Page 42 of Awakened By Time

“Do ye believe she encouraged this match?” Dougall asked.

“I do. Da nearly said as much. She wants the castle to herself. With me gone she’s gotten what she was after.”

“But why Munro?” Dougall rubbed his chin, appearing thoughtful.

“She wanted to hurt me. I didnae do anything to her to make her hate me, but hate me she did.”

“I’m going to have a long talk with Da. He has nae right to displace his only daughter for the likes of Greer Matheson.”

“Dougall, ’tis fine. If ye and Helene dinnae mind, I’d like to live here with ye. I cannae go back there.”

Helene came to sit beside her. “Brenna, you are welcome here. Ye’ve nothing to fear here in our home. Consider it yours as well. Isnae that right, Dougall?”

“Aye. Of course, ’tis.” His face softened as he gazed at Brenna. “Yer me wee sister. Me home is yer home. I’ll nay let any harm come to ye.”

The anxiety Brenna had been feeling about her circumstance dissipated. Her brother wanted her here and Helene was very welcoming. Maybe everything would finally be settled for her. She’d found a place where she already felt accepted and wanted.

“If ye dinnae mind, I’m feeling a bit tired. I’d like to retire to me room for a rest.”

“We’ll see ye for the evening meal,” Helene said.

“I’m to meet with Robert at Breaghacraig. I’ll be back later,” Dougall said as he walked to the door. Helene followed him, kissing him goodbye and then went to the kitchen while Brenna went upstairs.

Brenna wonderedwhat Zeke was doing. She hadn’t seen him since last night at the castle and she found herself daydreaming about him and about his kisses. Flopping herself down on her bed, she closed her eyes and imagined Zeke as he’d been that last morning at Castle Treun. She imagined lips, both soft and demanding on hers. She recreated the scene so well in her mind’s eye that the same sensations she’d felt then tickled her insides. Her eyes popped open and she sat up. Brenna had to see him again. All this thinking and dreaming wouldnae do. She wanted real kisses and his strong hard body pressed against hers. Standing she walked to her window and opened the shutters to gaze out on the open fields that led to the cliffs by the sea. She breathed in the cool, salty air, clearing her head of the silly thoughts of romance she hadn’t been able to shake. Zeke didn’t want a wife. He’d told her as much. He’d only handfasted with her to save her from her life at Castle Treun. Closing the shutters, she went back to the bed. One thing she knew for certain, Zeke or no Zeke, she needed something to do here at Breaghacraig. She wasn’t one who enjoyed sitting around doing needlework. That would only lead her to think things she didn’t wish to think about. She was going to the castle with Helene the next morning and she made up her mind to see if they needed her help there.

* * *

Zeke went for a walk. There was probably another hour before the sun set. He walked in the direction of the ocean, alongside the battlements of Breaghacraig. He told Logan he needed some time alone to think and Logan told him his favorite spot for doing just that.

Nothing that had happened to him since coming to this time was what he had expected, or even wanted. Now, here he was finally at Breaghacraig. He found his sister and now knew deep in his heart that convincing her to go back home with him was a fool’s errand. That didn’t mean he’d give up. On the contrary, he had to be sure it was right to leave her here. As he approached the rocks leading down to the water, Brenna came to mind. He wondered how she was today. She must be happy to be here, away from Castle Treun and the craziness of that place. If he knew one thing, it was that Helene would take good care of her. He needn’t worry about her when he left. She’d have a new family to love her. He sat atop a large boulder, enjoying the sweeping views of the coast and the water. This really was a beautiful place. It might actually rival his beloved San Francisco. He wished he could share San Francisco with Brenna, but he didn’t need the entanglement of a woman in his life. Especially one who would need him to guide her and teach her all about life in the future. No. It was better for Brenna to stay here. Besides, he had no intention of ever putting his heart on the line again. The pain he’d felt when Helene left was something he didn’t wish to ever experience again. It had nearly crippled him. If it hadn’t been for the studio, he wasn’t sure what would have happened to him. Still, he couldn’t help but remember their first morning together after the handfasting. He’d enjoyed the playful way they’d kissed and he smiled remembering how surprised he was to find she was so inexperienced with men. A warm feeling of happiness overcame him. He could probably count on one hand the times he’d actually been truly happy about anything besides the studio since Helene’s departure. One good thing about this trip to the past was that he discovered that he was no longer in love with Helene. He thought it would be difficult to see her, but in the end, after some momentary awkwardness, he felt comfortable with her. She was his friend and always would be, although he’d probably never see her again when he went back to San Francisco. Still, there had been a value in speaking with her and seeing her happiness. He realized his heart was no longer broken. Now, he had to decide if he’d ever be that vulnerable again.

As the sun finally set, Zeke made his way back to Sara’s home. There was little light to see by, but he now knew the way.

* * *

Walkingback the way he’d come, he passed Bethia’s little cottage and noted that the door was wide open. He stopped to see if she was alright.

“There ye are, lad. I saw ye walk by earlier and I was waiting fer ye to return.” Bethia appeared in the doorway.

“It’s cold out here. You shouldn’t have your door open,” Zeke observed.

“If ye think ’tis cold out there, ye should come inside. I need help starting me fire.” She turned and moved further into the cottage.

Zeke followed her and stood in the doorway. She was right. It was freezing inside. “Where do you keep your kindling?”

“’Tis all around the back.” She came back to the door and grabbed onto his hand for support, limping around to the back of her cottage.”

Zeke loaded his arms with kindling and firewood. “Bethia, hold my arm. I don’t want you to fall.”

She did as he said and they slowly made their way back to the front and through the door.

Zeke struggled to see. “Do you have any candles?” he asked.

“Aye, but I need the fire to light it.”

He went to work and with little trouble, got the fire started.

Bethia lit her candle and set it on the table. “Thank ye, lad.”