by Sarah Hoss
He looked back at the house. “The future, on the other hand, has too many things to describe. It’s fast. There are things that I will miss, things that made life easier, like stoves and showers.”
“Aye, Marlana has told me of these things.”
He eyed his brother for a moment before a noise to the left caught his attention. The horses in the paddock trotted and played and he smiled at the familiar sight.
He began to tell Alexander about Antonio and Gillian and as he did so, he turned to stare at the house again. A part of him wanted to get back inside and see how she was doing. There was something that needed to be done first.
“I need yer help, brother.”
“Aye, what is it?”
“We need to bury his body.”
“Who’s body?” his brother asked.
“I will tell you the story on the way. We should hurry.”
After telling Marlana they would be back soon, the two of them rode out to retrieve Antonio’s remains. Hamish was ready to be done with this chapter in his life. He prayed no one had come across the scene before they could get to it.
Gillian took a moment to survey her surroundings as Marlana stood and walked over to the fireplace, stirring the embers and adding another log. The fireplace was larger than one would see in a home from the twenty-first century, but here, they used it for cooking so it needed to be bigger. A wooden mantle held candlesticks on each end, with wooden bowls and plates.
Baskets hung on a metal holder from the ceiling. In the fireplace was another metal pole that swung back and forth over the fire holding a large pot. Marlana stirred the contents and the aroma of meat and vegetables enticed her, causing her stomach to growl.
“That smells wonderful.”
Marlana turned and smiled. “Thank you. It’s stew and should be ready shortly.”
She sat at the table facing the front door. There was a door off to her left, and she wondered if it was the bedroom. Swiveling in her chair, she glanced around behind her. An entrance sat in the middle of the wall to another room. The wood seemed newer than the rest of the home.
Pointing, she asked, “Is that room new?”
Marlana turned. “Aye, I had Alexander add it last year. It’s a storage room with a cellar for fruits and vegetables.”
“May I?”
“Of course.”
Walking over to the room, she noticed a door on the floor. Shelves lined one wall with material, jars of honey, bags of what she assumed to be sugar, flour, and other stuff. Nuts sat in a bowl.
In the corner was a straw broom and a bucket. She strolled around the tiny living space, too antsy to sit still. Where was Hamish? A million thoughts sped through her mind about what had happened in the last twenty-four hours and what would happen in the future. By the looks of the cottage and everything in it, she knew they’d gone to the past.
“You have it decorated really nice.”
“Thank you.”
She watched as Marlana lit candles sitting in sconces on the walls around the room. Peering out the window, she could see night was almost here. Then she spotted him and smiled. The brothers had just returned and were leading their horses to the barn. They were similar in height and build. Both were tall and strong. Both had black hair. They were definitely brothers, but she’d noticed earlier when examining Alexander that he had steel gray eyes, where Hamish had blue.
“Gillian, is it?”
She turned to see Marlana smiling and nodded.
“Come, sit down.”
She smiled back and nodded, then walked over and took her chair. Marlana started to pour more wine, but she stopped her. “Please, can I just have some water?”
“Sure.”
Alexander’s wife grabbed a pitcher and walked to the door. Opening it, she hollered to the men to come in and eat, then she went outside and disappeared.
Gillian stared at the empty doorway, partly in anticipation for Hamish’s return and partly because there was something about Marlana that seemed odd—or more accurately, familiar. She would watch her more closely to figure it out.
When Hamish walked through the door, she smiled. His eyes met hers and even though she could see the strain of the conversation written on his features, he winked and came to sit down beside her. Her hand fell to her knee then slid slowly to his knee and rested there. The familiarity of him calmed her and she relaxed a little. He turned to glance at her, then took her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze.
Her other hand played with the neck of the sweater she wore as she stared down at the table. She hated not knowing what to do or think. So many questions ran through her mind and trying to understand her place here was giving her a headache. What had the men talked about outside and had Hamish conveyed the truth to Alexander as she had to her father? Different times, different beliefs. If Hamish hadn’t told the truth about her and where he had been, then what had he said? She couldn’t wait until they had a moment alone and she could ask him.
As hard as she tried, she couldn’t focus. She knew there was conversation going on around her but she didn’t hear any words. When she felt someone lay their hand on her shoulder, she jerked out of her stupor.
“I’m sorry. What did you say?” It was Marlana.
“I asked if you were hungry.”
“Yes, thank you, but you shouldn’t be up waiting on us in your condition.” She lowered her gaze to Marlana’s very large stomach.
“As long as I feel good, it is an honor to take care of my guests.” She stood and served each of them a bowl of stew, then returned to her seat between Gillian and her husband.
“When are you due?”
She finished the bite she was eating and answered. “Not too much longer now. Maybe a week?” She watched as Marlana turned to Alexander and smiled. He leaned over and kissed her forehead. There was a smile on his face but it seemed forced and she wondered why. Wasn’t he happy about the baby? He caught her staring at him and she focused back on Marlana.
