Page 76 of A Thistle Beyond Time
“Why do ye need yer wife’s permission to share a story with us?” Robert interrupted with a knowing smile.
“I’m sure ye know why, Robert,” Cailin answered.
“Well, come on, out with it.” Cormac was impatient to hear the news.
“Ashley is with child,” Cailin announced proudly and he immediately found himself being pounded on the back by both men.
“Congratulations to ye,” Robert said. “When is the happy event to take place?”
“Ashley says ‘twill be in about six months,” Cailin beamed.
“Brother, ‘tis wonderful news. I am so happy for ye both,” Cormac added.
“Thank ye, Cormac,” Cailin said. “I must admit, I’ve been a bit worried about leaving Ashley’s side. She is a stubborn lass and would do many things that might nae be good for the bairn.”
Robert laughed at that. “Cailin, dinnae fash, Ashley will be fine. I’ve been through this enough times to know it.”
“Aye, now that I think on it, I dinnae believe I ever saw Irene allow Robert to carry her up and down the stairs,” Cormac teased.
“If I had tried to hold her back from hurrying about the castle, she’d have taken me head,” Robert agreed.
“Yer right. Ashley willnae put up with it for much longer, I fear. I will try to stop meself from being over-protective.”
The three had left the practice field and were walking towards the stables. “A ride would do ye good,” Cormac suggested.
“Aye,” Cailin agreed.
“I have some business to attend to inside, so I’ll leave ye both here,” Robert said. He clapped Cailin on the back one more time and was off.
“Cormac, what of this lass ye brought home with ye? Do ye think she’ll stay?”
“I dinnae think she wishes it,” Cormac reported sadly.
“Ye must try to convince her then.”
“’Tis what I plan to do, but I dinnae hold out much hope that she’ll change her mind.”
“Let’s get our horses and mayhap we’ll come up with some brilliant plan to get her to stay,” Cailin said with confidence.
They brushed and saddled their horses and were out the gate and on their way in less than thirty minutes. They travelled at a leisurely pace past the little cottages that were scattered along the path to the castle. Happy clan members greeted them as they passed. Many offered food or drink if they’d care to stop and talk. The brothers politely refused, after making sure that there was no serious need for their help. They had just arrived at the tree line and were about to enter the woods when movement off to their right caught both their eyes. Cormac froze in his saddle at the sight before him.
“I dinnae believe it,” he said, as he urged Saidear into a canter. Cailin followed suit with Cadeyrn, his massive chestnut stallion.
“Who are they?” Cailin wanted to know.
“They’re from the future. ’Tis Jenna’s former husband and a waitress named Sophia.”
“How did they get here?”
“’Tis a long story, but the last I saw of them, they were with Sir Richard.”
“Sir Richard? When were ye going to tell us about him?” Cailin asked, concern written all over his handsome face.
“I’m sorry, Cailin. I guess it slipped my mind. I was so happy to be home and I’ve had Jenna on my mind almost constantly.”
“When we get back to Breaghacraig, I expect to hear the whole story,” Cailin demanded.
“Of course,” Cormac agreed as they came up beside Jonathan and Sophia. “What are ye doing here?” Cormac demanded.
