Chapter 18 #2
Aylwen nickered to him as he approached. He groomed him until his coat was shining brightly and then he saddled him and took him out into the afternoon sunshine. Joe was waiting for him on the ATV.
“Do ye mind if I take Aylwen for a gallop. I feel he’s some energy to burn off.” As do I.
“Go ahead. Meet me at the fence line where we left off yesterday.”
Hamish nodded before squeezing his legs around Aylwen, urging him into a full gallop.
He stayed on the gravel path that led around the property, leaning low over Aylwen’s back and letting the horse have his head.
They flew across the land, on and on until Aylwen was winded and Hamish’s head was clear of sadness.
He’d never been one to feel sorry for himself.
Instead he’d do what he always did—he’d fill his time with work and go to bed so tired that he’d be asleep when his head hit the pillow.
That was the plan he’d formulated flying across Carrera Ranch and as he walked Aylwen to the place where Joe was waiting for him, he hoped it would work.
***
Elle went about her business with little enthusiasm and it showed.
“Elle, you’ve got to get out of this funk you’re in,” Eric chided her.
“I know. I will.”
“You keep saying that, but I’m not seeing any difference from day-to-day.”
“I don’t know what you want from me. I’m doing these interviews and talk shows you wanted me to do. I don’t even know if it’s working.”
“I think it is. I’m in talks with the tour company and they’ve got their feelers out to see if we can’t get things back on for you.”
This should have made her happy, but it only made her feel worse.
She was back in San Francisco after a whirlwind publicity tour.
It felt as if she’d spoken with every morning shock jock, local talk show host and even made an appearance on a late night talk show to perform a song off the new album.
Now, so close to the man she loves, she can’t find five minutes to go be with him.
Was this the life she wanted? If it worked out, she’d be on the road for months singing songs that meant nothing to her.
Would Hamish wait for her? That was the question that had been plaguing her.
She’d spoken with him as often as she could, but finding the time to connect with him was becoming more and more difficult.
He always seemed to be too busy to answer her phone calls and when they did speak, he sounded distant.
She really needed to think about this. What if he didn’t want to be with her?
Absence was supposed to make the heart grow fonder, but they also said out of sight, out of mind.
Was she losing him by being so far away?
And what if she gave this all up to go back and it wasn’t enough.
Did she want to turn her back on music if it meant she could have Hamish?
This wasn’t something she’d ever had to contemplate before, but she knew she did now.
Why did all of the options sound terrible?
“I’m going to run something by you and I don’t want you to take this the wrong way, but I’m taking on a new client. She’s an up and coming pop singer. She just won America’s Most Talented Singers.”
Elle listened, thinking that any time someone said “don’t take this the wrong way” there was a high likelihood it wasn’t something good. She knew who the singer was. She was the newer, younger Elle. “I’m listening.”
“Well, she’s got a tour all booked and she needs someone to open for her. I thought that might be a good fit for you.”
She couldn’t speak. He was right to be worried about her taking it the wrong way. What other way was there for her to take it?
“At least think about it. It could be your last chance to get back in the limelight. A small detour before you’re back on the road to success.”
Small detour. This was a giant setback. If her career wasn’t dead before, this would certainly put the final nail in the coffin. “Eric …”
“No. Don’t say anything. Think about it. You can give me your answer tomorrow morning.”
He left her alone in her hotel room. In her mind, there was nothing to think about.
She wasn’t going to open for anyone. That was reserved for newbies or for those who were trying to revive their careers.
She realized that was her. What a fool she’d been.
She’d left home thinking she’d soon be back at the top of the charts, what she didn’t realize was her career was so far gone that it would take a miracle to revive it.
***
Hamish sat alone by the fire. Over the past few weeks, he’d managed to build a small cabin on Elle’s property.
There was no electricity or plumbing, it was very much like the life he’d lived at Breaghacraig.
Bobby and Joe had been so kind to him and he still spent most of his time there.
He showered there each morning and ate all his meals with them, but at night he wanted to be alone in the quiet and solitude of this place where he’d once hoped to spend his days with Elle.
The little, one room cabin had a comfortable bed big enough for two and lonely with only one.
