“She’s fine, sir. She said to give ye her best.” Dougall breathed in the mixture of pine scent from the surrounding trees and the smell of the ocean, which arrived on a cool breeze.
“I haven’t seen her in quite some time. She’s a lovely young lady. Am I putting this on the company tab?” Jasper asked.
“Aye.” Dougall nodded in agreement.
“Jenna was quite frightened of horses if I remember correctly, but her family’s business has always kept some horses here at the stable.”
“She’s nae afeared any longer. Her husband has taught her to ride.” Dougall felt comfortable sharing this information with Jasper. He was a good judge of character and he felt Jasper was a good man.
“Husband? She’s married now?” Jasper seemed surprised.
“Aye,” Dougall said.
“Well, I’ll be. I guess I’ve been working here a long time. I remember her from when she was a child. She’s all grown up now. Time flies.”
Dougall dismounted, as did Logan.
“You can have the two stalls on the end. If you need anything special for your mounts, let me know and I’ll see to it for you.”
“Thank ye, Jasper,” Dougall extended a hand and Jasper clasped it in a firm handshake.
Dougall and Logan entered the stable, which was clean and well kept. The stalls were large and had doors that led outside to a decent sized run.
“The horses will be happy here,” Dougall said.
“Now we’ve only to find our way to Jenna’s house.” Logan appeared eager for an adventure.
“I’ve the information Jenna wrote down for me.” He removed it from his sporran and quickly looked it over before placing it safely away.
They unsaddled their horses and Jasper showed them where they could keep their tack. When everything was settled, they began walking. Jasper had been kind enough to point them in the right direction. The rest was up to them.
The little coffeeshop downstairs from Sara’s apartment wasn’t very busy today. She was able to get a seat outside, where the sun had managed to shine brightly, warming her as she sipped her coffee and nibbled on a croissant. Movement down the block and heading her way caught her eye. Two fine specimens of men were only moments away from the coffee shop. What were the chances they’d stop? They were tall, muscular and kilted. One was a long-haired blonde and the other had long, dark curly locks. There was something other worldly about them. Or maybe it was other timely. Ever since she’d learned time travel was possible, Sara spent a ridiculous amount of her time deciding whether or not the people she met were time travelers. These two, unlike all the others, seemed completely out of place. As they strode purposefully towards her, she noted that they each had a sword peeking up over their shoulder and most likely sheathed at their back. The one with the dark hair, glanced her way and she was immediately taken in by his appearance. He had what she’d call animal magnetism and she was definitely drawn to him. They were approaching her table now and would pass her right by if she didn’t say something.
Gathering her courage, she said, “Hi!” They glanced at each other and then at her, stopping as they did so. “Hello. You’re not from around here are you?”
The scowling blonde spoke first, “Nae, lass. We be from a place far from here.”
The dark haired man said something, but she couldn’t quite make it out. He was gazing at her now and if she wasn’t mistaken, his eyes were fixed on her lips. He was totally checking her out. She was about to get her flirt on.
“I have no idea what you’re saying, but please keep saying it. I could listen to you all day.” She directed her best sultry smile at them.
The men exchanged puzzled glances.
“Would you like to sit down? Maybe have a cup of coffee,” she asked.Please say yes.
“Coffee,” the blonde one said. “Cailin said we should try it, but we’ve little time.”
“Come on. It won’t take long. Sit, please.” She patted the chairs to either side of her. She could hardly wait. She was going to be the filling in a Scottish highlander sandwich.
The men looked at each other again. The dark haired one shrugged his shoulders and sat on what now appeared to Sara to be a very tiny little chair. He motioned with his head for the blonde man to follow suit, which he did.
“I’m Sara.” She held out her hand.
The dark haired man took it in his and said, “I be Logan. This be Dougall.”
Had she heard that right. Could this be Helene’s Dougall? “Logan, right?” she said, directing her question to him.
“Aye.”
