Chapter 27
TWENTY-SEVEN
“Ashley, are you sure this is a good idea?” Jenna asked for the umpteenth time as they walked along the path to visit one of the outlying cottages.
“Jenna, it’s fine. I do it all the time. Don’t be such a worrywart,” Ashely chided.
“Okay. But I don’t want to be around when Cailin finds out,” Jenna warned.
“I want you to meet this sweet little family. They were among the first I met when I got here. You’ll love them.”
Jenna wasn’t so sure about that. They had been walking for what seemed like an hour and her feet were starting to hurt.
She wasn’t sure at all that it was what a pregnant Ashley should be doing.
They rounded a curve in the road and before them sat a small cottage.
Smoke was coming from the chimney and the sounds of children playing was evident in their otherwise silent surroundings.
Jenna just wanted to spend time with her friend, Ashley and the rest of her time with Cormac.
She didn’t really care about meeting people, but she couldn’t seem to get that across to Ashley.
It was apparently really important to Ashley that she get to know these people.
Ashley had explained that Heather and Finn were not aware of the whole time travelling thing, so Jenna was going to have to be careful not to give anything away.
The basket of goodies she’d been carrying was getting heavy and Jenna would be happy to hand it over once they arrived.
“Lady Ashley!” A young sandy haired boy came running towards them with a dog by his side.
“Willliam,” Ashley called and opened her arms to welcome him into her embrace. “How are you, William? I haven’t seen you in a while.”
“I be fine, Lady Ashley. Me mum will be happy to see ye.” Jenna caught his questioning gaze as he looked her way.
“I’m Jenna,” she offered. “I’m a friend of Lady Ashley’s.”
“Are ye from America, too?” he asked.
“I am.” She handed him the basket. “We’ve brought some American surprises with us.”
“Thank ye, Lady Jenna. We be grateful.”
By now the other children were headed their way.
Each greeted Ashley with a hug, the youngest, Mary, climbed into her arms and threw her arms around Ashley’s neck.
They were all introduced to Jenna, who surprisingly found herself enjoying the chance to meet them.
As they walked towards the cottage, a man and woman came out and waved to them.
“That’s me Ma and Da,” William said.
“Heather and Finn,” Ashley added.
“Good day to ye, Lady Ashley,” Finn said as they approached. “How be ye this fine day?”
“I’m fine, Finn. You all look to be doing well,” Ashley said.
“Aye. That we are,” Heather responded. “’Tis good to see ye.” Heather came forward to embrace Ashley.
“Heather, Finn, this is my good friend Jenna. She’s just arrived from America.”
“Ye must have had a long journey, Lady Jenna.”
“It wasn’t too bad,” Jenna responded. She didn’t get the whole Lady Jenna thing, but Ashley had told her to just go along with it.
“Are ye from the same place in America as Lady Ashley?” Heather wanted to know.
“Yes. We grew up together.”
“Will ye be staying for a while then?” Finn questioned.
“Unfortunately, no. I have to get back home soon.”
“Please, come inside. I’ll make us some tea,” Heather said.
They entered the tiny cottage, which despite its lack of space was tidily kept and there seemed to be room for everyone.
They sat at a table near the rear window and Heather poured them all some tea.
Finn excused himself, saying that he had some sheep to check on.
Jenna could hear him calling to the dog as he walked out the door.
The children were all hunkered down on the floor, sifting through the contents of the basket Ashley and Jenna had brought with them.
“And what is all of this,” Heather wondered.
“Some treats from San Francisco,” Jenna answered. “I hope you don’t mind that we gave them to the children without asking you first.”
“Nay. Of course not. They get precious few treats, so ‘tis nothing for ye to worry over,” Heather assured her.
“Heather, I have some news I wanted to share with you,” Ashley said.
“What is that, Lady Ashley?”
“I’m expecting my first bairn in about six months,” Ashley proudly stated.
“Is that true? Oh, my! I am so happy to hear it. Cailin must be over the moon,” Heather beamed.
