Chapter 32 #2
Jenna awoke feeling more exhausted than when she’d fallen asleep, all thanks to her dreams, which were a mishmash of Cormac, Edna, swirling fog and frustration.
The last coming from her inability to be seen or heard by anyone in her dream.
She could see and hear them clearly, but no matter how hard she tried or how loudly she spoke, no one looked her way.
Cormac was at a different castle—not Breaghacraig.
Cailin was with him and they were with Lena and Ewan.
It had to be their home she was seeing. Cormac looked as frustrated as she felt.
Above it all was Edna waving her arms frantically at Lena, who didn’t seem to notice her either.
Jenna wondered what it all meant when there was a knock at her door.
Thinking it must be Dylan, she threw on her robe and padded to the door.
She opened it to find a blue haired woman with sparkling green eyes staring daggers at her.
“Edna?” Jenna questioned. “I thought you weren’t coming back until tomorrow.”
“I had no choice in the matter. My daughter, Cormac and Maggie have been pummeling me with messages since yesterday. So, I cut my weekend short to find out what exactly was going on back here.”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean for you to return so soon. I was ready to wait until tomorrow to see you.”
“Were you really, my dear?” Edna asked, disbelief in her voice, and then not waiting for an answer, “What are you doing here? I sent you home because that was what you wanted.”
“I thought it was what I wanted, but when I saw Cormac arrive, I knew I wanted to stay with him. I’m sorry I caused you so much trouble. It’s just that I realized a little too late that I was being such a fool.”
“Aye. I ken that you were,” Edna said sarcastically.
Jenna was taken aback by Edna’s demeanor. “Would you like to come in?” Jenna opened the door wider and Edna came through. She immediately went to the fireplace and snapping her fingers started a fire.
“That’s better. I hate a chilly room,” Edna explained.
“Thank you. I was a little cold.” Jenna surveyed Edna and wasn’t sure her request to go back to Cormac would be accepted. She didn’t know what to do except ask, but Edna beat her to it.
“I assume you’re here because you want to go back. I expect you’ve learned your lesson. I only hope I’ll be able to communicate with Lena or Cormac to get him to the bridge. You see, you can’t go back unless there’s someone waiting for you.”
“Yes. So I’ve been told.”
“And I know you have another request as well. You’d like your cousin and his dog to return with you.”
“Yes. How did you know that?”
“I met him downstairs having breakfast with Maggie and he explained it all to me.”
“Is that possible?”
“Yes. I believe so.”
“So what do I do? How do we make this happen?”
“Patience, my dear. I just arrived back. Let me have a few moments. I must try to reach Lena, which may take some time. She hasn’t been practicing her abilities as I’ve asked her to and it may be that the only way I can reach her is when she’s asleep.”
“You mean through her dreams? But I thought you said you knew she was trying to contact you.” Jenna asked.
“Yes. Exactly, but communicating back and forth has been a challenge for her.”
“You were able to contact Cormac before, weren’t you?”
Edna nodded and let out an exasperated sigh, “Yes, but magic is a tricky thing and the timing must be right.”
“I tried to contact you, from San Francisco, but you didn’t hear me.”
“I heard you, Jenna, but I wanted you to realize that this is not a game I’m playing.
I truly know that you and Cormac are meant for each other and I wanted you to know it as well.
So, you had to work hard to find me, but it will be worth it in the end if everything works out.
I’ll leave you now. Why don’t you get dressed and head downstairs for a bite to eat.
You can explore Glendaloch while I see what I can do about contacting either Lena or Cormac. ”
***
Cormac was seated in the Great Hall when Lena appeared. “I’ve been trying and trying to reach her, Cormac, but she doesn’t seem to hear me. It’s been days now.”
“Maybe she hears ye, but doesnae wish to speak with ye,” Cormac said, immediately regretting his words. “I’m sorry, Lena. It’s just that I’m worried I’ll never see my Jenna again. I’m sure yer mother wishes to speak with ye, but perhaps something is preventing it.”
“That something could be me. I’ve not done as she asked. If I had, this would all be easy,” Lena lamented.
“Dinna fash. If ye dinna mind having us here, Cailin and I will stay a while longer. At least until ye tell us there’s no hope.”
“Alright, then. I feel like I’m just on the brink and then the feeling leaves me. Mayhap when I sleep tonight she’ll call to me.”
Cormac graced her with an encouraging smile, but he didn’t feel it in his heart.
What could he possibly do? Cailin and Ewan had gone off again, leaving him alone to sip his whiskey by the fire.
It was a verra quiet night. In his mind he could hear the sound of Jenna’s voice speaking softly to him.
