Chapter 16
After their meal, Logan left to return to Breaghacraig. “I’ll send word about the bairn as soon as I can.”
“You better,” Sara teased. She walked with him to the door, where she placed her arms around his neck. They shared a passionate kiss that seemed to go on forever.
Zeke cleared his throat, to remind them that he was still there.
“Sorry,” Sara said to Zeke, and then to Logan, “Hurry back. I love you.”
“I love ye, too,” Logan said, kissing her nose.
Sara watched him as he walked away and then closed the door.
“You two really are in love, aren’t you?” Zeke said.
Sara made a face at him.
“I’m serious. It’s good for me to see the two of you together and to know that what you have is real.”
“I’m so happy you’re here with us.” Sara came up behind him and wrapped her arms around his shoulders.
Zeke leaned his head back to gaze at her. “I’m happy I’m here, too.”
Sara rested her head against his and gave his shoulders a squeeze before starting to clean up. “Has it been weird seeing Helene?” she asked, brushing the crumbs from the table into her hand. “She broke your heart.”
“She did. I was really apprehensive about seeing her with Dougall, but while it was awkward at first for the both of us, I think we’ve moved past it. I can see how good they are together and I’m happy for them.”
“We need to find you a woman,” Sara laughed.
Zeke shook his head. “I’m fine on my own.”
“What about Brenna? She seems really into you.” Sara finished clearing the table.
“I won’t start something I can’t finish.”
“Why couldn’t you finish it?”
“She belongs here and I belong in San Francisco.”
“Isn’t it possible that she’d love the adventure of going to San Francisco. You could teach her the ropes, just like you did with Helene.”
“I wouldn’t have you there to help me,” he said. “Unless I can convince you to come back.”
“No. You can’t.” Sara sat across from him and took hold of his hands. “I love you so much, Zeke. I hope you know that. But I also love Logan and I’m loving my life here. I don’t want to go back.”
Zeke knew from the first moment he saw her, that he’d made this journey for all the wrong reasons.
He had grand plans of taking her back to San Francisco, but he could see how good this place was for her.
She loved it here. She was surrounded by people who cared about her.
She had Logan and it was obvious to anyone who saw them how much he loved her.
“I guess I always knew that would be your answer.”
“You could stay,” she smiled sweetly at him.
“No. I definitely don’t belong here. I’m enjoying myself.
Working out with the men of the castle has been amazing, but my life isn’t here.
Yours is.” He’d been thinking Sara would be coming home with him, but he now understood that this was where she belonged.
A knot developed in his stomach at the thought of possibly never seeing Sara again.
The weight of this realization was almost more than he could bear.
“You never know, I might get tired of this and want to travel back to be with you. Logan said if it was what I wanted, he’d do it. We’ll figure it out. We’ll find ways to stay in touch.”
Zeke cleared his throat, not wanting Sara to hear the sadness in his voice.
“I hope so. It’s been hard for me to imagine my life without you.
” He took her hands in his and squeezed them.
He felt as if he’d just fallen into a bottomless pit, from which there was no escape.
His sister. The most important person in his life was going to be so very far away.
“How’s Wade?” Sara was obviously trying to lighten the mood by changing the subject.
“He’s fine. Holding down the fort for me.”
“So, he’s my replacement,” she teased.
“He’s not as good at getting in the way as you are, but he seems to be working out.”
They both laughed, remembering all of the times that Sara had caused Zeke more work because of some crazy idea she had.
“I’m going to go work in the garden and then head down to Helene’s to nab more veggies. Do you want to help me?”
“I’d love to,” Zeke said. “I’m curious to see the green thumb you’ve developed.”
Sara held her thumb up in front of her face. “It’s not green yet,” she giggled. “Maybe a little around the edges.”
He didn’t know what he was going to do without her. Ever since she was a little girl, she’d followed him around like a lost puppy. Now, she didn’t need him anymore. The truth was she probably never really did.
***
Jenna’s baby came into the world with a loud, indignant cry and was immediately cleaned, swaddled and presented to his mother and father.
On first seeing the sweet family all snuggled together back upstairs in their chamber, Brenna, along with many of the others now present had happy tears in her eyes.
Jenna was ecstatic, as was Cormac. They had a son and his name was Ethan.
