Chapter Six
Harper could immediately see why Skye had fallen hard for her dream man. He was not only handsome but seemed kind and intelligent. To say nothing of those legs beneath the kilt. The way these men dressed was enough to make a woman forget everything else.
But then, from what she could tell, all his good qualities were no different than Daimh’s. And the others in the clan were so welcoming. Ian’s sister, Maisie, was glowing with her pregnancy and her solicitous husband, Errol, hovered over her. Not exactly as Harper had pictured married life in the medieval era. History had proclaimed that during these times men were men and women were lesser beings unworthy of anything but bringing dowries and being brood mares to be ignored until they produced an heir. And then ignored some more. Not the case in this household.
Skye introduced her to Freya and Conall, praising the other woman for saving her life when she was confined to the dungeon. And there was Kenna, who Skye whispered ran the kitchen like a drill sergeant, but always with some kindness beneath the gruff. And last, but not least, was Neasa.
Coming forward, the older woman embraced Harper. “I hae heard much of ye and I am pleased to see ye here. From France, are ye?” She sent a knowing glance to Skye, who looked a bit guilty.
“Ummm, oui.”
Skye had said she had told Neasa the truth. Harper was certain if there would be an opportunity to talk to the other woman privately it would prove to be interesting. As shocking as this was for Harper, she could only imagine what a woman in the sixteenth century would think as she learned of the world hundreds of years in the future.
Harper sat next to Skye at the main table, which stretched across the front of the room, as they ate freshly baked bread and rich lamb stew abundant with vegetables, followed by custards and a variation on sugar cookies, clearly courtesy of Skye and her skills in the kitchen.
“Still baking,” Harper teased.
“Not so easy with different ingredients, but I still love it. I couldn’t just sit around all day.”
Harper leaned in close so she wouldn’t be overheard. “No soap operas to watch, or bonbons to eat?”
“Not a one.”
“This place is so different.” Harper peered around the main hall with so many people sitting eating the mid-day meal. “The word of the day. I mean, more than just historical. The atmosphere, the people…” Her gaze lighted on Daimh, who immediately looked up as if sensing her. Smiling, he lowered his head, but not before she noticed he had deep slashes of dimples on either side of his mouth.
Nudging Skye, Harper whispered, “Is he shy?”
“Who?” But her lopsided grin let Harper know Skye was teasing her.
“Daimh.”
“I don’t know. I mean, not with me or Ian, of course, but I think you caught his fancy. And you seem pretty interested.”
“Not that I am planning to stay, of course, but I hope so. About catching his fancy, I mean. He is the most attractive man I have ever seen. And no man has ever fallen off so much as a chair for me before. I’m flattered to say the least.”
“What ever happened with Jeff?’
“Who?” Harper laughed. “Oh, the one I had a date with when you were leaving? He kind of pales by comparison.”
“No doubt,” Skye grinned. “I would love nothing more than to see both you and Daimh happy and if that’s because you’re together, all the better.”
“I can’t stay here,” Harper declared softly.
“If you say so.”
***
Daimh couldn’t keep his gaze from her. Harper was so bonny. Not only that, but she smiled with gentleness and seemed to have no fear of him. Her cropped hair was no doubt due to time in the nunnery, but it didn’t detract from her womanly appearance. Her eyes were a glorious shade of pale blue, like the delicate blossoms that dotted the hillsides at the first breath of spring. And her body was enough to stop all blood going to his brain, even dressed as she was in the ill-fitting clothes which were probably due to the choices at a cloistered place. Just looking at her was enough to make him want to recite poetry. Well almost.
He thought of himself as a strong man, but when she smiled at him, his knees grew weak and his stomach filled with butterflies. It was embarrassing. And when he touched her cheek, his hand burned with tremors. He needed to summon some courage, ask her if he could accompany her on a walk on the morrow. Getting to know her more, perhaps he could learn to control his response to her before he humiliated himself in front of her and the others.
