Page 45 of Awakened By Time
Chapter 15
Brenna spentthe morning with Helene as she busied herself around the castle. She was excited to meet Ashley and Jenna, as they hadn’t joined them for dinner the other night.
“Helene,” Cailin said, as he rushed her way with a sweet little one in his arms. “Would ye mind taking Emma? I’m off to the practice field.”
Helene held out her arms and Emma did the same. “Come here me sweet,” she cooed. “Is Ashley still abed?”
“She’s feeding wee Andrew. I’m sure she could use yer help getting dressed.” Helene took baby Emma from Cailin as the men headed out to the practice field.
“Do ye think Zeke will join them,” Brenna asked, trying not to appear to interested.
“I’m sure he will. If ye’d prefer to go watch them, I dinnae mind.”
“Nae. I’d much rather spend the morning with ye,” she lied.
Helene scrunched her nose and made a face at her. “Yer nae fooling me, lassie.”
“’Tis true. I wish to meet Ashley and Jenna.” She tickled little Emma under the chin.
“Would ye like to hold her?” Helene headed for the stairs with Brenna following behind.
“Mayhap I will later,” she said.
“Alright. Follow me.” They reached the first landing and headed down the passageway. As they approached Ashley’s chamber, they could hear the distinct sound of a newborn babe fussing. Helene knocked on the door.
“Come in,” Ashley called.
They entered the room and Helene handed baby Emma off to Brenna as she immediately began opening the shutters to let the light in.
“Thank you, Helene. I meant to have Cailin do that before he left, but I forgot. This little one has been demanding all of my attention.”
“Would ye like to get out of bed?” Helene asked.
“I would, but I could use some help.” Ashley smiled warmly at Brenna. “Who have we here?”
“This is Dougall’s sister, Brenna. She’s come to live with us.”
“How wonderful! I’m pleased to meet you, Brenna.”
“As I am ye,” Brenna said. Breaghacraig was so different from Castle Treun. She always felt isolated from the world back there. Everyone here seemed so welcoming. She couldn’t imagine Greer and Gillian behaving this way. They were always off in a corner devising some new way to embarrass her.
Little Emma wanted her mother. She held out her arms to Ashley. “I’ll take her for a minute, Brenna. Would you mind taking Andrew?”
Brenna hesitated for a moment. He was so small and fragile looking, but she made the switch with Ashley. “She’s very sweet,” she said, smiling warmly at Emma.
“She’s been a very good natured lass from the very beginning.” Ashley beamed proudly. “And she loves her new baby brother. Don’t you?” She kissed Emma’s chubby little cheeks.
“When was yer son born?” she asked.
“It’s been a little over a week now. I thought I was tired after Emma was born, but that’s nothing compared to how I feel this time around. It seems Andrew is always hungry and in need of my attention but I don’t want to ignore Emma.” She hugged her daughter close as she spoke. “Combine that with sleepless nights and… all I can say is thank goodness for Helene. She’s a lifesaver.”
“’Tis nothing,” Helene answered as she picked up around the chamber. “Let me know when yer ready to get up and I’ll take Emma.”
Andrew began to fuss a little and Brenna looked frantically to Helene. “He’ll be fine.”
“He’s just eaten,” Ashley added.
Helene helped her adjust Andrew and showed her how to burp him. Brenna followed instructions and smiled when her efforts worked.