by Ria Cantrell
As the two women picked their way carefully through the underbrush, a bolt of lightning flashed, illuminating their path. They looked at each other. There were no storm clouds up above. There should be no reason for the lightning.
Bronwyn looked up to the heavens and saw the streak of a shooting star speed across the expanse of the sky.
“Mum?”
Bronwyn laughed and said, “Come on Jenna. Hurry!”
“Do ye’ think it’s him?”
“I dunna’ know. It could be Nanna Morag for all I know, but we will nay be sure until we go to see for ourselves.”
The two women ran back down the gravelly path toward the towering giants that stood guard over the sacred circle. Morag was kneeling beside a man who was lying prone, as if he had been bludgeoned over the head or something. Jenna knew his form in an instant. Dear God, it’s my Tavish.
Breaking free of her mother’s hand, Jenna ran ahead and not caring that she had just vowed to never approach the stones again. She flung herself in between the opening of two of them.
Morag was patting Tavish’s hand saying, “Wake up, lad. Ye’ made it. Look, yer’ lass is here to greet ye’.”
Tom sat up. His head felt as if someone had taken a club to it. Jeezus! If he was going to go back and forth between time periods, he had better learn a more comfortable way to land. He’d end up knocking himself silly to be sure. He supposed now was the time to forge his bond with his mother, Morag. Besides learning the wonderful world of time-travel, he now truly wanted to get to know her better.
As his eyesight started to clear, he saw her there. She was framed by the stone giants; radiant in the moonlight. She was like a fae vision and Tom felt his heart constrict in his chest. She was alive and she was as beautiful as he remembered. How long had he been gone?
Tom got to his feet and he went to her. The tears she had thought had dried now leaked down her face. She stood there, not wanting to believe her eyes, lest it be a cruel dream. When she felt his arms close around her, she sensed his warmth and strength. It was him. It was really him.
“It’s ye’,” she whispered.
“Yes, it’s me. By God, how I have missed you.”
“I have missed ye’ too.”
Tom leaned down and kissed Jenna fully, with the moon, his mother and Bronwyn as his witness. Jenna was crying in earnest now and Tom just held her.
“I had thought I’d ne’er see ye’ again.”
“Me, too.”
“Are ye’ here to stay?”
“Yes, my love. I shall never leave you again. Unless you have changed your mind.”
Kissing him again, Tom tasted the salty tang from her tears. “I have nay changed my mind.”
Tom took her hand and bending on one knee, he asked, “Will you still marry me, Jenna?”
With a saucy little giggle she said, “Weelll, I dunna’ know. It’s past the time of our betrothal. I can now choose whatever I wish fer myself.”
Looking startled he said, “Wait, what? What do you mean it is past the time of our betrothal?”
“Tonight was the end of the year and the day. We are no longer obligated to keep that bargain.”
Tom felt like he had once again been hit in the back of the head with a brick. Looking up at her from his place on his knee, he said, “I’ve been gone that long?”
Jenna was no longer smiling and she just nodded.
“Oh, honey, I am so sorry. I wanted to get back. I did, but I did not know how. Will you forgive me?”
Kneeling down next to him, Jenna took both of his hands in hers. She kissed his knuckles and she said, “There is nay anything to forgive fer’ ye’ are here now.”
Tom glanced at both Morag and Bronwyn. He tried to whisper close to Jenna’s ear and he asked, “I’m not a father am I?”
The blush that tinged Jenna’s face could not be hidden under the stark white moon. Bronwyn pretended not to hear his question but she could not help the smile on her own lips when Jenna softly said, “No.”
Putting his mouth against her ear, he said huskily, “We’ll have to remedy that, don’t you think?”
Jenna giggled in earnest and she threw her arms around his neck, causing them both to tumble. The couple erupted in sounds of total glee and joy as they lay side by side laughing, until happy tears ran from both their eyes. On her back, and through her happiness, Jenna said, “Aye, Tavish. I will marry ye’.”
Morag went to Tom and pulled his ear. “Ouch. Lady, what did you do that for?”
