Page 73 of A Thistle Beyond Time
“Cormac. I have to ask you a question.”
“Anything, lass. I’ve told ye, I’ll always answer ye truthfully.”
“I know. But you were less than truthful with me in San Francisco. You never told me about Ashley. I don’t understand why.”
“It may not make any sense to ye, but I didnae tell ye because I wanted ye to come back to Breaghacraig with me. ButIwanted to be the reason ye came. If I told ye Ashley was here, ye would have returned with me, but for her, not for me.” He paused and waited for Jenna to speak. When she didn’t he continued. “I hope ye can understand and forgive me for not telling ye the whole truth.”
“I probably wouldn’t have believed you anyway. I thought you and Dylan were playing some elaborate joke on me. And besides, it turned out to be the best surprise.”
“Aye. It was a surprise for the both of ye.”
Chapter 24
“Ashley!” Jenna called to her friend from across the courtyard and saw Ashley wave and smile a greeting.
“Jenna,” Ashley headed her way. “I see you took Rose out for a walk. How was it?”
“It was wonderful. Rose is very sweet and Cormac was so patient with me. I learned a lot today.” Jenna smiled up at Cormac, who leaned down and gave her a quick kiss.
“I’ll leave ye to yer friend,” Cormac said. Ashley stood on tiptoe and gave Cormac a kiss on the cheek.
“We’ll see you later, Cormac,” Ashley said, watching as he strode away towards the barracks. “Oh, and Cormac!” Ashley called. He turned back to see what she needed. “Thank you again for the peach gummies,” she announced, popping one into her mouth.
“Where’s he going?” Jenna asked curiously.
“Probably to the practice field with the other men. They work there every day.”
Jenna raised an eyebrow. “Doing what?”
“They practice with their swords and bows. It’s fun to watch. Sometimes I go up on the battlements and take a peek.” Ashley giggled at revealing her guilty pleasure. “Come on. I’ll show you.”
Ashley took Jenna by the hand and headed for the stairs leading up to the battlements. They reached the top and made their way past the guards, who were stationed at regular intervals around the perimeter.
Ashley seemed to know them all by name. She exchanged greetings with them and continued to drag Jenna along until they came to the overlook of the practice field. “Here.” She pulled Jenna closer and pointed down to a field filled with shirtless men in kilts. They all wielded some sort of weapon, and looked utterly amazing while doing so.
“Wow! This is quite the sight,” Jenna gasped audibly. “Where’s Cormac?”
“There,” Ashley pointed to the figure of a tall, handsome, and extremely well built man whom Jenna recognized immediately as Cormac. “Try not to drool, my dear.”
Jenna giggled self-consciously. “Is Cailin out there, too?”
“Mmhmm. And Robert.”
“And Dougall,” another female voice announced from behind them.
“Oh, hi, Helene,” Ashley greeted the other young woman.
“And what are you two ladies doing up here, might I ask?” Helene asked with a mischievous grin.
“I dare say we’re doing the same thing you are, missy,” Ashley teased.
Jenna returned her gaze to the men in question. She had to admit, they were a seriously good-looking group of men. She’d never seen anything quite like it back at home. “Do they know we’re up here?”
“I’m sure they do, but they’re busy trying not to get bonked over the head with a sword,” Ashley laughed.
“Dougall teases me about it all the time. I told him I’d nae come up here again and he admitted that he liked knowing that I was watching him.”
“It’s true. I know Cailin enjoys it. And it makes for some pretty amazing sex later on.”
