Page 80 of Awakened By Time

“Alright.” Zeke nodded.

“Ye can head back now. I’ll catch up with ye,” Hamish said to his men.

They all turned and rode off the way they’d come.

Zeke waited until they were far enough away not to hear or see what was about to happen. “You might want to move back, Hamish.”

They all dismounted. Zeke hated to leave Olwydd behind, but he couldn’t possibly take him. “Goodbye, my friend.” He petted the horse’s strong neck. Olwydd seemed to understand, because he leaned his large head into Zeke, almost knocking him off his feet. “I’ll see you again.”

Brenna’s eyes glistened with tears. Zeke understood that the thought of leaving Vala behind was difficult for her. She wrapped her arms around Vala’s neck, giving her one last hug. “I cannae take ye with me, Vala, me sweet, but ye havenae seen the last of me.” She stroked her soft nose one last time before handing the reins over to Hamish.

“We’ll take good care of them for ye. They’ll be waiting on yer return.” He then took the horses and stood in the distance to watch.

Brenna buried her face in Zeke’s chest. “I know it’s hard to leave her, but I promise you’ll see her again. I’ll make sure of it.”

She gazed up at him and he saw trust there. He never wanted to do anything to break that trust. He silently vowed he never would.

“Edna! We’re here!” he shouted.

As they waited, the sound of a cart approaching caused them to turn and look to the other side of the bridge. Zeke was surprised to see Wallace approaching them. “Wallace, I thought you only had to be here when someone arrived.”

“Aye. ‘Tis true,” he said, coming to a halt beside them.

“Do you also have to be here when we leave?” Zeke asked.

“Nae. ‘Tis not ye I’m here for. Edna has another traveler arriving.”

“It’s like a revolving door around here,” Zeke chuckled.

Wallace looked confused by this.

“My sister, Sara, told me you met her when she arrived.”

“Aye. Sara. A lovely lass. How is she?”

“She’s doing well.”

“Did she ever find her man?”

“She did. They’re married now.”

“Good. I see ye’ve found yer love as well,” Wallace observed.

“I have and I couldn’t be happier,” Zeke replied. “This is Brenna.”

“I’m pleased to meet ye lass. Yer off to the future, I see. Good luck to ye.”

“We’ll be back for a visit and I expect we’ll see you when we arrive.”

“I expect ye will.” Wallace moved off from the bridge and Zeke guessed he knew exactly where to wait so he wasn’t caught up in the fog.

As soon as Wallace was in position, the fog arrived, swirling around them until all they could see was fog and sparking lights.

Zeke held Brenna close. She clung so tightly to him that he could feel her trembling. “I’ve got you,” he reassured her. He closed his eyes and held her close. When he finally opened them, they were on the Marina Green.

The fog was gone and a woman passing by with her dog, stared at them. “Nice costumes,” she said and then moved along on her way.

Brenna still had her head tucked into Zeke’s chest.