Chapter 24 #2
“I can’t, Ashley. I just can’t.” Jenna was not going to have this conversation. She was leaving when her time here was up and there was nothing anyone could say that would make her feel any differently.
Irene grasped Ashley’s hand a little tighter as Ashley seemed deflated by this announcement. “Dinna fash, love,” Irene comforted. “Ye’ll have many to help ye. All will be well, ye’ll see.”
A sense of not belonging began to overwhelm Jenna.
“I think I’m going to go lie down for a while.
I’ll see you later.” She was miserable and needed to distance herself from her friend and from her own emotions.
There was no way she could even begin to explain to anyone how she felt—jealous, angry, sad, lost, confused and like she needed to get as far away from Breaghacraig as possible.
***
“So, brother, what is this news ye have for us?” Cormac asked.
“Ashley has finally given me permission to tell ye,” Cailin started.
“Why do ye need yer wife’s permission to share yer story with us?” Robert interrupted with a knowing smile.
“I’m sure ye know why, Robert,” Cailin answered.
“Well, come on, out with it,” Cormac was impatient to hear the news.
“Ashley is with child,” Cailin proudly announced and was immediately being pounded on the back by both men.
“Congratulations to ye,” Robert said. “When is the happy event to take place?”
“Ashley says ‘twill be in about six months,” Cailin beamed.
“Brother, ‘tis wonderful news. I am so happy for ye both,” Cormac said.
“Thank ye, Cormac,” Cailin said. “I must admit, I’ve been a bit worried about leaving Ashley’s side. She is a stubborn lass and would do many things that might not be good for the bairn.”
Robert laughed at that. “Cailin, dinna fash, Ashley will be fine. I’ve been through this enough times to know it.”
“Aye, now that I think on it, I dinna believe I ever saw Irene allow Robert to carry her up and down the stairs,” Cormac teased.
“If I had tried to hold her back from hurrying about the castle, she’d have me head,” Robert joined in.
“Yer right. Ashley willnae put up with it for much longer, I fear. I will try to stop myself from being over protective.”
The three had just left the practice field and were headed to the stables. “A ride would do ye good, aye,” Cormac suggested.
“Aye,” Cailin agreed.
“I have some business to attend to inside, so I’ll leave ye here,” Robert said. He clapped Cailin on the back one more time and was off.
“Cormac, what of this lass ye brought with ye? Do ye think she’ll stay?”
“I dinna think she wishes it,” Cormac sadly reported.
“Ye must try to convince her then.”
“’Tis what I plan to do, but I dinna hold out much hope that she’ll change her mind.”
“Let’s get our horses and mayhap we’ll come up with some brilliant plan to get her to stay,” Cailin said with confidence.
They brushed and saddled their own horses and were out the gate and on their way in less than thirty minutes.
They travelled at a leisurely pace past the little cottages that led to and from the castle.
Happy clan members greeted them as they passed.
Many offered food or drink to them if they’d stop to talk.
The brothers politely refused, after making sure that there was no serious need for their help.
They had just arrived at the tree line and were about to enter the woods when movement off to their right caught both their eyes.
Cormac froze in his saddle at the sight before him.
“I don’t believe it,” he said as he urged Saidear into a canter. Cailin followed suit with Cadeyrn, his massive chestnut stallion.
“Who are they?” Cailin wanted to know.
“They’re from the future. ‘Tis Jenna’s former husband and a waitress named Sophia.”
“How did they get here?”
“’Tis a long story, but the last I saw of them they were with Sir Richard.”
“Sir Richard? When were ye going to tell us about him?” Cailin asked, concern written all over his face.
“I’m sorry, Cailin. I guess it slipped my mind. I was so happy to be home and I’ve had Jenna on my mind.”
“When we get back to Breaghacraig, I expect to hear the whole story.”
“Of course,” Cailin said as they came up to Jonathan and Sophia.
“What are ye doing here?” Cormac demanded.
“Thank goodness you found us, Cormac,” Sophia said. “We’ve been wandering around in the woods since we got here.”
“We need some help to get back home,” Jonathan offered.
Cormac couldn’t help but be wary of Jonathan’s motives. He didn’t mention Sir Richard to them, instead waiting to see what they were about.
