Page 68 of Once upon a Summer Night

Ellie blinked, then met Gwen’s equally confused look.Just what the hell have we stepped into?

When the firstdrops of rain began to tap against the window, Colin checked his watch and frowned.

Ellie and Gwen hadn’t yet returned, and though it was only mid-afternoon, the sky was a deep gray. The wind blew a blast of unnaturally cold air through the open window of Reilly’s living room, and the rumble of thunder sounded in the distance.

Colin zipped his suitcase closed and peered out the window, hoping to catch a glimpse of the women as they returned from the forest. He could imagine both of them, laughing as they tried to outrun the rain.

The thought of Ellie laughing in the rain did things to him, and he couldn’t afford to be any more affected than he already was. He looked again out the window, his sight drawn to the bolt of lightning as it dropped from the sky. Deafening silence surrounded the cottage.

“That looked…not right.” James’s eyes were trained on the same spot. “It looked an awful lot like when Aidan came to town.”

If they stayed on the path, they’ll be fine.

A moment passed, and Colin remained silent, wishing the women out of the forest.

They’ll be back any moment.

The seconds ticked by, and his concern grew.It was probably Reilly, he reasoned. Although he didn’t use storms to time travel. He had other ways.But maybe he needed to use that way to get back to Bri.

His thoughts swirling, he felt an inordinate amount of relief swamp him when a figure emerged from the trees.

And, just as quickly, it turned to dread. He bolted to Reilly’s room, James on his heels, and they both threw off their clothes. They each pulled on a white linen tunic, woolen hose, and leather shoes. Colin flipped open the safe in the small closet and they quickly strapped dirks to their calves, thighs, waist and arms. He pulled his sword from the back of the safe, grabbed the folded red and yellow cloth from the bottom, and banged out of the house, James on his heels, running full speed towards the man who met them halfway.

“Everyone accounted for?” Reilly demanded as Colin approached. “The light—”

“We thought it was you,” Colin replied tersely.

“And I thought it was you.” Reilly looked over his shoulder.

“Ellie and Gwen went for a walk.” James shoved the last dirk into his boot and straightened.

Reilly glanced back at the woods, assessing. “If they stayed on the path, they wouldn’t have been touched by the time shift.”

“I suggest we tread down that path and find out where they are,” Colin agreed, his heart racing.

“And who’s showed up in our neck of the woods,” James agreed solemnly.

They turned as one and started towards the forest. “From your attire, I’m thinking you believe they’re not where they’re supposed to be.” Reilly adjusted the sword on his back.

“As you’re standing here and not in Bri’s castle, I’m thinking you’re not where you’re supposed to be, either.”

“Aye. I forgot to take the presents for the wee ones, so I turned back.”

James snorted and adjusted his own léine. “You’re such a softie, O’Malley.”

“Only for the bairns, O’Rourke.”

“Are they still bairns in their late teens?”

“She always gets something. It’s tradition now.”

They entered the forest and grew silent. The clearly marked path was less than a mile long, and had, centuries ago, been deemed a safe place for travelers. But the people who came out of this forest—or went in andnevercame out—could be exactly the opposite of safe.

Especially if those people were women, dressed in modern clothes, who ended up in a time where superstitions ruled the land, and people would rather drown a suspicious person than talk to her.

Colin shuddered and hurried onward. Within minutes, they came out on the other side, with no trace of either Ellie or Gwen.

Wordlessly, they turned around and headed back in, only to be waylaid by a camera-toting man dressed in camouflage. He gave them a polite nod before doing a double take at Colin. He quickly raised his camera, but before he could get a shot, Reilly knocked the device out of his hands and pinned the man against a tree.

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