Chapter 22 #2
“I ken ye are, Dougall. Don’t mess this up. ’Tis yer last chance, so do it right.”
“Aye. Ye have me word.”
“Good.”
The snow began swirling again and Edna’s face disappeared.
“I must go,” Dougall said, beginning to walk away.
“Wait. You’ve just arrived. Stay the night and set off tomorrow morning,” Cailin suggested.
“I cannae wait a moment longer to have Helene in me arms again, if ’tis true that she’ll have me.”
“Awww …” Jenna said. “Good luck, Dougall. Safe travels and we’ll see you soon.” She gave him a quick hug and peck on the cheek.
The warmth Dougall felt in his heart for the MacKenzies was so great it could not be expressed in words. Returning with Helene would show them that their faith in him had not been misplaced. He said his goodbyes and turned to go.
Laird Robert MacKenzie had been lurking in the doorway and as Dougall made his way out, he stopped him.
“Dougall, ye’ve been with us a long time now.
Ye’re one of me most valued men. In thanks fer yer service to the MacKenzie Clan, I’ve set aside a piece of land fer ye.
I didnae believe ye’d need it, but now that I ken yer nae interested in being Laird MacRae …
well, ’twill be a good place fer ye to settle down with Helene.
When ye get back, we’ll all help ye build yer love a place where she’ll be Lady MacRae. ”
Dougall was without words. He was engulfed in emotion. Robert clasped his arm and pulled him in for a hug. “Yer a good man, Dougall. I pray Helene returns with ye this time.”
“As do I. Thank ye, sir. ’Tis appreciated more than I can express properly.”
“Go on then.” Robert walked with Dougall to the door.
“Goodbye, sir. I’ll nae be gone long.”
***
Dougall couldn’t bear to take Broch away again, so he left him to rest while he took Helene’s palfrey and another horse for himself.
He rode throughout the day and into the night, stopping only long enough to rest the horses and to get a few hours of sleep.
Before sunrise the next morning he set off again.
Both his mind and heart were set on one thing only and that was seeing Helene again.
Arriving at the bridge, he left the horses to graze and hoped he wouldn’t be gone too long. He hoped to be there and back in no time at all. He made his way to the bridge, doing his best to calm his racing heart.
“Edna, ’tis Dougall. I’m here.” He leaned on the bridge, looking out over the water, which was sparkling from the sunshine filtered through the trees.
“Aye, Dougall. Are ye ready?”
“I am.”
“Wait fer Helene when ye get there. Dinnae leave the spot where ye land.”
“Aye.”
The fog moved around him as it had the other times. He relaxed and, closing his eyes, envisioned Helene. He could feel movement as he travelled and he was filled with anticipation at the thought of seeing her again.
***
Seated on the sofa looking into the fireplace, Helene had hardly ventured away from it since speaking with Edna. She didn’t want to miss her opportunity to go home.
The warmth of the fire and the cozy comfort of the sofa had lulled her into a sleepy state. She caught herself nodding off just as a sound came from the fireplace.
“Edna? Is that ye?”
“Aye. Helene, ’tis time. Are ye ready?”
“Aye.” Helene jumped up from the sofa. “What should I do?”
“Gather yer things and head to the spot where ye were when ye arrived. Ye ken where it is?”
“Aye.” Helene had wandered to the spot many times, hoping that the fog would carry her back home, but had always left disappointed when it didn’t.
“What about Zeke and Sara? I should tell them I’m going.”
“There’s no time fer that. I’ll tell them. Dinnae worry yerself over it. They will be fine.”
“Tell them I’m so very grateful to both of them.”
“I shall, me dear. Now hurry.”
Helene went to her room and put on the dress she’d been wearing the day she arrived.
She’d cleaned and repaired it. It looked like new.
She was so excited she almost forgot her shoes, but remembered them as she got to the door.
Putting them on her feet, she was suddenly frightened.
What if there was no one there to help her find her way back to Breaghacraig. She’d surely get lost again.
“Nae, Helene. Edna will help ye,” she said to herself.
Closing the door behind her, Helene ran down the stairs and then down the street towards the Marina.
She didn’t care if she looked the fool, she wanted to go home and the faster the better.
Rounding the corner, she stood impatiently waiting at the crosswalk.
When the light changed, she again ran as fast as she could.
She got to the spot, just as the fog was whirling and her heart sank.
She’d missed it. She was just about to turn around and head back when the fog cleared.
She could hardly believe her eyes. Dougall was standing there waiting for her.
“Dougall,” she cried, running into his arms.
“Helene.” He buried his head in her hair and the warmth of his breath on her neck was the best thing she had ever felt.
“I can’t believe yer here,” she said as she pulled away to gaze into the eyes she thought she’d never see again.
“I came fer ye, Helene. I love ye and I cannae live another moment without ye.”
“I love ye, Dougall.”
