Chapter 21 #2
“Jenna, let’s go get you something dry to wear,” Ashley said. She had happy tears in her eyes as she took Jenna by the hand and they followed Irene up the stairs.
“We’ll give her yer old chamber, Ashley. Right this way, Jenna.” Irene directed them to a room to their right and said, “I’ll be right back with a dress for ye.”
Ashley opened the door to the room and ushered Jenna in. “Jenna, I can’t believe you’re here. I’m so happy. I didn’t know if I’d ever see you again.” Ashley was crying happy tears again and Jenna went to her and gave her a big hug.
“I know. When you called and told me you were getting married, you omitted the part about time travel and my never seeing you again. You should have told me, Ashley.” Jenna pulled back and earnestly gazed into Ashley’s eyes.
“I should have, but I thought you wouldn’t believe me and the last thing I wanted was for you to come over here and try to find me.” Ashley couldn’t take her eyes off of her friend. “Jenna, tell me how Cormac found you. How did you get here?”
“It’s a long story, and I’m sure you won’t believe me,” Jenna hesitated just a moment. “Cormac kidnapped me.” There, she’d said it. Ashley looked shocked, but Jenna was just telling her the truth.
“What do you mean? Cormac would never do anything like that.”
“Well, he did. He showed up on the Marina Green and told me Edna sent him to get me. That I was supposed to be his wife. I thought he was crazy, but Dylan really liked him and insisted that we let him stay with us. Long story short, I guess he had to be back at the Marina exactly seven days after he arrived and poof, here I am.”
“So he forced you to go to the Marina with him?” Ashley asked.
“No, of course not. He tricked me. He stood there looking all lost and upset and I went to him, thinking he was losing it and that he wasn’t going anywhere.
I no sooner put my hand on his arm than the fog came in and started swirling around us.
He grabbed me and held on to me so I couldn’t get away and next thing I knew I was here. ”
“Jenna, I think Edna had a little something to do with that. I can’t imagine Cormac would want you to come with him against your will.
He’s not like that.” Ashley defended her brother-in-law.
“I am confused about one thing though. How are you supposed to marry Cormac? You’re already married to Jonathan. ”
“A lot has happened since you’ve been gone, Ashley,” Jenna bitterly spit out. “You and everyone else were right about Jonathan. He was only interested in me for my money. I had the marriage annulled.”
Ashley gasped and took Jenna’s hand in her own. “I’m so sorry, Jenna. That is not something I wanted to be right about. I know how much you loved him.”
“I thought I loved him, but when it came right down to it, I realized it had never been right between us. Not from the very beginning. He swept me off my feet, but somewhere deep down inside I knew he was pulling the wool over my eyes and I’m angry with myself that I let that happen.”
Ashley didn’t say a word. Jenna knew her friend wanted to try to make her feel better, but Ashley also knew Jenna well enough to know that she wouldn’t allow it.
They continued talking and Jenna poured her heart out to Ashley, who had lots of questions for her.
She filled her in on everything that had happened since she’d been gone and then had many questions of her own for Ashley, but she’d have to wait to ask them because Irene arrived with a lovely dress for her to wear.
“Let’s get you out of those wet things and into something dry,” Irene said. Irene motioned with her hand for Jenna to turn around and Jenna just looked at her. “You’ll need help getting out of that. If you prefer, Ashley can help you.”
“Oh, yes, I’d prefer to have Ashley help me with it.”
Irene didn’t look very happy with her, but she smiled at Ashley and said, “Ashley do you mind helping her and then we’ll see ye back downstairs when yer done.”
Ashley smiled brightly at Irene and nodded.
“That woman doesn’t like me,” Jenna observed.
“Don’t be silly. She just doesn’t know you yet. She’s very protective of her brothers.” Ashley said.
Jenna shook her head in disbelief. “I can’t believe I’m here. I can’t believe you’re here.”
“Come turn around for me so I can undo your dress. Who helped you into it?” Ashley wondered.
“That would be Edna. Somehow when I arrived I was dressed like this. Oh, but she let me keep my boots.”
Ashley just giggled at that. “Oh, that Edna. She must have something in mind for you. She probably really feels you and Cormac belong together.” She continued unlacing Jenna’s dress and when she was done, Ashley helped Jenna step out of it and into the silky lavender one Irene brought.
Jenna couldn’t help but admire the workmanship. “This is beautiful, Ashley.”
“Irene made it. She’s an amazing seamstress. She’s made or helped me make practically every gown I have.”
“She’s very talented.”
Ashley picked up a pair of matching slippers and handed them to Jenna. “You can wear these or keep your boots on if you like.”
“Cormac would probably like it if I kept the boots on, but I’m going for comfort. I’ll take the slippers.”
“So what’s going on here, Jenna? You like him, don’t you?”
Jenna didn’t want to look up for fear she’d give herself away, but when she did she saw Ashley examining her like she was under a microscope.
