Chapter 28
TWENTY-EIGHT
Jenna could hardly believe that her stay at Breaghacraig was almost over.
Here it was, day four and she had to admit that she wasn’t looking forward to leaving.
She’d thought when she first arrived that she couldn’t wait to go home, but the last few days had taught her that she enjoyed life at Breaghacraig.
She loved seeing Ashley every day and she definitely loved being with Cormac.
Day seven was going to be torturous. But that was still a few days off.
She’d done a good job of not thinking about it and she planned on keeping it that way.
Cormac had saddled up their horses after breakfast and they were going to go for a ride down to the beach and she was really looking forward to it.
Rose was turning out to be a quiet, calm horse and it was infectious.
Jenna relaxed and enjoyed riding her. They made their way through the castle gates and rode side by side down the path that would lead them to the nearby shoreline.
Cormac had explained to Jenna that in times past this beach had been the landing site of smugglers.
They’d bring goods from other European ports and sell them here at Breaghacraig.
“That would explain where a lot of the beautiful things in the castle came from then,” Jenna observed.
“Aye. Some of it came from the smugglers, but some also came from travelling vendors and from journeys that the MacKenzie’s took to Edinburgh and London.”
“Do people here know that there’s a land on the other side of the ocean?” Jenna wondered.
“Aye. Some have travelled there. But ‘tis not called America.”
“So, I guess Columbus didn’t really discover America,” Jenna observed.
“Who do ye speak of, love?”
“It’s not important, really. It’s a lovely day, isn’t it?”
“Any day I can spend with you is lovely,” Cormac answered, a serious look in his eyes.
“Don’t make me jump off of this horse and onto your lap, you sweet talker, you,” Jenna teased.
“Teaching ye to ride was a good thing, but I think I liked it better when ye rode with me,” Cormac said.
“Me, too,” Jenna answered.
They rode to the edge of the bluff and dismounted. Cormac removed the saddles and let the horses graze in the abundant grass surrounding them.
“This way, Jenna.” He held out his hand and guided her down the path to the beach. He had taken an extra plaid and a basket of food with him. “We can spend some time here, if ye like.”
“I like,” Jenna said.
Cormac spread the plaid in the sand, along with the basket. He helped Jenna down onto the plaid and sat himself next to her.
“This is such a nice way to spend the day,” Jenna said.
“I’m happy you approve,” Cormac replied. He moved closer to Jenna and put an arm around her shoulders.
Jenna sighed and leaned her head on his shoulder as she took in the beauty of the beach and the water.
The smell of the ocean brought her back to the waters of San Francisco Bay and a childhood spent with her best friend Ashley and her family, and her cousin Dylan.
Those were happy, happy times for her. Her life had not been quite so happy over the last few years.
Of course, she’d had that false happiness with Jonathan and the more she thought about it, the more she realized that the happiness she felt with Cormac was the real thing.
It was the same kind of happiness she remembered as a child.
It was carefree and easy. She knew she was safe and protected and loved. What more could a girl ask for?
“Cormac, this is perfect. Thank you for bringing me here,” Jenna said.
Cormac didn’t respond. He let the moment rest on Jenna’s words.
She liked that about him. He cared what she thought, how she felt, if she was cold or tired.
She would never take that for granted. Until this point in her life, no one had ever cared about any of those things and she would have said that it didn’t matter because she knew what she thought and how she felt.
If she was cold, she’d get a jacket. If she was tired, she’d go to bed.
She’d never had the luxury of anyone else caring about those things.
Sure, people said they cared, but they didn’t really.
Cormac really cared and that was quite a gift that had been presented to her, but one she could not accept.
Quickly, before she started to feel sad about her circumstances, she stood up and offered Cormac her hand.
“Do you want to go for a walk down the beach?” she asked.
“I’d love nothing better,” he said.
***
“Did you two have fun,” Ashley wanted to know as soon as they walked through the door.
“Aye. I believe Jenna enjoyed the beach as much as you do,” Cormac said.
“I love the beach. It’s my favorite place,” Ashley said.
“Me, too,” Jenna added.
“Well, I’ll leave you with Ashley, then, love. I cannae keep ye all to myself.” Cormac kissed Jenna softly on the lips and let his fingers caress her cheek before he went back out the door.
“He’s a keeper, Jenna. I’m telling you. You need to rethink this whole going home thing,” Ashley insisted.
“I know he’s a keeper, but Ashley, I already told you I can’t stay.”
