“You’ve broken your own heart as well,” he observed.
Helene sat up and took Zeke’s hand. “Aye, but I will be fine. I’ve learned a lot since I escaped Castle Treun and much of it I learned from ye and Sara. I ken that I must take care of meself. I am a strong woman. Ye helped me see that I can make me own decisions.”
Zeke softly stroked her cheek. “I can only imagine how much you’ve grown going through all of this. You’re a brave woman, Helene. You’ve found a place in my heart and I hate to see you go, but I think it’s the right thing. Even if you only go back to Breaghacraig. The MacKenzies are your family. What about Ashley and Jenna?”
“I love them as though they were me own sisters,” Helene said, a small smile showing on her lips.
“Then go back for them. You’ll miss them terribly and this may be your only chance to go back.” It went against his best interests, but he had to convince her to go.
“Can I have a cup of tea with ye while I think on it?” Helene’s soft voice was filled with a warmth he knew he’d miss.
“Of course. Let’s go do that, but we don’t have much time left, so we should hurry.”
The morning foghung heavy and close to the ground. Dougall’s heart was racing as he waited in the hopes Helene would join them. It was difficult to see clearly. People walking along the Marina appeared as ghostly figures off in the distance. Any one of them could be Helene, but he knew in his heart they weren’t.
Glancing Logan’s way, he smiled sadly and shook his head. “She’s nae coming.”
“We should wait a bit longer before we call to Edna, dinnae ye think?” Logan said.
“Had she wished to be with me, she would have joined us by now, but I’ll wait a few more minutes.”
“Sara, can ye nae call to them on that thing ye carry with ye?” Logan asked.
“I wish I could, but I left it back at my apartment. I’m sorry, Dougall.”
‘Nae need fer apologies, lass. Ye’ve been more than kind to two highland strangers ye happened upon on the street.” Dougall kissed her cheek and squeezed her in a hug.
Their horses calmly grazed on the grass at their feet, having somehow gotten used to the strange sights and sounds of this great city. Dougall rubbed Broch’s great neck causing the huge beast to lean into him, begging Dougall to continue. Time passed slowly as they waited and finally Dougall called out to Edna to bring them home.
Logan stepped away from Sara, who moved farther away. They’d explained that she should not get too close or she may find herself joining them on their trip. The horses lifted their heads, ears pricked forward as the fog began to swirl around their feet and slowly creep up their bodies. Dougall could think of nothing but how much he would miss having Helene in his life and before he knew what was happening, they were on their way back in time.
“We should hurry, Helene,” Zeke grabbed her cloak and his jacket. Helene had dressed in her own clothing for the return trip to the sixteenth century. He held out his hand to her and she grabbed it as they left the house and ran down the street towards the Marina. The sun was up now and Helene silently cursed herself for waiting so long to make her final decision. If she missed her chance to go home, she would have no one to blame but herself. The Marina was in sight and she lifted her skirts with one hand while holding tight to Zeke. They ran as fast as possible. He was guiding her to the place where he’d found her that morning not too long ago. They crossed one final street and they were on the green, only moments away from Dougall and Logan.
Zeke suddenly stopped and Helene ran into him. “Why are ye stopping?”
“Look.” Zeke pointed ahead to a lone figure walking their way. “It’s Sara.”
Helene’s heart sank. They were gone. Dougall was gone without her. Once again, she was alone in the world with no one to rely on but herself.
Sara spotted them and waved, running the rest of the way to meet them. “I’m so sorry. They’re gone.”
Helene stood there, unable to speak, unable to cry. She might never see home again and it was all her own doing.
“Helene, we’re here for you,” Sara reassured.
“I ken ye are and I thank ye.”
“I’ll try to contact Edna. She spoke with me through the fireplace,” Zeke said. “Don’t worry, we’ll get you home again, I promise.”
“Dinnae waste yer time fretting over me. I’ll be fine. I’ve survived everything that’s happened to this point, and I ken I’ll survive this as well.”
The three of them walked back to the house. Not a word was spoken by any. Their mood was somber and Helene knew they were at a loss as to what to do with her.” She’d earn her keep as she had at Breaghacraig while she waited to see if Edna would let her go home.
Chapter 20
When the fog cleared, Dougall was relieved to see they were exactly where they were supposed to be. A man with a horse and cart was about to cross the bridge and seemed surprised to see them.
“Where’d ye come from?” he asked.
