Chapter 10 #2
Maggie took a sip of her soup. “This is delicious. I might have to get yer recipe to bring home to Dylan. I think this would be a great addition to the inn’s menu.”
“I’d be happy to share it with him,” Mrs. May said.
The bell above the door rang and a group of customers came in.
“Ye’ll have to excuse me.” Mrs. May hopped up and went behind the counter happily chatting with everyone.
Maggie finished her soup and scone. Mrs. May made her a box of goodies to take back to her hotel room. “I’ll be by for breakfast in the morning.” Maggie waved as she went out the door.
“See ye then,” Mrs. May called to her before returning to the line of customers that had arrived in a steady stream while Maggie ate.
It was nice to have someone to connect with when traveling alone.
Maggie hadn’t stayed in a hotel room by herself ever.
She had been a little apprehensive about it, but she was a big girl.
She was more than capable of doing this.
When she crawled into bed that night she lined the extra pillows up alongside the length of her body and pretended it was Dylan.
It made it much easier to fall asleep without his warmth right next to her.
***
Edna’s crystal ball was back and hovering in front of her. “What will ye show me today?” she asked, seating herself on the bench at the foot of her bed.
Peering in she could see Angelina and Sophia sitting comfortably in Zeke and Brenna’s house and appearing stunned to be back in San Francisco.
“I don’t understand this,” Sophia said.
“It looks like someone wants us to be back where they think we belong.” Jenna said from the kitchen.
“What makes you say that?” Angelina asked.
“It’s kind of obvious. Everyone here is from this time. Brenna, Hamish and Donal were all taken back to the past where all of our husbands and children are now.”
“I’m trying really hard not to freak out about it,” Sara said. “I want Logan and my little Lily.” Her voice started to crack with emotion.
Edna wanted so badly to talk to them, to reassure them. But how could she? She had to find William because no matter how hard she tried she couldn’t get a fire started in the fireplace.
Barnes stood in the doorway. “How long have ye been there?” Edna demanded.
“I’m here to see if ye need anything, m’lady.”
“M’lady! Pffft! I need William. I doona suppose ye ken where he is?”
Barnes turned and started walking, Edna hurried to follow him to a room she hadn’t been in before. It was unfurnished, much to her surprise. Evanore must not have been planning to use it for anything. The corners of the room were dark. In fact they were inky black.
“I doona see him. Is this where he’s supposed to be?”
“This was the last place I saw him.”
Edna walked around the empty room. “William. Are ye in here somewhere?” She stopped at one of the dark corners and listened carefully. “William. Can ye hear me?”
Did she hear a faint meow? She could have sworn that she did.
“Meow.”
There it was again. She moved closer to the sound as it repeated over and over.
She was sure he was right here, but there was nothing in front of her but darkness.
She reached her hand out and discovered an old dresser covered in a black cloth.
She rummaged through using her hands as her guide as she searched for him, but he wasn’t there. Edna could still hear him.
“Barnes help me move this dresser, please.”
He pushed one side away from the wall and she pushed the other.
“Oh dear,” Edna said. She’d discovered a tiny little door barely visible in the wall. It was too small for her to go through, but just the right size for a cat. If William was behind it and she could get it open, he would be free. She jiggled the wee door handle, but it was locked.
“If I may.” Barnes knelt down in front of the door and pulled something from his pocket.
“Is that a key?” she asked.
“No ma’am. It’s a lock pick,” he replied.
“A lock pick? Why would ye have something like that?”
He merely shrugged his shoulders and went to work inserting it into the keyhole lock beneath the doorknob. In no time he had it open and William sauntered out.
“Thank ye, Barnes.” Edna scooped William up from the floor. He purred happily, rubbing his head on her chin.
“You’re welcome, ma’am. I’ve been told to give you whatever ye need.”
“Really. Well, that might come in handy. Do ye ken what I need now?”
“No, ma’am.”
“I need ye to keep quiet about this. Doona tell Evanore.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Edna hurried from the room, back down the hallway and into her bedroom where she closed the door. She set William down in front of the fireplace. “Can ye get a fire started for me?”
William’s tail twitched back and forth as he stared at the hearth. A spark, then two and then a flicker of flame appeared. Soon the fireplace was filled with light and heat.
“Thank ye, William. I doona ken what I’d do without ye.”
She focused on the fire hoping it would lead her to the hearth in Zeke’s living room. Sure enough, it did. The women were all present, hugging and consoling each other.
“Ladies,” Edna said loud enough to get their attention. “Doona lose hope.”
The women all spun towards the fireplace which was now fully ablaze.
“Edna,” Ashley shouted. “It’s you!”
“Where are you?” Jenna asked as she knelt in front of the hearth.
“I’m no’ really sure. I’m in a house by the bridge. I wish I knew more that I could share with ye.”
“There’s no house by the bridge,” Sara said, joining Jenna. The others all gathered around so they could see and hear Edna more clearly.
“Ye can no’ see it, but ’tis there,” Edna assured them.
“We need to get back home.” Ashley sounded calmer than she had when Edna had looked in on them after they first arrived.
The other women all nodded in agreement.
“Maggie is working on it. I promise I’ll get ye back to yer families and I’ll get those who belong in San Francisco back as well. It may take me some time so ye’ll have to be patient. Do ye trust me?”
“Of course we do,” Angelina said. “Is there anything we can do to help?”
“No. Just keep me in yer thoughts. I’ll try to be in touch again.”
Zeke entered the room. “What’s going on?” He noticed the fireplace first and then Edna. “Edna, is Brenna with you?”
“Nay. She is no’. Doona worry. She’s with her brother. He’ll protect her.”
“Can you tell our husbands where we are?” Jenna put her hands together in prayer. “Please.”
“If I can, I will. Remember, be patient.” Edna hated to say goodbye.
She wanted to give them every reassurance that they needed.
“All will be well. I promise.” She hoped she would be able to keep that promise.
She knew it to be almost impossible to undo what another witch had done, but Evanore had found a way around it, so perhaps Edna could as well.
The fire died out. Edna held William close. He was the only comfort she had in her invisible prison. “Thank ye again me furry friend.”