Page 58 of A Thistle Beyond Time
“I guess we should get dressed and get your things together then,” Jenna suggested.
“Aye.”
Silence descended upon them as they got out of bed and dressed. Cormac gathered the bags of candy he had purchased and put them in the leather bag slung across his body. The bag had been a gift from Jenna.
“Come, lass, let’s be off,” Cormac said when he’d completed his preparations.
They headed down the hall and into the living room, where Jenna was surprised to see Dylan waiting for them on the couch.
“I couldn’t let you leave without saying goodbye.” Dylan stood up and wrapped Cormac in a bear hug, which was returned in kind. “It’s been a pleasure getting to know you. I wish you could stay longer, but I know you have to get back. I hope I’ll be able to get there for a visit myself, someday.”
“I’ll speak to Edna about it, she may be able to arrange it,” Cormac suggested as he clapped Dylan on the back. “And ye Chester, I will surely miss ye.” Cormac squatted down to pet Chester and the dog practically knocked him over in his attempts to lick his face. The dog’s body was wriggling left and right as he displayed his love for Cormac. “Yer a good dog. I wish I had one like ye, back home.”
Dylan walked with them to the door. Jenna found herself amazed to think that Dylan genuinely believed Cormac was going somewhere. She kept her thoughts to herself, however. This was going to be difficult, but she’d be there to soften the blow once Cormac realized he wasn’t going anywhere.
They reached the Marina and Jenna sat on a bench. Cormac knelt in front of her and looked so serious, it nearly broke her heart. He took her hands in his. “Jenna, love, I’m sorry to leave ye. I wish things could be different, but they cannae.” He leaned forward and kissed her. The sweet taste of his lips on hers almost had her changing her mind and saying she’d go with him, but she knew he wasn’t going anywhere. She’d get to kiss him again, she was certain of it. Cormac said his goodbyes and walked solemnly across to the spot where Jenna had first spotted him. He stood there, very still, and waited. Nothing happened, but he stayed in place.
Jenna felt so badly for him. He really seemed to believe he was going somewhere. Tears filled her eyes as she thought about how terrible he must be feeling. His delusions were obviously still firmly in place and she didn’t know how she could convince him otherwise.
“Edna!” he called suddenly. “Edna, are ye there?”
Jenna couldn’t take it anymore and she went over to him. “Cormac, it’s all going to be okay,” she said soothingly.
At that precise moment, the wind picked up and the fog began to swirl around them. “Cormac, I’ll help you.” The next words out of her mouth were impossible for either of them to hear. The roar of the wind in her ears was incredible.
“Jenna, ye must get back away from me,” Cormac shouted.
“No, Cormac. Please, listen to me!” She grabbed his hands and tried to pull him in the direction of the bench, but the swirling fog wouldn’t allow it. Jenna wasn’t sure what was happening, but she knew she needed to get Cormac out of there.
“It’s too late, Jenna. Hold on to me. I dinnae wish to lose ye.” Cormac pulled her in tight to his body and held her in a vise-like grip. What happened next was too unbelievable for words. The fog continued to swirl and little pops of light burst around them. The ground seemed to drop out from under her feet and she felt herself moving at a high rate of speed.
“What’s happening?” she screamed, but the wind ate her words and the fog swirled around them like a tornado.
Chapter 19
Jonathan walked into Joe’s Diner and sat at a vacant table. He thought he’d have some breakfast, before heading over to Jenna’s to confront her about her latest stunt. He couldn’t believe she’d had the nerve to get a restraining order against him. He’d show her, no restraining order was going to keep him from getting to her and completing his plan. She’d ruined his future when she got the annulment, but what she didn’t know would definitely hurt her, and he’d be rolling in the dough soon enough.
“Hi, my name’s Sophia, can I get you some coffee,” the waitress asked when she sidled up to his table.
“Hey, Sophia, yeah, I’d like that very much.”
“I’ll be right back with the coffee, and then I’ll take your order.” She smiled sweetly at him.
He winked at her. He loved to flirt, and this waitress was just his type. She might come in handy as an aide to his future plans, too.
Sophia brought his coffee over and took his order. “Come back and sit with me,” Jonathan offered with another suggestive wink.
She thought for only a moment before she responded. “Okay, my shift is just about over anyway. You’re my last customer,” Sophia said.
“I hope I can be more than just your customer,” Jonathan pretended to sound hopeful, and he could tell Sophia was falling for it.
She brought his order back a few minutes later and sat down opposite him, pouring herself a cup of coffee. “I don’t often get invited to join people at their tables. Thanks for asking.” Sophia was obvious about giving him a head to toe perusal, and he could tell she was definitely interested.
“I’m happy you agreed to it. What are you doing after you’re done here?” he asked casually.
“Not much. I was going home to do some laundry,” she said.
“Laundry! That’s no fun. Why don’t you come with me, I could use your help.”
