Page 98 of A Thistle Beyond Time
“I told you I wasn’t,” Dylan said.
“I know. I know. You have to admit though, time travel seems like something that only exists in fictional stories and in the minds of sci-fi geeks. But now I know it’s true. I experienced time travel myself.”
Dylan ran his fingers through his hair. “I’m jealous. I wish I could have been with you.”
“I saw Ashley, Dylan. She’s there! She’s married and she’s having a baby! Can you believe it?”
“Cormac told me she was there, but I didn’t know she was pregnant.”
Jenna smiled wistfully. “She is and she’s so happy. I’ve never seen her so happy.”
“What about you? Were you happy there?”
“Yes. I was, but I didn’t want to admit it to myself. I just wanted to come home, but now that I’m here, I realize this isn’t my home anymore. My home is with Cormac. What am I going to do, Dylan? I don’t want to live my life without him.”
“Jenna, I don’t know how to fix it for you,” Dylan replied sadly. “Maybe we can try to find Edna. She’s a real person, isn’t she?”
Jenna sat up straighter and a hopeful expression spread across her face. “She is a real person, and she’s a twenty first century person! She lives in Scotland.” She jumped up from the sofa. “We have to find her, Dylan. You will help me, won’t you?”
“You know I will, Jenna, I want you to be happy. For now though, I think you need to rest and then you can tell me everything that happened. I want to know every detail. Okay?”
“Okay. I am tired. I didn’t sleep very well last night and this has all been so draining.”
“You go lie down and I’ll try to remember if Cormac ever told me anything that might help us find Edna.”
Jenna pulled her cousin into a hug. “I love you, Dylan. I want you and Chester to come with me.”
“I think we’d like that very much, but for now you go rest and then we’ll try to find Edna.”
* * *
“Edna! Edna, where are you?” Cormac called. He had been in his room trying to contact Edna ever since they had returned to Breaghacraig without Jenna. She wasn’t answering him and he wasn’t sure if yelling her name into the emptiness of his chambers was going to work. Edna was in another century, so he couldn’t go riding off to find her. Mayhap Lady Lena could help. They arrived back at Breaghacraig to find that she and Ewan had returned home. Cormac would leave as soon as possible to speak with her. He had to get Jenna back, or at the very least make sure she had arrived back in her time without incident. He’d been angry with Sophia initially, but when she explained that Jonathan had forced her to help him, Cormac couldn’t blame her. Jonathan had planned to kill Jenna in San Francisco, to collect some more money from her. Sophia had explained that she led Jenna to believe she needed her help with Latharn and Jenna had gone with her, only to be taken against her will by Jonathan. Cormac hoped that she knew how much he loved her. He hoped she had seen him, when he arrived at the bridge with every intention of saving her from Jonathan.
With his mind made up, Cormac went to the stables and saddled up Saidear. He was determined to find Edna and convince her to at least let him be able to see Jenna one more time.
“Shall I come with ye, brother,” Cailin appeared in the doorway of the stables.
“Nay, Cailin. I’d nae be verra good company. I’m going to see Lena. I hope she can help me to reach her mother. I must speak with Jenna one more time. I need to tell her that I love her.”
Cailin squeezed his brother’s shoulder. “Cormac, I’m sure she knows.”
“Aye, but I must try to find her,” Cormac knew he was behaving irrationally, which was most unusual for him. He was usually so calm and reasonable. His love for Jenna was driving him mad. He hadn’t slept or eaten since they’d returned from the bridge, and grew more agitated by the hour.
“Cormac, please allow me to go with ye. I’d verra much enjoy seeing Lena and Ewan. I dinnae care if ye speak to me even once on the journey.” Cailin went to retrieve Cadeyrn. “I don’t know why I’m asking you. I dinnae need yer permission, if I wish to pay a visit to Lena and Ewan, I shall.”
Cormac relaxed a bit and laughed at his brother’s determination to join him. “Fine. Ye may ride with me, but I’ve already told ye I’m nae verra good company.”
“I’ll be ready in no time at all,” Cailin said.
“Do ye nae need to tell yer wife where yer going?” Cormac asked.
“Nae. She already knows. She doesnae wish to see you travelling alone.”
Cormac realized he was a lucky man – he had a wonderful family. They were always there for him and he could count on it. Now, he needed to find a way to get Jenna back. Once outside the stables, Cormac and Cailin mounted their horses to begin the trek. They were met by Ashley and Irene who came bearing food, which they packed into the saddlebags.
“Cormac, good luck,” Ashley said warmly.
“Bring her back with ye,” Irene added.
