“No. Get yer arse down here. We already waited a good deal of time for ye. Taran doesna need ye. Ye are more likely in his way than ye are help to him.”
Callum cast a questioning glance in Taran’s direction. The old man laughed as he answered.
“I wouldna say that ye are in me way, but Adwen is right, I’ll be just fine on me own. Go and see what he wants so he will quit hollering.”
Handing the tools over, Callum wiped his hands clean and descended from the nearly-repaired tower. When he reached the bottom, he was near ready to deck his brother square in the nose.
“What is the matter with ye? Nora has more patience than ye do. What do ye want?”
Adwen didn’t answer him. Instead, Orick clasped him on the shoulder as they made their way outside of the castle together.
“We need ye to settle a wager between us. Ye’d think after what Griffith did to him the last time with a bet, he would’ve learned his lesson, but Adwen needs one more loss before sense finds him.”
Callum expected whatever their wager was, Adwen would lose—he always did. “What is yer wager? I canna see how I can settle it.”
“Now, before I tell ye, allow me to remind ye that ’twas not I that came up with the wager. Adwen is the scoundrel, not I. ’Tis only that I derive much pleasure from seeing Adwen change Nora’s diapers for a month. That is the only reason I bet him.”
“Get on with it. What did ye wager?”
Adwen stepped suddenly between them, apparently fed up with waiting on Orick to explain.
“I told him that ye already tupped Sydney. Orick disagrees.”
“Aye, I disagree.” Orick shoved Adwen out of the way. Callum couldn’t help but think how childish both of them looked in that moment. “I told him that ye are not the same hasty fool that he is, that ye take a little more care with yer women. I was right, aye? Please tell me ye have not already done so.”
Callum turned away from them, marching back inside the castle as he spoke. “If either of ye want to know the answer, ye will have to come with me and help gather up the last batch of stone to haul up to the tower for Taran.”
He refrained from saying another word on the subject until both men joined him in the storage room.
“Orick has won. I want to bed the lass, aye, but I’ve not even tried to do so.”
“Damn ye, Orick. Why are ye always right about everything?”
Adwen’s aggravated voice was enough to make both Callum and Orick burst into pleased laughter.
“Are ye really so surprised, Adwen? Doona ye know me better than that?”
“I guess not. I knew that ye liked her, but I dinna know ye cared for her. Ye are not the lass-crazed man I once was, but ye’ve bedded plenty of lassies before.”
He did care for her—so much so that for the first time since the repairs on the castle began, he wished he could slow them down.
“Aye, I do. I wish to take my time with her, though I’m not doing a verra good job of it. My feelings are progressing more quickly than they should.”
Without saying a word, the men formed a line passing each piece of stone to the other as they worked in tandem to place them inside the wooden wheelbarrow. They would gather up the pieces here then form another tag-team line to haul them up the stairs to the tower.
Orick questioned him as they worked.
“How do ye mean? ’Tis my own experience that feelings needn’t be rushed or stalled. They appear and leave us just as they should—as they are meant to.”
Callum took the large rock Orick extended him and turned to hand it off to Adwen.
“There is much that needs to be settled before I am ready to share the company of another in my life. The castle restorations need to be finished, the rest of ye seen safely home. I need to see Macaslan dead and buried and Laird Allen repaid for his help and kindness in the search. I’ve spent too much time away from my territory, from serving the needs of my people. They’ve spent far too long helping me with mine. I should wait until all is cared for before indulging in the joy Sydney’s company brings me, but when I find myself around her, rather than push her away, I urge her to ignore her own misgivings to heedlessly give me all she has. ’Tis selfish and foolish and willna end well for either of us.”
Adwen laughed, and both Callum and Orick turned to look at him curiously.
“Forgive me for borrowing a phrase from my foul-mouthed wife, but everything ye just said is horse shit.”
“Why do ye think that, brother?”
