Page 23 of A Keeper of Time

“Good luck to ye. I hope ye find her there. If ye need me help, ye’ve but to ask.” Nick walked with them to the gates of the castle and waved as they went on their way.

Dougall joined Robert and Angus to lead the way. It would be a longer journey, but they were prepared with supplies from the Mackall clan and with Dougall’s guidance they’d make it to Castle Treun as quickly as possible.

As they rode, Robert and Dougall kept up a steady conversation as did the brothers and Logan. Angus separated himself enough that their voices were a mere hum to his ears. He was thankful that they seemed to understand he needed some time alone to think.

Edna, where are ye? he wondered. It was a strange feeling not being able to speak with her. She’d always been there, even when they were apart. She could contact him either by phone in Glendaloch or by the light of a good fire if either of them were anywhere else. He pictured her in his head and tried his best to send her a message. Unfortunately, he had no skills as a witch. That was Edna’s skill. He’d seen her do it enough times and thought it couldn’t hurt to try.

He pictured Edna in his head, at first the way he’d last seen her and eventually as the young lass he’d met at the bridge. He remembered the first time he’d held her hand and the first time he’d kissed her. It felt as if it were always meant to be that way. They’d gone off on a walk together to the local stable.

Edna was gazing up at him with her beautiful green eyes. He looked down at their hands as she reached for his and placed her much smaller hand in his large, calloused one. A smile curled his lips. Her touch sent his heart racing with happiness. He stopped and drew her into his arms. “May I kiss ye, lass?”

“Aye.” Edna closed her eyes as he dipped his head and gently touched his lips to hers.

A spark was ignited with that kiss. An undeniable electricity surrounded them charging the air and creating a blue aura that remained long after their kiss was done. Angus remembered thinking it odd at the time, but Edna explained it must be proof that they were meant to be. He had no doubt they were and the sooner he could marry the lass and make her his wife, the better.

“We’ll stop here for the night,” Dougall said, breaking Angus from his thoughts.

The day had passed by far more quickly than Angus thought possible and now they were in a small clearing in the woods. Just large enough for them to build a fire and bed down for the night. Logan and Cailin walked the horses to a nearby stream for water while Dougall and Cormac gathered wood for a fire.

“It’s been some time since I’ve been on an adventure,” Angus said, feeling the soreness of days in the saddle catching up to him. He stretched his arms over his head before bending at the waist to relieve some of the aches he was experiencing.

“Aye. For me as well,” Robert said, joining him as he stretched. “I love me wife and children, but there are times when riding with the lads, nae matter the reason, is a welcome respite.”

“I haven’t been away from Edna since I came to Breaghacraig with Maggie to rid ye of Brielle.” He straightened up and did his best to loosen the kinks in his neck. “I miss me wife.”

“I ken ye do and I feel yer worry for her. We’re prepared to take on anyone who stands in the way of her return to ye.”

“Thank ye. Yer a good man, Robert.” Angus was lucky to have such good friends, no matter the time or place he found himself.

Logan and Cailin returned with the horses, gave them all some oats to munch on and then left them to graze on the lush green grass of the clearing. The fire was blazing and as the men rummaged through their saddle bags, Angus couldn’t help but hope that Edna might speak to him through the flames and end this torment of not knowing where she was or whether she was safe. Silently he sat and waited unaware of the goings on around him. He was so focused on the fire that he jumped when Dougall sat down next to him.

“I did no’ mean to frighten ye,” Dougall said.

“I was lost in thought,” Angus replied.

Dougall placed a skillet on the fire and began to prepare oat cakes. As he worked Angus noticed he would sneak a glance in his direction. “I’m fine lad. Nae need to worry.”

A deep chuckle erupted from Dougall. “I’m sorry. I’m just remembering how I felt when Helene disappeared. I believe I understand some of what yer feeling.”

“Edna could no’ be happier that Helene came back to ye. She knew ye were meant to be together.”

Dougall flipped the oatcakes as the others joined them around the fire. Once again, Angus thought about how lucky he was to count these men as friends. They wouldn’t let him down. He would trust any of them with his life. He hoped they knew they could do the same with him.

Dougall carved some tart apples into the skillet.

“What will ye do with those?” Logan asked.

“Something Helene learned on her trip to the future.” He poured a small amount of honey into the pan along with a pinch of cinnamon. He topped the oatcakes with the cooked apples. The men helped themselves and marveled at Dougall’s cooking skills.

Angus was impressed. “’Tis delicious,” he said.

“Do ye cook, Angus?” Cormac asked.

“Nay. Dylan is the chef at our inn and when he’s no’ cooking I can be sure Edna will be in the kitchen making something tasty for all to enjoy. She was no’ always a good cook, though.”

He thought about the first meal Edna had prepared for him. It had been anything but good. Burnt and unrecognizable, Angus had eaten it and convinced Edna he had enjoyed every bit of it.

“Angus, ye can tell me the truth. I can see ’twas no’ good.” Edna kissed him on the forehead as she took his plate away. “I will no’ be angry with ye,” she called back from the kitchen.