Jack thought for a moment. He sensed that Willie knew who he was and he was not going to attack him. But still — he was a wolf. So, once again rubbing the wolf's head, he gently pulled him closer to his body. The wolf was almost lifeless and offered no resistance. Jack struggled to get him to even budge. He was one heavy animal. But, he finally got him up next to his chest, put a boot on either side of the trap and with some pressure, it sprang open immediately. With the paw now released, Jack hoped Willie would be able to stand up and make his way back with him, back to Caitlin.
But even though the trap had been removed, Willie just lay there, immobile and looking up at Jack as if waiting for the man to give him a signal, as Caitlin always did. But, even if Jack had given him one, he would not have been able to obey the command. He was just too far gone.
"Well, my furry friend, looks like I'll have to bring the cart for you, too. I've spent some time in it myself, and it's not too bad actually. I can't carry you, that's for sure."
Hector had not found any prints, nor seen any other animals in the upper pasture. Coming just past the lodge, headed down to the shed, he found Jack still kneeling next to Willie and talking quietly to him.
Hector walked over, not sure what the situation was.
"Is he dead?" asked Hector, frantic to know the condition of Willie. He remembered that Caitlin depended on this animal for protection back in the cave.
"Nae, not dead, but pretty bad off. We'll need the cart for him I think, brother."
Hector took off and was back shortly with the pony cart hooked to his mount. The two of them had several tries before they were able to lift Willie and place him in the cart. That cart had now carried several wounded ones. The others were recovering, so maybe this wounded one would also.
As they came up on the porch, Wabi met them and without any fanfare, told them to bring the animal back to Caitlin's room.
"That may take some doing, Wabi. He's quite a load. But, we'll give it a shot," said Jack.
Caitlin felt him long before they got to the room with him.
"Jack! You found him!"
"Here, place him on her bed," instructed Wabi.
Willie signed deeply and rested his head on Caitlin's leg.
"You have all repaid any debt you ever thought you owed me. He's most important to me — as all of you are. And Alex, even without knowing the details, I know you saved my life. I am now in your debt, it would seem." Her voice held tears that threatened to spill.
Alex smiled and left the room, his mind trying its hardest to come to terms with her statement. They were all important to her. Did she group him with his brothers, or did she consider him as important as he did her?
After checking on both his patients, Wabi reported to the men.
"As much as I wish it weren't necessary, we're going to have to re-set Caitlin's leg. But, that will just have to wait a couple of days until she's recovered somewhat. But, she's already guessed this much."
He started to walk away, then turned back to the three brothers standing together in the hallway.
"They'll both be fine, now. Willie just needed his mistress and she needed her companion. They have an understanding, you see. Relax. They'll recover and be better together than apart."
CHAPTER 70
Millie had no wish to ever go, but she knew that she could not leave the Cameron estate untended. And, what about the oldsters, like Clint and Ethel, Winston, and others who had spent a lifetime taking care of the place and her family? She owed a debt of gratitude to them that must be paid. Mulling over it a while longer, she decided to discuss the matter with Jack before she got any further along with her plans.
She watched as Caitlin, having survived the re-setting of her leg, rested in Mam's chair with a small stool to hold her leg. Willie, his leg in a splint, lay on the floor next to his mistress.
Millie knew that everyone liked to be in this great room. There was always a crowd in the evening, and she loved that time. They all spoke of Uncle Andrew, the family bard, but he hadn't made an appearance just yet. She'd been told he was off to Edinburgh trying to document births and deaths of some ancestors. Alex was concerned that when Andrew was gone no one would remember anything. So, Uncle Andrew had promised to "put it all down on paper" as he called it. And, he would be returning soon. Her little Midge was constantly passed from one to the other, to her delight. Millie was unused to so many people, as she knew Caitlin was also. But this group of folks were the finest example of what family truly should be, and she had decided she wanted to be a part of it.