“Ye’ had best marry her if ye’ want to be a father.”
“You heard that?”
“Aye. And her mother did too, only she has the grace to pretend that she did not. Now up with ye’. There’s weddin’ plans to be made.”
Tom chuckled. “Yes, Mum,” he answered and that word put warmth in Morag’s heart. She let go of his ear and when he had helped Jenna up, he hugged Morag, saying, “Thank you for bringing me back here.”
He took Jenna by the hand and they walked the path leading back to the castle. Tom was pretty sure he would be able to get used to the past that no longer felt like the Dark Ages. The path leading to their destined future seemed to be filled with only Light and Love.
~Epilogue~
The day was a perfect spring morning. The street cafés in New York City were starting to prepare for their daily brunch crowd. One of the restaurant owners was watering an urn of petunias and a hanging basket of Impatiens. All sorts of flowers were in bloom and it just added to the delightful ambiance of the beautiful spring day. Holding a mug of steaming coffee in her hands she smiled over at her handsome husband. She took a sip and relished the delicious tang of it on her tongue. Since tasting it, she found she had quickly developed quite a love for the stuff.
“Will ye’ be playin’ tonight, my love,” she asked. She just loved it when he sang. Her husband’s voice was rich and deep and when he sang, it melted her heart just a little more each time she heard it.
“Yes, there is a jam session down in Soho. Would you like to come with me? I hear they will be playing some of the old favorites.”
“I would nay miss it for the world.”
A taxi cab sped by and her head whipped around at the roaring sound of it. She was amazed that it still could startle her, but instead of being frightened by it, she laughed. She was becoming used to the sights and sounds of the bustling city in springtime and she rather enjoyed it. Each thing she saw or heard was like being part of a bold new adventure. Tom looked into his wife’s eyes. They had been married for more than a year now and still, when he gazed at her, he felt transported by her beauty. He watched her savoring her cup of coffee and he ordered some scones and omelets for them to enjoy. She really loved her coffee and the thought made him smile. When she was pregnant, he had to warn her not to drink too much of it and since having their first baby, she was becoming a full blown coffee addict. She saw him smirking and she asked, “What?”
“Oh, nothing. Just that it is good to see you enjoying your coffee again. I think you are making up for lost time, aren’t you?”
She shot him a sultry little pout and then said, “Well, aye, but given the fact that I only discovered it just before our little Maggie was conceived, I do need to catch up on this pleasure.
“Speaking of Maggie, are you sure you’re not upset that you left her with your mom?”
“Nay, Mum is thrilled to be able to spoil her. Besides, husband, I needed some time to be alone with ye’ again. I miss her, of course, but we won’t be gone long, aye?”
“No, Beauty. We can be back whenever you are ready to return.”
“I think I shall enjoy my time here with ye’, Tavish. I mean, t’is nay everyday a girl finds herself thrown into such a grand adventure.”
Tom kissed her cheek softly and said, “It’s only brunch, sweetheart.”
“Brunch, such a lovely word. Aye, T’is only brunch, but fer me, just bein’ here is like a wonderful fantasy. There are so many sights
and smells and sounds to explore. It’s all just so exciting.”
Tom was really happy that Jenna had embraced the foreign world of the future. He thought at first she would be terrified and in a sense, she was. After a few times, she was really enjoying being here with him and it warmed his heart. She was so perfect for him. She complimented all the facets of his life, including the one that dwelled in the twenty-first century. He knew duty would call and he would have to return with her soon, but for now, it was enough to enjoy the simple pleasures of a stress-free brunch. They would relish a stroll through one of the city parks and then return to his apartment for a little relaxation before his gig that night. He’d definitely want to make love, too and with that thought, Tom suddenly almost wanted to hurry through their meal after all. As she lowered her mug and saw that look in his eyes, she knew what was on his mind. She giggled and said, “Husband, ye’ have a strange look about ye’. Are ye’ nay feelin’ well?”
“Oh, I am fine. Just thinking about loving you when we get home.”
She giggled again and sipped her coffee thinking how wonderful her life had become since she had met Tavish.
