Page 76 of All In Good Time
Edna patted the seat next to her and indicated that Sara should sit with her. Aisla sat beside Lettie. They were both served some tea and Sara recognized it as Aisla’s special blend. She glanced over the rim of her cup at her friend.
“I brought it with me when I left home,” Aisla explained.
“I’m so verra happy that ye did. ‘Tis delicious.” Lettie said and then as proud as any mother can be, “She’s a verra good gardener, ye ken and she used a special herb blend to make this tea.”
Aisla smiled shyly and looked down at her tea.
“I’m hoping ye’ll help tend my garden, Aisla. We’ll grow whatever ye need or want.”
“Yer garden is lovely, Lettie. I believe ye’ve already got everything I could ever need or want. I’d be happy to tend to it.” It was easy to read the excitement in her eyes.
The conversation switched to talk of the wedding and all the preparations being made for the big day.
“Merry and Isla are helping with yer dress, Aisla. I believe they’ll need ye to try it on this afternoon. They’ll put the finishing touches on it once ye approve.”
“Will ye join me?” Aisla asked Sara.
“Of course, it will be fun. I can’t wait to see you in it.”
“The ladies are quite like our modern-day recyclers, Sara,” Edna explained. “They’re taking bits and pieces of gowns they already have and making them into a beautiful new dress for Aisla. I’ve been lucky enough to take a peek. Ye’ll love it, Aisla.”
“I’m sure I will, especially because it’s being made for me by me new sisters,” Aisla smiled at them all, but it was easy to see she was getting tired.
“Are you feeling well, my dear?” Lettie asked.
“Aye.” Aisla nodded.
“Ye should probably rest some. The wee bairn ye carry will tire ye easily. I remember when I was with child all those many years ago. I never seemed to get enough sleep. It got harder and harder the more bairns I had,” Lettie laughed. “You should go up to yer room and nap fer a while. We’ll send fer ye when the dress is ready.”
Sara and Edna agreed with Lettie and they sent Aisla off upstairs without argument.
“She’s a verra special young lass,” Lettie said after she left. “Rory was lucky to find her.”
This must be what it’s like to have a mother who cares about you and loves you,she thought. “It’s a win, win situation,” Sara said without thinking.
“I dinnae ken yer meaning,” Lettie said.
“She only means that it has worked out well for all of you, including Aisla,” Edna explained.
“Och, of course. Katriona says strange things all the time. I’m getting used to it, but I still need help understanding her sometimes.”
They all laughed and continued enjoying Aisla’s tea blend and talking. Sara watched the servants scurrying around the castle, making preparations for Aisla’s wedding and the dress her new sisters were making. Who did Sara have to talk with about flowers and hairstyles? There had been times in her life when she wished for her mom, well, nothermom exactly. But a mom like they had in the movies that would fuss over her. For someone whose dreams of finding love were coming true, Sara felt oddly alone.
* * *
Sara excusedherself from the ladies and walked out to the herb garden to sit on a bench and be alone with her thoughts. The scent of lemon verbena, thyme and rosemary soothed her anxiety over an unknown future. She picked some and crushed them in her hands to further enjoy their fragrance, and as she did, a sweet little squirrel appeared at her feet, gazing up at her with a tipped head and an inquisitive eye.
“Well, hello there,” she said. Sara was afraid she’d scare the little critter away, but much to her surprise, it hopped up on the bench next to her. She slowly and cautiously held out the hand with the herbs in it and watched in delight as the squirrel gently took some from her hand and happily munched away. Sara had secretly always wished she could have a squirrel as a pet, so having this small creature befriend her might just be the best part of her day. “Do you like that?” she asked, not expecting an answer. The squirrel continued taking the herbs from her hand until they were all gone and then instead of leaving it stayed there with her while it groomed itself. Sara continued her one-sided conversation with the squirrel, talking about her relationship with Logan and the decisions she’d be making soon. Saying it out loud seemed to be helping her work through things. Now she needed to have this same conversation with Logan.
As if on cue, he appeared in the garden. “Sara, there ye be. I hoped ye hadn’t wandered off and gotten lost,” he teased.
The squirrel stayed right next to her and eyed Logan as he approached.
“What have we here? Have ye made a new friend?” he stopped a few paces away, not wishing to scare the squirrel.
“Isn’t he cute?” she asked.
“He is. I thought you were with Aisla, not making new friends,” he spoke softly as he moved a few paces closer, keeping a close eye on the squirrel’s reaction.