“Don’t be so stubborn, Jenna. You know you don’t have anything waiting for you back home that you need to hurry back for,” Ashley argued.
“What about Dylan? And Chester? They need me. And my parents’ foundation. Who’d take care of that? And all my charitable work. I have to go back, Ashley.”
“No. You don’t have to go back, Jenna. You and I both know it. Dylan and Chester will be fine. And there are plenty of people to look after your parents’ foundation and the charitable work. You need to think about Jenna right now. Don’t do something you’ll regret for the rest of your life.”
“Ashley, I don’t want to argue with you about this. I’m only here a short time and I don’t want to spend it with the two of us being pissed off at each other. So, enough about me staying. Okay?”
Jenna could tell Ashley didn’t want to cave so easily, but after a minute or two, Ashley nodded her head in concession. “Okay. Let’s hug it out,” Ashley said, pulling Jenna into a bear hug and giggling the whole time.
“You know, for a tiny little pregnant woman, you’re pretty strong,” Jenna teased.
“I can still kick some ass if the need arises, so don’t you forget it.” Ashley flexed her arm muscles for Jenna.
“Very impressive, my friend.”
“Hey, we’re having a big to do around here tomorrow night. There’s going to be music and dancing. It’ll be lots of fun.”
“Am I invited?”
“Don’t be silly, of course, you’re the guest of honor. I should give you one of my pretty gowns to wear. That one’s starting to look a bit tired,” Ashley chuckled.
“Guest of honor? You’re kidding, right?” Jenna thought it would be highly unlikely that anyone here would be celebrating her.
“Nope. I’m not kidding.” Ashley stated.
Jenna continued to look skeptical, but decided to just go with it. “Okay, then, I definitely need a gown. Should we go see what you have in your closet?” Jenna linked arms with her friend and they headed for the stairs and up to the chambers Ashley shared with Cailin.
“I miss shopping with you,” Jenna said. “I guess this is the next best thing.” They had pulled every gown out of Ashley’s armoire and thrown them on the bed.
Jenna was trying on a lovely green dress, when her eyes lit on a pale aquamarine gown, not unlike the color of the gown she wore at the gala she attended with Cormac.
“Oh … I like that one.” She pulled the dress out from the pile and held it up against herself.
“Oh, me, too,” Ashley agreed. “Try it on. I’ll bet that’s the one.”
Jenna stepped out of the green gown and into the blue one. Ashley did up the back for her and gave her the once over.
“What do you think?” Jenna wanted to know.
“You look stunning,” Ashley said. “You have to wear that one.”
“Okay. It’s settled.” Jenna took the gown off and got dressed again. “Let’s bring this one to my room and then go down for some tea.”
“You know, you sound like you live here,” Ashley teased.
“Well, you know me. I’m pretty good at making myself at home wherever I am.”
As they came out of Ashley’s room, Jenna noticed Irene coming down the passageway towards them.
“What are ye two ladies about?” Irene asked.
“We were just picking out a dress for Jenna to wear tomorrow night.”
“Is that the one ye’ve chosen? Let me see,” Irene said. Jenna held it up for her perusal and Irene nodded her approval. “Ye’ll look lovely in that color,” she said. “It suits ye.”
Jenna was stupefied. Irene had not said much to her since the talk she had with her the other day at tea. She was actually trying to be nice to her. “Thank you. We’re going to go downstairs to have some tea. Please come with us,” Jenna offered.
“I think I will. I’m going to check on the children and then I’ll be down,” Irene said and then headed off down the passageway to the nursery.
Jenna was puzzled and it showed on her face.
“She’s one of the most giving and loving women you’ll ever meet. Give her a chance and you’ll see,” Ashley explained.
“I’m trying. That’s why I suggested tea. It might be a good time for us to get to know each other better. You can be the referee,” Jenna giggled at her own joke.
They continued on their way, eventually making it downstairs, where they found tea and sweet cakes waiting for them. Irene had beaten them by a few minutes and got everything prepared and set out by the fire. They all sat down and Jenna took a sip of her tea.
“I’m excited about tomorrow night, Irene. What are you celebrating?” Jenna asked.
“Well, it is customary when we have a guest to invite the members of the Clan and some of our neighbors to join us. We couldn’t do it any sooner because we had no prior notice of your arrival and it took us a few days to get the word out to those who live further away, ye see.”
“You’re doing this for me?” Jenna was shocked and surprised, she thought Ashley had been joking earlier.