“I think that could be arranged,” she answered happily. Tom loved that she was passionate and that she knew what she liked, both in his bed and out of it. Tom gave her a bite of his scone and he heard her little sigh. “So good,” she purred. Tom loved that she found enjoyment in the food of his time as well. It filled him with joy to watch her reaction when she tasted new things. She was the most sensual person he had ever met. That pleased him.
As they sat and appreciated the rest of their meal, Tom ventured, “I’ve been thinking, Jen. When the baby’s a little bit older, perhaps we can bring her along to visit my mom and dad. I know they are just dying to meet her. What do you think?”
“Well,” she said thoughtfully. “I think that would be a very good thing. I’m dyin’ to meet them, too. I want to get to know the people who raised ye’ to be the man ye’ are, Tavish. Ye’ do them proud. Do ye’ think they’ll like me?”
“How could they not? You are amazing. They will absolutely adore you, just as I do.”
Jenna’s smile lit up her entire face. She said, “Ye’ know, love. Ye’ could bring them fer a visit, too.”
“Do you think so?”
“Aye, of course. Ye’ are Morag’s son, after all.”
Tom’s eyes glinted silver in the morning sunshine and he said, “Indeed, I am. I never thought I would be able to dash between worlds at will but it seems that the Gift I inherited from Morag is a true blessing. When next we return, I will take you and the baby to meet my mother Deirdre and my father Dan, the only parents I ever knew until I met Morag.”
“Ach, husband, I suspect that ye’ are only just learning how very blessed we truly are. I’ve been aware of it for quite some time; mayhap even longer than when we first truly met. Now, then, how about that promise ye’ made to me?”
“But, you haven’t even finished your omelet.”
“I know. It seems I have an appetite fer somethin’ else.”
Tom threw his head back and laughed. How he loved this woman! She linked his heart and soul to the ancient past and to all that the future held before him.
~The End~
Acknowledgements
When a writer decides to take the journey to tell his or her stories, there are so many people who help make the dream a reality. I cannot say enough how I treasure the people who inspired me and set me on this path. I would like to thank first and foremost my husband, Paul. He inspires me to true romance and is my greatest supporter. He is responsible for the artwork and the ceaseless promotion of this book and the others in the series. I want to thank my family and friends who encouraged me to follow my dream to write. To all my other author sisters, I thank you for the guidance and the support. In particular, I want to thank Mary Morgan, M.T. Magee, J.A. Snow, Angela Searles, K.R. Thompson, Elizabeth Rose and so many more friends I have made along the way in this journey.
I want to thank my mom, Marilyn and my sister, Andrea for always believing in me. Of course,. I love you all and am blessed to have you in my life. I would be remiss if I didn’t thank my beta readers who were the first eyes to see this story. A special thanks to Debbie Lazarus and Virginia Smith who found typos that even we never saw. Without them, I would have missed so many edits, as well. There are countless others, I am afraid…too many to name, so I hope you all know who you are and I offer you bright blessings!!!!
Authors Notes:
I hope you have enjoyed reading Celtic Peril, the final book of the Celtic Storm Series. I wanted to create a story for you from Medieval Scotland to Present Day and back for your reading pleasure. I believe that sometimes it is our own thoughts and desires that create the obstacles we face. I once remember being told that the hardest person to forgive is yourself and so, too, can that prevent us from moving forward. Sometimes we are prevented from seeing the truth simply because we are stuck in our own foolish thoughts. This was the case with my beloved Morag, who we meet for the first time in Celtic Tempest. She is the driving force behind many of the romances that have been forged by the Fates themselves. She spent her life trying to undo a supposed wrong that existed solely in her own heart. For this, she spent more than a lifetime learning that she merely needed to open her eyes and see that her love not only saved her son, but saved her soul as well. Her many selfless acts brought the couples of all the stories together to ultimately lead her son back to her in her own time. I have often wondered if we could go back in time, would we be able to exist without the comforts and devices of the modern world. Tom Callum (Tavish MacCollum) was such a man because he was born in the past, after all. His love for the woman of his heart and his birth mother aided him in the transition from modern day to medieval times. I wanted Morag to have her happy ending, as well. You can read more of her story and learn the “whys and hows” of her life’s path that ultimately led to the reunion with her only son in Morag’s Tears. Also, I took some liberties with the actual history of the time period I set this story in. The foe and antagonist was actually banished for his part in a treasonous plot against King Richard and was finally executed some years later. I wanted to make Michael de la Pole the catalyst for the events that transpired. I wanted Tom’s love for history to aid him in thwarting a villainous plot against the king.
