Saved by Time

by Jennae Vale

  She found herself walking towards the practice field. She wasn’t sure why, but for some reason she needed to see Donal. Not to speak with him, but just to know he was there. She watched him from afar greatly appreciating his skill and was struck by how attracted to him she still was. He spun around suddenly and was facing her direction, he must have seen her because he spoke to his opponent and began striding her way.

  Tina pivoted on her heel, heading away from the field and Donal.

  “Tina!” he called.

  She didn’t answer as she hurried on her way.

  “Tina!” he was right behind her now and it was implausible that she couldn’t hear him. She stopped where she was. “Is it Elena? Is she well?”

  “She’s fine. She seems better.”

  “I saw ye and was afeared something was wrong. I’m relieved to hear yer news.”

  What a fool she was. It wasn’t her he wanted to see. He was worried for his daughter, as he should be. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you.”

  “Who’s with her?” he asked, placing his dirk back in its sheath.

  “Doreen came back today. I told her I’d only be gone a short while. I should go back.” He was too close. She needed to get away from him so she could breathe. She turned and began to walk away.

  “I’ll walk with ye,” he said, hurrying to catch up with her.

  “No need. You should go back to what you were doing.” She couldn’t look at him as she kept walking.

  “I wish to see my daughter. I’m coming with ye.” His patience seemed to be wearing thin and she realized she may have pushed him too far. Maybe he was more affected by her than she gave him credit for.

  As he walked along beside her, Tina was acutely aware of him. The way he slowed his stride to stay at her side, the sheen of sweat on his shirtless chest and arms. She found herself breathless and aroused by him and yet confused and uncertain about where these emotions were coming from. Hadn’t she already made up her mind about him? He didn’t try to apologize as he had before. In fact he didn’t speak at all. Any conversation, any move at all would have to come from her.

  He opened the castle doors allowing her to walk in before him, being the type of gentleman she’d always hoped for and not the type of guy who let the door slam in your face before you got through it. Then he stopped at the bottom of the stairs waiting for her to go first.

  “I’m going to look for Ashley,” she said. “I’ll be up in a little while.” The need to escape his incredible pull on her was great. If she didn’t create some distance between them she might find herself in his arms once again and she couldn’t let that happen. Not yet and maybe not ever.

  He bounded up the stairs two at a time and out of sight. Tina stood at the bottom looking up for a long while after he was gone.

  Chapter 12

  “Are you alright?” Sara asked, surprising Tina as she stood at the foot of the stairs.

  “Yes,” Tina said, recovering. “How are you?” Sara looked like she was ready to pop at any moment.

  “Logan doesn’t want me to be home alone during the day, so he brought me here this morning. I was looking for you.”

  “I’m right here,” Tina said. “Did you need me for something?”

  “No. I just wanted to spend some time with you.” Sara’s sweet smile lit up her whole face.

  “Really?” Tina wasn’t sure she should believe her.

  “Yes, of course. Why wouldn’t I?”

  “I don’t know. Maybe because I’m not Elle.” She had to stop letting those old feelings of not being good enough get in the way.

  “You’re here. She’s not. Don’t get me wrong. I’m a huge fan of hers, but I really like you.”

  “You do?” There was that disbelief again.

  “Wait, don’t tell me. You’ve been living in your sister’s shadow your whole life and you have a hard time believing anyone would want to get to know who you are.”

  Tina’s lips turned up for the first time in a while. Sara was someone she could call friend. “How’d you guess?”

  “I’ve seen it on your face every time someone brings her up.”

  Tina was surprised by that. Could everyone see it, or was it just Sara? “I didn’t know I was that transparent.”

  “Well, you are,” Sara laughed. “How’s Elena? I hear she’s been sick.”

  “Fingers crossed she’s on the road to recovery. Her fever’s gone.” She was relieved to have at least one thing off her plate. Of course, that meant it was time for her to go home. She decided not to think about that right now, after all, the fever could come back and Elena would need her then.

