Chapter 19
Achill breeze came off the water as Dougall and Logan made their way to the spot they hoped would take them back home.
Accompanied by Sara and their horses, they would wait here for Helene’s arrival and then be on their way back to their own time.
It was still dark and Sara was yawning, it was apparent that she was not used to getting up at this early hour.
“Ye should have stayed abed this morning, Sara,” Logan observed.
“I wanted to say goodbye. Besides I’m curious about how this whole time travel thing works.” She pulled her jacket closely around her body and snuggled in.
Dougall watched as Logan went to her and put his arms around her. “I wish I could explain it to ye, lass, but alas I dinnae ken it meself.” He rubbed his hands up and down her back. Dougall was struck with a pang of jealousy watching them.
“I wish you’d stay a little longer,” she said, looking up into his face.
“We cannae,” Dougall answered, even though she wasn’t speaking to him. “Edna will be expecting us both to return together.”
“Aye. If I stayed, I might never be able to return.”
“Maybe you wouldn’t want to. I mean you could stay with me.” She waited expectantly, hoping he’d say what she wanted to hear.
“I’d like that, lass, but we hardly know each other. Me life is back in Scotland. As nice as ‘twould be to stay here with ye, I dinnae belong here.”
That moment of hope she’d had was gone. Dashed by Logan’s words. He was right. They really didn’t know each other. She couldn’t expect him to stay with her and then find out they weren’t compatible. Then he’d be stuck here alone.
The sun began to rise on the eastern horizon and Dougall’s heart sank. Helene hadn’t come to him. There was still time, but he somehow knew she wouldn’t be returning with him and it was breaking his heart. He’d put up a good front so Sara and Logan were unaware of his sadness.
“The sun will be up soon. If Helene isn’t here, we must leave. Edna will send the fog for us.” He strained his eyes to see as far as he could and continued to hope that soon he’d see her running to join him.
***
Zeke set his alarm clock to give them enough time to get to the spot where Dougall waited and when it rang he was already awake.
Sleep had eluded him for much of the night.
He wanted so badly to do the right thing and make sure that Helene did as they had agreed upon last night, but he’d developed strong feelings for her and even though he knew giving her up was the right thing to do, it didn’t make it any easier.
He padded down the hallway to her room and knocked on the door.
There was no answer and so he peeked his head inside, but she wasn’t there.
She wouldn’t have left without him, would she.
Panic began to set in. He wanted to say goodbye.
He hurried back to his room and quickly dressed before heading downstairs where he was relieved to find Helene curled up on the sofa.
She had wrapped herself in a blanket so that only her face was visible.
He could see she’d been crying and probably hadn’t slept much.
He wanted to take away her pain, to save her from her own self doubt.
He wasn’t sure what he could do for her, but he’d start by kneeling in front of her and letting her see how much he cared.
“I was worried when you weren’t in your room. Are you alright?” he asked.
“I was thinking. I ken we spoke about it last night, but I’m nae sure I can go through with it. I dinnae wish to be the ruin of his life.”
“Why would you think that? He loves you. It’s obvious. Have you asked him if he’d rather have you or the lairdship?” Zeke cared a great deal for Helene. He could hardly believe he was pushing her back into Dougall’s arms, but he knew deep down she could never be his.
“There’s nae need. He’s told me all along that he was to be laird some day. He was proud of it and was looking forward to being the one that his clan relied on. I cannae take that away from him.”
“Well, you should at least go to the Marina and tell him that.”
“I dinnae believe I can. Tis best if he thinks I dinnae care. ’Tis best for him to leave without seeing me. I ken I’ve broken his heart.” She closed her eyes as if trying to blot out the hurt she knew she had caused Dougall.
“You’ve broken your own heart as well,” he observed.
Helene sat up and took Zeke’s hand. “Aye, but I will be fine. I’ve learned a lot since I escaped Castle Treun and much of it I learned from ye and Sara. I ken that I must take care of meself. I am a strong woman. Ye helped me see that I can make me own decisions.”