Just yesterday, Hector had walked into the kitchen where Millie was trying her hand at making bramble pie.
"Well, now what have we here? Looks like a proper pie to me. Now, lass, if ye can manage that, they ye are better than I am."
Dipping his finger into the pie filling, he casually asked, "So, do ye think ye could manage the kitchen for a couple of days? I need to get some legal papers down to the solicitor, and Alex doesn't want to leave Caitlin just now. So, I told him I'd make the trip."
"Why, yes, I suppose I could do that, with a little help from your Da maybe. He's a fair hand in the kitchen too, I notice."
"He is at that, lass. Mam made sure everybody could carry their weight around here, including Da. And don't forget Wabi. He seems to have a knack for cooking, too."
So Millie was in charge of the kitchen until Hector returned. She couldn't remember ever being responsible for anything in her entire life. The thought gave her pause, but in a satisfying way.
While Millie was learning about making stews, Jack took charge of the babe that they now called "Midge," as Jack had thought she was as small as a midge when he first saw her. Millie had not decided what her name would truly be yet. But, she knew it would have Caitlin in there somewhere. The healer needed to be honored for her part in bringing this child into the world. Both Jack and little Midge were happiest when they went about the lodge, he with her resting against his shoulder, and she gurgling and drooling on his shirt collar.
As Millie busied herself in the kitchen, she couldn't help but see Wabi, Da, and Ian making numerous trips in and out of the woodshed for several days now, refusing to allow anyone to enter. Millie wondered just what those fellows were up to. She didn't give it much more thought, however, as her kitchen duties were keeping her busy enough.
A couple of days after Hector left, Millie got Jack's attention and they sat down at the big oak table, which gleamed from her polishing, and the room was filled with a fresh lemon-wax scent. She poured tea for the two of them and Jack had the ever-present Midge sleeping on his shoulder.
Unsure how to approach the subject, Millie decided to just jump in and see what happened. So, twisting a long lock of hair, as she always did when nervous, she began.
"Jack, I need your thoughts about my family's place, the estate. I have to go back down and figure out how to help the workers. They need some way to make a living, some way to finish out their lives in the place they've called home. Yes, some of them are old, but they aren't past doing their jobs, and I need to take care of them. But I don't want to leave here!"
She was close to tears, and Jack couldn't take that!
"Ach! Don't be getting on so, Millie. No tears, no tears." Reaching out and taking her hand, he continued.
"I suppose I forget to tell ye, but Hector is already down there at the estate, and knowing him, the whole place is humming with activity and everybody has found some job that needs doing. Lass, I know ye would no let them down any more than I would let ye down. 'Tis all but taken care of already. But, let's see what Hector says when he returns, and we'll both go down if we need to, Millie."
"But. What if they won't listen to him or believe that I sent him?" asked Millie.
"Millie, Hector can talk a jackass into braying at the moon! Trust me. He knows how to get folks to do what they wanted to do already, and he has a great mind for remembering figures. He'll do a fine job.
"We'll do whatever need
s to be done. But, Millie ye must know by now ye and Midge belong here. Or maybe I just know it."
His voice came to a halt and he was afraid he had said too much already.
"Do you mean that, Jack?"
"Yes, Millie. I want ye and Midge to be in my life. I'm hoping you'll consider that thought."
"Oh, aye, Jack MacKinnon. I believe that can be arranged," and her smile lit up the room as it always did for Jack.
CHAPTER 71
Alex had spent the entire day walking over the farm seeing what needed to be done. This place, his home, had never been so precious to him. Perhaps he had always taken it for granted. After Culloden, seeing all those men die, and then Ian's leg and the desperate journey to find Caitlin, he would never be so callous again and would thank his Creator from this moment on. Each day he watched in amazement as Caitlin and Millie brought life back into this house. Mam had to be smiling, he thought, and her presence seemed closer than ever.
Coming back into the lodge and walking down the hallway, Alex's nose brought him to the kitchen.
