Page 44 of A Bridge Through Time (The Bridge Through Time #1)

T he drive back to the inn was filled with Cailin’s questions, as he tried to figure out exactly how the car worked and what Edna was doing to make it go.

Ashley sat in the back with a huge grin plastered on her face.

Cailin had wanted to sit beside her, but she encouraged him to sit up front with Edna, knowing he would be fascinated by the process of driving.

Edna patiently explained the accelerator, the brakes, the turn signal, the horn, and the windshield wipers.

The car seemed much too small for Cailin’s large frame, but he appeared to be quite comfortable.

Ashley giggled hysterically each time he threw his hands onto the dashboard as they came up behind another car, or when headlights came towards them.

“I dinnae think Cadeyrn can go this fast, even if I give him his head,” he said in amazement.

“You’re right about that, Cailin, and I’m not even driving at the fastest speed a car can go,” Edna said with a smile.

Cailin’s eyebrows rose in surprise. “Ye can go faster?”

“Yes, I can, but there are laws against it. I must obey the speed limit, so I can’t show you, I’m afraid.”

Ashley giggled again, at the disappointment in Cailin’s expression. “Are you enjoying the twenty-first century, Cailin?” she asked.

“Aye, love, this a wondrous time.” He was gazing out of the window, staring in fascination at the lights and the buildings as they passed. “Why would ye leave this, Ashley?” he asked, suddenly becoming quite serious.

“I think you know why,” she smiled.

“Aye, but tell me, what will ye miss most when we return?”

Ashley thought carefully for a moment. “Hmmm. I’ll miss indoor plumbing and a hot shower, that’s for sure.”

“I’ve seen yer indoor plumbing and hot shower and I ken why ye’d miss them. I’ll miss them, as well, and I’ve only used the bathing chamber once. What are the other things you’ll miss?”

“Hmmm. Let’s see.” Ashley thought some more. “I’ll miss chocolate, coffee, pizza and my friend, Jen.” Ashley grinned. “Edna, can we let Cailin experience my favorite food and drink?”

“Of course,” Edna agreed immediately.

“Unfortunately, you won’t get to meet Jen. She’s my best friend, but she’s in the United States. We’ve been friends ever since we were little girls.”

“I’m sorry ye’ll nae see her again, love.”

“It’s okay. I’ll miss her terribly,” Ashley admitted, “but I’d miss you so much more.”

He reached back and took her hand, kissing her fingertips.

“I am going to call Jen though, before we go back to Breaghacraig,” Ashley said wistfully. “To say goodbye.”

***

When they reached the inn, Ashley and Cailin retired to Ashley’s chamber. She was still a bit drowsy from the pain relief, but did her best to stay awake for him and answer his questions.

Edna sent food upstairs for them; burgers and fries, with a beer for Cailin and a soda for Ashley, along with her much loved pizza.

Cailin enjoyed the meal very much, he was starving after their long day, and his long night of searching for Ashley and Irene. He’d snatched a bite to eat here and there, but it had been minimal.

Ashley had to explain the different food items to him, but once Cailin had figured out what everything was, he finished all that was on his plate and, the rest of Ashley’s when she announced she was full.

They shared a piece of molten chocolate cake for dessert and Cailin understood exactly why Ashley would miss the delicacy and wondered again why she would leave all this behind to return to Breaghacraig with him.

After their meal, Cailin helped Ashley prepare for bed.

He could see that she was exhausted from the excitement of the day.

He tried to be as gentle as he could, but was alarmed when he saw tears in her eyes after he settled her in bed.

“Did I hurt ye, love?” he asked, concern written all over his face.

“No,” she sniffled. “I’m just so happy you’re here with me. These are happy tears.” Cailin cocked his head, uncertain if she was telling the truth, but Ashley rushed to reassure him. “Really, Cailin. I’m telling you the truth.”

He accepted her word. “I want to hold ye close to me tonight, but it might be better if I sleep on the floor, love. I have no wish to harm ye.”

Ashley shook her head firmly. “Don’t be silly. I want you here, beside me. We’ll figure it out, I’m sure. I know you won’t deliberately hurt me.”

With a happy grin, Cailin removed his t-shirt, pulling it over his head and dropping it to the floor.

When he glanced at Ashley, she was appraising him with lust in her amber eyes.

With a wicked smile, he removed the plaid and watched her eyes wander south before a smile lit up her face.

Cailin chuckled as he climbed into bed beside her.

“Don’t be lookin’ at me with those eyes.

I won’t be responsible for what might happen. ”

“I would love for something to happen,” she teased huskily.