“Have you thought of any names yet?”
“We haven’t settled on a boy’s name, but if it’s a girl, we will name her Margaret.”
Hamish was about to put a bite of food in his mouth but stopped mid-way, his hand pausing in the air. His gaze went between Alexander and Marlana. His jaw was working overtime and she could see the pain that crossed his features. Their hosts were staring at him.
He swallowed. “Tis a good name. She would have been honored at your choice.”
Alexander nodded. “Aye.”
Hamish lowered his spoon and sat up straight. “I miss her.”
“We all do.”
“Tomorrow, will ye take me to her grave and tell me all that has happened while I was away?”
Alexander nodded, then reached over and squeezed his shoulder. “I think I’ll go to bed now. The two of ye can stay here until we figure something out.”
“I thank ye, brother.”
Marlana went to get blankets as Gillian helped clear the bowls. “I hope this will be comfortable for you.”
“Thank you, it will be fine.”
Alexander grabbed his wife’s hand and led her to their bedroom.
Gillian took the task of laying out their bedrolls on opposites sides of the fireplace, while Hamish stirred the logs. Silence filled the room, creating an uncomfortable atmosphere. Maybe sleep was what she needed. Hopefully tomorrow would give her answers to her many questions.
She stood near her bedroll, lost in her thoughts, and staring out the window when she felt a hand on her arm. Turning, she found Hamish standing there.
“Are ye all right?”
She gave him the best smile she could, but it had been a long day and she was tired. “I’m fine. I’m just so tired. I think I’ll lie down.”
Tomorrow. Her hopes rested on tomorrow.
Chapter 17
The rain ended on a fall breeze in the middle of the afternoon. The four occupants of the small cottage spent the day inside talking. Hamish leaned back to stretch his long frame and laughed at the story Alexander told. He’d been gone almost a month and in that time he had truly missed his family. It felt good to sit here again, looking upon his brother’s face, and sharing in his life. There had been a time or two that he’d wondered if he would ever see his family again.
Marlana shined brighter than any woman he’d ever seen carrying a child. She stood and walked over to their side of the table where Gillian sat. Reaching down, she grabbed her hand and placed it on her stomach. The baby rolled and kicked and Gillian’s face lit up like the sun as she felt it. Hamish turned for a moment to watch his brother.
Alexander had a half-smile on his face. He was happy with his life, but Hamish knew him well enough to know that there was an underlying worry about the outcome. He said a silent prayer that when Marlana’s time came, all would go well.
“Alexander, the rain has stopped. Come with me.” Hamish rose from the table.
His brother focused on him and nodded. Alexander stood and walked over to his wife. Kissing her, he rubbed her stomach for a moment.
“Go, I’ll be okay. I have Gillian.”
He kissed her firmly on the mouth and walked to the door.
“Gillian, I won’t be long.” Hamish stood at the door, staring at her.
“I imagine Marlana will take good care of me.”
Their eyes held each other for a moment and at times he thought he could get lost in hers. She was beautiful. Her black hair hung down her back with the top pulled back and pinned. When the fire crackled and his brother coughed, he came back to the present.
He walked out the door, but took one more glance back before closing it. He followed his brother to the barn. Inside, Alexander went for Gideon and brought him out of his stall. Marlana’s horse, Heather, stood in the stall next to him. Across the aisle, he saw another horse. Turning to his brother he pointed, a questioning look upon his face.
Alexander stopped brushing Gideon to answer. “After ye disappeared, we spent a week looking for ye. Then James and I sat down and tried to figure out what to do with yer things. I took Sabastian,” he said as he pointed, “and we gave the rest of the livestock to Callum.”
“Aye, I’m glad to hear it.” He swallowed hard with the thought of his sister’s family.
“We thought that would be what ye would want.”
He unlatched the stall door and went in, hand held out to his horse. Sabastian sniffed and snorted. One foot pawed the ground, then he took a step forward and nuzzled his nose into the crook of his arm like he’d done since he was a foal. He hugged the horse and patted his neck. Taking a handful of its mane, he led the horse out and put a bridle on.
The men rode a fair distance toward Callum’s place before Hamish pulled his horse to a stop. He searched the landscape for the children or his brother-in-law. The place looked quiet.
“I doona want to see Callum yet. I doona know what to say to him of Margaret or where I’ve been.”
“It’s all right. They arena here. I spoke to Callum the other day and he mentioned taking the kids to see his parents. Tis his mother’s birthday.”
He turned away from his brother and stared upon the homestead again. Clothes that hung on the line danced in the breeze. It appeared peaceful and yet his heart ached. The last time he was here, so was his sister. She’d been playing with the children. A blindfold covered her eyes and she stood in the center of the yard. Her arms were out and waving, trying to find them as the kids circled her laughing. It was a memory that would be forever branded in his mind.
