by Jennae Vale
“Uh-huh. He lives in England. He’s probably on his way right now. Edna would get word to him that he was needed. She makes sure we’re all okay healthwise.”
“That’s a nice bonus.”
“It is. I was so worried about having children in this time, but so far everything’s been just fine. Of course, if there’s ever an emergency, Edna will whisk us back to our own time right away.”
“I don’t know how you do it. I can’t imagine living here for the rest of my life.”
“Like I told you, we’re one big family. Without them I couldn’t do this either.” She tickled Elena under the chin and was rewarded with a giggle. “So tell me what your sister’s doing.”
“She’s got her own band now with Hamish and my brothers.” Tina felt the old pangs of jealousy that came up whenever someone was more interested in talking about Elle than anything else Tina might have to say.
“Singing the music she loves?” Ashley asked.
Tina nodded. “She’s very happy. Happier than I’ve ever seen her.”
“You’ll tell her we all said hello and we’re rooting for her?” Ashley tipped her head in question.
“Of course.” Something she’d done seemingly a million times before and probably would do a million times more.
“I wonder who it is that Edna has in mind for you,” Ashley said.
Tina was a little surprised at the change in topics. “You don’t know?”
“She didn’t tell us you were coming.”
“Oh,” Tina said, her disappointment showing.
“It’s always a surprise when someone arrives from the future,” Ashley assured her. “I wouldn’t worry too much about figuring out who the guy is. Whoever he is, he’ll be perfect for you.”
Ashley’s confidence helped, but Tina wasn’t sure how she could be so certain. “How do you know?”
“Because Edna is an amazing matchmaker. She loves love. It’s her mission in life to find people’s soulmates and she’s pretty darn good at it.”
“I’m excited and a little nervous. What if I don’t like him or he doesn’t like me?”
“Love doesn’t always come easy, but when it does, you’ll know it and so will he.”
“I’m glad you’re so sure.”
Elena began to whimper. “Mama.”
“What’s wrong little sweetness?” Tina soothed, picking her up and holding her close. She swayed a bit and patted her back, which seemed to settle Elena. She burrowed her little head into Tina’s neck and played with the neckline of her dress with one hand. “My niece used to do that when she was a baby.” She looked up and noticed that Ashley was eyeing her with a curious mix of wonder, curiosity and something else. From the furrowed brow and narrowed eyes, Tina didn’t think it was good.
“I wonder…” Ashley began, tapping one finger on her lips.
“What?”
“I don’t want to say. I don’t want to put thoughts in your head that maybe shouldn’t be there.”
“You’re not going to tell me?” Tina was confused. “Do you know who he is?”
“Not really. I’m probably just… well, let’s just say, I’m not Edna.”
“Whoever it is you’re thinking of is someone you don’t care for, isn’t it?”
“Edna wouldn’t match you to him.” She muttered, looking down at the floor. “Don’t worry. I’m sure whoever he is, he’ll be everything you ever dreamed of.”
“As if my curiosity wasn’t piqued before… If you change your mind and decide you want to tell me who you think it is, I’m all ears,” Tina said as she rocked a happier Elena back and forth in her arms.
“You’re really good with her,” Ashley said, obviously changing the subject.
“Thanks,” Tina replied. “I feel so bad for her. She has no Mom and Donal seems stunned to be left alone with her. Her whole life changed today and now she is surrounded by strangers. She must be so confused.”
Elena contentedly sucked on her fingers, her eyelids heavy with sleep. Tina sighed. She loved her little niece and nephew and she’d love Elle’s baby as well, but as much as she enjoyed her role as Auntie Tina, she wanted someone to call her Mom. Hearing little Elena call her mama touched her heart in a way that brought tears to her eyes. She’d quickly blinked them away, of course. She didn’t want the people she was meeting for the first time to think her an emotional mess. At home on the ranch, she was as tough as nails. No one, but no one, messed with her and she had a tendency to take that same attitude into her dating life. She had pretty high standards and a guy didn’t get a second chance with her if he fell below them. Edna had her work cut out for her if she thought it would be easy to match Tina with just anyone. He was going to have to be pretty close to perfection if this was going to work.
