“Thomas was the man my sister was in love with. She sent him back to his own time, and somehow he found Chloe and made sure she got to her aunts. My sister passed away soon after Lucy traveled.”
Callan needed to know.
“How did your sister send him back?”
Beside him, he felt Daisy flinch.
But she shook her head. “I don’t know, other than there was a terrible storm.”
“It may be different for each of us.” Drake cleared his throat. “I was in many storms and nothing ever happened.” He shuddered. “The fates must have decided that I belonged here. You may not be able to go back.”
They talked a while longer, about the past, how different things were. At last, Drake stood.
“Let us go for a walk on the beach before it rains. I find I need to stretch my legs.”
He nodded to Callan. “I hear dogs outside. Are they yours?”
“Aye. We left them water and leashed them next to our camper.”
Mildred stood as well, talking to Daisy. “Why don’t we sit outside and enjoy the breeze before it rains?”
His lass stood, an uncertain look on her face as she looked at him. Then something shifted, and she gave him a brief nod before turning back to Mildred.
“That sounds nice.”
Callan checkedon Brodie and Frankie, telling Drake how he’d come to have the wee dog.
“You must stay here.” He told the dogs as he and Drake walked through the black gate to the wooden walkway that led to the sand and the water. They paused at the last step, both removing their shoes.
For a while they simply walked along the water’s edge, occasionally sharing bits about their lives before, things they missed, and the things they loved about this time. Drake told him about losing his memory and only finding Millie many years later.
Some time later, Drake cleared his throat. “It isn’t any of my concern, but it seems you and your woman are having some difficulties.”
“Aye.” Callan tied his hair back as he told Drake what had happened between them. How Daisy did not believe him when he gave his word.
“Many modern women are unused to the weight our word carries. From what you have told me, she’s been hurt before and given how her parents neglected her, you have to look at things as if you were her.” Drake said as he told Callan about Karen and Millie, and how he had almost lost Millie. They talked until Callan was worn out, emotions flooding through him.
“Mayhap ye are right. I will speak to her, tell her I am sorry and will try to be patient. But she must try as well.”
“Fair enough. In time, she will come to the realization that you’re not going to leave her.”
They used the outdoor faucet to wash off their feet as they crossed the boardwalk back to the house.
Daisy and Millie were gone. Drake pointed to the women walking along the beach, stopping now and then to pick up a shell.
Drake led him upstairs to his office. He picked up a beautifully crafted dagger from a display case. The blade was exquisitely preserved, its handle intricately designed. He turned to Callan, the dagger in hand.
“I’ve had this for quite some time,” Drake began, his voice tinged with nostalgia. “It’s from the late 1300s, a bit after your time, but I’d like you to have it as my thanks for coming to find us, putting Millie’s mind at ease about Lucy.”
Callan, taken aback by the gesture, slowly reached out to take the dagger. His fingers traced the patterns on the handle, feeling the weight of history in his hands. “Drake, I dinna ken what to say. This is... it’s an incredible gift.”
Drake smiled, a look of understanding in his eyes. “I know it will be in good hands with you.”
Callan held the dagger. “I’m honored, truly.”
Daisy walkedwith Millie along the beach, enjoying the breeze and the smell of the ocean.
Mildred, with a lifetime of experiences etched into her kind eyes, turned her full attention to Daisy who broke down in tears, telling her the entire story, or as she and Zara liked to say, spilling the tea.