Zeke softly stroked her cheek. “I can only imagine how much you’ve grown going through all of this.
You’re a brave woman, Helene. You’ve found a place in my heart and I hate to see you go, but I think it’s the right thing.
Even if you only go back to Breaghacraig.
The MacKenzies are your family. What about Ashley and Jenna? ”
“I love them as though they were me own sisters,” Helene said, a small smile showing on her lips.
“Then go back for them. You’ll miss them terribly and this may be your only chance to go back.” It went against his best interests, but he had to convince her to go.
“Can I have a cup of tea with ye while I think on it?” Helene’s soft voice was filled with a warmth he knew he’d miss.
“Of course. Let’s go do that, but we don’t have much time left, so we should hurry.”
***
The morning fog hung heavy and close to the ground.
Dougall’s heart was racing as he waited in the hopes Helene would join them.
It was difficult to see clearly. People walking along the Marina appeared as ghostly figures off in the distance.
Any one of them could be Helene, but he knew in his heart they weren’t.
Glancing Logan’s way, he smiled sadly and shook his head. “She’s nae coming.”
“We should wait a bit longer before we call to Edna, dinnae ye think?” Logan said.
“Had she wished to be with me, she would have joined us by now, but I’ll wait a few more minutes.”
“Sara, can ye nae call to them on that thing ye carry with ye?” Logan asked.
“I wish I could, but I left it back at my apartment. I’m sorry, Dougall.”
‘Nae need fer apologies, lass. Ye’ve been more than kind to two highland strangers ye happened upon on the street.” Dougall kissed her cheek and squeezed her in a hug.
Their horses calmly grazed on the grass at their feet, having somehow gotten used to the strange sights and sounds of this great city.
Dougall rubbed Broch’s great neck causing the huge beast to lean into him, begging Dougall to continue.
Time passed slowly as they waited and finally Dougall called out to Edna to bring them home.
Logan stepped away from Sara, who moved farther away.
They’d explained that she should not get too close or she may find herself joining them on their trip.
The horses lifted their heads, ears pricked forward as the fog began to swirl around their feet and slowly creep up their bodies.
Dougall could think of nothing but how much he would miss having Helene in his life and before he knew what was happening, they were on their way back in time.
***
“We should hurry, Helene,” Zeke grabbed her cloak and his jacket.
Helene had dressed in her own clothing for the return trip to the sixteenth century.
He held out his hand to her and she grabbed it as they left the house and ran down the street towards the Marina.
The sun was up now and Helene silently cursed herself for waiting so long to make her final decision.
If she missed her chance to go home, she would have no one to blame but herself.
The Marina was in sight and she lifted her skirts with one hand while holding tight to Zeke.
They ran as fast as possible. He was guiding her to the place where he’d found her that morning not too long ago.
They crossed one final street and they were on the green, only moments away from Dougall and Logan.
Zeke suddenly stopped and Helene ran into him. “Why are ye stopping?”
“Look.” Zeke pointed ahead to a lone figure walking their way. “It’s Sara.”
Helene’s heart sank. They were gone. Dougall was gone without her. Once again, she was alone in the world with no one to rely on but herself.
Sara spotted them and waved, running the rest of the way to meet them. “I’m so sorry. They’re gone.”
Helene stood there, unable to speak, unable to cry. She might never see home again and it was all her own doing.
“Helene, we’re here for you,” Sara reassured.
“I ken ye are and I thank ye.”
“I’ll try to contact Edna. She spoke with me through the fireplace,” Zeke said. “Don’t worry, we’ll get you home again, I promise.”
“Dinnae waste yer time fretting over me. I’ll be fine. I’ve survived everything that’s happened to this point, and I ken I’ll survive this as well.”
The three of them walked back to the house. Not a word was spoken by any. Their mood was somber and Helene knew they were at a loss as to what to do with her.” She’d earn her keep as she had at Breaghacraig while she waited to see if Edna would let her go home.