Page 5 of Wendy Meets the Highlander Hamish (Scottish Highlander I Never Knew #5)

“Generally, anyone who comes here from the Campbells. And if you go outside of the Fort, travel to one of the other towns, or even into Ballygrant, just stick with the idea that we’re all from England.”

“I can do that. So where are we going?” Wendy asked as Jen led her up the stone stairs.

“First, I’m taking you to see Bridie, she’s our seamstress. She’ll have something for you to wear immediately, but she’ll also make you a new wardrobe.”

“How am I supposed to pay for it? I didn’t exactly come here with seventeenth century money. Heck, I don’t even have any twenty-first century money on me.”

Jen shook her head. “You’re now family, so there’s no cost. From now on, consider Fort Donald your home.

What we have is now yours as well. We’re pretty communal here.

We grow our own food, we’ve got a staff that takes care of the day to day stuff, they’re all members of the Donald Clan as well, and we all chip in where we’re needed, or wherever our skillset lies.

You’re free to do what you’d like for the most part. ”

“You said you teach the guards martial arts?”

“Yep. But I also help out Mira in the kitchen sometimes, and Bridie is teaching me to embroider, but I’m not very good at it.” She laughed.

“What about the others? You said there were three others like us?”

“Yes, Mae, Catherine, and Annabelle. I came here first, Mae was second, she’s a therapist, so if you need to talk about this, if you get overwhelmed, she’s your girl.

Catherine was next, and she was a scholar, still is honestly.

You can often find her in the library or traveling with her husband, Eamon. ”

“Wait, she’s married too?” Wendy’s eyes grew wide.

“Yes, all of us are now. Annabelle married Cam’s brother Jamie just before winter set in last year. And Mae is married to Niall, he’s a guardsman, but he also plays a mean fiddle.” Jen smiled.

Wendy couldn’t wrap her head around the fact that a four of the women who’d arrived previous to her had gotten married. But then, thinking about Hamish… if their husbands were as handsome as him, she could understand it. Cam certainly was, she thought. “How long have you been here?” she asked.

“About two years now.”

Jen led her into a room where there was fabric in rolls stacked on tables, and a group of women sat at others sewing.

There was also a man in there working on what looked like a kilt.

She introduced them all to Wendy and then Bridie measured her and found her several items of clothing to take with her.

“Thank you so much, Bridie,” Wendy said, her arms now full.

“My pleasure, lass. I’ll have more to you soon.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll help you figure out the dress tomorrow. The nightgown should be simple enough, and I promise you’ll get used to the undergarments,” Jen said with a grin as they walked out the door.

“I hope so.” Wendy laughed.

Jen led Wendy through the labyrinthine corridors of Fort Donald once again until they reached a bedchamber door. “This is the room we’ve all stayed in when we first arrived. We’ve all decided it was good luck for us, so we’re putting you here.” She opened the door.

Wendy glanced inside and thought the room was cozy and charming.

A window framed a view of the bustling courtyard below, where everyone went about their daily tasks.

An inviting hearth nestled in the stone wall, was crackling with a fire that put out warmth and comfort.

A sturdy table and chairs stood to one side, where the flickering glow of a candle in a lantern provided soft illumination.

The centerpiece of the room was a comfortable and inviting bed, neatly made with fine linens and plump pillows.

There was also a wardrobe where she could hang her new clothes and a stand that held a bowl and pitcher, and a pot stood at the bottom.

"Thanks, Jen," she said, her voice carrying genuine appreciation. "This bedroom is lovely, and I can hardly believe I'm here in this ancient castle."

Jen smiled. “You’re welcome. I know how overwhelming it all is, so take your time getting used to things here.”

Wendy set down her bundles on the bed. “You’re not lying. I think I’m still a bit in shock. I mean it’s a lot to take in.”

“Just know you’ve got friends here. We’ll help you.”

Wendy’s stomach rumbled and she was just about to ask about food when there was a knock on the door. “Who’s that?” she wondered.

Jen walked over and opened it. Wendy moved to see three other women all looking excited. “Come in you three, and meet Wendy. I know you’re dying to meet her.” Jen turned back to Wendy. “Wendy, meet, Mae, Catherine and Annabelle.” She gestured to each of them.

