley rose and walked to her bed where little Emma lay sound asleep. She adjusted the fur throw covering the babe, taking a moment to gaze lovingly on her before returning to her seat.

  Helene loved the way Ashley’s face changed when she looked at her daughter. She’d been such a nervous mother at first. Everyone at the castle had been concerned. None more so than her husband, but over the past month she’d begun to relax. Gone was the anxious expression that seemed to be permanently on her pretty face, now replaced by a more placid and serene look.

  Emma was a wee beauty. On the many occasions she’d helped care for Emma, Helene felt the yearning for marriage and bairns of her ow
n. Dougall hadn’t yet asked her to marry him, but she knew he would. Their relationship had blossomed and she knew he loved her. He told her so every day they were together. The fact that it would happen didn’t make it any less of a dream for her. Helene took a moment to stand at the window in hopes she would see Dougall riding up to the castle with his men, but she was disappointed when he was nowhere in sight. She continued to gaze off into the distance, thinking about the man she loved.

  Dougall caught her eye the very first time she saw him. When he entered a room, the air seemed to disappear. Without making a sound, it was obvious to everyone he was there, but his six foot four well-muscled frame was all hers. The unmarried women of the clan envied her. She knew because they told her so many, many times. She loved the feel of him when he held her close. He was as solid as the stone walls of Breaghacraig. His hair was dark blonde with glints of gold when the sun shone upon it. She loved to run her fingers through the curls that framed his handsome face and gaze into his eyes of the bluest blue. Helene could be lost in them for hours. A pleasant yearning made its way from her womanly center to her belly where those butterflies were at work once again as she pictured him shirtless and glistening in the sun while he practiced with his men on the field. Oh, he was a beautiful man, but he was also kind, caring and responsible. She knew that marrying Dougall was what she wanted more than anything.

  “Where’d you go to, Helene?” Ashley had returned to her seat and was gazing at her with a knowing smile on her face. “As if I didn’t know.”

  Helene moved away from the window to return to Ashley’s side. The fire blazing in the hearth warmed the room and cast a golden glow across the floor to the bed where brocaded curtains stood guard over wee Emma from their posts on each corner. “I was just thinking about Dougall. Do ye think he’ll ask me to marry him soon?” Helene examined Ashley’s hair and finding one errant braid, pinned it in place and then stood back to admire her work.

  “I know he will,” Ashley assured her.

  “How do ye ken?” Helene thought Ashley might know something that she didn’t. “Did he say something to Cailin?”

  “No, and if he did Cailin hasn’t said anything to me about it. I just think it’s time.” Ashley stood and Helene helped her into her dress.

  “Hmmm… He has been gone so much of late. Mayhap now that he’ll be here at home without any duties dragging him away he’ll ask. I hope so.”

  “He will. I have no doubt.”

  Helene smiled warmly at her friend, but even though she, too, thought it was time, she’d been having a strange premonition that she couldn’t shake—something was coming that would get in the way of their happiness.

  “Look who I found wandering MacKenzie lands while I was out on patrol.” Dougall called to Cailin and Cormac who were busy practicing with their men.

  “Is that who I think it is?” Cormac asked. Not waiting for confirmation, he bear hugged Logan, lifting him off of the ground.

  “Logan MacPhail!” Cailin joined in, wrapping his arms around his brother and Logan. “Welcome back!”

  “Are ye here to stay?” Cormac asked.

  “Nay. I must return home with this one.” He nodded his head in Dougall’s direction.

  “What?” Cailin seemed surprised by this announcement.

  “Aye. Me father has asked that I return immediately with Logan. I must gather me things and leave in the morning.” Dougall hated delivering this news to the brothers. He no more wanted to go than they wanted him to.

  “Do ye need the men to accompany ye?” Cormac asked.

  “Nay. ’Tis just a visit with me father. I’ll find out what he wishes of me and I’ll return as quickly as I can.”

  “What if he wishes ye to stay?”

  “I’m hoping ’tis nae the case, but if so I’ll send word back.”

  Cailin and Cormac exchanged seemingly knowing glances before turning back to Dougall. Cailin wrapped an arm around his shoulders and guided him towards the castle, while Cormac walked along beside Logan making small talk as they went.

  Dougall stopped Cailin in mid stride with a hand to his arm. “I must speak with Helene before she hears of this from someone else.”

  “Me lips are sealed,” Cailin said.

  Wrapped in Dougall’s arms, his warm breath carressing her face, Helene was at peace. She’d missed him from the moment he’d left to go on patrol. Now he was back and she felt whole again.

  “I missed you,” Dougall whispered.

  Helene snuggled closer. “Mmm…”

  “I must tell ye something, love.” Dougall stepped back far enough to see her face and Helene again had an immediate sense of impending doom.

  “What is it?” she asked, her voice filled with worry.

