The flames lengthened and danced faster across the chunks of wood. The coals fanned a hotter orange red as Granny’s tone took on a decided edge. “Tell the girls I am very proud of them and it will be their time to join us soon. I’m sending an old friend to look after them, since you’re coming to join us. Eliza will help them sort through whatever they might need until their time to come to us arrives. They have a bit longer to hone their skills in the twenty-first century before I call them back to the past.”
Kenna glared at the fire, frantic to change Granny’s mind. She wasn’t ready to sacrifice indoor plumbing, internet, and take-out pizza to name a few. Why did she have to leavenow? “But Granny, I need—”
“Enough, Kenna. You knew this time was coming, and you know better than to argue with me once I have made up my mind.”
Kenna huffed out her frustration.Wasn’t that the freaking truth? Arguing with Granny was a lot like arguing with the weather. Both did as they damn well pleased no matter what anyone said. But maybe she could at least bargain for a little reprieve.
“Just give me a month.” Kenna held up a finger closer to the fire. She couldn’t see Granny, so she wasn’t certain if her elder had opened the fire portal enough to create a viewing window. With Granny, you never knew for sure. “Give me one solid month to get everything ready before I jump back.” Surely Granny would grant her some time to get things settled . . . and maybe during that time, if she thought about it really hard, she could figure out an excuse Granny wouldn’t be able to deny that would allow her to stay comfortably ensconced in modern times for a few more years—at least.
“One week.”
“A week?” Kenna scooted off the couch and knelt in front of the woodstove. “I can’t be ready to jump the web in just a week. That’s impossible.”
“Make it possible, Kenna. One week is all you get.”
Gray-white ash crept up the chunks of glowing embers as the heat of the fire abated. Granny’s voice took on a metallic, hollow sound, fading in and out as the connection through the portal weakened. “Don’t waste your time pouting or plotting to stay in the future. You knew this day was coming. Accept your destiny and embrace it.”
Kenna held her breath to keep from shoutingit isn’t fairinto the dying flames. She couldn’t do that. Granny deserved respect. No matter how much her elder irritated her, she couldn’t defy the woman who had given up so much to ensure that her four granddaughters not only survived their rough beginnings in the thirteenth century but thrived in whatever time Granny chose to place them. “Fine. I guess I’ll see you and Trulie in a week.” Fighting against the thundering frustration cutting off her air, Kenna stirred the coals one last time and forced out a strained “I love you, Granny.”
“I love you too, gal.” Granny’s pleased chuckle fanned the coals a hotter orange for a brief instant. “You will thank me, gal. I promise. You will thank me.”
Kenna slammed the cast-iron door to the stove shut and closed all the dampers. She very much doubted she would thank Granny when she was balancing on a chamber pot or washing in icy water dipped out of a loch. The thirteenth century. Dammit.Kenna shuddered, flopped back on the couch, and dropped her head into her hands.
Keys rattled in the front door right before it swung open and banged against the wall. Giggles and frantic shushing echoed down the hallway. Kenna straightened and glanced at the ancient mantel clock squatting in the center of the bookshelf. Lovely. The twins were home, and they were late. Again.
“Would it kill you two to be on time? Just once?” Kenna snatched up the bowl of popcorn and headed to the kitchen. She was in no mood to deal with bubbly sisters who were currently lucky enough to not have a freaking care in the world.
“We’re not that late. It’s only five after,” Lilia said with a glance at the clock.
Both grinning girls—twins who looked nothing alike—plopped down on stools in front of the bar that separated the den from the kitchen.
“And sounds like you’re in a real snit. Are you really that torqued over five measly minutes?” Mairi helped herself to the bowl of popcorn, then eyed Kenna with a look that irritated her even more.
Kenna clenched her teeth and tapped a finger against the countertop to a silent count of ten. She didn’t need to take it out on them. It wasn’t her sisters’ fault that Granny had decided her visa to the twenty-first century had expired. She turned to Lilia. “Five minutes is five minutes. We agreed you would both be home by seven so we could go over next week’s schedule at the shop—since, if you recall, we are introducingyournew seasonal line of bath oils.”
A flash of irrational sisterly irritation heated Kenna even further. “And how many times have I asked you not to wear my tops? You stretch them out so much I can’t wear them after you’re done with them.”
Petite but well-endowed Lilia glanced down at the snug T-shirt straining across her full breasts. “Oh. Sorry. I thought you said you didn’t want this one anymore.”
“What is going on with you?” Tall, willowy Mairi reached across the counter and gently patted Kenna’s hand. “Spill it, Kenna. You never get like this unless someone has crossed you. What’s rubbed your fur the wrong way?”
Kenna gripped the edge of the counter so tightly, her knuckles popped. How could she tell her baby sisters that their comfortable life was about to get put through the time-travel grinder again? Her heart sank even lower. How could she tell them she was about to leave them too?
“You’ve been talking to Granny, haven’t you?”
Kenna nodded without lifting her gaze from the yellowed countertop. “Yes, Mairi. I spoke to Granny. The two of you just missed her.” A heavy sigh escaped her as she sagged against the cabinet. “She sends her love and said to tell you both she is very proud of you.”
“If that’s what she said, then why do you look like you’re about to throw up?” Mairi’s eyes went wide and she suddenly sat ramrod straight. “Oh, no—is Trulie all right? Please say she didn’t lose this baby too.” Mairi hopped off the stool and rushed around the counter to Kenna’s side.
“Not again.” Lilia rounded the other end of the kitchen island.
Kenna waved them both a step back. “No. No. Nothing like that. Trulie is fine and due to deliver our little niece or nephew into the world any day now.”
“Then what?” Lilia bumped Kenna with a curvaceous hip and grinned. “Did Granny tell you it was your turn to go back to the past and hook up with a sexy Highlander?”
Kenna didn’t say a word, just turned and glared at Lilia. Baby sister already knew the truth of it, and she hadn’t even needed any of her damn foretelling visions that happened to be her dominant talent as a Sinclair time runner.
“Holy shit, she did, didn’t she?” Lilia’s mouth dropped open.