Chapter 5
“If there’s anything you need while you’re here, just ask.” Ashley said.
“You’re so sweet. I can’t wait to meet the other ladies from my time.”
“Tonight, at dinner. They’ll be excited to meet you.”
“Are you sure you don’t want to tell me who Edna has in mind for me?” Tina ventured. She’d always hated surprises. As a child she’d badgered her mother and father to tell her what gifts she was getting for Christmas and her birthday. When they refused, she’d sneak into their bedroom and snoop until she found what she was looking for. So not knowing who this man was, would drive her crazy and she’d probably drive Ashley crazy trying to find out. “Or do you really not know who it is?”
“I really don’t know. One thing’s for sure, there are a lot of single men here. The barracks are full of them. I wouldn’t worry about it too much. If I know Edna, she picked the perfect man for you and you’ll know it when you meet him.”
She knew Ashley’s reassuring smile was meant to put her at ease, but she was worried she’s made a mistake. “I hope I did the right thing. I agreed to it on a whim. Elle is so happy with Hamish and I haven’t had a lot of luck in the dating department, so when Edna suggested time travel, I have to admit it didn’t take too much convincing on her part to get me here.”
“I was surprised to find myself in the sixteenth century,” Ashley laughed, “but I wouldn’t change a thing.”
“I know you have at least one child, right?” Tina asked.
“I have two. A boy and a girl.”
“I want a family. I want my children to grow up with Elle’s. You know, be around the same age.” The clock was ticking. Her brother’s kids were already too old to be playmates for any children Tina might have someday. If she didn’t have a baby shortly after Elle, that dream was going to go down the drain.
“I know what you mean. It’s great that Jenna has a little one now. It’s so much fun to watch them playing together. I know they’ll be as close as Jenna and I are. We’re best friends, she has always been the person I could depend on to make me laugh or have my back. I could never have imagined we would get to be sisters, but we love it.”
“Do you worry about your children growing up in this time? I’d be so worried about them getting sick.” Tina couldn’t even begin to imagine what it would be like to live without doctors and hospitals nearby.
“Edna is only a shake of my snow globe away,” Ashley said, brushing her hair back behind her shoulders.
“Snow globe?” What on earth could she be talking about?
“Yeah, she gave me one for Christmas because I was worried about my baby. I was having some postpartum anxiety.”
“I think I would, too.” Tina chewed on her lower lip, feeling anxious at the thought of it.
“Edna told me if I ever needed help, or if anyone here ever needed help, I could call to her through the snow globe. And so far it works like a charm.” Ashley tipped her head and threw her hands up on either side of her head with a shrug. “Go figure.”
“Good to know,” Tina said. Her puzzled expression drew a giggle from Ashley.
“Let’s go for a walk. I’ve shown you around the castle, so l
et’s go outside to the courtyard,” Ashley suggested. She grabbed a plaid and wrapped it around Tina and Elena, creating a makeshift baby carrier. “There, she’ll be nice and snug.” She stood back, admiring her work.
“Perfect,” Tina said.
Donal strolled through the doors of Breaghacraig with a sack of his belongings thrown over his shoulder and whistling a lively tune. His smile brightened at the sight of the new lass descending the stairs with wee Elena in her arms.
“You look happy,” Tina said, reaching the bottom of the steps with Ashley at her side.
“I am,” he said, winking at her. He immediately thought better of it when he noted Tina’s face go from smiling to a furrowed brow and pursed lips. Apparently she didn’t appreciate the wink that had melted many a heart here at Breaghacraig.
“I’m going to show Tina around the castle. Your room’s at the top of the stairs,” Ashley said.
