Page 5 of A Thistle Beyond Time
“Did you say twenty-first century American language?”
“Aye. I did.” Cormac looked like he was weighing his options as to what to say before he continued. “Edna told me to be careful what I say and not to look puzzled by all the strange sights I would see. She thought it might frighten Jenna, but I believe I already have.”
“Yeah, she was a bit freaked out when she got home. But explain to me… where are you from?” Dylan got the feeling something was not quite right here; hopefully he’d figure it out soon.
“I be from Scotland. Edna sent me. She’s a witch, ye ken.”
“You mean a witch who casts spells?”
“Aye.”
“So, Edna sent you to get Jenna and bring her back to Scotland?”
“Aye. She told me Jenna would be me wife, but I’m nae so sure. She isnae sweet like me brother’s wife.”
“Who’s your brother’s wife?”
“Cailin is newlywed to Ashley. She is a twenty-first century American lass, like Jenna. She lived here in San Francisco before she met me brother.”
“Ashley Moore?”
“Aye. That’s her. Do ye know her?”
“Aye. I mean, yes. She is Jenna’s best friend. She went to Scotland on a vacation and called to tell Jenna she was getting married. We haven’t heard from her since.”
“’Tis not likely that ye will.”
“Cormac, you need to tell me everything. I can’t help you if I don’t know the whole story.”
Just then, Sophia returned with two huge plates of food and a steaming pot of coffee, which she placed on the table in front of them.
“Here you go.” She focused all of her attention on Cormac, leaning over him and pressing her ample bosom into his arm as she poured him some coffee. “You let me know if you need anything else. Anything at all.” She winked at him and gave her hips a little extra sway as she walked away.
“Are all of the women in San Francisco like Sophia? I’ve seen many beautiful lasses in the short time I’ve been here. Mayhap I can find someone else to bring back with me. Someone more like Ashley.”
“Believe me, Sophia is nothing like Ashley.”
Dylan began to eat, but Cormac looked a bit confused by the utensils and the food.This is really odd,Dylan thought.He seems like he’s never seen a fork before.
“Hey, dude, you alright?”
“Dude? Who is dude?”
“You. It’s twenty-first century American.” Dylan showed Cormac how to use the fork and with a smile he dug right in. He tasted the coffee and made a face.
“You should put cream and sugar in it. It can be kind of bitter otherwise.”
“Cailin told me of this coffee. He had some when he visited yer time.”
That caught Dylan’s attention and he put his fork down and focused on Cormac.
“What do you mean, my time?”
“Edna will be angry with me, but I must tell someone. Ye must promise to say naught to Jenna about Ashley. ’Tis important she come with me because she wants to, and not because of Ashley.”
“I won’t say anything about Ashley. I promise. Now tell me what you meant, by my time.”
“You see, Dylan, I be from the year 1514 in Scotland. Edna sent me from that time to bring Jenna back to Breaghacraig with me.”