“If ye wait until ye are ready, ye’ll find us throwing dirt on top of yer dead body before the day comes. No one is ever ready for anything that comes to us in this life. I believe ’twas ye that convinced me not to throw such a gift away when I was in the midst of great grief. I canna see reason for ye to try and talk yerself out of the possibility of such love now. Ye are frightened. Why?”
Callum held up a hand to keep Orick from handing him the next stone. He didn’t wish to work while speaking.
“When I sent ye from this castle to go find Jane, I dinna know anything. I’d not experienced any of it for myself. And aye, I’m frightened. I’m frightened that within a week I’ll be so madly in love with the lass that I’ll scarcely be able to let her go.”
“Then doona. Why should ye let her go? From the way things appear to me, she doesna intend to leave Cagair. Ye will be but a staircase away from her. If ye wish to go slowly, fine, but doona deny yerself just because ye are scared. Those in love live in fear always. ’Tis the price we pay.”
“Adwen is right, Callum.”
He turned toward Orick, eager to hear whatever his friend had to say. Orick was wiser than them all.
“If her own feelings do not yet match yer own, it doesna mean that they never shall. Ye doona know what the lass has been through. Mayhap men have not treated her as they should have before. Mayhap she needs to know with certainty how ye feel before her heart will open fully. Reassure her in every sense that ye care. Ye already know that she does. It doesna mean that yer own feelings move too quickly if hers move more slowly.”
“How do ye always know just what everyone needs to hear, Orick?”
Adwen’s deep and aggravated voice joined in on his left. “’Tis damned annoying, is it not? The bastard knows everything.”
Orick hurried to defend himself. “No. I doona know verra much at all, but I do know the two of ye verra well.”
“That ye do, Orick.” Callum turned to face Adwen. “Ye helped me much this day as well, brother. Fatherhood has changed ye.”
“The wee babe has stolen my heart, but she has not improved my wisdom. My words to ye today were a stroke of luck. Doona expect such good guidance from me again.”
Callum laughed and reached up to grab each of the men on their shoulders.
“I won’t. Still, I appreciate both of ye more than ye know.”
Orick shrugged his hand off, dismissing his gratitude just as Callum expected he would.
“Ye should know that we appreciate ye as well. All of us do. Ye traveled with yer father for years even though ye dinna truly wish to; ye took over Cagair Castle so that Adwen could live the life he wished; ye almost married my wife to keep her from Macaslan’s wretch of a son. Ye are a selfless man, Callum. If ye’ve found joy, cling to it with all that ye have.”
“I will try to, but I canna give her promise of anything until Macaslan is dead.”
Adwen gave him a quick slap upside his head.
“Callum, ye are trying to talk yerself out of things again. Macaslan has no allies to help him. Even his own men hate him. I’d wager that all danger has passed. I doona think he will return to Scotland ever again.”
Chills passed through Callum at his brother’s words. If Adwen was willing to bet that all danger had passed, it most certainly had not.
CHAPTER 26
Four Weeks Later
Present Day
Everyone gathered to say goodbye to the Conalls on the morning of their departure from the castle. They
were by far the largest group, and the halls were sure to be quieter without them. While everyone was pleased that all that remained to set Cagair Castle right were the drapings and furnishings, I could see that sadness hung over everyone as the first group of guests walked down the stairwell one-by-one.
In the madness of everything that had happened over the past weeks, I’d not been able to visit with most of the Conalls like I wished to, but Blaire, in particular, I was sad to see leave. She still had several months of pregnancy remaining, but she wouldn’t feel like traveling anywhere soon, so I knew it was wise for them to leave earlier than the rest of them. Even so, I would miss our brief daily conversations as her pregnancy cravings had her popping in and out of the kitchen regularly.
She was the last to travel through, and I smiled as she waddled over to me for one last farewell.
