Page 28 of A Bridge Through Time (The Bridge Through Time #1)

Lena nodded in agreement and Ashley continued.

“I started having visions of Cailin, only I didn’t know who he was at the time, and I thought I was going crazy.

I needed to prove that I wasn’t, so on some level this trip was about finding him.

I became obsessed with Scotland and I found I was drawn to Glendaloch.

I don’t know how or why, but when I got there, I knew it was the place I had been looking for.

Your mother made me feel so special and cared for.

It was as if she was looking at me and seeing you. If that makes any sense?”

“It does, actually,” Lena admitted quietly. “Now that I have children of my own, I understand the love only a parent can feel for a child. I’m sorry I’ve caused them such pain.” A single tear ran down her cheek as she spoke. “Tell me more, please.”

“There was a creepy guy named Teddy, who followed me everywhere I went in Glendaloch. Edna told me not to worry about him, she said he was harmless.” Ashley rolled her eyes, and Lena laughed.

“I know Teddy. He really is harmless. If he was following you around, it was probably because mother told him to.”

“Do you really think so?” Ashley asked, with a hint of disbelief.

“I’m sure of it.”

“You might not think so, when you hear the rest of my story.” Ashley paused a moment, gathering her thoughts before she continued.

“I wanted to take a hike into the countryside. Back home I would never think of doing something like that by myself, but for some reason, I thought it was a great idea and I couldn’t wait to go.

I asked Edna for the best route and she sent me towards the bridge.

She packed a backpack for me and I was on my way. ”

All of a sudden, things started to fall into place. Edna obviously did know.

Lena was smiling at her and nodding. “She did send you.”

“She did. It all makes sense now. That backpack had everything in it that I could possibly need. I should have realized sooner. It was almost…as if she knew what was going to happen.”

“And Teddy…” Lena prodded gently.

“He was waiting for me by the bridge. He attacked me, he grabbed me and knocked me down. I fought him off, and then Cailin appeared and rescued me.”

“Do you think Teddy might have been trying to stop you from crossing the bridge?”

Ashley shrugged. “I don’t know. Maybe. He kept yelling ‘no’. I was so frightened, even if Cailin hadn’t been there; I was ready to run across the bridge just to get away from Teddy.”

“All part of the plan,” Lena announced.

“But did Edna think I would bring you back with me? Is she going to help me return to Glendaloch?”

Lena thought for a moment. “Do you still have the backpack, Ashley?”

“Yes. It’s in my chamber.”

“May I see it?”

“Sure. Do you think there’s some sort of message in it, for you?”

“Maybe.” Lena stood up and held out her hand to Ashley. “Let’s go have a look.”

***

Cailin was frustrated beyond reason. He had lost his chance to truly make Ashley his.

He was angry with his brother, and with Gavin, for dragging him away from what surely would have been a memorable night – but he was even angrier with himself.

How could he have been such a fool? He cared deeply for the lass and given the way she’d distanced herself from him this morning, he wasn’t certain he’d have another opportunity to win her affections.

He didnae want her to leave. Of that, he was very certain.

“Cailin, ye’d best get yer head back on the field.” Dougall announced casually, as he knocked Cailin’s claymore from his hands yet again. “What’s on yer mind, that’s causing ye to be so easy to disarm? ’Tis not like ye.”

“Aye. Yer right. I got it in me head that ye might be tired of being knocked on yer arse, so I thought to let ye get the better of me this once.”

Dougall laughed loudly. “I dinnae believe ye. Yer saying ye took pity on me and let me best ye? Why would ye do that after all these years? Are ye not well then?”

“I be fine. Dinnae worry yerself, ye’ll be back on yer arse soon enough.” Cailin muttered testily. He retrieved his claymore and stomped away. He was met by Cormac, Robert, and Ewan, who had all been watching his exchange with Dougall.

“Surely I did not see Dougall beat ye?” Robert queried.

Cailin didn’t answer, embarrassed by his performance on the field this morning.

Dougall was one of Cailin’s best men, equal in size and strength to Cailin, but in all the years they had trained together, Dougall had never been able to best him during training.

Cailin knew the reason Dougall had managed it this time.

Cailin had someone on his mind and it was a very big distraction for him.

He was also still suffering the effects of the previous night’s drinking binge.

Cormac had been smart enough to avoid putting himself on the training field – instead he worked with his men from the sidelines.

Cailin wished he had done the same, but he’d really needed to work off his anger, disappointment and raging desires.

“Ye’d best get yer mind back where it belongs. We’ve a battle to plan,” Ewan warned.

“Come then, let us go inside. We have much to discuss,” Robert turned and walked away, with the three men following in his wake.

Cormac put a comforting hand on Cailin’s shoulder. “Dinnae fash, my brother, all will be well again.”

“I dinnae think so, Cormac. Ashley wouldnae even look at me this mornin’ when she walked away.”

“I’ve nae known ye to give up quite so easily on anything before. The lass is already yers. Ye know it and she knows it, but I think she nae be sure of yer intentions and mayhap a bit afraid of stayin’ here.”

Cailin shrugged away from Cormac’s hand. “What makes ye an expert on women? I dinnae see ye using that expansive knowledge tae find one of yer own.”

Cormac laughed. “The right lass hasnae appeared to me yet.”

They entered Robert’s private chambers and sat around the large wooden table in the center of the room. There was nothing warm and cozy about this place. It was strictly utilitarian, only used by Robert to meet with his men and for conducting clan business.

“Ewan has made a good point to me this morn and I wish to share it with ye. He suggests that rather than sitting and waiting for Richard to make his move, we seek him out and bring the battle to him,” Robert announced.

“Aye. I agree.” Cailin stated. “’Tis been verra quiet these last days.

We’ve had nae word from our scouts of any activity and they’ve found no sign of any more men aligned with Richard, travelling in other parts of the MacKenzie lands.

I believe ‘twill be safe for everyone to go back to their homes soon. They should stay here a wee bit longer, for safety’s sake.

Ewan is right; Richard keeps us prisoners in our own castle.

If we take the fight to him, we are the ones in control. ”

“’Tis true. We cannae keep the whole clan here forever, while we wait on him tae make a move,” Cormac added.

Robert nodded. “’Tis settled then. I expect each of ye to get yer men prepared. We ride in a sennight. We’ll leave Ewan’s men here, to guard the castle in our absence. I dinnae ken what game Sir Richard plays, but ’tis done.”