  “Oh, good. I was worried about her.”

  “Do you worry about having a baby in this time?” Tina was concerned for Sara. She didn’t want to frighten her, but things could go from bad to worse in a heartbeat.

  “A little, but Edna won’t let anything happen to us. And Logan has agreed to go back with me if I ever want to.”

  “That’s sweet of him.” It must be nice to have a man in your life that you could count on, she thought.

  “Now you know why I love him. He’s a good man,” Sara said, rubbing her belly as she began to waddle away. “You know who else is a good man? Donal. Are you coming? I need to sit down.” Sara plopped herself down in one of the chairs by the fire.

  Tina wasn’t sure she wanted to hear what came next, but she liked Sara and knew she should hear her out.

  “I’m a pretty good judge of character, you know,” Sara said.

  “I get the feeling you’re trying to tell me something,” Tina laughed.

  “And you’ve got good intuition,” Sara replied.

  “I don’t know what you mean.” Tina was truly puzzled by her statement. How could Sara know any such thing about her?

  “I mean that you know… you feel, what’s right for you. I think you know Donal is your man. You can fight it all you want and yes, I heard all about the lie and the other women, but give the guy a break. First of all, we have all done things that we might not be proud of. Second, if he had any idea that Sionaid was pregnant he would have married her for real.”

  “Are you always this direct,” Tina asked.

  “I have a tendency to say whatever’s on my mind. It’s not always a good thing,” she giggled. “One more thing, since I seem to be on a roll here. Donal’s whole life was turned upside down this week. He made some bad choices, but I don’t think he was really in a position to make good ones.”

  Tina thought about that. It felt like they had spent a lot of time together, but in reality it was only a few days. He was trying so hard to figure out how to be a dad, maybe she was asking a lot to think that he could figure out how to be a partner at the same time.

  “Hey, when you go back would you do me a favor? Would you give a letter to my brother?”

  “Of course,” Tina said. “I’d be happy to.”

  “Great. She put her hand in her skirt pocket and pulled out two envelopes.”

  Tina gazed at them. “What’s in the other envelope?”

  “It’s the recipe for the tea. I really think you should do something with it.”

  “Wow! Thank you. I just might.”

  “The only thing I ask is that you call it Ayla’s blend.”

  “I can do that.”

  “Good. I also made some other notes about things you could sell that are from this time. Don’t worry, it’s not my muffin recipe.”

  “You’re quite the character, Sara. Here you are ready to give birth at any moment and you’re thinking about me and Ayla’s tea.”

  “I have to keep myself busy so I won’t start to worry,” she said and then leaning in, whispered, “I’m a little scared.”

  “Understandable,” Tina replied. “I think I would be too. I hear there’s a doctor coming to help you and Helene.”

  “Dr. Ferguson. He’s delivered babies for Ashley and Jenna. Not Ashley’s first. She did that all by herself with the help of one of the
women here.”

  “I have a newfound respect for her,” Tina said. “I can’t even imagine what that would be like.”

  Tina helped Sara get settled in a chair near the fire. Despite the sunny sky, the weather was cooler than she was used to.

  “Logan says we’re expecting some rain,” Sara said.

  “Really? It was so sunny outside.”

  “He’s always right. He could be a weatherman in our time,” Sara said. “Can you imagine that? He’d be the hottie on the evening news.” She couldn’t contain her laughter and Tina joined her.

  As they sat and continued their conversation, Tina’s mind kept wandering up the stairs and into Donal’s room.

  “She feels quite warm again,” Donal said, pressing his lips to Elena’s forehead as he’d seen Tina do. “Will ye tell Tina before ye leave?”

  “Aye. I’ll go now,” Doreen said.

  Donal dipped a cloth in cool water and swabbed Elena’s face and body with it. It seemed as if Tina would never arrive, but then the door opened and she hurried in.

  “Her fever’s back?” she asked

  Elena coughed and Tina’s face immediately showed concern. “How long has she been coughing?”

