Chapter 21
TWENTY-ONE
Jenna pondered what Cormac had just told her.
What was Jonathan up to? He knew he was not supposed to go anywhere near her, or contact her in any way.
She had a momentary thought that he might want to hurt her.
His relentless efforts to get money out of her or her family were wearing on her.
He should know by now that he wasn’t going to get any more than he’d already gotten.
It was bad enough she had to worry about him back home, but now, here in sixteenth century Scotland he had apparently found two allies to help him.
But help him what? That was the question. An involuntary shudder ran through her.
“Jenna, are ye warm enough?” Cormac asked, concern written all over his handsome face.
“Yes. I’m fine, Cormac,” she lied. “I was just wondering why Jonathan thinks he can get more money out of me. The annulment is final and we are not married anymore. I don’t owe him a thing.”
“I dinna ken what his plans are, but I fear he may wish you harm.”
Jenna didn’t say anything to that. Cormac had just voiced her deepest fear.
She had never said a word to anyone, not even Dylan, but she was secretly worried that Jonathan’s motives would mean bad things for her.
She needed to get back to San Francisco and hire someone to keep an eye on Jonathan.
What was she thinking? If she went back home and Jonathan was stuck here, she might not need to.
She felt badly for the waitress. Surely she had no idea what she had gotten herself into.
Jonathan was very convincing and had probably charmed her into helping him by lying to her.
“Cormac, do you think we should try to help Sophia?” she asked.
“I was wondering the same,” Cormac answered her. “She doesnae seem to be the kind of woman who would willing do Jonathan’s bidding.”
“I’m sure he lied to her or she wouldn’t have been with him,” Jenna said.
“Dinna fash, lass. When we get to my home I’ll speak with Robert and Cailin. We’ll find a way to help her.”
Jenna didn’t really like the idea of Cormac being anywhere near Sophia.
She knew the waitress wanted him and it made Jenna jealous.
Although why she was jealous was beyond her, she wasn’t interested in staying here in this god-forsaken place.
She needed to get home and Cormac needed to stay here.
She really shouldn’t concern herself with jealousy.
It would do nothing to help her get back home.
If Sophia wanted to stay here, then she could go after Cormac if she wanted.
Jenna’s back stiffened and she felt anger rising in her again.
“How much longer is this going to take?” she asked testily.
“We’re almost there, lass. Relax. All is well.” Cormac sounded maddeningly calm.
“What does almost there mean in sixteenth century time? An hour? Two?” Jenna always felt better when she was able to put things in perspective and thought for some reason being angry at Cormac right now would help in that effort.
“Jenna, are ye angry with me, lass?” Cormac sounded puzzled by her sudden change in demeanor.
“What do you think? I’m on a horse, which I told you I didn’t want to do. I’m in the sixteenth century, which I also told you I didn’t want to do and now I find out that your little friend, Sophia is in league with my ex and some crazy English guy and they have it in for me. Yeah. I’m pissed.”
“Jenna, I really dinna believe that Sophia had any idea what Jonathan was really up to. She seemed surprised by what he was saying to Richard.”
“Fine. Whatever. I can’t wait to get off this horse and find out when I can go home.”
“Soon enough, Jenna. Soon enough.” Cormac didn’t seem bothered by her behavior and she irrationally worried that he wanted to get rid of her as much as she wanted to leave.
They continued their ride through the Scottish countryside.
It was beautiful, Jenna had to admit. A mist hung low to the ground and moss was growing everywhere making everything around them the most beautiful color green.
Raindrops started pattering on them again and Jenna was just about to complain when they came to a slight rise and there in front of them stood a beautiful castle.
“That is Breaghacraig, Jenna.” Cormac pointed unnecessarily to the castle that was the only thing for miles around, except, of course, for some small cottages surrounding it.
Jenna was scrunching herself into as small a target as possible to avoid the pelting raindrops. Cormac reached into his saddlebag and pulled out a plaid, which he expertly wrapped her in to shield her from the weather.
“Thank you,” she muttered through the layers of fabric. She almost laughed as she imagined that Cormac had purposely covered her mouth so he didn’t have to listen to her complain any longer.
“Yer most welcome, lass. Now, let’s get to Breaghacraig before ye catch yer death.
” He urged Saidear forward into a ground-eating canter and before she knew it, they were at the gates of the castle, which opened wide to allow them entrance.
