Page 37 of Awakened By Time

Brenna wondered again about where Zeke lived. If Dougall and Helene didnae wish to stay there, then mayhap Zeke would want to stay here as well. As they approached Dougall’s home, Brenna was taken aback by it’s beauty. It was a grand home. It wasnae a castle, but still it was more than she’d expected. Her brother must be quite important here at Breaghacraig to have such a fine home. As they reached the front door Dougall opened it, allowing Brenna to pass through. “Ye can ask Helene about the future if ye have more questions. She spent more time there than I.”

Before he closed the door, Brenna took one last look at the land surrounding her brother’s home. A low wall surrounded a beautiful garden filled with shrubs and greenery. She could hear the sound of the waves crashing on the rocks nearby and smell the salty sea air as it wafted her way on the breeze. She was proud and happy for Dougall. This was his home and it was to be her home as well. No longer would she have to deal with her Da’s drinking, or the terrible Greer. She would find peace here in this home. She could feel it.

“Yer home is beautiful, Dougall,” Brenna exclaimed.

“Dougall, is that ye that I hear,” called Helene from upstairs.

“Aye. Helene, I’ve a surprise fer ye.”

“I love surprises. I’ll be right there.”

Helene rounded the corner at the bottom of the stairs and put her hands to her mouth.

“Good day to ye, Helene,” Brenna said.

“Brenna!” Helene was obviously shocked to see her.

“Aye. ’Tis me.”

“Have ye come to stay with us?”

“I have. I hope ye dinnae mind.”

Helene came to her and embraced her. “I dinnae mind at all. I’m so happy to see ye.”

Relief swept over Brenna as she realized she had nothing to fear from Helene. She accepted her. “Helene, I wanted to tell ye that I’m so sorry fer everything that happened to ye at Castle Treun. I hope ye can fergive me fer me part in it.”

“There’s nothing to forgive. As terrible as it was at the time, I learned a lot from it and I believe it made me stronger and it brought Dougall and I closer together.”

“Truly? Yer nae angry with me?”

“Och. Nae. Yer Dougall’s sister and that makes ye me sister, too. Ye ken I’ve never had one.” Helene said.

Brenna relaxed. She’d never had a sister either. Well, she’d had Fingall’s wife, Gillian, for the last few months and that had been a disaster. She was happy to know Helene was nothing like her.

“Dougall, show Brenna to her room. We’ll be eating at the castle this evening, so I’ll be on me way to help Irene. Ashley’s busy with the new bairn and Jenna’s not up to the task either.”

“Helene, I need to tell ye something before ye go,” Dougall said.

“I dinnae have the time right now, Dougall. Ye can tell me when we sit down to eat. Brenna, Dougall can show ye where I keep me gowns. Help yerself to whatever ye like.” She rushed out the door leaving Dougall and Brenna staring after her.