Page 35 of All In Good Time
“Auntie,” Maggie said. “Are ye alright?”
Edna shook the last of her trance off. “Aye. I am, love.” She gazed at Maggie who had moved to sit with her on the floor. “Did ye see anything in the fire, Maggie?”
“Nae. What were ye seeing?” Maggie asked.
“I was checking in on Sara and Logan.” Edna stretched to alleviate her achy muscles.
“I thought you said you couldn’t interfere,” Maggie said.
“I cannae, but that doesnae mean I dinnae care.” Edna leaned her head on Maggie’s shoulder.
“I’m sorry, Auntie, I didnae mean it that way.”
“Sara and Logan are a puzzle that must be solved by they themselves. She seemed quite sad just now. Missing her brother and her grandfather and needing their sage advice.”
“Ye ken who else could give her some good advice, dinnae ye?” Maggie stood and went to the cabinet where Edna and Angus kept their whisky. She poured some for the two of them and brought Edna a glass. “Can ye nae speak with her through the fire?”
“I could, but ’tis not up to me to solve her problems. She will learn a great deal about herself from this ordeal.”
“I see. So, you can manipulate without manipulating. Is that what yer saying?”
Edna laughed. “Maggie, I love ye.” She sipped her whisky. “I guess I can. I’m thinking though that there may be another way I can be of service without directly helping Sara and Logan.”
Maggie waited for Edna to tell her what that might be, but as was often the case, Edna remained lost in her own thoughts.
“Auntie…”
“Yes, Maggie?”
“Are ye going to share with me?”
“Not this time.” Edna smiled as her niece rolled her eyes. “I will eventually, but fer now I’m going to keep this one close to my heart. I’ve got some thinking to do.”
“Okay. I can accept that.”
“Have ye looked in on them yerself? I ken you would like to.” Edna continued to sip her drink.
“I have,” she was embarrassed to admit. “I want to reach right through the fire and shake the both of them. They’re being so silly. There is a solution to their problem, but it will take action on both their parts.” Maggie shook her balled up fists in the air, then sighed and dropped her hands to her lap.
Edna laughed at her frustration. “Ye’ll be happy to hear that Sara is about to do exactly as ye wish. How it will turn out, I dinnae ken, but like ye I’m happy to see her taking the bull by the horns.”
“Let’s hope she doesnae get gored in the process,” Maggie worried.
“I have faith in her, but we’ll see.”
“What are ye two up to now?” Angus stood in the doorway, eyeing them both.
“Angus, love,” Edna beckoned him over.
“How’s Sara doing? I ken ye’ve been checking on her.” Angus moved closer to the women.
“Not as well as I would like, but she has an opportunity to move things in the right direction.”
“Well, I’m about to move things in the right direction, meself. I’m off to bed. Ye need yer rest, Edna. Ye cannae expect to solve the problems of the world without a good night’s sleep.” He reached down a hand to help her stand, then pulled her close.
Maggie laughed. “You too are so cute together.”
“I’ve never been cute a day in me life,” Angus protested.