Page 64 of A Keeper of Time

“Thank you anyway, Edna. We love you,” Angelina said.

Each of them thanked Edna for the love in their lives. There were many tears from all, including Edna.

“I love ye all. I will miss ye terribly. Until we meet again.” She saw Joseph standing back away from the others. “I’ve no’ forgotten ye, Joseph. After explaining yer situation to the Council, they’ve agreed that ye’ll be returning to Glendaloch with me.”

Melusina gathered everyone returning to the future on the bridge, including Angus’s horse. And as Edna dried her tears and held onto Angus for dear life she thought about all that awaited them in their new life. She felt contentment as the whirlwind began and as it did, an orange blur sped past everyone and into Edna’s arms.

Chapter 19

Dylan was waiting for them along with Teddy, who took the horse from Angus.

Edna could barely speak, but a soft meow and the feel of something soft and warm in her arms was just what she needed. “William! Where did ye come from?” She lifted the cat and touched her nose to his. “I thought I’d lost ye,” she whispered in his ear. “Angus, look. ’Tis William.”

“Hello, William. Remember one thing. I am the man in Edna’s life. Doona try to steal me place.” He said this will all seriousness, but then a wink to Edna let her know he was only teasing.

“Teddy,” Edna said, happy to see him. He’d always been a great help to her and he still was.

“It’s good to see ye back,” Teddy said. “One of these days I’d like to travel back to Breaghacraig. I’ve always wanted to see it.”

She smiled and patted him on the back. She was home and that was all she wanted to think about in the moment. “We’ll talk about it later, okay?” She motioned for Joseph to join her and as he did she introduced him to Teddy. “This is Joseph Barnes. I hope ye’ll show him around town and help him adjust to our time.”

“I’d be happy to. What time are ye from?” Teddy asked.

Joseph fell into easy conversation with him and Edna smiled knowing Teddy would do his best to answer all of his questions, which would make his transition so much easier.

Dylan twirled Maggie around in his arms. “I’m so happy you’re back.”

“How are things at the inn?” Edna asked.

“Good. We had some out of town guests, but they checked out this morning.”

“Thank ye for holding down the fort,” Edna said.

“My pleasure. Did you get everything straightened out back there?” Dylan asked.

“Aye. There will no’ be any more trouble on that front,” Edna replied.

“Good. I’m glad to hear it.”

As they walked back to the inn. Edna placed an arm around Angus’s waist. She was still overcome with emotion after all that had happened. As she thought back on all of her friends in San Francisco and at Breaghacraig, tears welled up in her eyes. Angus seemed to understand and he gave her a little squeeze to let her know he was there for her.

“Why do ye cry?” he asked. “All ended well. We’re home now.”

“I ken. It’s just that I… I doona ken how to put it into words. I ken I’ll see them all again, but now I’m just a bystander. I will no’ be the one they come to when they need help. I have to let that go. It’s going to be an adjustment for me.”

“I ken it, me love. I’ll do me best to help ye through it.”

Edna was happy to be back at the inn and even happier to have her handsome Highlander with her. She’d hated being parted from him and now she knew that she never would be again.

“I’ve got lunch all ready for you,” Dylan said as they entered the dining room. “Sit down and I’ll get everything.”

“I’ll help,” Maggie said, following him.

***

A few days after their return, Edna and Maggie took a walk down the street to do some shopping.

“I’ve got to get something while we’re here,” Maggie said, checking the items in the basket on her arm.