“Thank ye, Lady Ashley,” he said, feeling pleased with this arrangement. “I’ll be seeing ye later then, lass.”
Tina nodded, still frowning at him. Most of the lasses here at the castle were charmed by him ’twas true, but this one might require more work than the others. He had no doubt he’d charm her eventually, just as he had every woman he’d ever set his sights on. He bid them good day and headed upstairs to find his room. Approaching the only open door, he peeked his head inside to find Helene, Dougall’s wife, just finishing up.
“Donal,” she said once she noticed him standing there. She had that same stern tone she had used with him this morning. “This is to be yer room. One of the lads will bring a cradle for Elena.”
“Thank ye, Helene.” He knew it wasn’t in his best interest to seem happy about his new room, so he hung his head, looking as sad as possible. “’Tis good of the MacKenzies to let us stay. I dinnae ken what I’d be doing if not for them.”
“Dinnae think on it.” He noted her voice had softened a bit so he kept his eyes down and nodded slowly, hoping he looked even sadder. “They’re good to us all and they can see that ye are in need.”
“I’ll find a place soon,” he assured her.
“There’s nae hurry. Lady Irene says ye can stay as long as ye need to.” She finished straightening the blankets on the bed. “If there’s anything ye need for yerself or the bairn…” She sounded almost friendly.
He brushed a nonexistent tear from his cheek, noting the look of sympathy on Helene’s face.
“I’ll leave ye then,” she said, squeezing past him into the hallway and closed the door.
The chamber was grander than any he’d had in his life. In actual fact, he’d never had a room of his own, other than the one in the barracks and compared to this, he could hardly call that a room. As a child he’d lived in a one room cottage with his Ma and Da and eight other children. He’d taken care of himself for as long as he could remember. His mother and father worked hard and had no time to raise their children, so the children raised each other. Donal fell squarely in the middle and was often forgotten in the daily hubbub of his small home.
He ran his hand reverently over the brocade bedding atop a bed larger than any he’d ever slept in. The four poster was framed by deep burgundy velvet curtains. A small table and chair were set beneath a window, the light from which lit a path across the floor to a hearth ready to hold a warming fire. It was more than he deserved and he knew it. His reverie was interrupted by a knock on the door.
“Aye,” he said.
The door opened and two lads brought in the cradle. “Where would ye like it,” one of them asked.
“Here, beside the bed,” he answered. The reality of his new life came back to him in that instant. He was a father. Not something he’d ever thought to be and there was nothing to be done about it.
The lads closed the door behind them as they left and Donal sat on the edge of the bed, staring at the window. Could he be a good Da? He didn’t know. He’d not had much of an example at home. Much of his time was spent doing chores, while his mother and father were busy tending to all of their many duties. For his mother it was caring for their wee home and farming the small plot of land that surrounded their croft. His da did odd jobs here and there, but was seldom seen before dark. As for his brothers and sisters, when they reached the age of ten, they were each sent to foster with a family that needed them. The boys to care for the cows and sheep and the girls to be maids. He’d learned early on not to get attached to anyone in his life because they always left. While Donal was alone in this world, he was never lonely. There was always some pretty lass happy to spend time with him. They would have some fun, but they ultimately wanted too much from him. He was unwilling to give away his freedom, to be saddled with one woman for the rest of his life. Now the tide had turned and he found he needed someone. Not for himself, but for wee Elena. If he could provide that much for her, perhaps he would be a good da after all.
Tina entered the great hall for the evening meal, feeling unsure of herself. She’d had a brief rest, but was eager to join the others. She hadn’t had a chance to meet everyone and this would be her opportunity. Taking a deep breath she ventured into a room filled with Highland warriors, some with wives and children, some in groups of single men. One of them was meant for her, but who? The Mackenzies were all seated at a table together. Ashley waved her over and she began her long walk through the crowded tables, but before she progressed too far, someone at a table near the front of the room stood and walked towards her. It was Donal. He looked quite handsome. Why hadn’t she noticed earlier?