The Celtic Storm series begins with Knight Storm, where the lovely healer, Rhianna du Montefort is commanded to marry Sir Erik Ragnorsen. Neither of them wanted to be married at all, let alone to a stranger. They are met with many trials and their precarious love is tested to the limits when an evil baron tries to use Rhianna’s magic for dark and lurid purposes. Rhianna is often mistaken for a witch and she may ultimately pay the price for such accusations with her life at the horror of the stake.
In Knight Storm, I introduced one of my favorite characters, Sir Andrew Brandham. You, of course, can read his story in Celtic Tempest. He is a beloved rake who becomes one of Rhianna’s closest friends. He is also psychic. Rhianna helps him embrace his Gifts and encourages him to find love of his own choosing. He does that in Celtic Tempest. In Celtic Tempest, we are introduced to the clan MacCollum when Bronwyn MacCollum is “bartered” to tender the peace between England and Scotland in an unwanted marriage. Instead, she learns to love a man who by all rights, should be an enemy to her clan and her country. Sir Drew is not like the English of her worst imaginings. Instead, Bronwyn realizes he has ever been in her dreams and she must overcome the prejudices and doubts of her sensitive heart.
Then, the love story of Bronwyn’s troubled brother Rory or Ruiri, as he is called starts with death of his betrothed by the hands of his enemy, the Clan Campbell. He vows vengeance on all who carry that name and seeks to avenge the wrongs done to the innocent. He earns the name of the Highland Wolf because of his unceasing thirst to right the injustices to his family and to his Clan. He has hardened his heart to love and believes that the darkness born from his grief
is blackening his very soul. When he meets the broken Brielle as a result of a terrible carriage wreck, the darkness of his psyche starts to evaporate and Ruiri finds himself falling in love with the hapless young widow who had great physical healing to endure. With her healing of her bodily injuries, she imparts healing of the greatest measure to the pain that Ruiri carries, along with the guilt and shame that being an avenging angel presents. There is only one problem. By the time Ruiri learns of Brielle’s true identity, a hated and despised Campbell, he is already madly in love with her. You can read their story in Celtic Fury.
Finally, when Derek Campbell is made accountable for the events of his past, he must face the terrible deeds he has done. He is forced to take responsibility for each thing in order to be offered a chance of redemption. A mishap during his last dastardly plan puts him between life and death and by the pleading of Morag, he is given an opportunity to make amends for his wayward life. His life hangs in the miasma of the spirit and mortal realms and only true love can spare him and offer him his manhood again. It comes at a heavy price and he is caught mostly as a ghost-like entity until a woman in modern day can actually see him. Not only that, she is a descendant from the MacCollums; the people Derek hated most in life. In order to gain the life he lost he must relinquish his old hatreds and allow love to grow in a heart that had never done such a thing. Kiera Callum is the woman that the Fates have chosen to release Derek from his purgatory of confinement. Read their story in Celtic Spirit.
It is at times, challenging to write both in the medieval era and present day, but I must say, I have good fun making that leap in time, if only on the pages of my stories. It is also hard for me to let my “babies” fly on their own and so it took six books to finish the Celtic Storm Series. Each book in the series can stand alone and can be read in any order you choose. I actually wrote them out of sequence just because; that’s how they spoke to me. I hope you enjoy the stories of love, loyalty, passion, intrigue and redemption of the Clans MacCollum and Campbell as well as the wonderful threads which weave Drew Brandham, Erik Ragnorsen and Rhianna du Montefort into the rich tapestry that is Celtic Storm.
