by Jennae Vale
“Oh, Grandpa, I miss you so much.” She wished more than anything that she could see him one more time and tell him she loved him.
The bed was turned down for her so all she had to do was climb in, curl up and fall asleep, but instead she thought about Zeke. It seemed everyone she wanted to talk to was unavailable to her, with the exception of Helene. She always talked things through with Zeke. He was a lot like her grandfather. He was steady, strong and very wise, despite his age. She knew he’d understand exactly how she felt and he’d probably have some great advice for her, if there was a way to speak with him. “Not much you can do about that,” she said to herself. “It will all work itself out. I have faith.”
Edna stared into the fireplace in her office, unaware that Maggie had joined her. The flames were returning to normal after her visions of Sara at Breaghacraig cleared.
“Auntie,” Maggie said. “Are ye alright?”
Edna shook the last of her trance off. “Aye. I am, love.” She gazed at Maggie who had moved to sit with her on the floor. “Did ye see anything in the fire, Maggie?”
“Nae. What were ye seeing?” Maggie asked.
“I was checking in on Sara and Logan.” Edna stretched to alleviate her achy muscles.
“I thought you said you couldn’t interfere,” Maggie said.
“I cannae, but that doesnae mean I dinnae care.” Edna leaned her head on Maggie’s shoulder.
“I’m sorry, Auntie, I didnae mean it that way.”
“Sara and Logan are a puzzle that must be solved by they themselves. She seemed quite sad just now. Missing her brother and her grandfather and needing their sage advice.”
“Ye ken who else could give her some good advice, dinnae ye?” Maggie stood and went to the cabinet where Edna and Angus kept their whisky. She poured some for the two of them and brought Edna a glass. “Can ye nae speak with her through the fire?”
“I could, but ’tis not up to me to solve her problems. She will learn a great deal about herself from this ordeal.”
“I see. So, you can manipulate without manipulating. Is that what yer saying?”
Edna laughed. “Maggie, I love ye.” She sipped her whisky. “I guess I can. I’m thinking though that there may be another way I can be of service without directly helping Sara and Logan.”
Maggie waited for Edna to tell her what that might be, but as was often the case, Edna remained lost in her own thoughts.
“Auntie…”
“Yes, Maggie?”
“Are ye going to share with me?”
“Not this time.” Edna smiled as her niece rolled her eyes. “I will eventually, but fer now I’m going to keep this one close to my heart. I’ve got some thinking to do.”
“Okay. I can accept that.”
“Have ye looked in on them yerself? I ken you would like to.” Edna continued to sip her drink.
“I have,” she was embarrassed to admit. “I want to reach right through the fire and shake the both of them. They’re being so silly. There is a solution to their problem, but it will take action on both their parts.” Maggie shook her balled up fists in the air, then sighed and dropped her hands to her lap.
Edna laughed at her frustration. “Ye’ll be happy to hear that Sara is about to do exactly as ye wish. How it will turn out, I dinnae ken, but like ye I’m happy to see her taking the bull by the horns.”
“Let’s hope she doesnae get gored in the process,” Maggie worried.
“I have faith in her, but we’ll see.”
“What are ye two up to now?” Angus stood in the doorway, eyeing them both.
“Angus, love,” Edna beckoned him over.
“How’s Sara doing? I ken ye’ve been checking on her.” Angus moved closer to the women.
“Not as well as I would like, but she has an opportunity to move things in the right direction.”
“Well, I’m about to move things in the right direction, meself. I’m off to bed. Ye need yer rest, Edna. Ye cannae expect to solve the problems of the world without a good night’s sleep.” He reached down a hand to help her stand, then pulled her close.
Maggie laughed. “You too are so cute together.”
“I’ve never been cute a day in me life,” Angus protested.
“I beg to differ,” Edna said. “Ye were quite cute to me the first time I met you at the bridge.”
“Only the first time?” Angus looked hurt.
