Chapter 5 #2
Sara snorted, “That would be Zeke. Munro tried to kidnap Brenna, he is a horrible man. Thank goodness Zeke and Brenna made it to the bridge.” She stopped talking and gazed at Elle.
“I can only imagine how strange this must be for you. At least I wanted to come and I asked Edna to send me. You really had no idea what was happening?”
“No. One minute I was in San Francisco and the next I was staring at Hamish.”
Sara laughed. “If you had to stare at someone, Hamish isn’t hard to look at.”
“He’s not. But first, he’s not my type and second, even if he was I don’t have time for a relationship right now. I’m too busy with my career.”
“You can never be too busy for love,” Sara said, sounding a lot like someone who knew what she was talking about.
“I have to get my career back on track. My last album didn’t do as well as I would have liked, so I’m totally focused on getting my new album released and then starting a tour. If I don’t get back right away, it’s all going to go up in smoke.”
“Why do you say that? You’re amazing!”
“You’re only as good as your latest album,” she answered.
“Well, maybe this is the break you need. Maybe Edna has a grand plan for you that includes love and a successful tour.”
“If only.” Elle didn’t have time to feel sorry for herself. “My tour is supposed to start this coming week. If I’m not back in time my manager is going to think something’s happened to me.”
“He wouldn’t be wrong. Something is happening to you.”
“I know, but I don’t expect anyone to believe that I’ve been time traveling. They’ll think I’ve lost my mind.” She could see from Sara’s face that she understood. “Can you help me contact Edna?”
“I can’t, but Ashley or Jenna might be able to.”
“They said they would if Edna didn’t contact me first, but I don’t know how long that will take.”
“My guess is that they don’t want to interfere with whatever Edna has planned for you.”
“This is kidnapping, you know.”
“I don’t know. Is it? I mean, you’d have to convince the police. That might be a hard sell.”
Elle let out a long disappointed sigh. “You’re right. I’m so angry with her. How dare she interfere with my life.”
“It’s hard to see right now, but Edna always has a method to her madness.”
“That may well be, but I’ve got to get back home. My career depends on it.”
***
“Come back again,” Sara said, waving goodbye.
“I’ll see you tonight, won’t I?” Elle asked.
“Oh, yeah, you will.”
Elle returned Sara’s wave and then turned to focus on the road before her.
Once again, she was awed by the size of Breaghacraig.
She wrapped the cloak Helene had given her more tightly around herself.
The air today had a chill to it. As she walked, the people she passed waved, said hello, and continued on their way.
This wasn’t something she was used to in her own time.
When people recognized her they always wanted to stop and take pictures.
She admired the small crofts she walked by and the pride with which they were cared for.
Everyone seemed to be out doing some sort of work in their garden or to their cottage.
It reminded her of her family’s ranch. Her parents were always up early, as were her siblings.
There were so many things to be attended to on the ranch that there wasn’t much time for sleeping in.
Leaving the crofts and closing in on the castle gates, the afternoon quiet made it possible for her to hear the buzzing of the bees and the wind stirring the grasses that surrounded the castle.
It also made it possible for her to hear the sound of someone plucking out the song she sang the night before.
Following the sound, meant she had to leave the road and walk through the grass.
The notes guided her footsteps as she walked along beside the castle walls.
The closer she got the more clearly she could hear the music.
Who could possibly be playing her song? She’d only sung it once.
It would have to be a skilled musician. Rounding a curve in the wall, Elle was greeted by the sight of the ocean and nestled up against the castle wall sat Hamish, with an instrument that she wasn’t familiar with, but that seemed like a small guitar.
“Hamish!” Surprise sounded in her voice.
He glanced up, freezing mid-note.
“You’re playing my song!”
He seemed unable to respond, embarrassed that he’d been caught.
“I didn’t know you played an instrument.” Elle said, coming closer and eyeing the instrument in his hand.
“Why would ye? I didnae tell ye.” he said.
“What is that?” she asked.
“’Tis a lute.”
“May I see it?”
He held it out for her to take.
“It’s beautiful.” She placed her fingers on the neck, attempting to create the chords she was familiar with.
“Do ye play?”
“I play the guitar. It’s similar to your lute.” She handed it back to him. “Have you played since you were young?” She thought it was obvious he had. He was really good. And the fact that he could pick out her song after one listen was pretty impressive.
