Page 32 of A Bridge Through Time
Her face reddened with embarrassment and she lowered her gaze to the grass. "Thank you, I think," she stammered.
Cormac shrugged. "Come, lass, let me walk with ye, but there be no Glendaloch where ye be headed." He took her hand and placed it in the crook of his arm.
Ashley started muttering again, but Cormac could make nae sense of her words. “How am I ever going to get back to my hotel?” she grumbled in a low voice. “Obviously, I’m not going to get there today, not with you tagging along. Besides, I have to admit, I’m not even sure which direction Glendalochisin.”
“Did ye say something, lass?” Cormac tried very hard to hide his amusement at Ashley’s way of dealing with problems. If this is what she did every time she had troubles, Cailin was surely going to be kept well amused by this woman he seemed so besotted with.
“It’s not important.”
Cormac decided to ignore her ranting and do his best to figure out how to abort her escape plan. Cailin would surely thank him later, if he could convince her to return to the castle.
***
They walked on in silence and came to the top of a bluff. Down below was a beautiful beach and Ashley let out a small cry of delight. "Is there a way down?"
Cormac nodded and gave her one of those breathtaking MacBayne smiles, before he led her towards a narrow path winding its way down towards the sand. He went first and held his hand out for her to take. Holding her fingers tightly in his, he carefully guided her along behind him.
“Thank you, Cormac. I can use all the help I can get with this damn gown I have to wear.”
Cormac suffered a twinge of guilt as he guided Ashley, aware that it was wrong of him to be enjoying her company. He didn’t want to think about what Cailin would do to him, if Cormac let anything happen to Ashley, so he needed to be here with her, he rationalized.
The sheer joy on Ashley's face was worth the pounding he'd probably take, if Cailin discovered where they were.
They sat side-by-side on the sand and watched the waves crashing on the shore.
"It's so beautiful," Ashley sighed. "I've always loved the beach. When I was a little girl, my family would rent a cottage every summer. My Dad and I would hunt for beach glass, pretty rocks, and seashells. One summer I found a beautiful moonstone on the beach. Dad had it professionally cut, polished and made into a pendant for me. I told him I'd never take it off. I've worn it every day for years." Her hands touched her neck absently where the moonstone had once lain, but she must have lost it back at the bridge.
Cormac didn't understand all she spoke of, but he sensed she was quite distressed.
"Why are ye not wearing it then, lass?" He gazed at the spot where her hand rested at her throat.
"I lost it," she said solemnly. “It’s the only thing I had left from my father and now it’s gone.” Tears welled up in her eyes and Cormac did his best to keep them from falling.
"‘Tis a shame. Mayhap we could find you another."
"No, it wouldn't be the same,” she sniffled. “But thank you, it was a lovely thought."
"So, do ye want to tell me the real reason ye were trying to walk away from us?" Cormac asked quietly.
Ashley remained silent for a long time and he wondered if she would tell him it was nae his business. Just as he was about to give up and suggest they walk back up the bluff, she sighed and spoke.
"I’ve been a fool."
"A fool?"
Ashley tugged at the skirt of her gown, twisting the fabric between her fingers. "I'm not from around here, you know that."
Cormac nodded.
"I guess I just misread the signs with Cailin,” Ashley admitted in a rush, fearful she’d lose her courage before she could finish explaining. “I thought your brother was…" she didn't know how to put it, so Cormac would understand. "I thought your brother was interested in me,” she admitted miserably. “I thought that we were becoming more than just friends."
Cormac threw his head back and chuckled. "Cailin, he’s verra interested in ye, lass. So interested, he would be most angry if he knew I was sitting here with ye on this beach, enjoying yer company on this glorious day."
"If he's so interested in me, why was he with someone else this morning?” Ashley snapped angrily. “He had his arm wrapped around her and they were laughing together as they strolled off."
"Do ye ken who she was, lass?" Cormac asked curiously. He doubted there was anything-untoward going on; the look he’d seen in Cailin’s eyes told Cormac his brother was serious about Ashley.
"No. Remember, I’m not from around here," Ashley admitted miserably.