The meal finished, Lady Skye was about to sweep Harper away when Daimh approached them and loudly cleared his throat.
“Daimh?” Lady Skye questioned. “Is there something you require?” He noticed that Harper didn’t miss the ill-suppressed smile on her friend’s face.
Lowering his gaze, in case he betrayed his nervousness, he cleared his throat again. “I was wondering if the Lady Harper might wish to visit Dornie in the morning and be shown around—since she’s new here and all.”
Grinning widely, Harper nodded, a lovely blush coloring her cheeks. “I would like that.”
Nodding briskly, he stepped away and strutted to the door and on his way to the field to practice and expend some of his energy. He had no wish for his hands to shake when he was trying to impress her on the morrow, and working himself to exhaustion should help.
***
Watching him walk away, Harper shook her head. “He is the cutest mountain of a man, isn’t he?”
Skye nodded. “He is. But come, I wish us to catch up out of the hearing of anyone who might not understand.”
Following Skye up the stairs and into a spacious room filled with sunlight, they sat in front of the fire. The walls were covered in tapestries depicting ancient battles, but their colors had faded with time. Chairs were placed about the space and several embroidery frames were scattered about, the work partially completed. As she sat back in the comfortable seat, Harper drew in a deep breath and her muscles relaxed. The dog called Dionadair was at Skye’s heels and obediently sat when they did.
“When did you get a dog?” Harper asked.
Skye reached down and patted the pup. “Oh, he’s not really mine. We just took a liking to each other when I arrived. I think Ian was a bit jealous at first, but then I suppose he decided if the dog approved of me I must be all right.” She grinned. “So how are you doing?”
“I had no idea how tense I was,” she said.
“Not used to traveling through time?” Skye teased.
“Funny.”
“So what do you think now?”
Harper heaved a sigh. “I should have been reading more fairy tales growing up. This is too much. In fact, if you weren’t sitting here, I would think I had truly and completely lost my mind.”
“I understand. I didn’t really believe it at first either. It’s a lot to take in.”
They spent the next few hours catching up. Skye revealed all the details of finding Ian, falling in love (instantly for real) and then struggling to fit in. Telling of the terror of her near death experience in the dungeon brought tears to her eyes, and Harper reached over for a tight hug. “I am so thankful it ended well,” Harper said.
“Me, too.”
Harper talked about Davina’s accident and the process of actually deciding to try the cloak. “So against everything I believed.”
“I’m so proud of you. And so happy you’re here!”
“I can’t stay.”
Skye dropped her gaze, then lifted it again to look Harper directly in the eye. “You said that before. Why not?”
It was not the question Harper expected and she pressed her hands together, thinking about a response.
“Why not?” Skye repeated, interrupting the quiet.
“Because,” Harper answered.
“Well, that’s not a reason. I’m serious. What do you have that’s so important you need to rush back to the twenty-first century? Because for every excuse you give, I’ll give you another to stay.”
“Work. The hospital needs me.”
“Hah! I know you’re valued, but no one is irreplaceable.”
“Okay, hot showers, hamburgers, makeup.”
“Warm baths, grilled meat over an open spit, and who cares about makeup. There are face creams here and the clean air is fantastic for the complexion.” Skye struck a pose to emphasize her words.
Harper scrunched up her face in thought. “Medicine, electricity, running water.”
“Herbs, candles, and fresh cool water from an unpolluted stream.”
“Social media?”
“Don’t be ridiculous.”
“Okay, how about clan wars, disease, the danger of being accused of witchcraft?” Harper pressed.
“I guess it’s always something,” Skye teased.
Harper sat back. “You love it here, don’t you?”
“I do. And to add to the list of reasons for you to remain—Daimh. Where in the future would you ever find a man like that?”
Harper heaved a sigh. “He is pretty delicious. But I don’t even know if he really finds me appealing. His attention might just be because I am new.”
