Page 32 of Promises to Keep

Lochinvar said, “I ken, Frookie, m’apologies, I will be on m’best behavior.”

Magnus watched their exchange, then said, “I want ye tae come with Kaitlyn and me tae Balloch castle, Lochinvar. I think it would be a good place for ye, and we will give ye a box of cookies tae take with ye.”

Lochinvar said, “Is this because of me calling ye ‘Og Maggy’, Yer Highness?”

“Nae, I can see ye are goin’ tae be properly respectful, I hae just made up m’mind on it, ye ought tae be at Balloch. Sean will be able tae give ye a proper lookin’ after, he is verra good at being a guide and caretaker of young men, and if ye remain there ye will be able tae intervene with Lady Mairead if she returns.”

I said, “That’s a good point, if Lady Mairead gets free from Agnie, she will likely go to her children in Balloch—”

Magnus said, “Aye, that is our meeting place, if she inna there, we will need tae check Paris. It will be good to go, we need tae warn Balloch that trouble might be coming.”

“Ah man, I didn’t even think about that.”

“Tis always a consideration.”

Lochinvar said, “I would stay there, for always?”

“I daena ken, I would come for ye in time.”

Quentin said, “While you do all of this you must watch your back, I mean it Magnus, if you’re on your own, if we aren’t there, you have to be cautious. You have a direct threat on your life, and she isn’t playing by the rules. You’re not being challenged, you’re being threatened, you have to be on guard.”

“I ken, Colonel Quentin, I will be careful.” Magnus added, “Are we all decided?”

James laughed. “Not sure what the hell we’re doing, but yeah, we’re decided to head to a compound in the middle of an attitude adjustment.”

The kids ran by, and overheard. “Attitude adjustment! Attitude adjustment!”

CHAPTER 19 - KAITLYN

Afew hours later we had the van pulled up in front of the hotel, its hazard lights blinking, while we carried all the suitcases from our hotel rooms and piled them on the street with Lochie guarding while the bellman brought out carts carrying our luggage and we went in and out for things we had forgotten. James, Quentin, and Zach packed our luggage into the top bins on the van, bickering as they liked to do when working alongside each other.

Archie got hugs from both me and Magnus. He was stoic about having to leave us. There had been a lot of that lately, and I totally understood, but also, he agreed he would be strong for Isla. Plus there was an adventure afoot: traveling across New York state would be fun and Magnus and I wouldn’t be that far behind.

He understood we needed to get his grandmother from her trouble. And I supposed on reflection, that it was easier that Archie was leaving us. We knew where he’d be. We would be there too, soon enough.

Isla cried, of course, and I couldn’t blame her either, but it was a more grown up kind of cry than before. She sobbed, then swallowed it down, then clung to me, quietly weeping in a morose way, while I stroked her hair. Then finally, she sighed. “You really can’t come with us?”

Magnus said, “Aye, we really canna come, Isla, but we will come as soon as we are able tae.”

She sighed again. “Fine, but you have to bring me a present this time, Da, you didn’t bring meanythinglast time.”

Magnus laughed, “I had tae become king of Scots at great peril…? But aye, ye are correct, I dinna bring a present, and just so I ken what I am agreeing to, what kind of present are ye talking about?”

“Something very special, like an acorn or a sea shell.”

“Och aye, I will bring ye something very special from our rescue mission. I promise.”

I said, “And while we’re away I want you to find me a feather.”

Isla’s eyes went wide. “A feather! How will I find one?”

I shrugged. “I bet you can.”

Isla rushed down the sidewalk to tell Ben and Archie she needed to find a feather for us. I stood and folded up in Magnus’s arms. “She is going to be okay, right?”

Magnus said, “I think what ye are truly askin’ is are ye going tae be okay — are ye able tae be without yer bairns?”

“Yeah… you’re right, I hate saying goodbye.” I pressed my face to his shoulder.

---