Mae who was a petite raven-headed woman was the first to greet her. “Hi Wendy, we’re so glad you’re here. If you ever feel like this is all too much, you can come and talk to me. I’m happy to help you work through it.”

Wendy grinned. “Jen said you were a therapist of some sort?”

“Yep, well, I never actually got to be one back home. Ended up here before I could start my practice, but I did get my degree.” She smiled.

“And you’re married to…” Wendy closed her eyes and thought back over what Jen had told her, “Niall? The mean fiddle player.”

“That’s the one.” Mae hugged her. “Welcome home.”

The next to come toward her was the one Jen had introduced as Annabelle. She had long dark hair that was braided and it fell over her shoulder almost to her waist. Her skin was a flawless olive tone, which reminded Wendy of her friend Rosalina who was from Puerto Rico.

“Hi, I’m Annabelle, welcome to Fort Donald. I’m married to Jamie, in case Jen didn’t mention it.”

“She did, but she didn’t tell me what you do here. She mentioned Mae being a therapist and Catherine,” Wendy looked to the woman who was waiting patiently to give her a proper welcome, “is a scholar, but she never said what you do.”

“I was a cop. A homicide detective, in San Francisco.”

“Wow, that’s wow. And you chose to come here?” Wendy looked at her like she might be a little crazy.

Annabelle smiled. “It’s a long story, we’ll talk about it some other time. For now, welcome.”

Wendy nodded. She was intrigued to know more and vowed to get that story out of her at some point. She looked at Catherine who had stepped forward. Catherine wore her long auburn hair straight, and had a slim build. “Hi,” Wendy greeted her.

“Hey, welcome to the family.” Catherine smiled. “I bet you’re starving. I know I was. Something about traveling into the past left me ravenous.”

“Now that you mention it, I really am.” Wendy smiled. “I think Jen said something about Sally bringing me a meal?”

“Jen, why don’t we all eat together? We could go to yours or Mae’s room. You’ve both got bigger tables.”

“That’s a good idea. I should have thought of that,” Jen agreed. “Is that okay with you, Wendy or would you rather decompress and be on your own for a bit?”

“Actually, I’d rather have the company, if you all don’t mind?”

“We were hoping you’d say that.” Mae grinned. “Come on, we can go to mine, Niall is on duty tonight, so he won’t bug us. Not that he would, but you know, men.” She giggled.

“I’ll go track down Sally and tell her we’ve had a change of plans,” Jen said, opening the door.

“Come with us, Wendy. We’re actually one floor up.”

Shortly after entering Mae’s rooms which were like a small apartment, not just a bedroom, Sally and a few other maids entered carrying platters laden with a hearty meal for all of them to share.

The aroma of the food filled the air, making Wendy's mouth water.

The meal consisted of hearty dishes: roasted meats, mashed neeps and tatties, bannocks, and rich gravy that clung to the meat and potatoes.

Their tankards were filled with a deep, amber Scottish ale that Jen cautioned could be potent.

The food was simple yet incredibly satisfying.

As the women enjoyed their meal, Wendy listened raptly to the tales and adventures each of them shared.

Their stories were riveting and filled with magic and wonder, which made Wendy's heart beat a little faster.

“So you met the wise woman that Hamish told me about? The one who lives on the loch?” Wendy asked Jen.

“I did, yes. I was hoping she could help me find a way back home. Being the first, Dub Sith more or less tricked me to get me here and at the time, I wasn’t happy about it.

Turned out there was no way back, so it was pretty much pointless, but she’s an interesting character.

She can actually divine certain aspects of the future, which is helpful. ”

“Hamish said she was part Fae, is that true?”

“As far as I’m aware, it is. Makes sense considering everything that happened while I was at her place.” Jen nodded.

“Have any of you all encountered any supernatural creatures or Fae other than Dub Sith?”

Mae, Annabelle, and Catherine all shook their head no.

“Just Dub Sith, but I do think I saw some sprites on the moors once when I was traveling with Eamon. He says I was imagining things, but I don’t know,” Catherine replied.

“Jamie’s told me tales of seeing sprites on the moors. That they like to lure people to the Faerie circles to get them to cross into their world. Could be that’s why Eamon said they weren’t,” Annabelle shared with a smile. “He’s just got you, probably doesn’t want to lose you to the Fae.”

