Page 28 of A Keeper of Time
“I’ll see what I can do,” Maggie said.
“Good lass,” Edna said. “We’ll talk again soon, I hope.”
The fire went out and Edna once again found herself alone with William. She’d done all she could do and now she would attempt to do the only thing she wanted to do. She lay down on the bed, resting her head on the pillows and thought about Angus. Maybe if she thought long and hard enough he’d know she was thinking of him. She closed her eyes and drifted back to their early days together. They’d packed a picnic and were sitting on a blanket along the banks of the stream. The gurgling water and rustling leaves along with the songs of the sweet, small wren in the trees all around them were the music playing as they ate and talked.
“Angus, ye ken I’ve been entrusted with the care of this bridge.” She turned her gaze to the stone span where she’d first met Angus. “It’s the family duty. Me mother Moira, me grandmother Henrietta and all the other women of the family who came before them were charged with aiding travelers who may come along and need to travel from this time to the past or past to present.”
“Ye’ve explained it to me, aye,” Angus said. He looked at her with eyes filled with love and longing.
“Are ye happy here, Angus?” she asked, hoping he was and that it wasn’t just infatuation with her that made him smile.
He answered without hesitation. “Verra.”
“Ye doona wish to go back?” She gazed into his eyes for the truth.
“And leave ye? Nay!” He spoke loudly and clearly.
Edna smiled. Those were the words she wanted to hear. If he’d said he wished to return to his own time, duty would compel her to send him back.
“What of ye? Are ye happy here? Do ye ever wish to travel back to the past?” he asked.
“’Tis a good question. I’ve thought of it a time or two, but even if I wanted to go, and I’m no’ saying I do, I could no’ leave me inn or the bridge.”
“Good. The past is no’ for ye.” Angus gently brushed her cheek with his thumb, sending a shiver of delight through her. She leaned into it as his hand cupped her face. “Have I told ye of yer beauty?” he asked, a teasing glint in his eyes.
“I doona recall,” Edna teased back.
“Mayhap I will show ye how beautiful ye are.” Angus pulled her close. So close that their noses touched. He rubbed noses with her for a moment, causing a smile to spread across her face. His gentle kiss caused more than her lips to tingle with desire. More soft, sweet kisses rained upon her as his lips traveled from her lips to her neck and back up to that spot behind her ear that curled her toes.
“Ye like that do ye?” Angus asked.
“Mmmm…” Edna could feel Angus’s lips curl into a smile as he continued. Each moan of delight only egged him on.
Edna opened her eyes, reluctantly leaving her past happiness behind and accepting that she was no longer in control of what happened to her—Evanore was.
Chapter 9
Lost in thought, Angus was surprised when the beautiful memories he’d been enjoying stopped abruptly. He’d been spending a relaxing afternoon alone with Edna. Edna as she’d been all those years ago when they’d first met. Oh how he loved her then and even more so now. He wondered if their love was in danger. Would he ever see her again?
“Grrr!” He growled out loud. He couldn’t think that way.
“What troubles ye?” Robert asked.
They were riding along the road that would eventually lead them to the bridge.
“Me frustration grows,” he explained.
“I understand. ’Tis always difficult to fight an enemy that ye canno’ see.”
“She’d best remain hidden,” Angus said. “If she harms Edna, she’ll regret it. I’ll see to it.”
“We’ll hope for the best,” Robert said, obviously suggesting that Angus remain hopeful and not let his thoughts go to dark places.
The road was straight, giving them a view for what seemed miles in front of them. Up ahead there appeared to be a small group of three people heading their way. As they got closer, the three began to wave and run towards them.
“God’s teeth,” Cailin said. “’Tis Hamish and Donal.”
“On foot?” Cormac said. “Who have they with them?”