“Of course, we are happy to have ye here as our guest and it is the perfect opportunity to have a celebration of sorts. I hope ye will enjoy yourself.”
“I’m sure I will. It’s just so unexpected. Pleasantly so,” Jenna explained. Imagine that, they were having a party for her. “Does Cormac know?” she wondered.
“No. We’ve kept it a surprise until now. He’ll find out soon enough.”
The three women continued drinking their tea, eating the delicious sweet cakes and chatting.
Jenna would never have imagined that Irene would be so warm and accepting of her.
She had seemed so angry with her when she first arrived.
She assumed Cormac and Ashley must have spoken to her and assured her that Jenna would never intentionally hurt Cormac and that she was not going to steal him away to the twenty first century.
***
Cormac arrived to the sounds of women laughing and talking. He walked in to find Irene, Ashley and Jenna all chatting like old friends. He was relieved that his sister had softened her stance on Jenna and was trying to make amends.
“Ladies, you all seem to be enjoying yourself. Are there any extra sweet cakes?”
“You can have the rest of mine, Cormac,” Jenna offered.
“There are more in the kitchen, brother. We were just discussing tomorrow evening’s festivities. I’m sure Cailin has told ye of the celebration we are having in honor of Jenna.”
Cormac’s mouth dropped open and he tried to hide his surprise by quickly closing it. “No, he hadnae mentioned it to me.” He quickly sought out Jenna’s gaze and was happy to see she was smiling brightly at Irene. It didn’t seem false at all. “That was verra thoughtful of ye, Irene.”
“Ashley is letting me borrow one of her dresses,” Jenna beamed. “It’s very pretty.”
“Jenna, ye can make the plainest dress beautiful just by virtue of wearing it.” He meant every word of it. He had never seen her look anything but beautiful. He rested a hand on her shoulder and she covered it with her own. Her eyes, shining with happiness, focused on him.
“Why don’t you join us, Cormac,” Jenna suggested.
“Yes, please do,” Ashley added.
His eyes searched out his sister’s approval and when she nodded, he knew it was alright for him to stay.
“Only for a short while. I have duties to attend to before the day is done.” He sat next to Jenna and she reached a hand over to place it on his arm.
He loved the feel of it, the heat emanating through his sleeve.
Despite the fact that the ladies had asked him to join them, the conversation had come to a standstill.
He didn’t want to be the reason for the silence.
“So, sister, who have ye invited to this celebration?”
“All of the usual guests, brother. I have sent word to all the Clan, including Lena and Ewan and some of our neighbors. I hope they will be able to attend on such short notice.” Irene took another sip of her tea. “Cormac, would ye care for some tea? Some cakes?”
“Nay, Irene. I can only stay for a moment longer. I must speak with Cailin and Robert about the festivities tomorrow evening. As a matter of fact, I should be on my way now,” Cormac rose and bid the ladies goodbye. He leaned in to kiss Jenna’s cheek. “I will see you when I return, Jenna.”
***
Cormac sought out his brother. He knew he needn’t worry about the festivities, but he wanted to be sure that everything was in place to protect his family and Jenna.
“Cailin, ye didnae tell me about tomorrow evening’s celebration.”
“Aye. I forgot to mention it. I apologize,” Cailin said, looking contrite.
“I’m concerned about Jenna’s safety. A celebration is an opportunity for our unwanted guests to cause trouble.”
“Dinna fash, brother. We are prepared. Latharn has his eyes on Sophia at all times and Jonathan is being watched by Donal and Fergus. So far they have not done anything to raise suspicions.”
“Latharn seems quite taken with the lass,” Cormac observed.
“Aye. That he does and she with him.”
“She is not the one I’m worried about. ‘Tis Jonathan. I dinna trust him.”
“I ken ye dinna, brother. He is one man and we are many.”
“Yer right. And we’ve not had any sign of Sir Richard since they’ve been here?”
“Nay. We’ve sent riders in search of him and from all accounts, Sophia and Jonathan were telling the truth. He seems to have headed home to England.”
“Good. We have enough to worry about without him causing us more problems.”
“Cormac, tomorrow night is a celebration for Jenna. You can relax and enjoy yerself. Let the rest of us handle any difficulties that may arise.”
“As you wish, Cailin,” Cormac replied, clapping his brother on the back and then extending an arm around his shoulder. “Irene tells me there are sweet cakes for the taking.” Cailin cocked an eyebrow at that and the two headed off in the direction of the kitchen.