The hearth was stacked rock. Joe, Matt and the others had helped him with it.
He had a sofa, chair and coffee table. Initially he’d hoped to surprise Elle with it, but she’d been gone for weeks, now, and he wasn’t sure she was ever coming back.
The Carrera’s were sympathetic to his plight, having experienced it all themselves. The most vocal was Tina.
“I thought I’d gotten my sister back,” she said, one day while visiting with Hamish.
“Her damn music career has always come before everything and everyone. I wish she’d just give it up and move back here with us.
” There was anger in her voice, but Hamish had also heard the hurt of someone who loved her sister very much.
He knew how she felt. He was having a hard time understanding it himself.
He sat alone in the little cabin, sipped his whisky and stared into the flames. Was he seeing things or was that Edna’s face floating there. He blinked his eyes and looked again.
“Edna?”
“Aye, Hamish. I was just checking in on ye. I wanted to see how ye were doing.”
“I’m nae happy, Edna.”
“Why is that, dear?”
“Elle left and she hasnae returned. I dinnae ken when I will see her again.”
“I’m so sorry. Is there anything I can do to help?”
“She said she couldnae take me with her because I didnae have an I.D.”
“Oh, I see. Well, I’ve managed to conjure one up for Brenna. I’m sure I could do the same for ye.”
“I dinnae believe it will help.”
“What do you mean? A passport would certainly help.”
“I wanted adventure, Edna. She’s left me behind here with her family. They’ve been most kind, but this isnae what I hoped for. I wish to return to Breaghacraig.”
“I hate to hear it, Hamish. Ye ken I’m a verra good matchmaker and I think if ye just wait a while longer ye may find things will be different.”
“They may be different for a small while, but her family has suffered though her absence many more times than I. I dinnae wish to have me heart broken over and over again. Once is enough.”
“I see. Well, I can arrange to get you back home. You’ll need to find a way to get to the Marina Green. Light the fire again and call to me when you’ve got it all arranged.”
“Thank ye, Edna.”
“I can’t tell ye how sorry I am, Hamish.”
“Dinnae be sorry. She was mine for a little while.”
“I’ll be in touch.” Her face disappeared from the fire and Hamish poured himself more whisky.
He remembered the first night he’d spent with Elle.
How she’d taken the whisky they offered and drank even though she didnae like the taste.
He chuckled, picturing her face as she drank.
He would have to hold on to that and all his other memories.
Tomorrow he’d make his arrangements and then he’d be going home.
***
The next morning, Elle had one final morning radio show appearance.
She hadn’t told Eric about her plans yet.
There was something she needed to do first and he wasn’t going to like it.
Arriving at the studio, she was shown into the booth.
Eric hadn’t accompanied her, instead preferring to stay behind and listen to the show from the comfort of his hotel room.
That worked perfectly for what Elle was planning.
“We’ve got Elle Carrera here with us this morning,” Sarah said, introducing her to the audience. “She’s promoting her latest album and we’ve got lots of questions for her.
“Good morning,” Elle said. “I’m happy to be here.
” She was so nervous her knees were knocking.
The first few questions the DJs, Sarah and Vinnie, sent her way were softball questions, but she couldn’t seem to get the words out.
It wasn’t until Vinnie asked her about taking time off and where she’d been that she regained her confidence.
“I’m sure you all can appreciate how difficult it is to get a moment to yourself.
Well, I needed some time to learn what was really important to me. ”
“And did you?” Vinnie asked.
“I realized I hadn’t seen my family in months.
I was going to miss my mother’s birthday for the fifth year in a row.
And, on top of that, it was all for these songs I didn’t even write.
I needed some time to find my voice again.
I learned a lot about myself and what is important …
and I found a new sound, one that speaks to my heart. Would you like to hear it?”
“I don’t think you need to ask twice, someone get this lady a guitar.” Sarah silently directed the interns as they brought in her guitar and adjusted the microphones for her.
“I haven’t shared this with anyone else. You’re hearing it here first,”
“You hear that everyone, this is a Sarah and Vinnie exclusive!” Vinnie announced.
She played a couple of chords while she spoke to be sure it was in tune, and glanced at the producer to make sure the music levels were right.