“Oh, get that miserable ex-husband of yours out of your head. That hideous voice that told you all your flaws. And then humiliated you.” Skye shook her head in disgust. “I’ve seen the way Daimh looks at you and I have no doubt he would love to get to know you better.” She wiggled her eyebrows and grinned. “And I still find it hard to believe he actually fell off his horse.”
“Really? You think he is attracted to me?”
Skye laughed out loud. “Yes really. I haven’t been here that long, but I haven’t seen him look at another woman like he looks at you.” Skye angled her head. “How about this. The holidays are not so far away, and you and I have always spent them together. Let’s maintain that tradition. And, if by Hogmanay you still want to return, I won’t try talking you out of it.”
“Hogmanay?”
“It’s Scots for New Year.”
Harper bit her lower lip and pondered this. “Well, my parents won’t miss me. I don’t even know where they are for a change.”
The unspoken was that she never knew where they were. From the time they could foist her off on a nurse or caregiver, they had gone on with their jet-setting ways. Her parents were trust fund wealthy and they always made sure Harper was cared for and set up financially. Money instead of love. In fact, though she would never admit it to Skye, Harper was the one who had bought her friend the ticket to Scotland, knowing Skye couldn’t afford it. Why shouldn’t Skye be allowed to follow her dreams, even if Harper had no idea they would turn out to be real?
“I am dying to know what finally convinced you to try the cloak,” Skye said. “You—ever the pragmatist.”
“Some things are just too much to deny. There were so many clues: Davina appearing, her clothes, but I guess the final thing that convinced me was the portrait of you hanging in the castle. Obviously from the sixteenth century. And no painting of Ian.” She shook her head. “I wonder what the people here would think if I told them his portrait would wind up in America hundreds of years in the future.”
“I know. Now in a storage unit awaiting my never return.” Skye suddenly clapped her hands together and her face lit with her smile. “Really? My portrait is still hanging in the castle. I had hoped it would still be there and if you ever ventured there after I left, seeing it would let you know I was well and happy.”
“And there’s now a legend to go with it. The woman who appeared suddenly and stole the laird’s heart.” Harper pressed her lips together. “Maybe I shouldn’t tell you this part…”
“What part? You can’t do that. Tease me like that.”
“Well, apparently you have three children. Two fine sons and a daughter, as the tour guide told us.”
“Wow.” Skye hugged herself with joy. “Good to know.”
“Was it the same painter? Your portrait and Ian’s?”
“Yes. Conall. He’s very talented and he painted it as an early holiday gift to Ian and me. Which, considering he’s about to be married, was amazing.”
“And he’s marrying…?”
“Freya. Who helped save me from the dungeon.”
“You said before that once you were freed and Davina was found to be the culprit, that she grabbed the cloak and disappeared,” Harper said. “Was she here in the castle when it happened?”
“Yes.”
“Odd, since she re-appeared in the year 2024 at the cottage.”
Skye raised an eyebrow. “Interesting, since she was transported from one place and ended up in another, albeit not far. But how did she get across to the loch? And…?”
“What is it?”
“Well, when I received the cloak, the note said it would always return on its own to the place it started.”
“Which would have been the cottage, right? If that’s the case, how long until it disappears?”
“The note said weeks. It didn’t specify how many.”
“Did it mention how often it could be used? Do you think it will take me home?” Deep seated anxiety compressed Harper’s chest. Could she end up here forever?
“I don’t know. But would it be so terrible to have to stay?”
“Skye, I don’t belong here. I have a job, a family.”
Skye raised an eyebrow. “A family you literally never see. And your job? Do you love it so much?”
Harper huffed a sigh. “I… I don’t know. Even if I stay…?”
Skye smiled. “I like that ‘even if’. There’s no guarantee you can even go back. So, maybe, just to be safe, you should just decide to stay here.”
“But, what about Davina? Even if I get back to the present, she may never wake up. She fell pretty hard. But what if she does? And starts talking?”
Skye threw back her head and laughed. “They will lock her up in an institution. Who would believe her?”
