Page 99 of A Thistle Beyond Time
“That is my plan, sister. I’ll see ye soon.” Cormac spurred Saidear forward and Cailin followed, catching up with him just outside the gates.
* * *
“Dylan, we’ve got to be able to find something to lead us to Edna.” Jenna had been exhaustively searching the internet, looking for anything which might help them locate the woman.
“She’s not the only Edna in Scotland, Jenna. It’s not that easy. We need a little more to go on. A last name…anything.”
Jenna sifted through the cobwebs in her brain. There had to be something she was missing. She had a nagging feeling that the key to finding Edna was right under her nose. What could it be?
And then it suddenly came to her. “Ashley… Ashley met Edna in Scotland! I remember, she told me if I needed to contact her, I should look Edna up. She gave me the name of the inn Edna owns. What did I do with it?” Jenna began searching the kitchen frantically, rifling through drawers and cabinets. “It’s times like this that I wish I wasn’t such a neat freak. I probably threw it away in one of my cleaning frenzies,” she lamented.
“Don’t give up so soon. We’ll just have to search every room. Do you remember where you were, when you talked to Ashley?”
“No. I should be able to remember. She called me and said she had been staying at this little inn. What was the name of it? Urgh… I can’t remember!”
“Just relax, it’ll come to you. You’re trying too hard. Let’s go get something to eat and unwind a bit. Maybe if you put it out of your mind for a while…”
“Okay. Let’s go get some food,” Jenna agreed. Dylan was right, she’d been totally consumed with finding Edna for the past few hours. A little food and some wine might be just what she needed. She grabbed her purse and headed for the door and Dylan had to run to catch up with her.
They walked up the hill to a little Italian restaurant, which was one of Jenna’s neighborhood favorites. Everyone at Massimo’s Cucina knew her and she always felt like a welcomed family member. Massimo himself greeted them at the door and showed them to a corner table, where they could dine without interruption. “Wine?” Massimo asked.
“Whatever you recommend,” Dylan answered. He watched Massimo disappear towards the bar before he leaned forward and spoke. “So, Jenna, if you find the name of the inn, what are you going to do? Are you going to call them?”
“Actually, I think I’ll just fly over there. I’d like to meet this Edna in person.”
“I’m coming with you,” Dylan stated determinedly.
“Don’t be silly, Dylan. You don’t have to come with me, I can do this on my own,” Jenna responded and then she realized she was doing it again. She was giving the impression that she didn’t need anyone else, and for a time that had been true, but she’d made a decision not to live like that anymore. If people wanted to help her, she was going to learn how to let them. “I’m sorry, Dylan. I’d love you to come with me, but what about Chester? Who’ll take care of him?”
“We’ll take him with us.” Dylan announced. He appeared relieved that Jenna had changed her mind.
Massimo brought two glasses and a bottle of his best Pinot Noir to their table.
“Perfect,” Jenna said, smiling. She was beginning to feel a bit more hopeful. Now, if she could just remember what she had done with the information Ashley had given her.
“We’ll have two specials,” Dylan suggested to Massimo, who nodded and went to put their order in.
“Dylan,” Jenna suddenly sounded very excited. “I think I know where it is!”
Dylan waited for her to continue and when she didn’t, he prodded. “Where? Is it at the house?”
“Yeah! I put it in my journal. I remember I was writing in my journal when Ashley called and I just jotted the information down on the first blank page I came to. It’s in the nightstand next to my bed. I don’t think I’ve written anything else in it, since that phone call.” Jenna took an appreciative sip of the wine. “Mmm… this really is good. Massimo has the best wine selection.” She was relaxing now, enough to enjoy the wine and her dinner. Everything was going to work out. It had to.
* * *
Ewan rode out to meet them before they arrived. “Cailin, Cormac… to what do we owe this honor?” Ewan asked, as he drew his horse to a halt.
“I need to speak with Lena,” Cormac said. “About Jenna.”
“Did ye not find her?” Ewan sounded concerned.
“We found her, but it was too late. Edna had already sent the fog to take her back home. By the time we arrived, there was naught we could do, but watch as she disappeared before our verra eyes.”
“I’m so sorry to hear it. Do ye wish Lena to contact her mother?” Ewan turned his horse and the three rode through the gates and into the courtyard.
“Aye. I must speak with Edna. She doesnae answer me, so I thought mayhap Lena could help,” Cormac explained.
“I’m not so sure she can. She hasnae really had much success in contacting Edna. For the most part, Edna comes to her in her dreams. But we will see. Perhaps she can try,” Ewan said doubtfully.
