Page 35 of Awakened By Time
“Will ye come and see me at Dougall’s home?”
“I don’t know.” He wasn’t sure he was ready to see Helene again. “I’m sure I’ll see you here around the castle.”
“Brenna! Zeke!” Dougall called to them as they returned. “Brenna yer coming home with me and Zeke yer going with Logan.” He presented his arm for Brenna to take and they walked away. Brenna peeked back over her shoulder and Zeke waved to her. There was an ache in the area around his heart as he watched her walk away. The sensation he was feeling was very much like the one he’d felt when he let Helene go, but he had loved Helene. He certainly didn’t love Brenna, but he couldn’t deny the fact that he’d miss her when he was gone.
“Are ye ready to see yer sister?” Logan asked, drawing his attention back to him.
“Let’s go!” Zeke said.
They left the castle grounds and headed down a well-traveled dirt road that led them to a small cottage. As they approached, Zeke was surprised to see Sara dressed in medieval garb and tending a garden, of all things.
“Sara!” he yelled.
Her head popped up and she peered down the road towards them.
“Zeke!” She dropped her trowel and ran to him with her skirts lifted.
“Careful, love,” Logan said, watching her careening their way.
Zeke couldn’t help but laugh as he watched her barreling towards him. Just as she reached them, she tripped and fell into his arms. He crushed her to him.
“Oh my gosh! I’ve missed you so much,” she said.
“I’ve missed you, too.” Zeke said, placing her at arm’s length to get a better look at her. He had to admit she looked amazing. It was a great relief to see her in the flesh. He should have known she was fine. If she hadn’t been, Edna would never have sent him on to Castle Treun. Still, he felt like a great weight had been lifted from his shoulders.
Sara began to cry and Zeke pulled her close again, one arm around her back and the other cradling her head close to his chest. “Don’t cry. Please don’t cry.”
“I’m so sorry I lied to you,” she said. “I didn’t want to, but I knew you’d probably talk me out of coming here.”
“I would have and now that I’m here, I’m going to talk you into coming home with me.”
Sara and Logan exchanged looks. Zeke got the impression a whole conversation happened in that look. He looked between them and saw two people united. It was strange to see Sara like this, as part of a couple. She had dated other guys, of course, but there was something very different about the way she looked at Logan and he knew that things would never be the same again. Sara nodded at Logan and then looked back at Zeke. “I’m so happy here. Why don’t you stay? It would be so great to have my big brother here with me. You’d love it. You’d be witnessing history first hand.”
The thought appealed to him. He had enjoyed sparring with the warriors at Castle Treun. If he stayed, he could be with Brenna. That thought eased the ache that had been in his heart since she walked away, but he just couldn’t picture himself living the rest of his life here. “I can’t. I have the studio to run and I love what I do, you know that.”
“Arenae ye planning to take Brenna back with ye?” Logan asked.
An uncomfortable feeling came over Zeke. He couldn’t possibly stay here with Brenna, but bringing her back to San Francisco was out of the question.
“Brenna? Whose she?” Sara’s excitement at seeing Zeke had yet to wear off. “Come in and tell me all about her.” She took Zeke by the arm and led him to her front door. He glanced over his shoulder to see Logan seeming quite amused. “Logan, are you coming?”
“Aye, love. I’m right here.”
They entered the main living space of the tiny cottage and Zeke had to say he was quite impressed with how functional it was. A cozy little hearth was blazing away, warming the interior perfectly. There was a table with chairs for dining and an area that served as a kitchen with storage for their things and a rope was strung across the room where herbs were hung to dry.
“What do you think?” Sara asked.
“It looks like you,” Zeke smiled. “And before you ask, that’s a good thing.”
“I knew you’d love it,” she gushed. “I’ve even got a room for you, big brother.” She dragged him through a doorway and into a small bedroom that would be more than adequate for his needs.
“I’m sure I’ll be very comfortable here.” He glanced around at the small bed and hoped he’d fit. There was a chest for his things, which he placed beside it. He didn’t have much, so it was perfect.
“Are you hungry? Can I get you some tea?” Sara asked.
“Not right now. Let me look at you.” He placed his hands on her shoulders and gazed into the face of a woman who was overflowing with joy. She really was happy here. Getting her to leave may be harder than he’d imagined.
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