“Do ye need anyone else to go with ye?” Cailin asked.
“No. He doesn’t.” Ashley answered, commanding the men to stay in place with a mere glance in their direction. “This is a two man job. Besides, the last thing the city of San Francisco needs is a mass invasion by Scottish Highlanders. So, no need for anyone else to go with him. Edna will make sure they’re safe.” The men grumbled and exchanged disappointed glances.
“Logan, we’d best be on our way. Pray that our journey will be a successful one.” Dougall addressed the others gathered in the hall. “We’ll be back soon I hope.”
Chapter 12
Zeke’s sisterSara was quickly becoming Helene’s best friend. Helene had been in San Francisco for a little over a week and Sara had taken her under her wing, not only giving her clothing to wear, but also taking the time to familiarize Helene with all of the strange objects she would be using in Zeke’s home. An arrangement had been made for Helene to earn her keep. Zeke could have cared less about it, but Helene insisted that she wouldn’t stay unless she could do all of the things she did back at Breaghacraig. She now understood the workings of all of the appliances, as Sara had called them. After she finished her morning chores, Sara was going to take her shopping for some clothing of her own.
“But I have nothing to give in exchange for these clothes,” Helene said. She didn’t wish to be a burden to anyone and she felt uncomfortable with Zeke and Sara buying clothing for her.
“Don’t worry about it, we’ve got you covered,” Zeke said.
“Covered?”
“Jenna and Angelina left money here for emergencies and I imagine this is an emergency of sorts,” Zeke said.
“How will I pay ye back?” Helene asked. Zeke had already done more for her than was necessary. She couldn’t let it continue.
“You don’t have to,” Zeke answered. A warm smile lit his lips as he gazed at her.
“But I wish to.” Helene was not going to allow Zeke to charm her into letting him take care of everything for her.
“Okay. Okay. You’re working around the house. That covers your room, board and anything you may need to purchase for yourself while you’re here.”
“Seems a fair exchange.” Helene determined that she would do her best to earn her place in Zeke’s home.
“Good. Sara will be here any minute. You girls have fun shopping and I don’t want you worrying about spending too much. Got it.” Zeke wrapped an arm around Helene’s shoulders and gave her a squeeze.
“Got it,” she giggled. She was learning to speak like she belonged in this time. Helene assumed she’d be staying for the foreseeable future and she wanted to fit in. She liked Zeke. He was easy to be around and not hard to look at. He ran a medieval martial arts studio somewhere in the city. He was easily as strong as any of the men at Breaghacraig and he had the muscles to prove it. She was somewhat embarrassed that her mind had wandered in that direction, but her life was different now. More so than she imagined it would be when she was Dougall’s betrothed. As Aunt Saundra said, he was probably happily married and had forgotten all about her. So that meant she was free to do as she pleased, not that she was anywhere near to ready to find another man.
The front door opened and Sara walked in. “You ready to go, Helene?”
“Aye.”
“I’ll see you later. I might be a little late getting back tonight. I’ve got classes until eight.” Zeke escorted her to the door, where he hugged Sara.
“I’ll have yer dinner waiting,” Helene said.
“How did I ever manage to get along without you?” Zeke raised an eyebrow and gave her a thumbs up, “Have fun.”
“Let’s go. You know, you don’t have to make him dinner every night.” Sara took her by the arm and led her out the door and down the stairs to the street.
“I ken it, but I like to do it.”
“Well, as long as you aren’t doing it out of some sense of obligation.”
Helene looked blankly at Sara. “What do ye mean?”
“Just because you’re living there, doesn’t mean you have to wait on him hand and foot. He can take care of himself. He’s been doing it for years.”
“Och, ’tis what I want to do. ’Tis what I did back home. I dinnae wish to feel useless.”
Sarah led her to the corner and then up one of the infamous San Francisco hills to a street filled with shops and places to eat.
“So, back in your time you were a maid?” Sara asked. “What was that like?”
“’Tis me job to take care of the Ladies of the castle. I bathe them, fix their hair and help them dress. I help in any way I can.”
