Page 67 of Love Set Apart
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They cameto a small inn on the outskirts of a not-so-small village. Angus got them two rooms upstairs and paid for them. “This purse of yers has come in handy.”
“One of me best ideas yet,” Edna said. “I doona ken whether I want to eat or sleep first,” Edna said, feeling a yawn coming on. She hid it behind her hand as she waited for the others to say something.
“I’m quite hungry,” Angus said.
“As am I,” Robert added.
“What about ye, Emilie?” Edna asked.
“Food. I haven’t eaten since yesterday.”
“Food it is then,” Edna said.
“Robert and I will drop these two off in the village. We’ll be back shortly and then we can eat.” They headed off with their two complaining prisoners, leaving Edna and Emilie behind.
“Let’s go upstairs and get cleaned up, shall we?” Edna led the way up to their rooms. “I’ll see ye shortly.” She went into her room and after washing her face and hands, lay down on the bed to wait for the men to return. She might just get a short nap in before they got back.
A small dining area was set up on the first floor. There were three tables, none of which were occupied. The size of the place made it clear that it was a very small business and they were the only customers.
They sat at one of the tables while the person who’d rented them the rooms rushed past them and through a door at the end of the room. He came back a few moments later with a whole roasted chicken, potatoes, carrots and peas. A platter of cheese, butter and bread was also set on the table. It was a humble but lovely spread.
“It’s all we have today. Enjoy.” He left them with everything they needed and came back moments later with a jug of wine.
“Is it always this quiet?” Edna asked, as he poured each of them a glass.
“Yes, but this is our home. If we have guests, we are happy. If we do not, we are happy.” The man smiled and went back to the kitchen leaving them alone.
“We have an inn back home. We doona live there anymore, but me niece and her husband run the place for us.” Edna glanced around the room, noticing that it was spotlessly clean. It showed that the owners took great pride in their inn, just as she had with The Thistle & Hive.
“Where do ye live now?” Robert asked.
“Edinburgh,” Angus said. He helped himself to a chicken leg. “It’s where Edna’s work has brought us.”
They each helped themselves to the food and when they were done, Edna suggested a walk to help digest their food.
“I never like to lie down right after eating. We can walk a little and talk. I have some things for ye to consider.”
Once they were outside, they walked a short distance away from the village before Edna spoke again. “I ken that ye are unsure of what ye will do next and I wanted to give ye an option that ye may no’ have thought about. Emilie, yer family home is gone and Robert ye said there is nothing for ye back home in Scotland. What would ye think about traveling to the future with Angus and me? We would bring ye to Glendaloch, where our inn is located. Ye can stay there and take steps toward making a new life for yerselves. What do ye think?”
Robert and Emilie looked at each other. Edna could see this was going to be more of a challenge for Robert than Emilie. His worried glance lit on Angus.
“I think I would like it,” Emilie said. “What do you think, Robert?”
“I’m no’ sure. I have many questions.” His brow furrowed as he rubbed the back of his neck.
“I will answer them all for ye, but first let me tell ye that I have brought many young men and women to the future from a time even before this one. They are all happy and have found fulfilling ways to live their lives.”
“Robert, I ken how ye feel,” Angus said. “I have no’ always lived in the future. I was from a time more than a hundred years before this one. Edna brought me forward. I’ve had a good life there. A life I’ve shared with Edna. Doona be afraid.”
“What would I do?” Robert asked. “How would I earn me keep?” Robert scrubbed his hands through his hair before glancing at Emilie. She took his hand in hers and he immediately relaxed.
“At first, it would be easiest for ye to stay with Maggie and Dylan. Me niece and nephew. They could teach ye all about running an inn. Dylan is a chef and a verra good one, so ye would always have plenty of food to eat. Maggie is like me. She keeps track of those who now live in the past and those who live in our time. If there are any problems that arise, she handles them.”
“There are shops in town, a good pub and a doctor,” Angus added.
“We doona wish to receive charity. We wish to earn our way,” Robert said.