“Ye’ll have to come with us,” Cailin said. “No decisions will be made out here. The others must know of yer arrival.”
“Sure thing, dude,” Jonathan said.
Cormac smelled a rat. He knew they were up to something. He looked around for Sir Richard, but he was not anywhere nearby. “Just keep heading towards the castle. We’ll be right behind ye.”
Sophia looked adoringly up at Cormac and appreciatively at Cailin. She started walking and Jonathan fell in step beside her. Cormac held back and let them get a good distance ahead of them before he began speaking to Cailin.
“Something’s not right here,” he said. “They were with Sir Richard and they were speaking about getting Jenna back to San Francisco. I’m afraid Jonathan means to harm her.”
“We cannae allow that, Cormac,” Cailin stated.
“Nae. We willnae. When we get back to Breaghacraig, I’ll question them about Sir Richard. I feel he’s involved in this.”
They continued to follow Jonathan and Sophia and when they arrived at the gate, they called the guards to let them know there was nothing for them to be concerned about. They passed through and Cailin and Cormac dismounted, handing their horses off to the stable boys.
“Let’s go inside,” Cormac extended his hand in the direction of the door.
“I appreciate the help, man. I know we didn’t get off on the right foot, but you know Jenna was my wife. I guess I was just a bit jealous seeing you with her,” Jonathan explained.
Cormac didn’t say anything in return. Sophia sidled up next to him and clung to his arm as they entered the great hall.
“Who is this ye’ve got with ye?” Irene asked, eyeing Sophia suspiciously.
“This is Jenna’s former husband, Jonathan and a friend of his, Sophia. They somehow find themselves in need of our help,” Cormac explained.
Irene set about making them feel comfortable in the Great Hall. “I be Lady Irene, my husband Sir Robert is Laird of Breaghacraig. Ye must be verra tired after yer journey. Did ye walk all the way here?” she asked.
“Yes, ma’am,” Sophia said in answer. “My feet are killing me.”
“I imagine they may well be. ‘Tis quite a long walk all the way from the bridge. But how is it that ye find yerselves here?” Irene wanted to know.
“We were out walking on the Marina Green the other morning. Sophia and I had an early morning breakfast date,” Jonathan smiled slyly and looked to Sophia for confirmation.
“We saw Jenna and Cormac in this swirling mass of fog. We lost sight of them and were worried, so we walked into the fog to see where they’d gone and the next thing we knew we arrived here. ”
“I see. Cormac, do ye think Edna knows about this?” Irene wanted to know.
“I dinna think so, but I havenae heard from her since we’ve been back,” Cormac stated.
“I’ll get them some food and find a place for them to rest. Ye can speak with Robert about what’s to be done,” Irene said, taking charge as she usually did. “Please have a seat by the fire to warm yerselves.”
“Thank you, ma’am,” Sophia politely said as Irene left the room.
“Jonathan, I believe ye may have met Sir Richard out in the woods near the bridge,” Cormac said.
“Sir Richard,” Jonathan hesitated and then looked as though he were trying to remember something.
“Oh, Sir Richard … yeah, we did. He’s an odd guy, isn’t he?
He was asking us to join him or something.
I don’t know what he wanted from us, but Sophia and I got a bad vibe and decided we’d be better off on our own. ”
“I see. So yer not working with him in any way?” Cailin asked.
“No,” Jonathan almost shouted. “Absolutely not. He seemed like he had it in for you all, didn’t he, Sophia?”
“Oh, yeah … he did,” Sophia hesitated just a moment before answering.
“How did ye manage to find Breaghacraig then?” Cormac wondered.
“Sir Richard pointed us in this direction before he left to go back home. Where did he say he was from babe?” He was obviously up to something, Cormac could tell. He had only had a few interactions with him, but he was behaving very oddly right now.
“I think he said he was going home to England?” she seemed unsure.
“Cailin, I need to speak with ye for a moment. Please excuse us.” Cormac led Cailin far enough away so they could not be overheard.
“I must warn Jenna that they are here. Will ye stay with them until I return. Jonathan isnae to be trusted. I don’t believe Sophia is one to be concerned over, but don’t let them out of yer sight. ”
“Aye. I willnae. Go see to Jenna then.” Cailin walked back over their guests and Cormac headed upstairs, hoping to find Jenna in her room.