Harper shook her head. “Tell you what. I’ll agree with what you said earlier and stay through the holidays. That’s only a few weeks. Then I can make a decision. And if I do decide to go back, we can see if the cloak works.” And if it failed to return her? Would it be so bad to have to remain here? “You are, after all, all the family I really have.”
“Deal. And you’re my family, too.”
They were interrupted by Neasa, who strode into the room with a knowing look. She dipped a quick curtsy and quickly took the chair Skye indicated. Leaning toward Harper, she took a deep breath. “Nae doubt you two have much in common and much to talk aboot. Would ye share some of it?”
Skye nodded to Harper. “It’s okay. I told you. She’s the only one who knows.”
Neasa scooted her chair closer, fairly shivering with excitement. “I want to ken everything. Lady Skye has nae been forthcoming enough on details and it’s so unbelievable. And now they are two of ye.”
“And no Davina.” Skye stated this with undisguised pleasure.
“Aye. But where is she?” Neasa asked.
“She traveled to the future. To my time. And now she’s in a coma in a hospital in Dornie,” Harper answered. “She was hit by a car. They say she has traumatic brain injury.”
“Coma? Hospital? Car?” Neasa’s look of bafflement made Harper and Skye giggle.
“A coma is a deep sleep that one doesn’t always wake from. A hospital is where they take people who are ill. There are physicians and nurses there who tend them. And a car…?” Looking to Harper for help in this explanation, she was clearly at a loss.
“A car is like a wagon that doesn’t require horses,” Harper explained.
“Ye tease me. How is that possible? Do they use some other animal?”
“No. It’s hard to describe, especially since Skye and I take these things for granted. Just think of a horseless carriage.”
Neasa gave them both a side-eyed look, her skepticism obvious. “And the other? Traum…?”
“It means she will probably remember very little and even if she does, no one will believe her. They will think her memories are merely a result of the injury.”
“I have heard of such things,” Neasa said. “When warriors are struck on the head, sometimes they are nae the same after.”
“Exactly. And with no way back here, since I have the cloak, we can rest assured she will not betray us,” Harper said. “When I return, I can make certain that she receives no credibility.”
“Return?” Skye’s face fell. “I wish you’d forget about that and just stay.”
“But I am a product of the future,” Harper reasoned. “I don’t belong here.” Did she keep repeating that to convince herself? At least now she was able to admit all of this was actually real. But knowing in your head and accepting it wherever your common sense dwelt were two different things.
“Yes, you do belong here. You will. It will just take a little time.”
Harper angled her head in thought. “There are many things in the future that are not even dreamed of here. I suppose I am spoiled.”
“What things?” Neasa prompted.
“Like indoor plumbing, so there is no longer a need for chamber pots and…”
“…candles that light without fire,” Skye added. “And so much more. But not necessarily better.”
“I would like to see some of these—miracles.”
“Well, it’s not so wonderful as you might imagine. For every ‘miracle’ as you call them, there are problems.” Harper said.
“See. You’re already beginning to see it my way,” Skye grinned.
“Me head is already full, and I hae no wish to learn of more problems. I’ll leave you to yer catching up. But I think I shall hunger for more details later.” Shaking her head as if to assimilate all they had told her, Neasa slipped from the room.
“She told no one?” Harper whispered when Neasa was out of earshot.
“No. When we were in the dungeon, it was certain we would die. And what good would it have done if she had told the others. They would certainly think she had lost her mind. And she doesn’t even know about airplanes or computers.”
“She loves you,” Harper said. “It’s clear you bonded. But I suppose when you’re facing death…” Harper paled at the thought of her best friend dying.
“And I love her. We would have bonded even if we had not faced the hardship together. She was my first friend here and my most loyal companion. Well, except for Ian, of course. And you.”
Harper peered around the space. “I heard the Scots were a frugal people, so I understand there is not much in the way of furniture. But what there is, it’s beautiful. Everything about coming here is a surprise.”
Skye grinned. “It only gets better. I promise. After a few days, you’ll think the only McDonalds is another clan.