He lowered his head and kissed her. His lips softly exploring hers. Oh, how she’d dreamed of those lips. The intensity of his gaze as he pulled away from her was so powerful she was happy he was still holding her, because her knees buckled and she would’ve fallen otherwise.
“Come, Helene, let’s go home.” He gathered her close and held tightly as the fog engulfed them once again. This time they were together and Helene could not wait to go home.
***
Gealach and Dougall’s horse were still grazing when the fog cleared and they found themselves on the bridge.
“Thank ye, Edna.” Dougall said, hoping she could hear him.
“I brought yer horse, but I dinnae wish to have ye so far from me. Would ye mind riding with me, Helene?”
Helene appeared pleased he’d asked instead of telling her she would ride with him.
“I can see a change in ye, Dougall. I hope ye’ll see me as yer partner now.
I’m a woman who has opinions and ideas of me own, like Ashley and Jenna.
” She smiled and he could see she was feeling pleased with herself.
Rather than feeling threatened by this new Helene, he found her even more attractive.
Perhaps going to the future had been a learning experience for both of them.
“Well then, m’lady, ye havenae answered me question. Would ye do me the honor of riding with me?”
Helene courtseyed and giggled. “Totes!”
Dougall tipped his head, scrunching his brow. Helene obviously could tell he didn’t understand what she was saying.
“I think I would like that verra much.”
Apparently, that was what ‘totes’ meant. Dougall laughed a real laugh, for the first time in ages.
“Are we going to Castle Treun?” Helene asked, sounding a bit apprehensive.
“Nae. Breaghacraig.” Dougal could feel her relaxing in his arms. The poor lass was frightened. “There’s much to tell ye, Helene and we’ve a long ride ahead of us.”
He got Helene settled on the horse, handing her the reins to Gealach, which he took once he’d vaulted up behind her.
She snuggled back against him, causing familiar sensations to spread throughout his body.
He felt whole again, realizing that without Helene he was only half the man he wished to be.
Now that she’d returned with him, he knew he would treasure every moment, good and bad that they would share together for the rest of their lives.
They rode in silence for quite some time, simply enjoying being together again. Dougall couldn’t resist the urge to kiss her neck or put his nose in her hair, smelling the familiar scent he’d missed.
“Helene, I’ve something to tell ye,” Dougall said.
“What is it?” Helene sounded apprehensive.
“’Tis good news. Dinnae fear. I’ve decided that I nae longer wish to be Laird MacRae.”
Helene turned her head to look back at him. “Why? I hope ye didnae do it fer me.”
“I’ve thought much on it and realized what is important to me and what is nae important. I went back to see me Da and he had changed. So much so that I wondered if he were the same man. He’d married Greer.”
Helene interrupted. “He married the woman he wanted fer ye.” She seemed shocked and Dougall could understand why.
“I was just as surprised as ye. When I rode away from him to search fer ye, I told him he should marry her. I never believed he’d actually do it, but he did and now he is the happiest man on earth from what I saw.
He wanted you to know that he is verra sorry for what he put ye through.
He didnae intend for ye to die in the dungeon.
He only wished to scare ye away from me.
He sent one of his men to follow ye. He wanted to be sure that ye came to no harm. ”
“’Tis strange,” Helene said, still sounding as if she couldn’t believe it.
“Aye. That it is. We talked and me Da still wished to find me a wife so I could be laird. I told him I didnae want that. The only woman I want is ye, Helene. I wish to marry ye. Me brother Fingall can be laird. He’s better suited to it than I’d thought in the past, so I have nae fear that the MacRae clan will be well cared fer.
And now that they’ve both married Matheson’s, they have a good solid alliance with that clan.
” He leaned forward, “Helene, look at me.”
Helene turned her head again to face him.
“I love ye. I wanted more than anything fer ye to be Lady MacRae and though it willnae be a Castle Treun, ye will be thanks to the MacKenzies.”
“What do ye mean, Dougall?” Her eyes were wide in astonishment.
“I mean that once we’ve married, Robert has given me a piece of land to settle on. We’re going to build a beautiful home that will be ours and ours alone. Ye’ll be the lady of the manor.” Dougall was enjoying the look of wonder on Helene’s face. “Do ye nae have a thing to say?”
Helene threw her arms around his neck, almost knocking them both off the horse in the process. Tears streamed down her cheeks. “Our own home! I cannae believe it.”
Dougall held tight to Helene as he straightened in the saddle once again. “I believe I’d like to stop soon. There’s a place up ahead where we can make camp for the night.”
“‘Twould be good to stop,” Helene agreed. “I’ve missed ye so, Dougall.”
***
They camped under the stars, wrapped in each other’s arms. They spent the night talking and loving each other.
Helene was content. She was with her love once again, only this time she knew exactly how important she was to him.
She also knew she had nothing to fear. Dougall would never abandon her.
Theirs was a partnership that was made stronger by the adversity they’d been through.
She’d learned so much over this difficult time, but in the end, it had been worth it