Page 54 of All In Good Time

Kat’s face brightened. “She could come and live here with us. Rory’s bairn will be family and so will she.”

“That’s really kind of you. She’d still face criticism though, wouldn’t she?” Sara could not allow the small glimmer of hope to grow. There were too many variables, too many ways everything could go wrong.

“Nae. The doings of the Mackall Clan arenae something that those who are extended members of the clan are privy too. Nick’s mother and sisters would welcome a bairn to spoil.”

“Are they here? I haven’t seen them.”

“Nae. They’ve gone to Edinburgh to visit cousins along with Nick’s brothers Duncan, Aidan and Lockie.”

“Do they know about Rory?” Sara couldn’t imagine they would leave with him in this condition.

Kat appeared worried. “He was well enough when they left. We’ve sent word for them to return. I can only hope they’ll be back in time.”

“You don’t sound hopeful that he’ll make it.”

“He went downhill quickly.” Kat’s voice was soft as she looked towards the stairs that led to Rory’s room. It was clear that she cared for her brother-in-law and watching him suffer was taking a toll. “I have hope, but I’m also a realist. Rory is a good man. ’Twill hurt the family to lose him.”

“Don’t say that. He’s going to make it.” He has to make it.

“If your determination alone could make it so, Sara, then he’d be up walking tomorrow morning.” Kat leaned over putting an arm around Sara and touching her head to head. “Yer a good woman.”

Sara didn’t feel like a good woman. Originally the reason she was here was a selfish one and she couldn’t help wishing that Rory would recover quickly so that she could have Logan all to herself. She was happy to have Kat to bear her soul to. She’d been unsure at first, but she found that Kat was very intuitive and understood the situation perfectly. She didn’t judge Sara or Logan.

“So, tell me, if Edna didn’t send you to this time, how did you get here?”

“’Tis a long tale. I was born in this time, but in order to save me from some evil that was occurring at the time, the elves sent me to the future. I was but a babe at the time. I grew up there believing I was an orphan.”

“Wow! Did you say elves?”

“I did and they do exist, as do faeries.” Kat’s eyes sparkled as she spoke of the creatures. “I grew up fascinated by history, which makes a lot of sense, now. I became an archeologist and was working on a project at Sinclair castle when I found a large emerald. I’d no sooner put it in my hand than I found myself back in this time.”

“How did you meet Nick?”

“He saved me from some verra bad men. I had no idea at the time that I actually belonged here. I found that I have a brother and I was born at the very Sinclair Castle that I was working at as an archeologist. Nick and I fell in love and married. I’ve been here at Dunaill ever since.”

“So, there’s more than one way to time travel,” Sara mused.

“Aye. I believe there are many ways.”

“At least two that we know of,” Sara said. Maggie had been right when she’d told her to keep an open mind.

* * *

Logan was havinga similar conversation with Nick as they made the rounds of the castle.

“Rory will much appreciate what yer doing fer him, but what of ye and Sara?”

“Sara kens the way of it. She has a kind heart and only wishes the best for Aisla and the bairn. She wished to find Rory and she has. ’Tis nae how she hoped it would be, but she can still go back home and have a good life.”

“Without ye?” Nick seemed astounded that Logan would be alright with that.

“Aye. ’Tis the way it must be. I’ve pledged meself to Aisla. We’d have been married by now if it wasnae for Sara.”

“Well, ’tis good that she’s here then. I’m to be an uncle and me mother a grandmother. Now we ken it and we can help Aisla. The little one shall be a Mackall. If the unthinkable happens, Logan, ye must come and live here with us. I can always use a good man like yerself by me side.”

“’Tis kind of ye. Aisla may nae wish to leave her Da behind. She’s his only child.”

“He’s welcome to join ye,” Nick clapped Logan on the back.

“I’ve much to think on, but first we must see if Rory will battle his way back to good health.”

“He’s so many here wishing him well and praying for his recovery, how could it not be so.” Nick was obviously an optimist and Logan appreciated that.

Until this point, he would have said he was as well, but the thought of losing Sara had done a lot to take that optimism away. He made up his mind to do as Nick was doing and look for the positive in this situation.

It was a lot less painful than the alternative.