As he approached, her heart did a little hitch in her chest.
“Would ye do me the honor of sitting with me lass?” he asked.
“I… I don’t know,” she glanced Ashley’s way and Donal did the same.
“She’s sitting with us, Donal.” Ashley’s tone left no room for discussion.
Tina nodded at Ashley, then turned her attention back to Donal. “Where’s Elena?” she asked.
“One of the young maids is sitting with her until I return,” he replied.
“Oh, good.”
He bowed his head towards Ashley and then turned back to Tina. “We’ll speak later, lass.”
She wondered what he wanted to speak with her about and why Ashley and Jenna were looking daggers at him. A warm smile appeared on his face before he took her hand and escorted her the rest of the way to the head table.
“Thank you,” she said, feeling a bit weak in the knees. A strange feeling passed through her, one she hoped didn’t show on her face.
“’Twas my pleasure,” he turned and walked back to his seat, where he was greeted by other men who laughed and patted him on the back. She had no idea what they were saying. As she’d learned from Hamish, when he was excited about something it was near on impossible to understand him.
“Are you okay?” Jenna asked.
“Fine, thanks.”
“If you’re not, it’s totally understandable. I know how overwhelming it can be.”
“Oh, you mean being here in this time,” Tina felt like an idiot. She thought Jenna knew how Donal had affected her, “I think I might be experiencing the time travel version of jet lag.”
“Totally understandable,” Ashley said.
Tina glanced down the table. She’d met everyone here. Robert, Irene, Cailin, Cormac… “Where are the other women from our time?”
“Sophia is over there with Latharn.” Ashley pointed to a nearby table. “Sara’s not here. They must be eating at home. She’s been making a real effort to learn to cook.”
“Logan seems pleased with it,” Cailin chimed in. “He hasn’t complained much of late. What of ye? Do ye cook, Tina?”
“I can, but I don’t very often. My mother likes to be in charge of the kitchen. I help out when she needs me.” She gazed out over those gathered. She had a perfect view of everyone. It was loud in the great hall, but not uncomfortably so. She saw many groups talking and laughing together. When Ashley said they were one big famil
y, she wasn’t kidding.
There certainly were many unaccompanied men, but no matter where she looked, her eyes always came back to settle on Donal. He caught her looking and winked at her again. She’d always thought guys who winked were a bit cheesy, but it was kind of charming the way Donal did it. She bestowed a sweet smile on him. Tina was quite taken with his handsome appearance. He was much taller than her. His broad shoulders and solid build were something she found quite attractive. A twinge of guilt overcame her. He’d just lost his wife, but still, she wondered, could he be the one? If her pounding heart was any indication, he just might be.
After dinner she’d found she was completely exhausted and excused herself from the great hall. Her room was lit with candles and a fire blazed in the hearth. There was a linen gown laid out on the bed and after she managed to get herself out of the gown Edna had given her, she slipped it over her head and climbed into the bed, which was surprisingly comfortable. She hadn’t expected that. She thought for sure she’d be sleeping on straw or something similar.
As she settled into the mattress, she thought back on the last couple of days. She had traveled through time! She was really here in a castle with handsome highlanders and friendly women. She fell easily asleep.
* * *
The sound of a baby crying invaded her dreamless sleep. She sat up immediately and listened. “Elena,” she whispered. She continued to listen, but the crying continued. Donal mustn’t know what to do. She climbed out of bed and opened her door. The passage way was dark, so she hugged the wall as she made her way towards the crying. Tina didn’t have to go far. At the very next door the crying became louder. She softly opened the door and entered. The fire from the hearth lit the room. Donal was seated on the edge of the bed, rocking a cradle and pleading with the baby. “Please, wee Elena. Dinnae cry anymore.”
“Donal,” Tina said.
“Lass, what are ye doing here?” he asked, standing and facing her.