“I canna tell ye how pleased I am ye showed up here. I’m certain I’ll see ye again, for ’tis clear to me ye’ve fallen for Callum completely. Doona fight it, Sydney. ’Twould be senseless for ye to do so.”
I knew it would be pointless for me to argue with her. Despite my initial concerns and hesitations, Callum had thoroughly worn me down over the past few weeks. I accepted the fact that I was very much in love with him. Not that I had told him that. I wouldn’t. Not for a very, very long time.
“I’ll try not to.”
“Ye willna be able to for long, even if ye try. Believe me, next I see ye, ye will be good and married and caring for Callum’s territory at his side.”
The thought sent nervous shivers through my stomach. I very much hoped Callum couldn’t hear Blaire’s predictions for us from where he stood. We’d yet to share a bed—marriage was surely the very last thing on either of our minds.
“We’ll see, but I do hope I see you sooner rather than later. Have safe travels, and please send word when the baby comes.”
She hugged me and followed the rest of her group into the past, and I went in search of my training partner, Cooper.
“Are you ready? Last I saw Jerry, he was not very excited about the prospect of stair work today. I’m really going to need your help to encourage him.”
Cooper ran out of his room and down the hallway the second I finished.
“I was born ready. It doesn’t matter that he doesn’t want to do stairs. He has to do them so that he can get well enough to tend to his sheep again. He loves those wooly creatures, and I bet they’re missing him.”
I jogged after him, catching him in just a few strides.
“I’m sure they are. Let’s go drag him out of bed.”
When we reached Jerry and Morna’s room, Jerry lay with the comforter draped snugly over his head—a sure sign he intended to make this as difficult as possible. We were used to it by now.
The changes in his diet were, after a few days of unrest, easy enough to implement. While everyone in the castle adhered to the doctor’s rules for the two days after his return from the hospital, it wasn’t long before the men and a few of the women began to protest the predominantly vegetarian and lean meat-based diet.
Luckily, I was correct in thinking that all Morna really needed was guidance. As long as I provided her a menu and made sure the groceries were on hand, she had no problem cooking Jerry’s food herself. That left me free to cook more decadent cuisine for the rest of us.
The changes in his exercise routine—or lack thereof—well, that was where the real challenge came in. After taking it upon myself to make certain that he got in at least a little walking and light exercise every day, I quickly realized he was the sort of man that believed life should be exercise enough. While that might have been true when Jerry was young and working long, hard days on his farm, he no longer garnered enough “life” activity to cut it.
I attempted the first day of Jerry’s rehabilitation solo, but after one temper tantrum from the normally kind old man, I decided I was never going into that room alone again. So, I enlisted Cooper’s help. Everyone loved Cooper, and I knew Jerry would watch his behavior so much more carefully in Cooper’s presence than he did mine.
It helped, and after that, Cooper came with me every day. The McMillans planned to remain until Jerry was well enough for Morna to take him home, and I couldn’t be more thankful for it. If not for Cooper, I expected Jerry would have half the strength he did now.
“Hey, Jerry. We’re here to get you moving again. Come on, sleepy head. Get up out of that bed. You know Sydney—she’ll pull you out if you don’t get out yourself.”
Cooper didn’t slow his speed as we entered the room, running straight toward Jerry’s bed before jumping right up beside him and giving him a good shake.
Jerry’s grumpy and irritated voice answered.
“I’m not sleeping, Cooper, I just doona wish to move about today. Why doona the two of ye just give me one day of rest? I beg ye.”
I stepped up to the bed and gave the comforter one quick pull so that it came off the bed entirely.
“You can beg all you want, neither of us is going anywhere. Come on. Get up. You know you’re feeling much better. What with all of the good food you are eating and the daily exercise we are making certain you get, you’re just glowing with good health. If you can honestly tell me that you’ve felt better than you do now in the last ten years, I will leave you be.”
He uncurled himself and slowly swung his feet over the side of the bed.
