Page 104 of A Thistle Beyond Time
“Aye. Aye, I do, Edna. Thank ye, thank ye so much!” Cormac could hardly contain himself. He was going to see Jenna again. His heart hadn’t felt this light for days.
“Until then…” Edna’s voice faded away, leaving Cormac in silence once again.
“Lena!” Cormac called out. “I’ve spoken with Edna!” He was up from the chair and about to leave the Great Hall when Lena entered, accompanied by Ewan and Cailin.
“Did ye say ye’ve spoken with my mother?” Lena was incredulous. “Why can ye speak with her and I cannae?”
“I dinnae ken the workings of it, Lena. But she was here.” He pointed to his head, laughing with happiness.
“What did she say?” Cailin demanded.
“She said I’m to meet her at the bridge, as soon as I can get there. She said nae to cross, but to stay on this side.”
“When do ye plan to leave?” Ewan asked. He had his arm draped across Lena’s shoulders and gave her a little squeeze. Cormac could see Ewan was trying to make Lena feel better about her inability to communicate with her mother.
“Right away,” Cormac replied. “Cailin, ye can stay here if ye like. I’ll be fine on me own.”
“Nae. I wouldnae miss this for the world, brother. I’m coming with ye,” Cailin stated firmly.
“Alright then, we’ll be on our way.” Cormac kissed Lena on the cheek. “Thank ye for trying, Lena. And thank ye Ewan, for your gracious hospitality.”
“Yer family, both of ye. Yer welcome here at any time,” Ewan said. “I’ll have the boys get yer horses ready and Lena will get some food prepared for yer trip.”
“Ewan, they may need another horse. Could ye see to it,” Lena said, a twinkle in her eye. “My mother says ye should bring one.” She beamed at them.
Cormac was happy for Lena, glad that she had been able to receive a message from Edna. But he was happier for himself that she wanted him to bring another horse. That could only mean one thing.Jenna.“Can ye make it a quiet one, Ewan?”
Ewan grinned. “Of course, a quiet one ’twill be then.”
The following morning as they approached the bridge, Cormac felt as light as a feather. The weight of the past few days had been lifted from his shoulders and he knew in his heart that he would see Jenna again.
“We wait here,” Cormac announced to Cailin. They both sat and silently waited for something to happen. It was a quiet morning, but they could still here the birds chirping happily in the trees and the sound of the stream rushing over rocks as it passed underneath the bridge.
Dismounting, Cormac motioned for Cailin to do the same. “I think we should make ourselves comfortable. We dinnae ken how long this will take.” They let the horses graze and sat under the shade of a nearby tree. Leaning their backs against its sturdy trunk, they waited.
* * *
“Are ye ready, lass?” Edna asked Jenna. “Silly question, I know. Ye’ve been ready since before ye left San Francisco.” Edna chuckled at that one.
Jenna grabbed her leather tote and headed for the door of the inn. On her way out, she hugged Angus, who she’d found to be a very sweet man. He obviously had a soft spot in his heart for Ashley. He handed Jenna a wrapped gift and asked if she would be sure to give it to Ashley when she returned to Breaghacraig.
“’Tis something for the wee bairn,” Angus explained.
Jenna also said goodbye to Maggie. Not that she’d seen all that much of her, not since their dinner the other night. Maggie seemed to be spending all of her time with Dylan, who was leaving with Jenna.
“It’s been so nice getting to know you,” Jenna said to Maggie.
“And ye,” Maggie replied, leaning in to kiss Jenna’s cheek and give her a brief hug. “With any luck at all, my Auntie will let me come visit ye.” She glanced at Edna, who rolled her eyes. “And ye, ye handsome man,” Maggie said to Dylan. “I’ll see ye soon, I hope.”
“I hope so, too,” Dylan said. Jenna occupied Edna and Angus, so Dylan could sneak in a goodbye kiss without an audience.
“How far is it to this bridge, Edna?” Jenna asked.
“Not far. It’s a lovely walk and ye’ll have company, so the time will pass quickly.”
Chester sat patiently by Jenna’s side, waiting for Dylan and Maggie to finish their farewells. Angus cleared his throat as a signal that everyone was waiting on the young couple.
“Okay. Let’s go,” Dylan said, obvious excitement in his voice.