Dr. Ferguson declared both mother and son to be healthy, but exhausted.
“I think it would be wise for us all to give our happy family time alone now,” Dr. Ferguson announced. “Jenna and the baby need time to rest and Cormac needs time to savor his moment as a new father.”
The others all agreed and began filing from the room.
“I’m going to go back to the house if ye dinnae need me,” Brenna said as everyone began clearing the room to allow the new family some privacy.
“Go on. I’ll be back later. I’m going to help here,” Helene said.
“I’m going back to my room with Emma and Andrew,” Ashley said as she passed them. “Thank you so much for all your help this morning, Brenna. It’ll be good to have you here.”
“’Twas me pleasure,” Brenna said as she watched Ashley disappear into her own room.
“Come back for the evening meal,” Helene said.
“I think I’ll stay at home, if ye’ve no need of me,” Brenna said. “I’m tired and I’d like to have some time alone.”
“If ye change yer mind, ye ken the way.” Helene gave her a peck on the cheek and turned her attention back to making Jenna comfortable.
Brenna wrapped herself in the warmth of her cloak.
Strong gusts of wind sent fallen leaves whirling across her path while even the trees were having a hard time standing upright against this onslaught of cold air coming in off the ocean.
They swayed back and forth, the younger trees occasionally dipping almost to the ground.
Dark clouds rimmed the horizon. A storm was brewing and would be upon them in no time.
She hurried along not wishing to be caught in a downpour.
She didn’t have much further to go, so she kept herself from worrying about the weather by worrying about the one thing that had been on her mind almost constantly since last night - Zeke and Helene.
She knew she shouldn’t be jealous, but she was.
She was jealous that Helene had gotten to experience Zeke’s love, something she doubted possible for herself.
How could he ever have feelings for her when he obviously still loved Helene?
She saw the way he looked at her during last night’s meal.
He was so attentive to her every word. She was surprised Dougall hadn’t noticed.
Helene and Dougall were married now and so very much in love.
She knew nothing would come of Zeke’s love for Helene, but as long as he loved her there was no room in his heart for Brenna.
She tried to remind herself that she didn’t like him at all, but she knew that was a lie, and it had been right from the start.
Her inexperience in matters of the heart led her to want to protect herself from what she knew would be Zeke’s ultimate rejection.
She hadn’t known what that rejection would feel like, or how it would play out.
Now she knew, Helene was the woman Zeke wanted.
The sound of footsteps rushing up behind her, caused her to swiftly spin around, not wanting to be caught off guard.
“Brenna,” a smiling Zeke and his sister Sara rushed to her side. “We’d better hurry. It’s starting to rain.”
“What are you doing here?”
“We’re heading to Helene’s,” Sara said. “Is she home?”
“No. She’s still helping at the castle. Jenna had her bairn.”
“Did she?” Sara asked, an air of excitement in her voice.
“Aye. She had a little laddie,” Brenna said. “His name is Ethan. Helene felt she was still needed, so she stayed.”
“That’s wonderful news,” Sara said.
They reached the front door of the house as the skies opened up and the rain fell hard and fast. Zeke shut the door behind them and went to the hearth to get a fire started. “Where’s Dougall?”
“I havenae seen him,” Brenna said. “I’m sure he’ll be back soon, unless he’ll be joining Helene at the castle for their meal. Please sit.”
“I’ll get us some tea,” Sara said. “Don’t worry. I know where everything is.” She hurried from the room, leaving Brenna staring at Zeke’s back while he got the fire going.
Broad shoulders tapered to a narrow waist as well-muscled arms stacked kindling and wood in the hearth.
His strong hands adeptly used the flint to spark the fire to life.
Brenna couldn’t help herself. She imagined those strong arms wrapped around her, holding her close as his lips found hers.
She mentally shook herself. It wouldn’t do for Zeke to catch her staring so longingly at him.
“There. That should do it,” Zeke said. He stood and watched the flames for a moment before brushing his hands off and turning to Brenna with a warm smile. “I was hoping you’d be here,” he said.
“Why?” she asked, sounding more irritable than she meant to.
If he was bothered by her response, he didn’t show it. “I’ve missed you. We spent a lot of time together on our way here and I …”
“And ye what?” she interrupted.
“And I missed you.”
“Ye said that already.”
“I guess I did,” he chuckled.