  “Since I’ve been back. Is that bad?”

  “I don’t know. Could be.” Tina examined Elena from head to toe. “She’s got a rash. I don’t like that.”

  “When will Dr. Ferguson arrive?” He tried to keep the worry from his voice, but it was a futile effort.

  “The only thing I know is that he’s on the way.”

  “Ye said that Ashley can contact the witch. Will she help Elena?”

  “Yes. I’m sure she will. Go find Ashley. I’ll stay here with Elena.”

  Donal strode from the room, purpose clear on his face. He didn’t have to go far to find Ashley. She was in the passageway leaving her chamber.

  “Ashley,” Donal said before she began descending the stairs. “Elena’s fever is back. She has a cough and a rash. Tina thought we should contact Edna.”

  Ashley immediately turned back towards her room. “Come with me,” she beckoned him.

  He followed her into the chamber she shared with Cailin. From a chest in a corner of the room she removed an odd globe which she held up in front of her face.

  “Edna,” she said. “It’s me, Ashley. We need you.”

  A moment or two passed before a woman’s voice came from the globe. “Yes, Ashley. I’m here.”

  “Is that her?” Donal asked.

  “Edna, you know Tina’s here,” Ashley said.

  “Of course I do. I sent her.”

  “Well, the little girl she’s been taking care of is really sick. Her Da, Donal, is here with me and he’s asking for your help.”

  “Hold on for a minute while I try to see what’s happening.”

  Donal wasn’t sure how she could see what was happening, but he also wasn’t sure how he could hear her voice, so he decided he’d just accept it no matter how odd it seemed. The only thing that mattered was getting Elena some help.

  “I see now. Dr. Ferguson is still a few days away. Have Donal bring her to the bridge and I’ll send them across. We’ll get her to a doctor here.”

  “It is two days ride to that bridge. There’s rain coming and Elena should not be out in it,” Donal said.

  “You’re right, Donal. We can’t let her get worse. Is there another bridge nearby?” Edna asked.

  Ashley glanced at Donal. “Is there?”

  “There is one. Not far from here.”

  “I’ve only used my bridge here in Glendaloch and the bridge in San Francisco. I’m nae sure it will work, but we can try. How quickly can ye be there?”

  “’Tis getting late, but I believe we can be there before the sun sets.”

  “Go then. I’ll watch for ye.”

  “Thank ye, Edna, and thank ye, Ashley.”

  Donal pushed all the panic away and focused on what he needed to do as he hurried back to his room. If he thought too much about Elena or traveling through time he would not be able to move. Years of training to stay calm in battle were serving him well. “I’m taking Elena to a nearby bridge. Edna will send for us to come to her.” He hurried to wrap Elena in a plaid.

  “What about me?” Tina asked.

  Donal continued getting ready and didn’t answer. He wanted her to join them, but he knew she didn’t want to be with him.

  “Donal,” she touched his arm and he felt her comforting touch bring him a small amount of peace. “I’m coming with you,” Tina said.

  He nodded, “Hurry then.”

  Tina ran back to her room and grabbed what little she had in the way of possessions before joining Donal in the hall. They hurried down the stairs and out into the courtyard where Donal’s horse awaited them.

  “Ashley told me ye were hurrying to get to the bridge before nightfall,” Cailin said, handing him the reins. Tina held onto Elena as Donal mounted the horse and Cailin helped boost her and the bairn up in front of him.

  Donal wrapped an arm around Tina’s waist before clucking to the horse. “Thank ye, Cailin!” he called as they rode out through the gates.

  “The bridge is over a day’s ride away,” Tina said.

  “Edna will meet us at one that is closer,” Donal said.

  “Why didn’t Edna use that one to send me here?”

  “I dinnae know. I dinnae know how any of this works. I just want Elena to be well. ’Tis all I want,” he wanted Tina, too. He couldn’t tell her that. She still hadn’t forgiven him and she might never.

