Page 68 of Forgotten Secrets (Secrets of the Heart 4)

Chapter 22

“Mazelina, are ye here?” Morag called out for the third time, leading the way into the secret garden, followed by the girls as well as Branton.

“I don’t see anyone,” said Maira, holding her sword at the ready should they need it.

“It’s so dead and overgrown that it gives me shivers.” Willow pulled her cloak around her, having dismounted her horse.

“It’s spring and the new buds will be pokin’ their heads out soon,” Morag told her.

“I’ll watch over the horses and also the gate,” offered Branton, taking the reins of the horses from the girls. “I know I’m not supposed to be in the secret garden, so just pretend I’m not here.”

“Branton, how can we pretend someone is no’ here that we see standin’ right in front of us?” asked Morag.

“Probably the same way we’re supposed to pretend someone is here when there really isn’t anyone,” said Willow.

“Mazelina was here,” exclaimed Morag. “I didna make her up. She was trainin’ me just like ye all were mentored by Imanie.”

“What did she teach you?” asked Maira.

“To use my gossipin’ for guid,” Morag explained, feeling very foolish since this sounded so addlepated at the moment. “Ye believe me, Fia, right?”

Fia exchanged glances with her cousins. “Perhaps she’s in the cottage. Shall we have a look?”

“Yes. I’m sure that is where she is.” Morag led the way to the cottage, up the stairs and inside the small enclosure.

“This doesna look as if anyone has lived in here since Imanie passed away,” said Fia.

“It’s so dusty and dirty,” complained Willow.

“Mazelina? Are ye here?” Morag was losing hope that the woman would appear. After all, hadn’t she told Morag that she didn’t need her anymore and that she could no longer mentor her?

“Where are her things?” asked Maira.

Willow walked over and opened the cupboard. “There’s not even a single dirty dish on the table or a scrap of food in the cupboard.”

“I dinna understand,” said Morag, sinking down into a chair. “She was right here with me. I swear she was.”

“There have been no fires here lately.” Maira kicked at the old logs in the hearth.

“Morag, is this just another one of your cries for attention?” asked Willow. “I rode through the woods on the back of a horse while six months pregnant, and for what? It’s as plain as day that no one has been here so stop your lying.”

“I’m no’ lyin’!” exclaimed Morag. “I buried my heart brooch atop Imanie’s grave wishin’ she were alive, and then Mazelina appeared. She mentored me in secret, so I could feel like a true member of the group.”

“If you want to be a member so badly then why did you bury your brooch?” asked Maira.

“I – I suppose it was because I was confused. Here, I’ll show ye the brooch in the ground.”

They all followed her out to Imanie’s grave, taking a moment to say a quick prayer for the old woman’s soul.

“It’s right here,” said Morag, kneeling down and brushing away the dead leaves, digging with her bare hands in the dirt where she’d buried the pin. However, she couldn’t find it. “It’s no’ here,” she said in confusion.

The wind picked up causing a shiver to run through her.

“I’m tired and cold,” said Willow. “Let’s get back to the castle.”

“My baby is hungry,” said Maira, putting her hand on her pregnant stomach. “And I could go for a bite to eat as well.” She shoved her sword into the sheath on her back.

“Ye just ate!” cried Morag. “Give me another minute. I’m sure I’ll find the brooch.”

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