Page 49 of A Thistle Beyond Time
“Aye, I do.” He didn’t really, but he was so relieved that she was speaking to him again, he had no intentions of rocking the boat.
“Okay, good,” Jenna said, sounding relieved. She pulled the car into a vacant parking space. “We’re at our first stop. This is Muir Woods.”
Cormac got out of the car and made his way around to help Jenna out, but she beat him to it. “No need to worry about me, Cormac, I can get out of the car on my own.”
“Of course ye can, lass.” Cormac felt a bit wounded by her reaction. He knew she could get out of the car on her own, but he wanted to do the courteous thing and assist her. He certainly had a lot to learn about women of this century. Jenna stood waiting for him with her hand outstretched. Cormac took it and they walked along the path that led through the trees. Cormac had never seen anything like this place, the size of the trees was impressive.
“This is a grove of Coastal Redwoods. They are between 400 and 800 years old and some of the trees are as tall as 250 feet. Amazing, huh?” Jenna, sounding like a tour guide, shared her knowledge of Muir Woods with Cormac, who craned his neck back as far as it could go, so that he could see to the very tops of the trees.
“These trees were here and growing in my time,” he said, feeling rather awestruck.
“Right,” Jenna rolled her eyes at him.
“I ken ye dinnae believe me, Jenna, but ’tis true,” he announced quietly.
She didn’t respond, but instead stood with her hands on her hips and a perplexed expression on her face. Cormac thought it best to change the subject and began asking her questions about Muir Woods. “Muir, ’tis a Scottish name, aye?” he asked.
“Yes, John Muir, the man these woods were named after, was a Scottish naturalist. He was born in Scotland and came to America when he was a child.”
“Is he still living?” Cormac asked innocently.
“You really need to stop this, Cormac! It’s starting to get old,” Jenna snapped.
“Stop what, lass?”
Jenna raised an eyebrow and looked very angry.
“I really dinnae ken if he is alive or dead,” Cormac commented quietly.
“He passed away a long time ago, Cormac. Look, can we set some ground rules for the rest of the day. I don’t believe you’re from the sixteenth century and I don’t believe a witch sent you to find me, so can you please stop this crazy game you’re playing.”
“As ye wish, lass, but ‘tis not a game.”
“Thank you.”
He took her hand and brought it to his lips. Jenna tipped her head and smiled sweetly. They continued walking among the giant trees. Cormac was a bit homesick and walking in the woods was soothing his heart. This was as close to home as he’d seen, since being here. He could imagine walking in the woods back home, holding Jenna’s hand and showing her his world. He had one day left to convince her and it wasn’t looking good. Jenna wouldnae even allow him to bring the subject up.
Chapter 16
Battery Spencer was the best place to see the sunset, as far as Jenna was concerned. She guided the car to a parking spot and they both got out. Cormac leaned on the hood of the car while Jenna leaned back into him and waited for what turned out to be a kaleidoscope of colors – pink, orange, gold, purple. It was magnificent and it was even better watching it from the shelter of Cormac’s strong arms. Jenna was beginning to realize that their relationship was going to be very short lived. If she wanted it to continue, she was going to have to broach the subject of him staying. She’d do it tonight and hope she could convince him.
Cormac dipped his head and nuzzled her ear. “That was almost as beautiful as ye, Jenna.”
Jenna leaned into the nuzzle. “That’s sweet of you to say.”
“I wouldnae say it, if it werenae true.”
Jenna spun in his arms and wrapped hers around his neck. “You are quite the romantic, Cormac MacBayne.” Standing on tiptoe, she rubbed her nose on his and scooted a little closer into his strong embrace. There was a fluttering in her belly, as she thought of the previous night, which they’d spent wrapped around each other.
Cormac’s eyes twinkled when he looked into hers. “Where have ye gone to, love?”
“Nowhere, really,” she lied. “I was just thinking that we should go get dinner.”
“Dinner, aye?”
“Yes, dinner. You haven’t eaten since our late breakfast. You must be hungry.”
He seemed to think about that for a moment before he responded. “Aye, that I am.”