“I believe he is,” Ashley giggled. “I’m so excited.”
“I’m feeling privileged that ye wanted to share yer good news with me,” Heather looked genuinely surprised at this revelation.
“Of course. Your family is very special to me. I love your children and seeing them made me realize I wanted bairns of my own.”
“Thank ye, Lady Ashley. Ye are too kind,” Heather looked at bit embarrassed.
“Let me get ye some of the fresh batch of bannocks that I’ve made.
” She retrieved a platter of bannocks, some butter and honey and brought them back to the table.
“Can I get ye any more tea?” she asked before sitting down again.
“No, this is wonderful,” Jenna said. “They look very delicious.”
“Well, try one then,” Ashley said. “I think you’ll find they taste delicious too.”
Jenna and Heather chuckled and Heather offered a bannock to Jenna, who happily took it.
“This is really good,” Jenna said, swallowing her first bite.
“The best I’ve had since I’ve been here.
” Bannocks seemed to be a staple at every meal.
Cormac had even made them for her when they were on their way to Breaghacraig, but these were truly the best she’d had.
“Thank ye, Lady Jenna. ‘Tis me secret recipe,” she smiled.
Ashley and Jenna spent another hour at the little cottage, enjoying tea, bannocks and conversation.
The children loved their treats and Jenna was happy to see they’d emptied the basket for the return trip.
As they got up to leave, the children lined up for hugs, but not just from Ashley.
They wanted to hug Jenna as well. She couldn’t resist. They really were very sweet children and the little one, Mary, was the sweetest of all.
The way she nestled into Jenna’s arms and then touched her face and hair, was very precious and had Jenna melting.
“’Twas so good to see ye both,” Heather said. “I wish ye all the best with the bairn, Lady Ashley. If I can be of any assistance, please let me know, won’t ye.”
“You know I will, Heather. You have a lot more experience than I do. I was told that you may be able to help me with the birthing. Is that true?”
Heather looked embarrassed again, but said, “Yes, I have helped many of the women of Clan MacKenzie with their births. I’d be happy to do the same for ye.”
“Good. That makes me feel better.” Ashley had confided to Jenna that she was nervous about giving birth here in sixteenth century Scotland.
Jenna had tried unsuccessfully to convince her to go back to San Francisco to have the baby, but Ashley wouldn’t hear of it.
She was not going anywhere. She couldn’t possibly leave her husband and all the people she loved behind, even for a short time.
Jenna was happy that Heather had helped to make Ashley feel better about the whole thing and now understood the reasoning for bringing Jenna to meet her.
Jenna was sure Ashley would be in good hands when the time came, because truth be told she was nervous about it, too.
***
“What do ye think he’s up to?” Cailin asked Cormac.
“I dinna ken what he’s doing, but I’m happy Robert has someone watching him at all times,” Cormac responded.
The two men were just leaving the practice field when they noticed that Jonathan had been watching them.
“Wow! You guys really go at it out there,” Jonathan said as they approached.
“We must always be prepared for battle,” Cormac responded.
“Would ye care to join us when next we practice,” Cailin offered.
“That might be fun. I could stand to work off some of this stress I’ve been feeling,” Jonathan said.
“Fine then. We meet here every day at the same time. You’re welcome to take part,” Cormac responded.
They walked away from Jonathan and headed toward the stables. “Why did ye ask him to join us on the practice field,” Cormac asked.
“’Tis better to know your enemy’s capabilities, dinna ye think so, Cormac.”
“Aye. Yer right. We can see what his skills are and be prepared should he try anything.”
“Look, Ashley and Jenna are returning from their walk. I hope she didnae tire herself.” Cailin was concerned.
“Dinna fash, brother, she is verra able to take care of herself.”
“That is what I’m for, Cormac,” Cailin protested.
“Ye apparently dinna understand these women from San Francisco. They are fine on their own.”
“That’s what they say, but I dinna believe it.” Cailin headed off towards the women and Cormac quickly followed behind.