"Ah, Alex! Come. Taste this!" called the old wizard.
Wabi had been busy creating some sort of dessert he called Pain au Chocolat and was going to serve it after dinner tonight in celebration of something, but no one seemed to know exactly what.
Alex took the spoon and licked it clean.
"What do you think? Is it edible?" asked Wabi.
"Ummm, not sure. Let me have one more taste," teased Alex.
"Well. Then I'll take that as a yes!" Wabi replied.
Alex continued assessing the place, now from the inside. With Caitlin, Millie and little Midge joining the group, he wondered if Da would be wanting to add on more rooms! He watched as Millie placed her meal on the table. Alex knew she had been worrying there wouldn't be enough, but he assured her it was plenty. But as he looked at the table now, they were elbow to elbow. In addition to himself, there was Da, Jack, Hector, Ian, old Jamie, Uncle Wabi, Caitlin, Millie, baby Midge, and the farmhands, Donald, Kenny and Hamish. Jack had put two tables together and now they could seat everyone. Quite a gathering!
As they finished their delicious evening meal, Alex thought it appropriate to make a toast now that all the family was back together and everyone who had been injured was on the way to recovery. He took his spoon and tapped the side of his glass, which held a tasty wine that Uncle Wabi had come up with from who knows where. Just as Alex was about to deliver his well-rehearsed speech, Da, Wabi and Ian, hobbling along with his crutch, got up from the table and made a quick exit, saying to "hold on just minute, Alex. We'll be right back." So, he continued standing, waiting for them to return.
Da entered first, holding the door for the other two. Wabi came in next, carrying his dessert on a dish above his head in a very dramatic fashion. Lastly, Ian came through the door. He tossed his crutch over to Jack and walked across the room unaided, wearing a wooden prosthesis that Wabi had carved for him. The prosthesis was covered with a leather boot fashioned by Da, and the entire creation was a work of art. Ian grinned from ear to ear as he sauntered around the room with just the slightest limp, but nothing that would cause him any problem for anything he wanted to do.
Alex, Jack, and Hector jumped up from the table and gathered around Ian.
"Whoa! Look at ye! Ye three have outdone yeselves for sure!" laughed Alex.
All the brothers were talking at the same time, so happy for Ian they could barely keep from tearing up themselves.
"We'll have a ceilidh and invite all the neighbors! This calls for a great celebration!" said Hector, already planning what to serve.
Alex once again tapped his glass and was about to deliver his speech when the front door swung open and a very old man came in, hanging his tam on a peg with the others. Everyone stopped and turned toward the old one.
The old gentleman, weathered and wrinkled, looked at this gathering of folk, folk he thought was his family. But for the life of him he was a little confused.
Reaching up to scratch his mostly bald head, he looked about and looking from one to the other he began.
"I do say! When I left here there was just ye bunch of ugly sheep herders, and now I see two lovely ladies and a young lad with two feet! Mayhap I be at the wrong place, but I sure hope not!"
Laughter rang throughout the room. Alex reached the old man first, giving him the traditional MacKinnon hug, which was hardy,
"Uncle Andrew! It's about time!" Jack grabbed him for another hug.
"And, aye, ye be at the right place, too, Andrew," Da chimed in.
"But ye be wrong about one thing. There are actually three lovely ladies with us now!" Jack held little Midge up high in the air as if he had something to do with her being here.
Alex gave a big smile in all directions. He shook his head, lifted his glass and simply said,
"Thanks be to the Creator for this gift of family."
"Amen to that!" This coming from Uncle Wabi.
Caitlin glanced over at Wabi, and an unspoken communication flowed in both directions. How had she been so lucky as to have had this special man for an uncle, a friend, and mentor? The Creator must have had his or her reasons, and Caitlin would forever give thanks.