“Nae, me love. Every time.” Edna touched a finger to his nose.
Maggie loved Edna and Angus’ relationship. They had been married many years, but they still behaved as if their relationship was new and fresh. Edna was now firmly ensconced in Angus’ arms. “Go on, Auntie. I’ll clean up down here. Good night.”
Maggie watched them leave and then went to find Dylan. He was probably still in the kitchen. She walked through the darkened dining room to find him. As he folded his towel and placed it on the rack, Maggie could see that everything was sparkling clean. “I was coming to see if ye needed any help.”
“No. I’m all done. You ready to go back to the cottage?”
“I told Auntie I’d finish up down here, so I’ll be there in a bit.”
“I’ll help you,” Dylan said.
“You don’t have to. I can do it.”
“I know you can, but I want to. It’ll give me some extra alone time with you.” He playfully slapped her butt and headed out into the dining room.
They checked to make sure all the candles had been extinguished. Dylan had already set the tables for the next day. They went through the lobby and straightened the chairs, the newspapers and magazines.
“How’s everything with our time traveler?” Dylan asked.
“Not great, at the moment.”
“It must be driving Edna crazy that she can’t do her thing in this case.” Dylan went behind the over-sized mahogany desk piled high with papers and books. He straightened everything and made sure the filing drawer was locked.
“I’ll say. I found her staring into the fire. She’d been looking in on Sara and Logan. She’s up to something though.”
“Really? What?”
“She wouldn’t say, but mark my words, if she finds a way to affect their relationship for the better, she will.”
“I don’t doubt it. She’s a master in the matchmaking department. Look at us.” Dylan came out from behind the reception desk and Maggie sauntered into his arms.
“I love you,” she said. “I’m happy she matched us up.”
“I like to think we’d be together even if she hadn’t helped.”
“You could be right, but let’s not tell her.”
They put out the lights and made their way through the darkened dining room and kitchen, out the back door and to their cottage.
The glow of the moon on the water was so beautiful. Logan gazed up at it and wished Sara was sitting here with him enjoying it. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t seem to put her out of his mind. If only Aisla would confide in him. If he knew who the father of her babe was, he’d go find him, beat him soundly and drag him back. It angered him to think that whoever this man was, he’d taken advantage of Aisla’s sweet nature and then left her to fend for herself. He lied to her about coming back for her and at the very least, he deserved a good beating. This unknown man was having an effect on Aisla’s happiness and now on Sara’s and Logan’s.
There had to be a way for him to find this scoundrel. He’d been so swept up in loving Sara that he’d forgotten the reason he’d taken her into Robert’s office. He wanted to know what she’d found out. With this man’s name he could solve this whole dilemma, but that wasn’t what Aisla wanted and he had to respect her wishes, no matter that it meant the end of any hope he may have had to be with Sara.
He stood and slowly made his way back up to the path and then to the barracks. It was dark and everyone had retired for the night. He was the last one in. Being one of Breaghacraig’s captains, he had inherited Dougall’s private chamber wh
en he’d wed Helene. He found he liked his privacy. It was good to get away from the others, to have a place to think and, tonight, a place to mourn the loss of the woman he loved.
Chapter 10
Sara woke the next morning even more determined than she had been the night before. She was going to find Rory Mackall and convince him to return with her. Aisla deserved her happily ever after and so did she and Logan. She threw her clothes on as quickly as possible, being sure to wear the pair of breeches Helene made for her. She was always freezing and Helene thought it might help if she had something to put on under her dress. In this case, they’d come in handy for horseback riding. Not wishing anyone to know what she was up to, Sara checked around the house to be sure she was alone. She found a pair of boots in Helene’s wardrobe and hoped she wouldn’t mind her borrowing them. She’d been so generous with her clothes and her home that Sara didn’t imagine she’d bat an eye. Still, it was important that Helene not become suspicious. They might send someone after her to bring her back.