“If by better ye mean that I have to run to the toilet five times a day just to rid myself of the vegetables Morna keeps shoving down my throat then, aye, I suppose I feel much better.”
Cooper laughed until he doubled over. He spoke between choked, cackling breaths. “Well, believe me, Jerry, you’d rather get rid of it than not. If you don’t and you tell my mom, she’ll be tempted to stick one of those icky suppose-pi-tory thingies up your bum. Last time she gave me one of those, I was four and a half, and I decided right then that I’d rather not keep holding everything in to keep from suffering that torture again.”
Jerry’s bad mood vanished in an instant, and we all laughed until we hurt all over before taking Jerry out to master his assigned three flights of stairs.
CHAPTER 27
1650
“Tom, ye needn’t have made the trip up here today. Everyone save the craftsmen is home enjoying their families. Ye should do the same.”
Try as he might, Callum could never convince Tom to stay away from Cagair for even a day. He wouldn’t blame Tom if he refused to step foot on the castle grounds ever again, but the old man had done just the opposite. As soon as he recovered enough to do so, he returned to his job of checking on the castle daily.
“Ye know I can only bear so much coddling from me wife before I begin to feel ill all over again. It is a happy day. Yer home is now complete, and ye are free to sleep in it this night. I wanted to see it for meself.”
With everyone else enjoying a day of relaxation either at their homes in the village or at the Cagair of the twenty-first century, Callum was left to enjoy the excitement over the last of the reconstruction on his own. He would gladly share the moment of joy with Tom.
“’Tis a verra happy day indeed. So many months of labor have finally come to an end.”
Callum glanced over to see Tom staring at the ground awkwardly.
“What is it, Tom? Ye are never shy. I can tell ye are holding something in.”
“I shouldna mention it. Not on this day. But I’ve not had a chance to catch ye all alone in some time. Have ye…have ye received word from Laird Allen since he left? Have they had any luck tracking Macaslan down?”
Callum had wondered the same thing as of late. He knew it would take some time for Laird Allen and his men to travel such a great distance. Even if they found nothing, he expected to receive word any day now.
“No. Not yet, but I’m sure I will soon. Laird Allen seemed as eager to rid the world of Macaslan as the rest of us, and his men looked a fearsome lot.”
As if summoned by their words,
the sound of hooves approaching caused both men to turn and look for the rider headed their way.
“Did ye see him on yer way here, Tom? Is that why ye mentioned this?”
Tom shook his head. “No, I dinna see a thing. Do ye think ’tis news from Laird Allen?”
“If not from Raudrich then from one of the others we have stationed about at every port and territory.”
Callum took a step forward and called out to the rider.
“Greetings. Who has sent ye here?”
The rider looked young. Callum guessed the boy to be no more than twenty. He looked tired, as if he rode through the night to reach them. Callum figured he most likely had.
The boy pulled hard on his reins to stop the horse, dismounting before continuing his approach. He carried a linen sack that hung heavy in his left hand. Upon closer inspection, it appeared to be stained with blood. Callum swallowed down bile at the sight and repeated his question with more force.
“Lad, I’ll ask ye again. Who has sent ye here?”
The boy stopped and moved to balance the sack in his right hand, opening up the top of the bag with his left.
“Laird Allen, sir. He sent ye a gift to celebrate the finishing of yer castle.”
The messenger smiled a sickly sweet grin that caused Callum’s stomach to churn.
Pulling back his arm, the boy kept a grip on the cloth bag, swung his arm forward, and sent Laird Macaslan’s severed head rolling toward Callum and Tom.
Present Day
I approached Jerry’s room with trepidation. Cooper came down with a cold that kept him from coming with me today. When I reached his doorway, I was shocked to see him already dressed and sitting by the fire.
“Well, look at you. How long have you been out of the bed?”
He turned and smiled, then pointed to the empty seat across from him. I headed straight toward it.
Love Beyond Belief (Book 7 of Morna’s Legacy Series) Page 13
