Page 9 of A Keeper of Time

“No! Doona come!” Edna cried. As much as she was touched that they wanted to help she had a bad feeling that it was exactly what Evanore wanted.

Edna wasn’t one to feel sorry for herself. It was more in her nature to find solutions to problems and she was determined to do just that. She would find a way out of this place. How she would do it hadn’t come to her yet, but it would. She had no doubt.

Placing a few pillows behind her she sat back against the headboard of the bed to think. The loud purring sound of the tabby came to her ears and she found him nestled up against her hip. Her hand automatically went to stroking his soft fur as she allowed her mind to wander, knowing that often it was the best way to figure things out.

“Where have ye been hiding?” she asked him.

His large green eyes slid to the side as he gazed at her.

“Alright, doona tell me. It doesn’t really matter, does it?”

He closed his eyes and enjoyed the attention he was receiving.

Edna gazed at the fireplace. She focused all of her energy and attention on it, hoping to spark it to life. Long minutes passed and all she could muster was a tiny spark that went out almost as quickly as it appeared.

Eyes heavy and exhausted both physically and emotionally, Edna gave in to sleep. Her dreams were filled with sweet visions of Angus. He was close enough for her to touch. She could feel the warmth of his breath on her as he moved closer still. All the love she had in her heart poured out of her as she placed her palm against his cheek. His face was filled with warmth and love. His eyes revealed all he was feeling as his lips met hers. The kiss was soft and bittersweet. He was leaving her and there was no promise of a return. She begged him not to go. He backed away from her with a somber expression that left her in despair. “Please, please, Angus, doona leave me…” He strode away with purpose. She couldn’t stop him. Edna tried to run, but her legs were heavy. She could barely lift her feet and fell reaching out her hands to him, but he was unaware. He continued walking, unable to hear her pleas.

Chapter 4

Edna blinked her eyes frantically as light streamed through the window. Her ears picked up the sounds of women talking and a knot formed in her belly. They were here. They’d done what they set out to do and were outside of the house, but from the sounds of things it didn’t appear they could see it. Of course they couldn’t. It was hidden from view by Evanore’s magic. She hurried downstairs to the sitting room and positioned herself at the window looking out on the bridge.

“Now what?” Sara asked as the women glanced around at the bridge and surrounding forest.

“I don’t know,” Ashley said. “I guess we should see if we can find any clues.”

“That’s going to be like looking for the proverbial needle in a haystack,” Jenna said.

They each took a section along the banks of the stream.

“What exactly are we looking for?” Sara asked, as she kicked a rock out of her way.

“Anything at all that might tell us she was here.”

“What if she fell in the stream?” Jenna’s worried voice carried to the others.

“The water’s not very deep, and I can no’ imagine why that would happen. Even if she did fall in, the worst that could happen is her clothes would get wet.”

After a fruitless search, the women gathered near the bridge to talk.

“What’s that?” Sara asked, pointing to the center of the bridge where a metallic object gleamed in the sun.

“I have no idea.” Jenna narrowed her eyes as she tried to focus on the item.

“Come on,” Sara said, walking towards the bridge.

“Wait. Do you think it’s a good idea to cross the bridge?” Jenna asked. “Every time I’ve ever been on it I’ve ended up somewhere else.”

“Me, too,” Ashley said.

“Edna’s the one who controls the time travel and she’s not around, so it should be fine. Besides, we’re not crossing the bridge. We’re just going to find out what that thing in the middle of the bridge might be.” Sara marched to the center of the bridge and turned to wait for the others to join her. She was always the brave one, Edna thought.

Ashley followed along, peeking back over her shoulder at Jenna. She motioned for her to join them.

Jenna hesitated, taking a deep breath before stepping a foot onto the bridge and then running to join Ashley and Sara.

Sara bent to pick the metallic item up, just as a gust of wind blew leaves and twigs in their direction. Jenna looked like she might run, but Ashley and Sara stood where they were. Jenna grabbed Ashley’s hand. “We’ve got to get out of here,” she said.

At that very moment, the wind turned into a whirlwind and Edna gasped as she watched the three women disappear before her very eyes. “No!” she cried.