Breakfast was eaten with little ceremony, and then, since no one was home to question her, she packed bread and cheese into a pouch she found hanging on a hook by the door. Her next goal was to find a horse she could borrow. When she first arrived, Helene told her that if she ever wanted to go for a ride she should go to the stable and speak with the stable boy, so that’s what she did.
She was a terribly inexperienced rider, so she asked for a horse with a sweet temperament. He obliged her and brought a beautiful white horse for her approval.
“She’s beautiful.” Sara ran her hands down the mare’s silky neck. “What’s her name?”
“Aeronwen. She’s an old girl, but she’s still got some spirit,” he said as he saddled the horse.
“Not too much spirit?” A bout of nausea overcame her at the thought of falling or getting bucked off. Suddenly this trip seemed rather frightening.
“Nae. She’ll take good care of ye.” He handed Sara a carrot when he was done. “Here ye go, lass. She’ll love ye forever.”
At the sight of the carrot, Aeronwen pricked her ears forward, her brown eyes softening as she took it from Sara and munched away.
The stable boy handed Sara the reins. “Enjoy yer ride. ’Tis a beautiful day.”
She thanked him and headed through the doors wondering how she was going to mount without help and how she was going to find Rory Mackall. She’d have to ask someone in the village. Sara didn’t wish to raise suspicion here at the castle. She knew Helene would be looking for her as soon as she realized what she’d done.
As she made her way around the corner, she ran into Hamish. “Good morn to ye, Sara. How be ye this day?” His bright green eyes twinkled with warmth.
Sara had to crane her head up to see his face. “Oh! Good morning, Hamish. I’m fine and you?”
“Disappointed.” He pouted for her benefit.
He didn’t need to say another word. She understood what he meant. “Can you help me mount my horse?” she asked, glancing quickly around to be sure Logan was nowhere in sight.
“Of course. Where are ye off to?” He took the reins from her hands and led her to a quiet corner of the courtyard.
Could she tell him? Would he keep her secret? She had to trust someone, otherwise she might never find Rory.
“Can you keep a secret?” she asked.
If he was surprised she was trusting him, he didn’t show it. “Aye,” he answered.
“Well, I’m off to search for Rory Mackall. The man you told me about last night.” She waited expectantly beside the horse for a boost.
Whatever he thought she was going to say, it wasn’t that. “Whatever for, lass?” he asked, clearly startled.
“I must find him. He’s going to help me keep a good friend from making a big mistake.” Hamish knitted his brows together and took her in. He noticed the small bag she was carrying and looked around to see what else she might have. He seemed to come to a decision and nodded his head.
“I see. Ye’ll be needing some help then,” he observed.
“No.” Sara answered quickly. “I’m fine on my own.”
Hamish smiled. “Dinnae worry. I’ll nae compromise yer virtue, lass, if that’s what yer concerned about. It became clear to me last night that there’s someone else ye’d rather be with. I’ll nae bother ye in that way again.”
Sara smiled back, “I’m sorry about that, Hamish. You’re so sweet and funny, but you’re right. There is someone else and he’s the only one for me.”
“No need to be sorry. I understand, but I dinnae believe Logan would appreciate me letting ye go off on yer own with no idea of where yer heading.”
Sara was relieved, but she wasn’t sure she should take him up on his offer. “Do you know where he is?”
“I do. I’ve been to Dunaill on Mackall land on many an occasion. Me cousin lives there.” He still made no move to help her mount her horse. Sara fidgeted a bit and realized this information didn’t really help her. She had no idea which direction to go. “I dinnae wish to see any harm come to ye, lass.” Hamish’s voice was soft. “’Tis my only motive fer joining ye, I promise.” He looked around the stables, and up into the sky, bobbing his head a bit as he thought. “I havenae seen me cousin in some time. I wouldnae mind visiting with him while ye attend to yer business.”
“Okay, I guess.” She was actually relieved that she’d have company. This might be the bravest thing she’d ever done in her life. She glanced at Hamish and he seemed confused by her words. “Yes. Please join me.”