She was surrounded by all these unbelievable people who would make her life richer and more complete. She found herself wondering who the true healer was. Was it her? No. Not even a healer such as she could provide the healing that his family brought to herself, Millie and Midge. Perhaps it was a contagious disease. If so, then may it spread and be filled with magick!
* * *
Some time later, after all had found their beds, Alex gently placed Caitlin on her bed in Mam's room still. Alex acknowledged to himself that he had much to learn about this woman. And some of it he may never understand. Then so be it. She was his.
He sat down on her bed and without more words, he leaned down and kissed her. And this time it was a kiss that spoke of the passion he had held back for what seemed like an eternity. And Caitlin's response told him she, too, had been waiting a long time to give in to her own passions.
* * *
The first indication of perhaps a brewing thunderstorm came in a distant rumble . . . then it came closer . . . and closer still. Then a blistering bolt of lightning screamed across the sky and it seemed the entire universe came to life! Then the lodge began to quiver slightly and a howling wind began to find its way across the moor.
"Oh, Jesus! What now?!" asked Jack.
###
THANK YOU FOR READING MY WORK!
Dear Reader,
Highland Healer was written at a furious pace, and I hope it stimulated you to read it in that same way. The characters, Caitlin, Uncle Wabi, Owl, and the MacKinnon clan kept me on my toes. Even I was never sure where they may lead us! Well, they are constantly in my head, and you'll see Caitlin, Uncle Wabi, the MacKinnons, Millie, and a few new characters in the next novel which will be out very shortly. Of course, there may possibly be a magical character or two from the animal world too!
Reviews are difficult to get, and one from you, my reader, would be so appreciated. If you would care to leave a review, please do so at the site from which you purchased the book. Your input is meaningful, and thanks so much for following my characters on their many and varied adventures. You are the reason they exist.
Florence Love Karsner
DEDICATION
This novel is dedicated to my darling daughters, Taylor and Caroline, who listened to my stories as children and encouraged me to write, and to my dear husband, Garry, who brings magick to my life every day.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
A very special thank you goes to my daughter, Taylor, who plodded through the original, roughly written book with never a complaint and only encouragement to continue writing. She believed in me, was my constant muse, and often saw the true meaning of the writing more quickly than I.
My content editor, Rik Feeney, was instrumental in keeping me grounded and on track. His editi
ng expertise enabled me to put form to my ideas and cohesion to my work.
My technical editor, Caroline Bowen, graciously saved me from grammatical errors and faulty punctuation that I usually excel at. Her attention to detail is such a talent, and her insightful, learned review and edit of my work made this novel infinitely better.
Dorothy, my inspirational sister, was constantly in my head as I tried to give meaningful passage to principles and beliefs that both she and I were taught as children. Her life is a living testament to those.
And to my very special brother, Jackie. His strength of will and character came blazing through one of my characters. I almost laughed when I realized who he was! He is a treasure.
This novel would never have been written without the constant encouragement of my dear friends Dena and Worley Faver, Midge Mercer, Flinn Dallis, Larry Hall, Linda Zollar and Bess Fleming.
A very grateful thank you goes to my Scottish ancestors whose lives I can only wonder about. Knowing them would have been an honor. They are my people — they are my clansmen.
Lastly, and of most importance, a heartfelt thank you to Garry, my dearest husband and soulmate, who held my hand every step of the way. He is priceless and I cherish him. We will forever walk together.
ABoUT THE AUTHOR
Florence Love Karsner is a fifth generation Floridian who grew up in a rural Panhandle village near Tallahassee, Florida. In the late 60's she married a Navy Ensign and followed him from Florida to the South Pacific. It was during this time that she first experienced different lands, peoples, and cultures, all of which would forever influence her view of the world.
Today, she lives with her husband on the Intracoastal Waterway in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, surrounded by the marsh, two rivers, a resident eagle, and untold hawks, egrets, raccoons and a few slithery friends. Her new novel, Highland Healer, is the first in a magical realism series set in the 18th century Scottish Highlands.
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