“Aye. ’Twas me father’s lute. I would sit at his knee and watch him play. ’Twas easy for me to learn. Me Da told me I was better than he was.” He laughed at the memory and then became serious. “When he passed it was given to me.”
“I’m so sorry,” she said.
“’Tis been a long time,” he replied.
“You’ve got a good ear. Would you play my song for me?”
Hamish lifted the lute and began to play. She was completely amazed and delighted. Elle began to sing along, sitting down beside him as she did. She loved his accompaniment. It was perfect.
When the song was finished, she applauded him, a beaming smile on her face. “That was amazing. I wish I’d known. I would have had you accompany me last night.”
“No one here kens I play. I keep it a secret.”
“Why?”
“I didnae wish the MacKenzies to think me anything but a warrior. I’ve worked long and hard to get my position as captain. I’m nae sure it would have happened if they thought me a musician.”
“Why can’t you do two things you love?”
He glanced off towards the water and shrugged his shoulders.
Elle understood. After all, she had a certain face she had to wear in public.
An image created by her manager and publicist. She wasn’t comfortable with it, but she didn’t dare deviate from it.
Letting people see the secret side of Elle Carrera would cost her in the long run.
Hamish needed to be a warrior, but he could have secrets, too.
“I thought you didn’t like my song. You left last night without saying anything to me.”
He turned back to her, head tipped and brow furrowed, “I’m sorry if ’tis what ye thought. I liked it verra much. So much so that I couldnae get it out of me head last night. ’Tis why I came here. I wished to remember it.”
“I’m happy to hear it. I wanted you to like it.”
They sat in silence for a few moments. Elle felt a connection to Hamish. Maybe it was because he helped her. Maybe it was because he, too, was a musician. She couldn’t put her finger on it, but she felt closer to him in this moment than she had to anyone in a long time.
“I have an idea,” she said, placing a hand on his arm.
It sent a thrill through her body, reminding her of all those times when he’d touched her on their journey from the bridge.
She’d missed his warmth at her back, his hands on her waist as he hoisted her into the saddle, or on the small of her back as he protectively guided her into the castle.
“What would that be, lass?” She noted that he glanced down to his arm and his eyes lingered on her hand.
She quickly removed it. “Let’s work on another song together. We’ll play it for the others tonight.”
He cocked an eyebrow in question.
“Come on. It’ll be fun. You’re already a captain. Wouldn’t you love to surprise the heck out of everyone by showing them what an amazing musician you are?”
She watched his face as he thought it over and was relieved to see a bright smile on his lips.
“Is that a yes?”
“Aye. I’ll do it.”
“Perfect. I’ve got a new song I’ve been working on. You’ll be the first to hear it.”
***
He didn’t know how to tell her what her voice did to him.
He didn’t want her to know that she was all he’d been able to think about.
If it meant he could spend time alone with her, he’d gladly risk the ridicule of his men and the rest of the clan.
But more than anything, he could see that it made her incredibly happy.
They sat for hours working on and perfecting her song and Hamish found he was enjoying himself immensely.
“Thank you for doing this Hamish. This is exactly what I needed.”
“I’m happy to be of service, m’lady,” he bowed his head in her direction, causing her to giggle.
“You know, maybe I can use this song and the one I sang last night to convince my manager to let me do the kind of music I love.”
“Do ye nae sing like this in yer time?”
“No. They won’t let me.”
“Who willnae allow it?” Hamish said, feeling protective of Elle.
“My manager and the record label.”
He had no idea what a manager or a record label were, but he thought they must be daft. All one had to do was listen to her voice and watch the happiness spread across her face as she sang.
“From the look on your face, I’d say you were contemplating bodily harm. You don’t have to worry about me, Hamish. I’ll make it work.”
“Are ye sure?” he asked.
She nodded her head and smiled sweetly.
“Because I’d be happy to come with ye and I’m sure I could get them to agree to allow it.”
“You’re very sweet. I should go.” She stood and gave him a quick peck on the cheek. “I’ll see you later. You aren’t going to chicken out on me are you?” she asked with a raised brow.
“I dinnae ken yer meaning, but I’ll be there.”
She’d kissed him. It took every ounce of discipline he had not to wrap her in his arms and kiss her sweet, sweet lips.
The same lips he’d been staring at all afternoon.
Thank goodness she’d walked away from him.
All he could do was sit there and watch her go, hoping the desire she’d stirred in him wouldn’t be visible when he walked back to the barracks.