“Wait here lass. I’ll get me horse and some provisions.”
“Provisions. How far do we have to go?”
“’Tis three days ride from here. I can see by looking at ye that ye werenae prepared for a trip of that length.”
Sara thought she might be gone for a day, not six. This might cause a problem. She hadn’t told anyone where she was going or what her plans were. Nevertheless, she was determined to find Rory Mackall and tell him about the baby. It was the only way she could save her relationship with Logan from crumbling before her very eyes. He’d confided to her that he and Aisla would be married as soon as possible, so she didn’t have much time to spare.
Hamish retrieved his horse and saddlebags filled with food, drink and blankets.
“Are we ready to go? I don’t want anyone to see me leaving.” Sara peeked furtively around the big man to see if anyone was watching them.
“Why so secretive? Dinnae ye think Logan will be worried about ye.” Hamish adjusted the saddles one last time and then turned to her.
“Not right away. I think he’s got other business to attend to.” She was careful not to say what, as no one else knew about Logan and Aisla, or at least she thought they didn’t.
“When he came back to the barracks, he told me to stay away from ye. He’ll nae be happy I’ve accompanied ye, but if he’s nae going with ye, then I must.”
“Don’t worry about Logan. I can handle him,” she assured him.
Hamish laughed at this. “I believe ye can, lass. Shall we?”
“Oh!” Sara exclaimed as Hamish lifted her up onto Aeronwen and handed her the reins.
“Is all well with ye?” Hamish asked, concern in his voice.
“Yes. I’m just afraid of heights and I forgot how high off the ground I’d be.” She looked warily over the side of the horse. “Don’t worry about me. I’ll be fine,” she assured him.
Hamish petted Aeronwen’s neck and whispered softly in her ear before moving over to his own horse. Sara tried to remember how to hold the reins without appearing silly, but luckily when Hamish clicked his tongue and led the way through the gates and out to the road, Aeronwen simply followed behind.
Sara was so nervous she’d be discovered leaving that she turned continuously to look behind her. No one was in sight and all was quiet as they passed Aisla’s house.
They reached the tree line and she relaxed. Hamish took his horse to a trot and Sara’s horse followed w
ithout any prompting from her. She was bouncing all over the place and held on for dear life. If this was the way the journey was going to be, she was in big trouble.
Hamish noticed she was struggling and slowed down. “Have ye nae ridden before?”
“I’ve been on a few trail rides, but we only walked,” she gasped, completely out of breath from working so hard to stay on Aeronwen. Thankfully they stopped and she was able to catch her breath.
“I see. Well, try to move with the horse. Here watch me.” Hamish took his horse up to a trot again and rode around and around her in a large circle.
Sara watched and noted that he seemed to be rising and falling in sync with his horse. She tried it and failed miserably at first, but Hamish was a good teacher and he continued to instruct her until she had it down. A wide smile broke out as she realized she was doing it.
“I’ll teach ye to canter next, but we’ll stick with the trot fer now.”
She was relieved. She couldn’t imagine going any faster without falling off. Although now that she knew what she was doing at the trot, she felt empowered. This quest was back on track.
Hamish rode beside her constantly checking on her and correcting her posture and seat when need be. He was good company and Sara was happy she had agreed to have him join her. She doubted she would have been able to stop him, though. Besides, with her lack of riding skills she wouldn’t have made it out past the gates without an accident.
They passed a few groups of people here and there on their way. Everyone exchanged greetings and continued on their journey. “Where do you suppose they’re going?” Sara asked.
“Breaghacraig. ’Tis the only place to stop along this road.”
Sara worried someone would spill the beans and let Logan or Dougall know they’d seen her. “Do you think anyone will be looking for us?”
“Aye. They will, but not for a while. They’ll nae catch up with us. We’ve a good head start.”
“Good.” She was relieved. The last thing she needed was Logan stopping her in her quest to find Rory.
