Page 79 of All In Good Time
Chapter 19
Flowers decorated nearlyevery surface in the great hall of Dunaill. It was Rory and Aisla’s wedding day and everything had been prepared for their special day. Sara joined the Mackall women in Aisla’s chamber to help her get dressed.
Her gown was beautiful. It was a dress that belonged to Lettie. She had insisted that Aisla have it and between all of them, they’d stitched it and redesigned it into a dress that Aisla wore with pride. They’d also found a lovely gown for Sara to wear. She’d only come to Dunaill with the dress she’d been wearing the day she left Breaghacraig. She had been able to borrow things from Kat over the last couple of weeks, thank goodness. Today she had a beautiful green dress to wear.
“Ye all look beautiful, especially ye, Aisla,” Lettie announced. “Ye’ve made Rory a verra happy man and I’m so happy to welcome ye into our family.”
Aisla smiled shyly at her new family. “Thank ye.” Sara could feel tears of joy forming as she looked at her friend surrounded by women who loved her.
“Now, shall we join the men in the great hall?”
Lettie led the way downstairs where the ceremony took place followed by a huge celebration that lasted far into the night, and continued on into the next day.
The next morning brought much excitement and activity as the MacKenzies prepared for the journey back to Breaghacraig. Provisions were gathered for the three-day trek, the horses were checked over from head to hoof and everyone stood around in the courtyard for one final visit with each other.
Sara watched Aisla and Rory, who were right in the midst of it all, stopping with each of their guests to thank them for coming and to wish them a safe journey home.
It seems that they saved Sara and Logan for last and as they approached, Aisla’s emotions got the better of her. Without speaking, she hugged both Sara and Logan.
“Sara, thank ye again fer all that ye’ve done,” Rory said. “And ye as well, Logan. We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again, without ye none of this would have been possible. We’ll tell the tale to our children and grandchildren, ye can be sure of it.”
“It’s been a pleasure getting to know you,” Sara said. “I hope we’ll see you again soon.”
“I ken ye will,” he said. “Yer always welcome here.”
“Take good care of my dear friend,” Logan said. “Aisla, ’til we meet again, I wish ye much happiness,” he said as he took her hand and kissed it.
“Thank ye, Logan. We’ll send word when the babe arrives,” Aisla said. “Have a safe journey home.” Sara watched as they walked away to stand with the others.
“Where’s Hamish?” she asked. “I haven’t seen him.”
“He’s just arrived. Hamish!” Logan called.
He was already astride his horse and ready to go. He rode up to them. “I’ve had a good visit with me cousin, but ’tis time to go home.”
“Aye. Yer right. Shall we?” Logan said. He gave Sara a leg up onto her horse and then mounted his own. They all waved goodbye to the Mackalls and were on their way. The group was much larger today and so a festive mood surrounded them as they began day one of their trek back to Breaghacraig.
Robert and Irene led the way and were followed by Hamish, who rode with Edna and Dr. Ferguson. Helene, Dougall, Sara and Logan took up the rear and rode four abreast on this wide section of road.
Each group chatted amongst themselves. The conversation being had by Hamish and Edna drifted back to Sara, who exchanged glances with a smiling Helene. Dougall and Logan were chuckling at what they were hearing
“Edna, do ye think I could travel to the future?” Hamish was asking.
“Why would ye want to, Hamish?”
“To see all the wondrous things ye speak of. I could go back with ye.”
“Let’s not get ahead of ourselves now,” Edna said.
“Will ye at least think on it?”
“I will,” Edna answered with warmth in her voice.
“Tell me more about yer time,” Hamish said, obviously enamored with Edna’s tales of the future.
They rodeall day until darkness began to set in and then made camp along the road they travelled. Sitting around the campfire, they laughed and exchanged stories. Sara got to know a bit more about everyone there that night and, as she’d always suspected, they were an interesting group. There was much talk of time travel. Hamish was not happy to find that he was the only person in the group who had never been to the future, causing him to start again his campaign to convince Edna to take him with her when she went back to Glendaloch.
“’Tis nae as simple as that,” an obviously exasperated Edna said to Hamish. “I must go back and think on it.”