“Ashley, are ye well, love? Where have ye been?” Cailin asked.
“We just took a walk to Heather and Finn’s,” Ashley responded. “And before you say anything, I am not going to break, Cailin. I’m just having a baby and I feel wonderful. There is no need to worry. If there is, I’ll let you know.” With that pronouncement, she stood on tiptoes and kissed his nose.
Cailin seemed to have had the wind taken out of his sails. He just stood there looking as though he were searching for a good reason to disagree with Ashley, but instead he smiled down at his lovely wife and took her arm to lead her inside.
“How was your walk, Jenna?” Cormac asked.
“Good. Ashley wanted to bring some treats to the children and to see if Heather would help her when it comes time for the baby to be born.”
“And will she?”
“Yes. She said she’d be happy to help. I think that put Ashley’s mind at ease. I’m sure I don’t have to tell you, but giving birth in these times can be dangerous for a woman.”
“But not in your time?”
“Not so much,” Jenna assured him. “I tried to convince Ashley to come back to San Francisco to have the baby, but she wouldn’t hear it.”
“I would think not. Her life is here now. She wouldnae leave Cailin,” Cormac stated.
“I know. That’s what she told me,” Jenna said. “Don’t worry, I’m not going to try to steal her away with me.”
“I hope not, love. It would kill me brother.” Just as it will kill me when you leave.
Jenna scrunched her nose and stuck out her tongue at him.
“I can think of better things to do with that tongue, love,” Cormac teased.
“I bet you can,” Jenna responded.
“You’ll have to wait until later, as today is the day you ride Rose all on yer own.”
“Ugh, not today,” Jenna whined.
“Today.” Cormac started walking towards the stable. He looked back and noticed that Jenna had not moved. He stopped and waited for her to join him.
“Okay. Okay. I’m coming.” Jenna grabbed his arm and followed along to get Rose.
***
Jenna was pleased with her riding lesson. She didn’t know why she’d ever doubted Cormac when he’d told her he’d have her riding Rose on her own. She was pretty proud of herself and was feeling very accomplished when she ran into Sophia just outside the stable doors.
“What are you doing here,” Jenna asked. She searched around to see who was watching Sophia and saw Latharn leaning against the wall of the blacksmith’s shop. He nodded at her to let her know that he was keeping an eye on the situation, when Cormac emerged from the stables.
“Are ye ready, love?” Cormac stopped short when he saw Sophia.
“I was just about to tell, Jenna, that I was going in to look at the horses,” Sophia confessed.
“Do ye ride, lass?” Cormac asked.
“I’ve ridden before. Not a lot, but I think I did pretty well when I did ride.”
“Mayhap ye can convince Latharn to take you out for a ride. I’m sure he’d be please to go with ye.” Cormac nodded over in Latharn’s direction and Latharn headed towards them. “Latharn, ye should take the lovely Sophia out on one of the horses. She may enjoy it.”
Sophia looked at Latharn with a huge smile on her face. “I’d love it actually.”
“I’ll get some horses saddled up then.” Latharn looked absolutely smitten with Sophia and it seemed the feeling might be mutual.
The two walked into the stable together, leaving Jenna and Cormac alone outside.
“That was weird,” Jenna observed.
“Weird?”
“You know … not normal,” Jenna explained.
“Latharn will keep an eye on her.”
“Okay. Is it bath time, yet?” Jenna picked up her skirts and started to run for the castle doors.
“I believe it is,” Cormac said as he took off in pursuit of her, catching her just as she got to the steps of the Keep.
“Wait for me, love. It wouldn’t do for me to be chasing ye through the doors.
What would me sister think?” Cormac chuckled at the thought of what his sister would say if she knew what they were up to.
Jenna straightened her dress and fixed her hair, putting on a show of regality, and stifling a giggle, she tucked her hand in the crook of Cormac’s arm and let him guide her through the doors and upstairs to what was fast becoming their afternoon ritual.