Chapter 18 #3
The squirrel hopped back down on the ground, chirping indignantly as Logan sat beside Sara. Logan chuckled. “It seems I’ve angered him.”
Sara laughed as the comical squirrel complained while flicking its tail back and forth. She reached out and picked some more herbs, which she deposited on the ground at her feet. This appeased her little friend, who happily went to work eating.
Logan put a hand beneath her chin and turned her face to look at him. “What have ye been thinking of, my sweet?”
“The future. Yours and mine.”
“I can see yer worried about it. Tell me of yer fears and mayhap I can help ye put them to rest.”
“I don’t know if I want to stay in this time or not,” she admitted.
She looked down at her lap, afraid to see Logan’s reaction.
“I really like it here, but what happens a month or two from now, when all the excitement has worn off? Will I want to go back to my own time? And what about Zeke?” the worries were spilling out fast now.
“Edna says he is going to find love soon and that makes me so happy for him. But … he’s the only family I have left and I don’t know if I can just never see him again.
I think I need to talk to Ashley and Jenna to see what I can expect. ” Sara felt so lost.
Logan reached for her. His hand was so warm, so strong.
She could feel his love in that touch. “Sara, as long as ye take me with ye, I’ll be happy,” his voice wrapped around her and calmed all the noise in her head.
She looked into his eyes and saw her future.
“Stay for now, but if ye dinnae wish to be here in the coming months or even years, I will go with ye to yer time. I am happy as long as ye’re by my side, no matter where or when that may be. ”
Happy tears formed in her eyes. “I love you so much,” she said, her hand caressing his face.
Logan wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close. She felt safe and secure in his arms, knowing that it was all going to be alright. No matter her choice, he would be there with her.
***
“Helene! Dougall! Sara ran to greet them as they rode into the courtyard with the MacKenzie party.
“Sara!” Helene dismounted and ran to her. “Ye scared us half to death going off as ye did.” She hugged Sara tightly. “I’m so happy yer well.”
“Where is everyone?” Sara asked, only seeing Irene and Robert, who were being greeted by the Mackalls and shown into Dunaill.
“Jenna and Ashley couldnae make the journey and so their husbands stayed home with them.”
“That makes sense. I guess they’re too far along in their pregnancy for a three-day trip by horse. What about the children?” she asked.
“Robert and Irene’s children stayed home as well. ’Twill give their Ma and Da a chance to enjoy themselves without worry.”
Dougall joined them. “’Tis good to see ye, Sara. I see Logan found ye,” he teased.
“He did. Not that I needed to be found.”
“Speaking of Logan, there he is now,” Dougall pointed out.
Sara turned to see her handsome highlander striding towards them. She wondered if she’d ever get used to the way he took her breath away every time she saw him.
“Dougall, Helene. ’Tis good to see ye,” Logan said as he reached them.
“So, our wee Aisla is to be married,” Dougall said.
“Yes, and not to me,” Logan chuckled.
“I understand ye have Sara to thank fer that.” Dougall turned to smile at her.
“Aye. She saved us all the day she decided to find Rory Mackall.” Logan put an arm around her shoulders and stood proudly next to her.
Sara didn’t think that what she’d done was that extraordinary, but she loved feeling Logan’s pride in her. She put her arm around his waist and snuggled a little closer.
“Dougall, I’d like to speak with Sara for a bit. We’ll meet ye inside.”
“As ye wish, my love,” Dougall said.
“Come, Logan. ’Tis been a long journey and I would like some whisky.”
The two men walked away, leaving Helene and Sara to catch up with each other.
“So, I see ye and Logan are together.”
“We have been practically the whole time we’ve been here.”
“They say ’tis a miracle that Rory Mackall survived.”
“If it was a miracle, then Edna’s the miracle. Dr. Ferguson figured out what the problem was and then Edna took it from there,” Sara said. “It was amazing how quickly he was up and about.”
“You must be happy about that,” Helene said. Sara could tell she didn’t want to pry, but she was hoping Sara would tell her everything.
“I’m more than happy, Helene. I love Logan and he loves me. I can’t imagine a better outcome.”
“I can. Ye need to marry him.”
“Well, I can’t if he doesn’t ask me.”
“Ye’ve nae spoken of it.”
Sara shook her head. “There’s no hurry. We have nothing but time, right?”
“Well, ye better get to it. Alpin told me he’s going to leave the cottage for Logan. He’ll be staying here with the Mackalls and will have nae need of it.”
“Does Logan know?” Sara asked.
“We’ve only just arrived. I’m sure he’ll speak with him after he spends time with Aisla.”
“Do you mind if I stay with you for a while longer? I mean, what would people think if I just moved in with him?”
“Of course, ye can stay with us. Do ye even need to ask?”
“Good. Aisla has asked me to take care of her garden. I’m guessing Logan isn’t much of a gardener.” Sara couldn’t help but laugh, trying to picture him in the garden tending to the plants.
“I can help ye. I’ll teach ye everything I ken about gardening. Ye’ll enjoy it,” Helene assured her.
“I hope so. I’ve never tended a garden in my entire life and every house plant I’ve ever had died a terrible death.”
Helene laughed. “Ye’ll see. ’Twill be fun, but ye need to speak with yer man.”
“I will,” Sara said. “I promise.”