Catherine laughed. “You could be right. That man is super possessive.” She grinned as though she was happy about it.

Wendy couldn't help but notice a recurring theme among the women gathered around her.

Each of them had not only been transported through time but had also found and married the man of their dreams. As she looked around at their contented expressions, she couldn't help but wonder if that same fate was in store for her. She certainly hoped so, she thought as Hamish’s face flashed in her mind.

She was really grateful for the companionship and happy that she wasn’t the only one from the twenty-first century here, but a part of her really desired the kind of deep connection they seemed to have discovered with their husbands.

Wendy had dated on occasion but none of the men she’d ever seen had really been all that interested in the same things she was.

They had often failed to see past her passion for the mystical, branding her as eccentric and unrelatable, or living in the past instead of wanting to do more “normal” things.

And none of them had set her heart and body a flame with a touch either, like Hamish had.

Being here and having met Hamish, she now had a glimmer of hope sparking in her heart. She wondered if she’d find her own true love, be it Hamish or someone else in this exciting and mystical place.

The next day, after a good night, and morning’s sleep, Wendy rose and with Jen’s help, put on the dress Bridie had provided her with.

She’d joined her and the other women for a late breakfast in the massive dining hall, and then she and Jen had gone on the promised tour, ending in the courtyard where Jen left her to go teach her martial arts lesson for the day.

Just as Wendy was beginning to take in the rich history of her surroundings, a voice pulled her back to the present. Hamish's voice resonated through the courtyard as he approached her. "How are you findin' this new world, lass?" he inquired, his gaze meeting her’s.

"It's beyond anything I could have imagined. The Fae, the magic, actually being here, it's all so enchanting. I almost can’t believe it. I keep thinking that either A: I died on that ferry, and this is heaven. Or B: I fell asleep on the ferry, and this is all a dream and I’m going to wake up and be so disappointed. "

Hamish chuckled. “I can assure you, lass, that you’ve not died, but you could be right that this is heaven, I’ve always thought so. And I doubt you’re dreaming, as the other women are here too and how would your mind have conjured them?”

Wendy nodded. “That’s a good point.” She laughed.

“Either way I’m excited to be here and to get to see the creatures I’ve always believed were real up close and personal.

I mean in our time, everyone thinks they’re just a myth, a legend, or a tall tale to tell kids.

But I’ve always thought they either did or do exist, but are just in hiding; and then to have met Dub Sith, and been brought here, and seeing that kelpie…

it was so close. I could have touched it. Just wow.”

Hamish’s face fell. “Lass, these creatures are nae friendly for the most part. They’re very dangerous.

Please, donnae go out lookin’ for them on your own.

Even the ones that seem nice are nae to be trusted.

They are tricksters and mischief makers.

If you wish to leave the fort, take me or one of my brothers with you to keep you safe. ”

Wendy bit her lower lip, grappling with the sense of adventure that had brought her here and the realization of the perils that lay ahead.

She’d studied the legends and myths, she knew that about the Fae and even Dub Sith had told her not to trust them.

Now though, she felt like Hamish was treating her like a na?ve child, and it pricked at her independent spirit.

She looked directly into Hamish's eyes and replied, "I understand the risks, Hamish, I really do. But I can't just stay cooped up here in the fort. I’m a grown woman. I’ve studied them my entire life, so of course I know they aren’t to be trusted, but I need to be able to explore, to understand this world I’m now in, and to continue my research.

I might not be able to write the book I was planning back home, but that doesn’t mean I can’t write one here.

And I don’t need you treating me like a child, no matter how new to your world I am. "

Hamish sighed, his features softening. “Lass, I know you’re nae a child, an’ I didnae mean to imply otherwise.

” He gave her an accessing look that held just a touch of heat.

“I just need you to be aware that this land tis nothing like where you came from. Tis dangerous, nae just from the Fae, but from the bandits and highwaymen who care nae but for themselves. A woman alone tis a challenge to them an’ no good can come from it. ”

Wendy nodded. She was still a little ticked off and irritated by his words of caution because it went against everything in her being and made her feel as though she wasn’t good enough or strong enough to take care of herself. Still, she said, “I’ll keep that in mind then.”