Page 72 of Awakened By Time

“Yer jumping around as if a spider’s crawled up yer skirt.”

“I ken it. I’m sorry. I dinnae mean to disturb ye.”

“Dougall and Zeke will be home soon. I could use yer help to make the evening meal so it’s ready when they arrive.”

“Aye. What can I do to help?”

“Can ye go to the root cellar and get me some wine to serve with dinner?” Helene continued chopping herbs and mixing them into the dough she’d prepared.

Brenna froze. She was afraid to go to the root cellar alone. It was dark now and it was always possible that Laird Munro had snuck back and was waiting for her out there.

“What’s wrong, Brenna? Ye’ve gone pale on me. Do ye nae feel well?” Helene stopped what she was doing and rushed to Brenna’s side. “Och, me. I’m so sorry. I didnae think about yer ordeal of yesterday. Come, let’s go together.”

Helene took a torch to light the way and Brenna held her sgian-dubh tightly in her hand as they slowly made their way to the cellar. Every little sound caught Brenna’s attention. Her heart was racing in her chest. Once they’d made it to the cellar, Helene grabbed the wine and hurried Brenna back to the house. As they came through the door, Brenna shrieked in fright and clutched her chest, startled to find Dougall and Zeke standing there waiting for them.

Zeke was immediately at her side holding her close. “Oh, sweetie, it’s alright. It’s just us. I’m so sorry we frightened you.”

“She was nervous to go out back after what took place yesterday,” Helene explained.

Brenna held tightly to Zeke. “I thought ye were Laird Munro.”

“Munro! I’m a lot better looking than that old geezer,” he laughed hoping that it would help Brenna to stop shaking.

Brenna clung to him, took a deep breath, then looked into his eyes. He held her close so she would feel his strength. He couldn’t stand the thought of her being scared. It was only a moment until she shared a small smile with him then laughed, as did Helene and Dougall.

“Forgive me. I dinnae ken how I could have mistaken either of ye fer that terrible man,” Brenna said.

“No need to apologize, or to ever worry about him again,” Dougall said.

He and Zeke exchanged glances and Brenna wondered what secret they shared. “Ye didnae kill him, did ye?”

“Nae, of course we didnae,” Dougall said.

“Dougall, would ye take the wine. Let’s sit by the fire before we eat,” Helene suggested.

Dougall took the wine jug from her. Brenna observed her brother and Helene as she had been since her arrival. She could see how much in love they were. If she needed to know what love was, then this was the best example she’d seen. He was so attentive and sweet with her, but he also showed great respect for her, listening to her opinions and taking her advice.

Once they were seated around the hearth, Dougall filled their goblets with wine.

“Slainté,” Dougall toasted, raising his wine. They all followed suit.

Brenna snuck a peek at Zeke as he sipped his wine. She didn’t have to try too hard to imagine what a life with him would be like. Of course, there would be things she didn’t understand about his time, but he would be Zeke no matter where they were. Conversation continued on around her as she daydreamed. The more she thought about it, the more it appealed to her. They would speak later. She would tell him she wanted to go to San Francisco. Lost in her own thoughts, she worried her lower lip.

“Is everything alright, Brenna?” Zeke gently touched her lips with his thumb. “You seem to be somewhere else.”

“All is well,” she replied, a warm, sweet smile lighting her face. “I was only thinking.”

“Brenna, would ye mind helping me in the kitchen? Zeke, Dougall please sit at the table. We’ll serve the meal now,” Helene said.

As they placed the food on two separate trays, Helene seemed to be paying close attention to Brenna.

“I wish to go to San Francisco with Zeke,” Brenna blurted out. “Do ye think he’ll take me with him?”

Helene didn’t appear surprised by this statement. “So that’s what ye were thinking of in there.”

“Aye.”

“Do ye love him?” Helene asked.