Page 33 of A Bridge Through Time
Cormac silently vowed he would pummel his brother, if Cailin broke Ashley's heart.
"Ashley, I dinnae ken what’s happened, but I ken Cailin. I've seen the way he looks at ye and I haveneverseen him look atanother lass in the same way. That’s the honest truth, I swear. He is quite taken with ye, lass."
He caught a little ray of hope spark in her eyes, but just as quickly, it faded away. "But why was he with that girl?"
"I think ye need to ask him that question yerself, lassie. And I think when ye do, ye'll be happy with his answer."
***
Cailin had been so busy over the past few days, he’d barely had time to sleep, and worse, he hadn't had any time at all to see Ashley. He missed her. He was never as happy when he was separated from her. Worse, he felt guilty for leaving her alone while they’d struggled to get everyone settled. He’d been on his way to find her this morning, determined to spend at least a few minutes in her company, when he was sidetracked by Kenna, who’d just arrived with Cailin’s good friend, Gavin. He hadn’t seen his childhood friends since they’d married last year and had left the keep to begin their life together. Cailin was delighted to see Kenna and happily agreed to go with her to greet Gavin. “Only for a few minutes though,” he warned Kenna. “I’ve things I need to get done this morn.”
Kenna led him through the multitude of campsites set up in the outer bailey. Gavin was busy setting up their shelter as Cailin and Kenna approached.
"Gavin," Cailin called.
Gavin glanced up and gave his friend a huge grin. He hurried across the space separating them and locked arms with Cailin, who pulled him into a fierce hug.
"‘Tis good to see ye," Cailin said.
"Aye. ‘Tis good indeed," Gavin agreed.
"I’m sorry there be no room fer ye in the keep." Every square inch of space seemed to be filled with warriors or tenants and their families, and had been for more than twenty-four hours.
"I ken there are many who have come in for their safety," Gavin agreed.
“‘Tis good to see ye both. It brings back fond memories of yer days fostering with Robert,” Cailin reminded him. It was common practice among the clans, to send their sons to be raised by a respected leader or friend.
“Aye, that it does. I have yer clan to thank for taking me in, else I may not have met me lovely wife.” He lovingly cupped Kenna’s chin in his palm and pressed a kiss to her forehead.
“My Da loved Robert,” Kenna said. “He was so happy being his first in command, and he got to know Gavin and love him like a son during his time here at Breaghacraig. Ye ken he passed last year, just after our marriage. He’d been sick for months. We thought he’d recover, but ‘twas not to be.” Kenna seemed like she might cry.
“Aye. We were all verra sad to hear the news, especially Robert,” Cailin admitted.
They caught up on family news while Cailin helped Gavin with the shelter he’d been building. They made quick work of it and when they were finished, Gavin and Cailin promised to meet with each other later at the evening meal. Cailin bid them goodbye and went off in search of Ashley, determined to find her amongst the growing crowds.
He searched in the castle’s interior first, disappointed to discover no one had seen her this day. He visited her chambers, but they were empty. He thought he'd try the stables, thinking she might be checking on Destiny.
When he strode into the stables, he was disappointed to find Ashley hadn't been there either. He was starting to get anxious. Where could she be? He went out into the bailey and searchedsome more. One of his men announced he’d seen her earlier in the morning and she’d seemed in a hurry as she left the castle grounds.
Cailin asked the gatekeeper if he’d seen her, and was alarmed when the gatekeeper told him Ashley had passed through many hours ago. He wasn’t sure whether he should be relieved or alarmed when the man also confirmed Cormac had followed her when she left. The gatekeeper pointed him in the direction she was headed and Cailin took off after her at an urgent pace. What was she doing, walking off on her own? He was relieved Cormac had followed her, but why hadn’t his brother just come and found Cailin, so that he could go after her himself? He’d warned Cormac to stay away from her and a surge of jealousy bit at his heart. She was his woman, not Cormac's.
Cailin had known Ashley would be his, from the moment he rescued her from that man on the bridge. He’d never met a woman like her before, an amazing woman whom he thought about constantly. She had him feeling emotions he’d never experienced before, but right now, he was anything but happy with Ashley Moore. In fact, he was downright angry. She knew it wasn't safe to leave the castle on her own, especially in the current circumstances. If anything happened to her…he couldn't bear to think about it and instead he just concentrated on what he was going to do when he found her.
***
"Cormac!" a voice bellowed from up above, where Cormac and Ashley sat on the beach. Cormac glanced around to confirm it was Cailin staring down at them, with an angry scowl marring his otherwise handsome face.
"‘Tis Cailin," Cormac remarked calmly.
"I can see that," Ashley responded with a roll of her eyes.
Cormac looked at Ashley with a cheeky grin on his face, as he tucked a windblown lock of hair behind her ear. He waved merrily up at his brother and reached for Ashley's hand to help her up from the sand.
Although only seconds had passed, while they brushed the sand from their clothes, Cailin was marching down the beach towards them with the same scowl in place when Cormac glanced up.
Cormac saw Ashley cringe, as Cailin shoved him aside and focused his anger on her.
"What do ye think yer doing here? I've been looking all over for ye!" he snapped.
