Chapter 31 #2
“Okay. Let’s go get some food,” Jenna said. Dylan was right. She’d been totally consumed with finding Edna. A little food and some wine might be just what she needed. She grabbed her purse and headed for the door. Dylan had to run to catch up with her.
They walked up the hill to a little Italian restaurant that was one of Jenna’s neighborhood favorites.
Everyone at Massimo’s Cucina knew her and she always felt like a welcome family member.
Massimo himself greeted them at the door and showed them to a corner table where they could dine without interruption. “Wine?” Massimo asked.
“Whatever you recommend,” Dylan answered. “So, Jenna, if you find the name of the inn, what are you going to do? Are you going to call them?”
“Actually, I think I’ll just fly over there. I’d like to meet Edna in person.”
“I’m coming with you,” Dylan stated.
“Don’t be silly, Dylan. You don’t have to come with me.
I can do this on my own,” Jenna said and then realized she was doing it again.
She was giving the impression that she didn’t need anyone else, and for a time that was true, but she had made a decision not to live like that anymore.
If people wanted to help her, she was going to let them.
“I’m sorry, Dylan. I’d love for you to come with me, but what about Chester. Who’ll take care of him?”
“We’ll take him with us,” Dylan appeared relieved that Jenna had changed her mind.
Massimo brought two glasses and a bottle of his best Pinot Noir to their table.
“Perfect, Jenna,” said, smiling. She was beginning to feel a bit more hopeful. Now if she could just remember what she did with the information Ashley gave her.
“We’ll have two specials,” Dylan said to Massimo, who nodded and headed off to put their order in.
“Dylan,” Jenna suddenly looked and sounded very excited. “I think I know where it is.”
Dylan waited for her to say something and when she didn’t, he asked, “Where? Is it here at the house?”
“Yes. I put it in my journal. I remember I was writing in it when Ashley called and I just jotted the information down on the first blank page I came to. It’s in the nightstand next to my bed.
I don’t think I’ve written anything in it since that phone call.
” Jenna took an appreciative sip of her wine.
“Mmm … this really is good. He has the best wine selection.” She was relaxing now enough to enjoy the wine and her dinner.
Everything was going to work out. It had to.
***
Ewan rode out to meet them before they arrived. “Cailin, Cormac … to what do we owe this honor?” Ewan asked as he brought his horse to a halt.
“I need to speak with Lena,” Cormac said. “About Jenna.”
“Did ye not find her?” Ewan sounded concerned.
“We found her, but it was too late. Edna had already sent for the fog to take her back home. By the time we arrived, there was naught we could do but watch as she disappeared before our verra eyes.”
“I’m so sorry to hear it. Do ye wish Lena to contact her mother?” Ewan turned his horse and the three rode through the gates and into the courtyard.
“Yes. I must speak with Edna. She doesnae answer me, so I thought Lena could help,” Cormac explained.
“I’m not so sure she can. She hasnae really had much success in contacting Edna. For the most part, Edna comes to her in her dreams. But we will see. Perhaps she can try,” Ewan said.
Dismounting, the three handed their horses over to the stable boys and headed inside.
Lena was waiting for them as they came through the large wooden doors.
This was the home Cormac and Cailin had grown up in and now it was home to Lena, Ewan and their sons, Ranald and Rowan.
The two red-haired whirlwinds whizzed past as Lena greeted her guests.
“Cormac, Cailin … ‘tis good to see you. Is all well at Breaghacraig?” she asked, a look of concern on her face.
“Aye. All is well,” Cailin assured her. “Cormac needs yer help.”
“Is that true, Cormac? What could you possibly need my help with?” Lena asked.
Cormac explained how Edna sent Jenna back to San Francisco a day earlier than had been agreed upon, but he was sure she did it to save her from Jonathan, who planned to kill her.
Cormac explained that Sophia told him the whole story on the ride back to Breaghacraig.
She had apologized over and over again, but Cormac could not find it in his heart to blame her.
She had been threatened by Jonathan and she too had tried to help Jenna escape.
Cormac poured his heart out to Lena, who listened with a look of sympathy on her face.
“Cormac, I am so sorry. I dinna ken whether I’ll be much help. My mother always contacts me. I havenae had much experience in trying to reach her. I will do my best though.”
“You will try?” Cormac was relieved.
“Yes, but dinna get yer hopes up. It may not work,” Lena said.
“Cailin, mayhap ye’d like to come with me and see what we’ve done with the place ye once called home.” Ewan suggested.
“Aye. I’d like that.” Cailin answered.
Cormac and Lena sat in the Great Hall and conversed for quite a long time.
Lena had many questions and wanted to know every detail, so that if she were able to speak with her mother, she’d be able to tell her what Cormac wished to accomplish.
Cailin and Ewan returned and they all sat at the table for the evening meal.
When they were done, Lena explained that she was going to retire to her room where she would try to contact Edna.
She told them not to wait for her as it might take a while and she would see them all in the morning.
“Good night, then,” Cormac said. “And thank ye.”
Lena kissed her husband and laid a gentle hand on Cormac’s shoulder, giving it a reassuring squeeze. “Ye’ll have yer answer in the morning, if there is one.” She left the men all seated around the fire, sipping whiskey and staring into the flames.