Page 34 of All In Good Time
“I guess it just wasn’t meant to be,” Sara replied. She wasn’t about to tell Helene that she wasn’t giving up. She would keep her plan to herself. Whether it worked or it didn’t, everyone would know about it soon enough. She didn’t want anyone standing in her way when she attempted to save Logan and Aisla from a loveless marriage.
The crackling of the fire was the only sound in the room. Their friendship was such that they could sit quietly with each other, neither speaking a word, safe and comfortable in each other’s presence.
The door opened and Dougall entered. He came and sat with them.
“So. How is he?” Sara asked.
“He’ll be fine. He’s sitting on the rocks by the ocean, thinking.” Dougall took Helene’s hand. “I’m tired love. I’m off to bed. Will ye be joining me?”
“I’ll be up soon,” Helene replied.
He kissed her hand and then reached out to squeeze Sara’s. “Good night, Dougall. You really are a good man.”
“Good night, Sara.” He smiled warmly at her and then left them.
“You are a lucky lady, Helene,” Sara said. She wondered if she would ever be that lucky herself.
“I ken it and I thank Edna almost daily fer helping us find our way.”
“She can’t help me, you know,” Sara said as she gazed into the fire. This was a fact that she simply couldn’t overcome.
Helene appeared stunned by this.
“She said that this wasn’t a match that she created, so she can’t get involved. It’s my match and it’s up to me to make it work.” Sara adjusted herself in her chair. The velvety fabric was soft, however, the chair itself was anything but comfortable and certain parts of her body were going numb the longer she sat there. They were nothing like the big, comfy chairs she was used to back home.
“I cannae believe she willnae help ye.” Helene shook her head at the preposterous idea.
“It’s true. It’s part of the reason she didn’t want me to come here. She told me something wasn’t right and that my timing was off, but I chose not to believe her.” Sara looked away, feeling very alone in her decisions. That ache she felt for Logan was back and even stronger now that she knew he wanted her, too. She could not let that defeat her, instead she let it fuel her. “And now,” she said, feeling the steel of her spine, “if I want this to work, I’m the one who’s going to have to fix it.”
“Sara, I’ve run out of words to express how sad I am fer ye, but please know that I am here. If there’s anything I can do to help, ye only need ask.” She reached for Sara’s hand, her brow creased in worry.
“I know, Helene. I appreciate it. Just having you sitting here beside me helps.”
“I remember all those times in San Francisco when ye did the same fer me. On my saddest days ye could always make me smile. I’m nae as funny as ye, but I am determined to see ye smile.” Helene crossed her eyes and stuck out her tongue.
Sara couldn’t help but giggle. “Okay. Okay, you’ve succeeded in your mission. You can stop now.”
“I dinnae believe I can.” Her eyes remained crossed. “I think they may be stuck.”
Sara hopped out of her chair and hugged Helene. “I love you, lady.”
“And I, ye.” Helene returned the hug in equal measure. “Now, my husband awaits me. I must say good night.” She disentangled herself from Sara and kissed her cheek before heading off to bed.
“Oh, I almost forgot. I am expected at the castle early tomorrow morning to help put things to rights. You’ve had a long night so why don’t you sleep in a bit and I will be back around the noon hour. We can go explore the forest without ye getting lost.” Sara laughed at her friend and agreed.
Sara sat on the floor by the fire. Her mind wandered to Logan as it always did when she found herself alone. He was the perfect man for her. She loved that he wanted to help his friend, even at the expense of his own happiness. If she was successful in her quest tomorrow, she could relieve him of that burden. He would never characterize it that way. He was doing it out of a sense of honor and loyalty to a good friend. She had to admit she’d probably do the same if she were in his shoes.
Climbing the stairs to bed, she knew she needed a good night’s sleep, but worried it wouldn’t happen. Her mind was spinning with thoughts of Logan, Aisla and finding Rory Mackall.
She changed into her nightgown and went to the window where she gazed up at the moon. She thought about her Grandpa and what advice he may have had for her. She could almost hear his voice saying, “Follow your heart, Sara, because your heart never lies. It knows what’s right for you and will never lead you astray.”
“Oh, Grandpa, I miss you so much.” She wished more than anything that she could see him one more time and tell him she loved him.
The bed was turned down for her so all she had to do was climb in, curl up and fall asleep, but instead she thought about Zeke. It seemed everyone she wanted to talk to was unavailable to her, with the exception of Helene. She always talked things through with Zeke. He was a lot like her grandfather. He was steady, strong and very wise, despite his age. She knew he’d understand exactly how she felt and he’d probably have some great advice for her, if there was a way to speak with him. “Not much you can do about that,” she said to herself. “It will all work itself out. I have faith.”
* * *
Edna staredinto the fireplace in her office, unaware that Maggie had joined her. The flames were returning to normal after her visions of Sara at Breaghacraig cleared.