Chapter 21 #2
“So it’s possible to get caught up in the fog even if you’re not supposed to be a traveler. Interesting,” Zeke said.
Mary placed a thick slice of bread on the table in front of each of them. Everyone helped themselves to the butter and honey.
“I think this might be the best breakfast I’ve ever had,” Zeke said. “I mean it.”
Mary beamed with pride. “Thank ye, sir.”
“What’s your secret?”
“No secret. Just three simple ingredients. Flour water and salt.”
“No yeast?”
“We let the dough sit out on the table and after a while it rises on its own,” Sophia explained. “I’m no scientist, but I believe it gets the yeast it needs from the air around it.”
Zeke popped the last little bit of his bread into his mouth and had barely finished chewing when Mary placed another slice in front of him.
“You’re going to spoil me, Mary,” he teased.
“With great pleasure,” she replied.
A young lad entered the room and sat down at the table across from them. “Helene says yer to go up now,” he said. He looked to Mary, who indulged him with a slice of the fresh bread.
“Thanks for breakfast, Mary,” Zeke said.
“Aye. Thank ye,” Brenna added.
***
“I hear you want to contact Edna,” Ashley said.
“Aye,” Brenna said, barely able to conceal her excitement.
“Alright. Helene, hand me the snowglobe, please.”
Helene retrieved the globe from the mantel above the fireplace. “Here ye are,” she said.
They all gathered around behind Ashley, staring at the globe.
“Edna, we need you,” Ashley said. “She needs some time to respond.”
Before too long, the snow in the globe began to swirl and Edna’s face appeared. “Good morning, Ashley!” Edna said. “What can I do for ye?”
“I have two people here who want to go to San Francisco and since you’re the only one who can send them, we’re contacting you.”
“Edna, it’s me, Zeke. I’d like to go back home and I’d like to take Brenna with me.”
“Brenna, are ye sure ye’d like to go with him?” Edna asked.
“Aye. More than anything,” Brenna replied, a brilliant smile on her lips.
“Alright, then. I’d be happy to send you both back. Ye’ll need to go to the bridge. Leave tomorrow and when ye arrive there, call to me. I’ll be listening for ye.”
“Then what will happen?” Brenna asked.
“Not to worry dear, Zeke has done this before. Ye only need wait for the fog to take ye home to San Francisco.”
“Edna, thank you for knowing what I needed even before I did,” Zeke said.
“You’re welcome, me dears. I’m happy to be of service. Now, what of yer sister, Sara. Did ye convince her to go home as well?”
“No. She’s happy here with Logan. I was wondering though. Do you think it would be possible for us to visit with each other once or twice a year.”
“I think we can manage that. Mayhap at Christmas and then mid-year. What do you think?”
“That sounds great.”
“We’ll work out the details later. Ye ken ye can always call to me if ye need me.”
“Can I call you at the inn?” he asked.
“That would be fine, but yer fireplace works just as well. Granted ye need to give me time to get to mine. Dinnae be impatient,” she chuckled.
“Thank you, Edna.”
“I must go now. I’ll speak with ye again when yer at the bridge.”
The snow swirled and Edna’s face disappeared.
“Isn’t this the most amazing thing? Edna gave it to me when we visited with her last Christmas. She invited all of the MacKenzies to the inn. It was wonderful. Maybe next year we can convince her to let us go to San Francisco,” Ashley said.
“Only if Dougall and I can come with ye this time,” Helene said.
“I’m sure Edna wouldn’t have any objections to that. I’m just not sure she can send a huge group of people directly to San Francisco, but we’ll see.”
“Ashley, it has been a pleasure getting to ken ye and yer bairns. Thank ye fer yer help while I’ve been here,” Brenna said. Ashley stood and hugged Brenna.
“What about you, Zeke? Can I get a hug?” Ashley asked, arms out and facing him.
“Of course,” Zeke obliged.
“Good luck to you both,” she said.
“Thank you. We’ve got many goodbyes to say if we’re to leave tomorrow, so we should go do that.” Zeke looked to Brenna who was beaming with joy. She latched onto his arm. “We’ll see you later, Helene.”
***
“Oh, no! You’re leaving so soon,” Sara pouted.
“Brenna wants to come with me and I think it’s best if we get out of here before Munro decides to return,” Zeke explained.
“Yes. Of course. Silly me, I didn’t even think about that. I guess I was being selfish wanting to keep my big brother here with me for as long as possible.”
“I talked to Edna about the twice a year thing and she agreed. We thought maybe Christmas and mid-year would work well. Ashley told us everyone went to the inn last year for Christmas, so it seems like we’ve got a plan for seeing each other.”
“I’m going to miss you so much,” Sara said, hugging Zeke tightly around the waist. “You really are the best brother ever, you know that, right?”
“According to you,” he teased.
She tipped her head and gazed up at him and he touched her nose with the tip of his finger, much the same way he’d done many times before.
“I love you, sis,” Zeke said, unshed tears in his eyes.
“I love you, too,” Sara said, not bothering to hide her tears.
Zeke glanced at Brenna and saw that she too was crying. He pulled her in to include her in their hug, as all three attempted to get themselves under control.
“Welcome to the family, Brenna,” Sara said. “We’re all connected now. You, me, Zeke, Logan, Helene and Dougall. We’re family. We may not have the luxury of seeing each other more than twice a year, but we’ve got a bond now that can’t be broken.
“We’ll be back to see my nephew when he’s born,” Zeke said, releasing Sara and Brenna.
Sara wiped her eyes with the back of her hand. “It’s going to be your niece, big brother. So, you can come back to see her when she’s born.” In typical Sara fashion, she poked him in the belly.
Brenna giggled as she watched brother and sister interact. She wished she and Dougall had more time together growing up. She was certain they’d have been equally as close. Still, she’d miss Dougall and Helene and was happy to know she’d be able to see them again.
Logan returned home as they were saying their goodbyes. He hugged Brenna. “Ye ken ye were always like me little sister,” he said.
“Aye. Ye were me friend as well,” Brenna said.
“And I always will be.” He kissed her cheek and then clasped arms with Zeke. “Take care of her,” he said.
“And you take care of my sister,” Zeke replied. Logan nodded in agreement. “Alright, we should go then. Are you ready, Brenna?”
“Aye. Good bye for now,” she said, opening the door.
“Oh, wait! One more thing,” Sara said. “Brenna, have Zeke take you to my apartment. You can help yourself to my clothes. I won’t be needing them anymore.”
“What about your landlord?” Zeke asked. “Should I tell him to rent the apartment?”
“No. I’ve paid the rent for six months. Let’s just hold on to it for now.”
“Alright then. I love you, sis.” Zeke waved goodbye, afraid he’d break down if he said another word. He walked away with Brenna by his side, and didn’t look back.