As they passed through, she was amazed to see many people scurrying about.
The rain was not deterring them from attending to their tasks.
Two boys ran to them when they finally came to a stop and took Saidear’s reins from Cormac, who had hopped off and was reaching up for Jenna.
She was wrapped up so tightly that she had no choice but to allow Cormac to lift her down from the horse.
As she stood by his side, he gave direction to the boys on Saidear’s care.
He wrapped a protective arm around Jenna’s shoulders and they headed toward the massive doors of the castle.
They were still quite a distance away when the doors opened and a petite woman with dark auburn hair accompanied by a tall dark haired man came through and stopped dead in her tracks.
The man said something to her, but she continued to stare at Jenna.
Jenna watched as the woman called her name and began running towards her.
The man grabbed her arm to stop her and gave her a stern talking to.
“Oh, my God, that’s Ashley!” she said to Cormac.
“Who’s that crazy fool who’s got her by the arm? ”
“That daft idjit is me brother, Cailin. Ashley is his wife.”
***
Cormac caught Jenna as her legs went out from underneath her. “Damn this stupid blanket!” she cursed as she tried unsuccessfully to disentangle herself. She’d almost fallen flat on her face in her hurry to get to Ashley.
“Jenna, let me help ye,” Cormac calmly said as he unwrapped her from the plaid. He had no sooner gotten it off of her when she bolted towards Ashley.
“Leave her alone!” she yelled at Cailin.
Cormac couldn’t help but laugh. The expression on his brother’s face was priceless. He obviously had no idea who this woman was that was telling him to leave his own wife alone.
Cailin looked to Ashley and then back to Cormac. “Brother, who is this wee spitfire ye have with ye?”
“She is Ashley’s good friend, Jenna.” He watched as his brother took in the scene in front of him.
Jenna and Ashley were hugging, laughing, crying.
It almost brought a tear to Cormac’s eyes to see how happy they both were.
“We should get them inside out of the rain and I’ll tell ye the whole story. ”
Cormac’s sister Irene was standing in the doorway with her husband Robert.
They both looked puzzled, but said nothing.
Cormac and Cailin pried the girls apart and led them inside past those who had gathered to see what was going on.
The great hall was warm and inviting. A huge blaze burned brightly in the fireplace and torches had been lit throughout to make up for the dark and dreary day outside.
Cormac was relieved to finally be back home.
He prepared himself to tell those gathered where he had been over the past several days, but before he could speak, Irene had a question, “Who is this lass ye’ve brought home with ye, Cormac? She seems to know our Ashley.”
“Aye. She does, Irene. ‘Tis Ashley’s friend, Jenna, from San Francisco.” Cormac answered.
“What is she doing here? Where did ye find her?” Irene asked.
“’Tis a long story and one I’d be happy to share with ye, but we are both verra hungry and wet.
Irene, do ye have something dry that Jenna could wear?
She’s had a long journey and has a tendency to be prickly as a thistle when she is uncomfortable.
” Cormac hoped Irene would take care of the food and clothing and be satisfied to wait a bit for his story.
“Aye. I’ll help the lass get dry and we’ll see to it that ye both are fed,” Irene said. “Go on then. Go get yourself changed and come right back. I’ll not want to wait long to hear yer story.” Irene swatted his backside to send him on his way.
“Jenna, go with me sister, Irene. She’ll see that ye get some dry clothes and I’ll meet ye back here for some food.”
Jenna looked up from her conversation with Ashley and nodded.
Ashley smiled a huge smile of thanks in his direction and blew him a kiss.
He looked from his sweet sister-in-law to Jenna and Irene, who were sizing each other up.
They were a lot alike and Cormac watched as Irene headed Jenna’s way hoping that the two would get on well.
***
Jenna stood her ground, holding on to Ashley’s hands, as Irene approached. She was a black haired, blue-eyed beauty, who obviously was the one in charge here.
“Jenna, I’m pleased to meet ye,” Irene introduced herself. “Cormac is me brother and yer friend Ashley is as good a sister to me as if she had been born into our family.”
“Nice to meet you,” Jenna said, extending her hand to Irene, who looked a bit confused by the gesture. “Oh, I’m sorry, I guess you don’t shake hands here.” Jenna pulled her hand back in embarrassment.