Page 40 of Awakened By Time

Chapter 14

The menof Breaghacraig were on the practice field bright and early the next morning and Zeke was joining them.

“The last time I saw you,” Dougall said, “you left me with this.” He pointed to a small scar on his cheek.

“Sorry about that,” Zeke said. “You did challenge me to a fight.”

“I did. It was foolish of me to underestimate your abilities. I’d like a chance to redeem myself,” Dougall grinned at him. “Dinnae fear. I’ll nay draw blood.”

“Alright,” Zeke agreed.

The others had all paired off, spreading themselves over the entire practice space. There was room enough for Zeke and Dougall to spar. The earsplitting sound of metal clanging on metal brought to mind thoughts of what a real battle must be like. Dougall and Zeke were perfectly matched, each one winning the same number of bouts as the other.

When their last bout was finished, Dougall clapped Zeke on the back. “Well done, sir.”

“Sir?”

“Aye. I hear yer now the Laird of San Francisco,” Dougall chuckled.

“I had to tell your father something and that seemed to be what he wanted to hear.”

“Me Da is always impressed with people of stature,” Dougall acknowledged. “I’ve a question fer ye. What are yer intentions towards me sister. Ye’ve handfasted, aye?”

“We have, but that was a decision we made to get her away from Laird Munro. Paddraig was happy to go along with it. He had no idea that we were only doing it for show.”

“What do ye mean, for show?” Dougall asked.

“We’re not really married. It’s not what either of us wanted. The goal was to get her back here to you and then I’d be leaving for San Francisco as soon as I could convince Sara to go back with me.”

“Ye ken Sara’s married and happy here,” Dougall said, repeating the same thing he’d heard from both Logan and Sara.

“I know. I’m hoping Logan will come back with us.”

“He’s nay likely to be separated from her,” Dougall said, wiping the sweat from his brow. “Now, back to me sister. I’m nae so sure Brenna feels the same as ye about things.”

“What do you mean?” Zeke asked.

“I think she has feelings fer ye,” Dougall replied.

“She’s never said anything about it. I’ve told her my intentions right from the start, besides she’s made it clear to me many times that she doesn’t care for me.” He hadn’t really believed her, but until now he’d had no proof.

“She’s nae experience with men. Me Da kept her sheltered at the castle and refused to allow men to offer for her hand. She was useful to him until he married Greer.”

“I didn’t know. I promise I’ll be careful with her. I don’t imagine I’ll be seeing much of her now that she’s living with you, anyway.”

“I dinnae doubt ye’ll see her here. ’Tis nae like San Francisco. Dinnae break her heart, or I’ll be forced to break ye.” Dougall did his best to try to look menacing.

“Message received,” Zeke said. “Are you and I going to be friends, or has our past dictated that we can’t be?”

“I believe we can be friends. I dinnae hold anything against ye. Things worked out for the best with Helene and I believe she needed her experience in San Francisco, as did I.”

“I’m happy to hear it.”

A winded Logan joined them. “Shall we go back to the cottage. I’m hungry.”

“When are ye nae hungry?” Dougall chuckled.

“Yer lucky I am or I’d challenge ye to fight,” Logan cocked an eyebrow in an attempt to appear fierce. He then turned to Zeke. “Sara is making a delicious meal fer us.”