“I’ll see you soon,” she said. Jenna … Jenna …
He reached out to her with his mind. She was somewhere nearby.
He could feel it. He stood and began pacing back and forth.
Mayhap he just wanted her so badly that he was starting to imagine things.
That must be it. He sat again and this time it was Edna’s voice he heard.
Not distantly, as Jenna’s voice had been, but like she was in the same room with him.
He relaxed his breathing and closed his eyes, welcoming in Edna to speak to him again.
“Cormac? Can ye hear me lad?” Edna said.
“Edna? Is it really ye?” Cormac was astounded.
“Aye. Of course ‘tis me. As I’ve said before, who else do ye know who can speak to ye in yer head.”
“Edna, I’m so happy to hear yer voice. I must speak with ye.”
“I ken ye must. That is why I’m here.”
“Edna, ye must help me find Jenna. She left without saying goodbye. I just want to see her one more time. I ken she doesnae want to stay here, but I must tell her some things.”
“And ye shall. Meet me at the bridge as soon as ye can. Do not cross it. Stay on yer side, do ye understand?”
“Aye. Aye, I do, Edna. Thank ye, thank ye so much!” Cormac could hardly contain himself.
He was going to see Jenna again. His heart hadn’t felt this light for days.
“Until then …” Edna’s voice faded away, leaving Cormac in silence once again.
“Lena!” Cormac called. “I’ve spoken with Edna.” He was up from the chair and about to leave the Great Hall when Lena entered, accompanied by Ewan and Cailin.
“Did ye say ye’ve spoken with my mother?” Lena was incredulous. “Why can ye speak with her and I cannae?”
“I dinna ken the working of it, Lena. But she was here.” He pointed to his head, laughing with happiness.
“What did she say?” Cormac wanted to know.
“She said I’m to meet her at the bridge as soon as I can get there. She said not to cross, but to stay on this side.”
“When do ye plan to leave?” Ewan asked. He had his arm draped across Lena’s shoulders and gave her a little squeeze. Cormac could tell he was trying to make Lena feel better about her inability to communicate with her mother.
“Right away,” Cormac replied. “Cailin, ye can stay here if ye like. I’ll be fine on my own.”
“Nay. I wouldnae miss this for the world, brother. I’m coming with ye,” Cailin stated.
“Alright then, we’ll be on our way,” he kissed Lena on the cheek. “Thank ye for trying, Lena. And thank ye Ewan for your gracious hospitality.”
“Yer family, both of ye. Yer welcome here at any time,” Ewan said. “I’ll have the boys get yer horses ready and Lena will get some food for yer trip.”
“Ewan, they may need another horse. Could ye see to it,” Lena said, a twinkle in her eye. “My mother says ye should bring one.” She beamed at them.
Cormac was happy for Lena that she had been able to get a message from Edna. But he was happier for himself that she wanted him to bring another horse. That could only mean one thing. Jenna. “Can ye make it a quiet one, Ewan?”
“Of course, a quiet one ‘twill be then.”
The following morning as they approached the bridge, Cormac felt as light as a feather. The weight of the past days had been lifted from his shoulders and he knew in his heart that he would see Jenna again.
“We wait here,” Cormac announced to Cailin. They both sat and silently waited for something to happen. It was a quiet morning, but they could still here the birds chirping happily in the trees and the sound of the stream rushing over rocks as it passed underneath the bridge.
Dismounting, Cormac motioned for Cailin to do the same. “I think we should make ourselves comfortable. We dinna ken how long this will take.” They let the horses graze and sat under the shade of a nearby tree. Leaning their backs against its sturdy trunk, they waited.
***
“Are ye ready, lass?” Edna asked Jenna. “Silly question, I know. Ye’ve been ready since before ye left San Francisco.” Edna chuckled at that one.
Jenna grabbed her leather tote and headed for the door of the inn. On her way out she hugged Angus, who she found to be very sweet. He obviously had a soft spot in his heart for Ashley. He handed Jenna a wrapped gift and asked if she would be sure to give it to Ashley.
“’Tis something for the bairn,” Angus said.
She also said goodbye to Maggie. Not that she’d seen much of her since their dinner the other night. She seemed to be spending all of her time with Dylan, who was leaving with Jenna.
“It’s been so nice getting to know you,” Jenna said to her.
“And you,” Maggie replied, leaning in to kiss Jenna’s cheek and give her a quick hug. “With any luck at all, my Auntie will let me come visit you.” She looked at Edna, who rolled her eyes. “And you, you handsome man,” Maggie said to Dylan. “I’ll see you soon, I hope.”