Page 13 of Awakened By Time
“I’m afraid not. If she isnae here in the castle, chances of me knowing about her arenae good, lad.”
“She’s here with a man. His name’s Logan MacPhail.”
Zeke watched closely as Paddraig made an attempt to seem as if he was thinking. “Nae. Nae. The name doesnae ring a bell.”
Zeke didn’t believe him. He could spot a lie a mile away, but he didn’t say anything. If Sara was here, he’d find her. In the meantime, he’d answer Paddraig MacRae’s questions with answers that would surely impress him.
“Where do ye come to us from, Zeke?” Paddraig asked.
“San Francisco. Have you heard of it?”
Paddraig scrunched his eyebrows and shook his head. “I havenae. Where exactly is it?”
“Far away from here. It would be too difficult to explain, but it’s quite beautiful.”
“And ye’ve traveled here on yer own to find yer sister?” Paddraig seemed impressed with this.
“I have an army of men at my disposal, but I preferred to locate her on my own.” Zeke wasn’t lying. He did have an army of sorts. Of course, they were all his students at the studio. He smiled. So far he was having fun with this.
Paddraig was warming up to him even more. “A fine man such as yerself, must surely be the laird of this San Francisco. Am I correct?”
Zeke laughed out loud at this pronouncement, but then thought,Why not play along?“Yes. I am the Laird of San Francisco. You’ve a keen eye, Paddraig.”
“As I said, yer a fine man with a sword and ye have that certain look about ye that says ye are a man of quality. Ye carry yerself as a man of means. Tell me more about San Francisco. Mayhap someday I will visit there.”
“We’d be happy to have you join us.” Zeke said. He failed to mention there would be time travel involved. “I believe you’d be very impressed with our castle and our people.”
Paddraig threw back his whisky and poured himself more. He held the decanter up to Zeke, who shook his head at the offer.
“Continue. I’m fascinated,” Paddraig said. “Is yer castle larger than Castle Treun?”
“Castle Treun?” Zeke asked, puzzled by this.
“Aye. Me castle. Castle Treun.” Paddraig repeated.
Zeke thought this was Breaghacraig, but he didn’t say anything. He’d had a sneaking suspicion that Olwydd wasn’t headed in the right direction. What was Edna up to? “Yes. It’s a vast castle. You could fit two, or perhaps three of Castle Treun easily into San Francisco.”
Paddraig seemed suitably impressed. “Ye must have a large clan then.”
“I do. Thousands of people.”
“I knew when I first laid eyes on ye that ye must be a verra important man.” Paddraig was smiling gleefully at him now. “Are ye a married man?”
“No. I’ve no time for that. I keep very busy. It’s a lot of work being laird, as I’m sure you well know.”
“Aye. ’Tis why I have a wife. She does all the hard work.” Paddraig winked.
Zeke chuckled at this.
“Ye need a wife, Zeke Barrett and I’d be happy to offer me daughter Brenna to ye. She’d serve ye well. She’s run me castle since she was a wee lass.”
“I thought she was to marry Laird Munro.” Zeke was shocked at how easily this man would offer his daughter to a complete stranger.
“Aye. But the marriage hasnae taken place yet. We’re still working out the details, ye ken. I think ye’d be better suited to me darling Brenna. Munro’s an old man.”
“I’m not in the market for a wife, as I’ve said. I’m here to find my sister and return home with her and her husband.”
“There’s a fine dowry that comes along with a lovely lass. Ye’ve seen her with yer own eyes. Granted she was a sight from running away, but wait until ye see her after she’s bathed. She’ll surely take yer breath away. I believe she’d make ye quite happy.”