  Tina remained silent as she held Elena in her arms. He was struck by how much they appeared to be a family to anyone they might pass on the road. The truth of it was quite different.

  Donal’s strong arm wrapped around Tina felt good. Better than good. She was secure and unafraid, knowing that he would see them safely from this time to the next and that they would both do whatever was necessary to get Elena the help she would need. She wanted to tell him she forgave him, but the words stuck in her throat. Why was she so difficult? She didn’t even know the answer to that question, so she remained silent. She recounted all the times in her life she had been thoughtless and unkind to her sister. Selfishly wanting her to give up her career to stay at home with the family instead of following her passion. Tina wasn’t perfect and she knew it, but why did she expect everyone else to be? Why did they all have to play by her rules? Maybe it was time for her to rethink that whole thing. She was going home. Once she got back to her own time she wouldn’t be returning. She hadn’t had a chance to say goodbye to anyone, but she hoped they knew how much she appreciated everything they’d done for her. Things may not have turned out the way she planned, but it had been an adventure of sorts.

  As they rode, the sky began to darken and Tina worried it might get too dark for them to see where they were going. “Logan said it might rain,” she said.

  “We’ll make it to the bridge before it does,” Donal said.

  “Will we get there before dark?”

  “I’m hopeful we will.”

  “When I get back to my own time, I won’t be coming back here with you.” There she’d said it.

  “I understand.”

  Tina wasn’t sure what she expected him to say or even what she hoped he would say. “Don’t worry. Elena will be okay. The doctors there will know exactly what to do.”

  “I ken ye dinnae wish to hear this, but I’m verra sorry for lying to ye.”

  “I know you are.” Could she say it? Could she tell him what he needed to hear. “Donal…”

  “Aye.”

  “You’ll never know how hard it is for me to say this, but I forgive you. I’m learning that no one’s perfect, especially not me and I should have given you a chance to explain yourself.”

  He pulled her tighter against his strong chest where she felt warm and safe. “Thank ye, lass. I didnae want ye to hate me, especially now that yer going back to yer own time and I’ll nae see ye again.�
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  “I don’t hate you,” she protested. Had she really given him that impression.

  “My wish is for ye to remember me with some fondness, as I will ye.” He placed a small kiss against her temple then sat up straight. The movement put a small amount of distance between them and yet it felt like a chasm.

  This was bad. He was tugging on her heartstrings. The sincerity in his voice told her she’d been a fool where he was concerned. Damn her high expectations. But this was what she did. She held every man she met to some unattainable moral code in order to sabotage her own happiness. But why? If she only knew the answer to that question it might solve all her problems. She still had feelings for Donal, but it seemed she was willing to throw that all away because of her own stupid pride.

  “Donal, when we get to my time and once we know Elena will be alright, we need to talk. I haven’t exactly been fair to you.”

  “The bridge is just up ahead,” he said. “I don’t know what we’re to do when we get there.”

  “I think we just wait.”

  “Maggie,” Edna yelled from her office desk. “I need ye.”

  “Coming,” Maggie answered.

  A few moments later she appeared. “What do ye need?”

  “We’ve got to get Tina, Donal and wee Elena back here.”

  “You’ve done that a million times. Why do ye need my help?”

  “This time they’re coming from a different bridge. Ye ken I’ve only worked with the two.”

  “Oh!” Maggie seemed at a loss. “Can we do that?”

  “I don’t know, but I hope so. The bairn is quite sick. She needs some twenty-first century medical attention.”

  “That goodness Dr. Ferguson’s nephew took over his practice. What’s wrong with her?”

  “I’m nae a doctor, lass. Ye ken it.”

  “Sorry. Silly question.”

  They stared into the flames of Edna’s hearth waiting for the trio to appear.

  “I can see the bridge,” Maggie said. “Is anyone waiting for them here at our bridge?”

  “Yes. I sent Teddy. He should be there by now.”

  “Well, at least we’ve got that part covered.”