“Yes. I can’t lie to you. Yes, I do like him.
A lot. But I can’t forgive him for taking me out of my own time.
I told him I wouldn’t go with him and he didn’t want to stay. He should have just accepted that.”
“You have to know deep down in your heart that he wouldn’t do anything to hurt you, Jenna.”
“I do know. But I don’t want to be here,” she cried.
Ashley appeared hurt by that comment. “I’m sorry, Jenna. We’ll find a way for you to get back home. Don’t worry.” She turned and headed for the door. “Let’s join the others. You must be starved.”
***
Cormac was waiting for them at the bottom of the stairs.
“I haven’t properly welcomed you back, Cormac,” Ashley said as she hugged Cormac and planted a kiss on his cheek. “I missed you. Shame on you for not telling us where you were really going.”
“I was really going to go to Edinburgh to look for a wife, but Edna called to me and told me she knew the perfect lass for me.” He looked lovingly at Jenna, who turned her face away.
Saddened, he sighed. “So, I made a detour and went where Edna directed me. She sent me to San Francisco and when I arrived Jenna was the first one I saw.”
“You’ll have to tell me all about it at dinner,” Ashley smiled. “I want to know what you did, where you went … everything.”
“I will share it all with ye. I promise.” He went to Jenna and offered his arm, but she walked right past him and into the massive dining room.
Cormac looked skyward again seeking divine intervention, but none was forthcoming, so instead he offered his arm to Ashley, who walked with him to the table.
“Where’s Cailin?” Ashley asked.
“He’ll be here shortly. He’s still upstairs.
” Cormac guided Ashley to her seat and pulled out a chair for Jenna.
He sat sandwiched between the two women.
He was going to let Jenna sit next to Ashley, but thought he’d have a better chance of speaking with her if he didn’t.
Watching her now, he wasn’t so sure his seating arrangement was going to work afterall.
Cailin joined them and sat on the opposite side of Ashley. He kissed her gently on the cheek as he sat down and held her hand as they waited for the food to arrive.
Cormac leaned in to Jenna, “I’ll explain everything to you, don’t worry.”
“I know how to eat, Cormac. I really don’t think there’s anything you need to talk to me about,” she replied curtly.
For about the millionth time since he’d met Jenna, Cormac questioned Edna’s choice and his own sanity.
He wasn’t sure he wanted to spend his life with such an ill-tempered woman.
He tried to remember those moments when she had been the total opposite.
When she had been sweet and caring, but he questioned where that woman had gone off to.
He caught a glimpse of her out of the corner of his eye and realized that she must be feeling completely lost. He felt much the same way in San Francisco.
He knew he needed to be more understanding.
He would continue to try to contact Edna and when he did he would take Jenna back to the bridge so she could go home.
He didn’t want her to stay unless it was her choice and that didn’t seem likely.
Food was placed on the table in front of them.
It was really quite a feast. Cormac was starved and he was sure Jenna was as well.
They hadn’t had a decent meal since they left San Francisco.
Everyone helped themselves, but Jenna sat stiffly, watching everyone else and looking suspiciously at the food.
“Jenna, please, allow me to help ye,” Cormac said. She didn’t answer and he took that as his answer. He picked up a platter of food and started placing various items on her plate. When he was done, he filled his own plate.
“Jenna, don’t worry it’s not going to bite you,” Ashley laughed. “Just pretend you’re at some new restaurant in the city. Everyone’s been raving about it and you just can’t wait to try it.”
Jenna glanced her way and made a face that had Ashley giggling. Cormac watched as Jenna took her first bite and then her next. She’ll be fine, he thought.
“Cormac, would you mind if we switched seats,” Ashley asked. “I’d like to speak with Jenna. We’ve got a lot of catching up to do.”
“Of course,” Cormac was actually relieved to trade places with Ashley. The icy way Jenna was ignoring him left him looking for any excuse to get away from her. He moved Ashley’s food and then helped her into her new seat before taking his own.
“So, Brother, tell me all about yer adventure,” Cailin sounded excited to hear Cormac’s tale.
“’Twas amazing,” Cormac answered. “Everything about it was beyond belief. It is a world filled with magic.” Cormac had the attention of everyone at the table, with the exception of Ashley and Jenna. “Cailin, you’ve been there. You understand what I mean.”
“Aye. I do, Brother. Did ye enjoy the food? What did ye eat?”
“The food was so different. Many fruits and vegetables that we do not have here. I had coffee, pizza, pasta and many other things you’ve never heard of. His brother Cailin was nodding his head and smiling at this.
He settled in to telling his family all about his journey.
They were full of questions and he answered every one.
Glancing towards Jenna, he noticed that the two women were deep in conversation and he was happy to see Jenna looking more relaxed.
He remembered what Dylan told him and he hoped he was right.
Mayhap by the morning she would no longer be angry with him.