“Ye are surely a vixen, my love, and if ye didnae have a broken arm, stitches and bruises covering ye from head to toe, I’d be happy to make your wish come true, but nae tonight.

” He kissed her nose and laid one hand possessively on her stomach.

Ashley fell asleep within minutes and Cailin lay there for a very long time watching her, grateful she would be returning to full health soon.

***

The next morning, Edna was knocking at their door bright and early, with a tray full of goodies and a large pot of coffee.

Edna was enjoying the chance to expose her time-travelling guest to life in modern Scotland.

She made sure to bring him an assortment of foods he’d never have had before, along with some, she thought he might find more familiar.

There was bacon, eggs, scones, lemon curd, butter, hash brown potatoes, and pancakes with maple syrup.

She’d also supplied cream and sugar for the coffee.

She set the tray on the table and turned a brilliant smile on her two guests.

Cailin had quickly donned his plaid when Edna knocked and he stood watching with undisguised interest as she placed the food onto the table.

“Good morning, you two. I hope you slept well.”

“Aye, we did.” Cailin turned towards Ashley who was slowly sitting up in bed, yawning and rubbing her eyes sleepily. Edna watched as he went to her side, bringing the robe from the foot of the bed. He helped Ashley get up and into the robe, before he carefully led her to the table.

“Thank you, Edna. Everything looks wonderful.” Ashley sat at the table and looked up contentedly at Edna and Cailin.

“Please, sit Cailin,” Edna said.

He did as she requested and Edna served them both a little bit of everything. She desperately wanted to see the look on Cailin’s face when he tried the coffee for the first time, so she poured him a cup before she left.

“What do you think, Ashley? Do you think Cailin will like his coffee with cream and sugar, or would he prefer it black?”

“Cream and sugar. That’s how I like it, and I think he will too,” Ashley said firmly.

Cailin took a sip from the cup Edna handed him and a crooked grin spread across his handsome face. Edna was very pleased with his response to the drink.

“So, this is the coffee ye will miss when we return to Breaghacraig?”

“Mmmhmm,” Ashley responded around a mouthful of pancakes. “This is delicious, Edna. You shouldn’t have gone to so much trouble.”

“It was no trouble at all. How do you feel this morning?” Edna questioned.

Ashley dipped a forkful of pancakes through the maple syrup. “Quite well, considering.”

“Would you like me to get you the pain medication?” Edna asked.

“No, but thank you. I’m not a medication kinda girl. I’ll save them for if I really need them, but for now the pain is tolerable.”

“I’m so happy you’re going to be okay,” Edna said and the relief she felt was tangible. Edna had been truly horrified by Ashley being injured in medieval Scotland, and regretted her part in it.

Ashley reached out and grabbed Edna’s hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze. “No worries, Edna, as I told you, if you hadn’t helped me get to Breaghacraig, I would never have met Cailin.”

“Well, I’ll leave you two alone to enjoy the rest of your breakfast. Do you think you could come downstairs after you eat? I’d like to explain some things to you.”

“Of course,” Ashley agreed with a smile. “We’ll be down in a little while.”

***

Breakfast was a fun and delicious experience for Cailin. He gobbled down most of the food, and judging by the happy grin on her face, that was fine with Ashley.

“The food, ‘tis verra good, much better than the morning parritch at Breaghacraig. And this coffee is like nothing I’ve ever tasted before,” Cailin announced, holding up his second cup of the steaming brew.

“Are ye sure ye will come back with me? We don’t have such wonders at Breaghacraig as ye have here in Glendaloch.

” He reached across and brushed his fingers across her hand.

Cailin couldn’t seem to stop touching her.

He had an uneasy feeling that if he did, she might vanish into thin air right before his eyes and he couldn’t bear the thought.

“I’m sure I’m going to come back with you.” Ashley waved her good arm around the room. “This is just stuff. I can live without all this, but I can’t live without you.”

Cailin cupped her face in his hands and gently kissed her lips. “And I can’t live without ye.”

“I so want to throw my arms around you, but I can’t.” Ashley pouted and studied her injured arm in annoyance. “I can manage to throw one around you though.”

Cailin grinned and pushed his chair back from the small table. “Come here, love.”

Ashley rose from her chair and came to him, and Cailin pulled her carefully into his lap. “Settle yerself in so that I’m nae hurting ye.”

She did as he requested and he wrapped his arms around her, careful to avoid causing her any pain. He nuzzled her neck with his nose and heard her sigh contentedly. He released a sigh of his own, grateful to have her back in his arms.