  “Me father wishes me to return home. I must go.”

  Helene’s worst fears were coming to fruition. “Ye cannae, ye’ve only just returned. What will I do without ye?”

  “Helene, I want ye to come with me. It will be a good time for ye to meet me father and brothers. Ye can meet me sister, Brenna as well.”

  She released the breath she’d been holding. “Ye really wish me to go with ye?”

  “Aye.” Dougall got down on one knee. “But I have something to ask ye first.” He gazed up into her face and Helene felt her knees go weak. “Helene, will ye marry me?”

  This is what she’d wanted to hear for so many months. She opened her mouth to speak, but her voice was lost. Tears of joy streamed down her face as she gazed upon Dougall’s puzzled expression.

  “Do ye nay wish to marry me, Helene?” He sounded worried.

  Helene pulled his head into her body and hugged him tightly, both laughing and crying. Finally her voice returned. “Aye, Dougall. I’ll happily marry ye.”

  Dougall sprang to his feet and took her in his arms. “I love ye, Helene. I can’t imagine living me life without ye.”

  “Oh, Dougall. I love ye. I always have.”

  Their lips met in tender passion as they expressed their love, devotion and commitment to one another.

  “Shall we go tell the others?” Dougall asked, wiping a happy tear from her face.

  Helene nodded as Dougall pulled her into his side and headed for the great hall to make their announcement.

  Irene, Jenna and Ashley gathered around Helene, each taking a turn to hug her and let her know how happy they were for her. The men did the same with Dougall.

  “Shall we have a toast to this couple who are so obviously meant for one another?” Laird Robert MacKenzie asked.

  “Aye. Sophia, will ye see to the whisky?” Irene smiled warmly in Sophia’s direction. “I imagine we’ll be hearing this same news about ye as well.”

  Sophia blushed, glancing at Latharn. “Congratulations, Helene.”

  “Thank ye, Sophia.” Helene watched as Sophia left the room to get the whisky.

  “I hate that you’re leaving us,” Ashley said. “But I couldn’t be happier that it will be to marry Dougall.”

  “We’ll be back. I’m sure of it. And we’ll celebrate me marriage then.” Helene said as she glanced at this group of women who’d been her sisters, her friends, her confidants. She wished she believed in her heart the words she’d just uttered. Something was telling her that this might be the last time she set eyes on her dear friends. A sadness came over her which she didn’t wish the others to see, so she smiled brightly and caught Dougall’s eye as he enjoyed the congratulations of the men.

  He came to her immediately, taking her hand in his. “Is all well, Helene?” He seemed to sense her uneasiness and Helene immediately felt some relief with him by her side.

  “Aye. I dinnae wish to leave Breaghacraig for good, Dougall.” She’d never lived anywhere other than Breaghacraig and the thought of leaving it forever to live in a strange new place where the only one she knew would be Dougall was unsettling to say the least.

  Dougall stroked her cheek as he whispered, “We’ll be back, love. Dinnae fear. Ye’ll see yer frien
ds again.”

  “But if we don’t come back, Dougall, I want ye to ken that I love ye and I’m happy to spend the rest of me life with ye where ever that may be.” She hoped he knew she truly meant what she was saying. Helene could do anything as long as Dougall was by her side to protect and love her.

  Lifting Helene’s chin with his finger, Dougall gazed into her eyes. “I’m happy of that, but as I said, we’ll be back. Dinnae think on it again. I dinnae wish to be away from me home for long either.”

  Dougall had expressed to Helene on many occasions that he considered Breaghacraig his home and the MacKenzies his family, so she knew this was as difficult for him as it was for her. Mayhap he was right. They had no idea what Paddraig MacRae wanted with Dougall, but it couldn’t possibly be anything that would hold him there. He’d explained to her that he was in line to be laird, but his father was a hearty soul and Dougall couldn’t imagine him handing over the lairdship to him unless he was on his death bed. There was nae a thing to keep him there.

  Chapter 2

  The sun had barely risen when Dougall, Helene and Logan began their journey back to Castle Treun. Helene could barely contain her excitement. She’d rarely, if ever, been much more than a day’s ride away from Breaghacraig. She was both excited and nervous to be on this trip. The excitement was a by-product of Dougall’s proposal. She was going to be the wife of one of Breaghacraig’s fiercest warriors and as far as she was concerned, the handsomest. Following along on the narrow path that led her away from her home, Helene was keenly aware of Dougall’s presence. Her eyes were glued to his back as he rode and she had the distinct pleasure of watching every muscle as it moved along with the horse’s gait. His broad shoulders tapered to a vee and the sight of his taut backside securely seated in his saddle sent a rush of heat throughout her body. Dougall must have felt her eyes on him because he turned in the saddle, his heated gaze causing goose bumps to erupt.