Chapter 14 #2
Zeke went for a walk. There was probably another hour before the sun set. He walked in the direction of the ocean, alongside the battlements of Breaghacraig. He told Logan he needed some time alone to think and Logan told him his favorite spot for doing just that.
Nothing that had happened to him since coming to this time was what he had expected, or even wanted.
Now, here he was finally at Breaghacraig.
He found his sister and now knew deep in his heart that convincing her to go back home with him was a fool’s errand.
That didn’t mean he’d give up. On the contrary, he had to be sure it was right to leave her here.
As he approached the rocks leading down to the water, Brenna came to mind.
He wondered how she was today. She must be happy to be here, away from Castle Treun and the craziness of that place.
If he knew one thing, it was that Helene would take good care of her.
He needn’t worry about her when he left.
She’d have a new family to love her. He sat atop a large boulder, enjoying the sweeping views of the coast and the water.
This really was a beautiful place. It might actually rival his beloved San Francisco.
He wished he could share San Francisco with Brenna, but he didn’t need the entanglement of a woman in his life.
Especially one who would need him to guide her and teach her all about life in the future.
No. It was better for Brenna to stay here.
Besides, he had no intention of ever putting his heart on the line again.
The pain he’d felt when Helene left was something he didn’t wish to ever experience again.
It had nearly crippled him. If it hadn’t been for the studio, he wasn’t sure what would have happened to him.
Still, he couldn’t help but remember their first morning together after the handfasting.
He’d enjoyed the playful way they’d kissed and he smiled remembering how surprised he was to find she was so inexperienced with men.
A warm feeling of happiness overcame him.
He could probably count on one hand the times he’d actually been truly happy about anything besides the studio since Helene’s departure.
One good thing about this trip to the past was that he discovered that he was no longer in love with Helene.
He thought it would be difficult to see her, but in the end, after some momentary awkwardness, he felt comfortable with her.
She was his friend and always would be, although he’d probably never see her again when he went back to San Francisco.
Still, there had been a value in speaking with her and seeing her happiness.
He realized his heart was no longer broken.
Now, he had to decide if he’d ever be that vulnerable again.
As the sun finally set, Zeke made his way back to Sara’s home. There was little light to see by, but he now knew the way.
***
Walking back the way he’d come, he passed Bethia’s little cottage and noted that the door was wide open. He stopped to see if she was alright.
“There ye are, lad. I saw ye walk by earlier and I was waiting fer ye to return.” Bethia appeared in the doorway.
“It’s cold out here. You shouldn’t have your door open,” Zeke observed.
“If ye think ’tis cold out there, ye should come inside. I need help starting me fire.” She turned and moved further into the cottage.
Zeke followed her and stood in the doorway. She was right. It was freezing inside. “Where do you keep your kindling?”
“’Tis all around the back.” She came back to the door and grabbed onto his hand for support, limping around to the back of her cottage.”
Zeke loaded his arms with kindling and firewood. “Bethia, hold my arm. I don’t want you to fall.”
She did as he said and they slowly made their way back to the front and through the door.
Zeke struggled to see. “Do you have any candles?” he asked.
“Aye, but I need the fire to light it.”
He went to work and with little trouble, got the fire started.
Bethia lit her candle and set it on the table. “Thank ye, lad.”
“You’re welcome. Do you need me to help you with anything else?”
“Sit for a minute.” She pointed to one of the two chairs set by the table.
Zeke obliged her, wondering what she was up to.
“Yer sister and her husband have been verra kind to me. I can see yer much like them.” Bethia lowered herself onto the chair opposite him.
“I’m happy to help,” he said.
“Are ye married … Zeke, is it?”
“That’s right. I’m not … I guess I am married.”
“Where is yer wife?” she asked.
“She’s staying with her brother and his wife. They live here at Breaghacraig as well,” he explained.
“Why are ye nae staying with them then? Yer wife must miss ye.”
“I wouldn’t say that.” Bethia was really putting him on the spot and she seemed to be enjoying it if the huge grin on her face was any indication.
“Och! Ye’ve had a fight.”
“No. No fight. We’re only handfasted. We don’t really want to be married.” He was probably telling her way too much. He should just shut up.
“Do ye nae like her?”
“I was just helping her out of a difficult situation,” he said.
“So, she’s with child. ’Tis yers?”
Zeke nearly choked on his surprise, “No to both of those. I should go, Bethia. Sara and Logan will be worried about me. I was only supposed to be gone a short while.” He stood to go, suddenly very uncomfortable. He wasn’t even ready for a wife and Bethia was ready to make him a dad, too.
“I hope ye’ll come back and visit me. ’Tis lonely here,” She looked around the small croft with a wistful eye.
“Do you have any children?”
“Me husband and me children are all dead.”
“I’m so sorry to hear that.” Zeke reached over and covered her small weathered hand. She patted him with her other hand and smiled at him.
“Dinnae be. ’Tis been a long while now.” She struggled to stand up and Zeke was at her side in an instant.
“Here, let me help you.”
“Thank ye. Now that ’tis warm, I believe I’ll go to bed.”
He glanced around and now that he could see, he realized this little cottage only had the one room. Her bed was up against the wall. He helped her over to it and held her hands while she sat down.
“Ye can go now. Thank ye for yer help.” She looked up at him, with the smile back in her eyes. “Ye should stay with yer wife. ’Tis best.”
“Thanks for the advice, Bethia. Good night.” Zeke closed the door behind him and smiled. She just needed some company tonight and even though he hadn’t been there long, he hoped it had helped.
***
“There you are,” Sara said as he walked through the door. “I was just about to have Logan go searching for you.”
“Sorry. I got waylaid by a certain little old woman who needed my help,” Zeke said.
“Bethia. Isn’t she the sweetest? I think sometimes she asks for my help just so she’ll have someone to talk to.”
“I think you’re right.”
“I check in with her every day. I try to bring her food and make sure she has everything she needs.”
“She’s a kind heart, me wife,” Logan added. “Can we eat now?”
“Yes. Now that Zeke’s here I’ll get the food. Sit down.”
“Did ye get any thinking done?” Logan asked.
“I did. I don’t know that I solved the problems of the world, but it was nice to try putting some things in perspective.”
Sara placed the food on the table and they all helped themselves. Zeke glanced up once or twice to see Sara gazing lovingly at him. He had to admit, this was nice.