Page 80 of A Bridge Through Time
They talked for a while longer, with Jenna catching Ashley up on all her friends and their dramas, and reminiscing about old times.
“You be sure to tell Cailin that I said he’s a very lucky man, and he’d better treat you right or he’ll have to answer to me,” Jenna warned.
“I will Jenna.” Ashley glanced at her watch. “I’d better go now. I’ve got lots to do before I leave for Breaghacraig.”
They said a tearful goodbye to one another and when Ashley disconnected the call, she had a peculiar happy/sad thing going on. She wiped away her tears and simultaneously, a huge smile lit her face as she thought of her beautiful man.
“Ashley,” Edna called from the hallway. “May I come in?”
“Of course, Edna.”
The door was pushed open and Edna, ever the whirlwind of energy, flew into the room.
“Just checking on your progress, dear. Did you speak with your friend?”
“I did, and I gave her your information in case she needs to contact me.”
Edna nodded. “No worries, dear. I’ll be happy to help her in any way possible.”
Ashley flopped onto the bed and clasped her hands together. “First thing tomorrow morning, I’m off to the bridge,” she announced happily.
“Now remember, it may not happen on your first attempt, so don’t get discouraged. I’m sending Teddy with you, along with some camping equipment, just in case you need it and have to stay for a day or two.”
Ashley chewed her lip anxiously. “The fog will come, won’t it?”
“Of course! But it can be a wee bit unpredictable and you both need to be there at precisely the same time, so you may need to wait for a little bit for the timing to be perfect.”
“Can’t you see what will happen, Edna?”
Edna patted her shoulder. “Not always, but I have a very good feeling it will all work out for you and Cailin. You’ll see!”
***
Cailin had been waiting at the bridge for days. Every morning he saddled up the horses and waited. There was no sign of Ashley or the fog.
What if she doesn’t come? How will I know if she’s changed her mind?He told himself repeatedly to be patient and he knew he’d wait there forever if need be. He wasn’t going back to Breaghacraig without her.
***
Day three of Ashley’s vigil arrived and she was getting desperate. She was exhausted and beginning to lose faith. Not one tendril of fog had shown itself and she didn’t know if it ever would. She spent the entire morning throwing rocks into the stream becoming increasingly uneasy.
Teddy arrived as he had each day, to keep her company during her wait. She didn’t have much to say, but Teddy didn’t seem to mind. At around noon she had a little bite to eat and then sat on the bridge to wait. Her eyes drifted shut and she dreamed of a handsome gray-eyed man calling her name. She woke with a start when Teddy shook her urgently. He had her bags in his hands and motioned to the other side of the bridge, where the fog was moving in and out of the trees.
“Ashley, love, I’m here!” Cailin’s voice came from the fog, wavering and sounding like an echo.
“Cailin! I can’t see you.”
The fog grew thicker and then it suddenly cleared enough for Ashley to glimpse Cailin on the other side. He stood waiting for her, Cadeyrn and Destiny grazing just a few feet away.
“Cailin!” She ran as fast as she could, tripping over the hem of her gown in her haste. Cailin held his arms open to her and she almost knocked him over in her hurry. Cailin lifted her off of the ground twirling her around, as a look of sheer joy lit his handsome face. He put her down, lifting her chin and looked deeply into her eyes, before lowering his mouth to hers in a long glorious kiss.
Teddy dropped the bags by their feet and silently backed away from the fog. As Ashley and Cailin turned to wave goodbye to him, the fog cleared and Teddy disappeared from view.
***
Cailin tied the bags onto Destiny’s back and then lifted Ashley onto Cadeyrn. He mounted the horse behind her and pulled her close, nestled between his thighs. Ashley snuggled into his embrace, happier than she’d ever imagined she could be.
“Let’s go home,” she said. And they did.