“This is a song I wrote along with the most amazing man I’ve ever met.
I am in love with his music, his heart, just …
everything about him. Hamish MacBeown is the love of my life.
” She got the thumbs up from Sarah, and played the first song they’d written at Breaghacraig.
Every note brought her back to that afternoon behind the castle, and the memory of creating something beautiful with Hamish.
“That was amazing! Look at the phone lines lighting up like a Christmas tree!”
Elle was beaming. This is what she wanted. Now she had to go back to the hotel and tell Eric.
***
Hamish loaded Aylwen into the horse trailer and climbed into the cab of the truck. Matt had agreed to take him to San Francisco and the Marina Green.
“Are you sure about this?” Matt asked.
“Nae,” Hamish said.
“Then why go?”
“It seems Elle only has room in her life for one love at a time. I cannae compete with her music.”
“Of course you can.” Matt started the truck and headed out.
Hamish had said his goodbyes earlier. Bobby cried and he’d hugged her.
She reminded him of his mother. She was right, they were family to him.
He hated leaving them, but he couldn’t stay here without Elle and he wasn’t sure she’d ever be back.
Their phone conversations were strange to him and perhaps because of his lack of experience with it, he left a lot unsaid.
Elle kept assuring him she loved him and she’d be back, but as much as he loved her, he only had to look at her family to see this was a pattern that had been repeated many times.
“’Tis best for me to go. The MacKenzies will need my services.” He was sure that wasn’t true, but it was the best reason he had to go back.
“Hey, I’ve been meaning to ask you why I’m dropping you off at the Marina Green, and how you’re going to get Aylwen back to Scotland.”
Hamish took a moment before answering him. He had no idea what he was going to say. Should he tell him the truth? It was all he had and he didn’t wish to lie, no matter how crazy it would sound.
“I’ll tell ye the truth of it, Matt. I hope ye dinnae think me daft, but I dinnae wish to lie to ye.”
“Now you’ve piqued my curiosity. If it helps, I’m a pretty open-minded person.”
“Do ye believe in time travel?” Hamish asked.
“I … haven’t really ever thought about it,” he said. Matt glanced his way with a smile. He probably thought Hamish was joking. “But, just because I don’t know that it’s possible, doesn’t mean that it’s not.”
“So, if I told ye that I’m nae from this time, would ye believe me?”
“I’m willing to hear you out,” Matt said. The smile was gone now, but he seemed willing to listen so Hamish decided to push forward.
“I’m from a time far in the past. The year 1517 in Scotland.
I live at a castle called Breaghacraig with the MacKenzie clan.
Yer sister was sent to my time by a witch named Edna Campbell.
That is why she couldn’t talk to any of ye with her phone.
Edna lives in Scotland in this time. Ye can probably find her with yer computer.
When it was time for Elle to return to her own time, I was sent along with her.
The witch will send me home. She has told me ’tis time. ”
Matt was silent for a long time. Hamish assumed it was because he thought him crazy and didn’t believe him. “Ye have nary a thing to say.”
“I’m sorry. I’m just trying to wrap my head around what you’ve just told me.
It’s not that I don’t believe you. It’s just …
a lot to take in. Hamish, I respect you so much.
You’re a good man and I hoped you’d be a good brother-in-law, but I also know that you’re different from just about everyone I know.
Not in a bad way, but different. Do you know what I mean? ”
“I think so. Does that mean ye believe me?”
“I’m willing to give you the benefit of the doubt.”
“Ye can stay and watch as the fog takes me away.”
“Alright.” Matt stared out the window for a moment then turned to Hamish with a grin, “So my sister survived for weeks without electricity? Man, I would have loved to see that!”
As they sat at one of the unending red lights in San Francisco, Matt turned the radio on.
“Hey, they’re talking to Elle,” he said. He turned the sound up and they both listened to Elle pour her heart out and then play her song.
When the song was finished, both men were whooping and waving their arms in the air.
“We must go back,” Hamish shouted.
“Aye, aye, captain,” Matt smiled. “It’s no easy feat turning a horse trailer around in San Francisco, but I’ve got your back, brother!”