Page 42 of A Bridge Through Time
Ashley knew exactly whom Irene was alluding to, and if she really allowed herself to think about it, she knew her heart would stay at Breaghacraig, long after Ashley herself had left. She just didn’t belong here, though. Sooner or later, she’d start to miss her friends, drinking coffee, hot showers…Besides, Cailin hadn’taskedher to stay. They were attracted to each other, but maybe attraction was all there was to it. Maybe he would turn out to be like all the other guys she’d known, and then where would she be? She’d already had one scare with him, even though it had been resolved innocently enough. She wanted to believe there was more between them than sexual chemistry, but she couldn’t trust it would be the case.
“I’ll think about it, I promise. I just don’t know if I could do it.” Ashley shifted uncomfortably in her chair, uncertain how much to say to Irene, when the other woman knew nothing of the truth about where Ashley had come from. “It’s so different here. Different from what I’m used to. Different from what I know and what I’m comfortable with.”
“You’ve promised to think about it and that’s all I can ask. Now, are ye hungry?”
Ashley chuckled – it seemed everything in Breaghacraig revolved around eating. “Starved, actually.”
Irene smiled. “Let’s have our noon meal then.”
As they ate, they chatted about the castle, and the family. Irene had selected some fabrics and designed some gowns for Ashley and they made plans to sew them. There was a comfortable, relaxed feeling between the two women. Anyone observing them would have believed they had known each other all their lives, not merely for a few days. Jenna was the only other woman in Ashley’s life, with whom she felt completely atease. It was nice to know she now had another friend she could count on.
They were finishing up their meal when Lena entered the room, appearing much more relaxed and rested. “I feel so much better now,” she said. “The boys are still asleep so I thought I’d sneak away for a while.”
“They’re adorable,” Ashley said.
Lena flopped down onto a chair. “Aye, they are, but they never stop moving. From morn ’til night, they keep me quite busy.”
Irene laughed. “Their cousins will keep them busy once they’re awake, and if that doesn’t work, me brothers are always willin’ to amuse the bairns.”
“That would be wonderful. I might actually get some rest while I’m here,” Lena smiled, as if the thought was heavenly.
The servants arrived to clear the table and Irene requested a tray for Lena, before she stood up. “I must go see to things in the kitchen, and then I’m going to go out to the courtyard to check on the rest of our guests. Ashley, would you mind keeping Lena company?”
Ashley shook her head and smiled warmly. “Not at all. I’d be happy to.”
“I will see ye both later in the day then.”
They watched as Irene disappeared in the direction of the kitchen, before Lena spoke. “She is a wonder.”
Ashley nodded in agreement.
Lena stood up and walked across to settle in the chair Irene had vacated. “I’m so glad to have this time to speak with you, Ashley. Irene wrote and told me you were here, and I couldn’t wait to meet you.”
Ashley didn’t quite know how to respond. Why would Irene tell Lena about her, and what could she have possibly told her, which would have Lena wanting to speak with Ashley privately?
“I’m sorry,” Lena continued. “You’re obviously confused, and I didn’t mean to…” Lena sighed heavily. “Well, I guess what I’m trying to say, is that Irene says you came here from Glendaloch. Is that right?”
“Yes. You’ve heard of it?”
“Yes, I have.”
Ashley’s eyes widened. “But how, when no one else here has?”
Lena bit her bottom lip before continuing. “I’m originally from Glendaloch.”
Ashley raised an eyebrow in surprise. “You are?”
“Yes. As a matter of fact, my family still lives there.”
“Really?” Ashley could hardly believe her ears.
“Irene told me you were attacked by a man, when you were crossing the bridge and Cailin rescued you.”
Ashley was struggling to understand what was going on. She was happy to know that someone else had heard of it and knew where it was. It meant she might have help to get back there, when the time was right.
“I wonder if you met my family while you were there.” Lena regarded Ashley with curiosity in her eyes.
“Oh, I wouldn’t think so. I was staying at the inn called The Thistle and Hive, and I was only there for a few days.” Ashley certainly wasn’t going to admit she had been in the Glendaloch of the future. Lena would no doubt think she was crazy.