Alexander nudged his horse. “Follow me. Her grave is behind the house near her favorite tree.”
He could see it as they rounded the house. The wild cherry tree stood tall and proud, as if protecting her. She’d planted the tree when she and Callum first married. It's spring blossoms always made her smile and she shared the jams she made from the fruit.
He slid off Sabastian’s back and walked slowly toward the grave. Two flower bundles lay in the front, each tied with a colored ribbon, most likely from Fiona and Cathal. He spoke to her silently in his head, praying for her forgiveness, telling her he loved and missed her.
Alexander placed his hand on his shoulder. Wiping at a stray tear, he nodded and stood.
“After dinner tonight, I’d like to talk about the fire.”
“Aye. As it is, let's head on home.”
They mounted their horses and he nudged Sabastian into a canter. He peered over his shoulder, watching the grave grow smaller and smaller. He would find out who did this and make sure they paid.
Gillian stood in the room near the bed; naked, awkward and quiet. Marlana smiled at her, then walked over to a hook and grabbed a thin dress.
“Here, put this on.”
That voice. Something about it sounded familiar. She’d assumed that in Scotland, everyone would have Scottish accents or at least maybe an English one. This was clearly an American accent. If she had to put a place on it, she would say the mid-west. But her mind must be playing tricks on her. Being gone from home for such a short time, she could easily mistake things.
She took the offered chemise and slipping it over her head, letting it fall, tying it at the neck. Then she stepped into the blue dress. Last, she gave her a black waist piece that looked like a small corset and tied it in the front. Stockings and slippers finished the outfit.
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” Giving her a once over, Marlana replied, “This is a story I can’t wait to hear.”
The sound of horses and conversation brought the women to the window. Hamish and Alexander slid off their horses and walked them into the barn.
Marlana turned to her and placed her hand on her arm. “Come on,” she said as she used her head to point to the door. “Let’s go get the men something to eat, then you can tell us all about youself.”
Gillian stood straight and took a deep breath.
Marlana was half way to the door, when she turned to her. “And, you can tell me about the last time you had a deep dish pizza.”
She gasped out loud. No way! “What did you just say?”
Marlana approached her. “What year are you from?”
Her breath became labored and she thought she might faint. This isn’t possible. Was Marlana another time traveler? “2014.”
She waited, holding her breath for Marlana’s next words.
The woman pointed to herself. “2012.”
Her mouth must have fallen open because Marlana laughed. “Come on.” She tugged on her sleeve.
Out in the main living area, the men walked in and Alexander went straight for his wife. Hugging her, he gave her a sweet but purposeful peck on the lips.
Hamish walked over to her. “I need to leave for a few days and I want ye to stay here.”
“Leave? What-why?” Fear grew in the pit of her stomach at the thought of being left alone.
Alexander and Marlana turned at the news.
“I have things I need to take care of. My absence needs to be dealt with.”
“Ye are right, Hamish. While ye were gone, James came here looking for ye two times. I think he thinks I’m lying to him on where ye were.”
Gillian stepped closer to him and grabbed his hands, wanting any kind of contact with him. He couldn’t leave her. Marlana and Alexander had been very good to her, but sh
e wanted him. Please take me with you.
“I’m sorry, brother.”
Alexander sent him a nod. He focused his attention back to her and she peered up into his eyes, holding his gaze.
“When will ye leave, Hamish?” Marlana asked.
He sighed. “In the morning.”
“All right then, I’ll be sure to ready you some provisions.”
“I thank ye, good sister.” Focusing back on Gillian, he asked, “Can she stay here with the two of ye?”
He’d said it. He was leaving her here.
“Aye, she may stay as long as ye need her to. I’m sure Marlana would enjoy the company.”
“I would.”
She turned to them both and smiled her best smile, but when her eyes fell back onto him, they became blurry with tears. She bit her lip, but knew that at any moment, she was going to burst into tears. She ran from the room to keep from embarrassing herself in front of everyone.
Outside, the air was crisp and she shivered. She headed for the barn, mindful to close the door behind her. She found the nearest bench and sat down, placing her head in her hands, she let the tears fall. So much had happened to her in the last month. She always felt tense and on edge, but at least she’d been in her own world where things were familiar. She prided herself on being a strong woman but lately she’d been anything but.
Now, he was leaving her. With people she didn’t know and in a place unfamiliar. She had seen him kill her attacker. Twice now in a month, someone has died in front of her. It was too much. Plus, she had no idea if her father was alive or dead. Her heart knew the answer but her mind kept telling her there was always a possibility. It didn’t matter anyway. She was most likely never going home again. She didn’t have the shopkeeper or the spells to help her.
