“Not only that, she has no identification to speak of and no way of getting any.” Sara poked a finger into her brother’s chest as she spoke.
“Is that a problem?” Helene asked.
“Only if you want to get a job, drive a car or travel anywhere. There are lots of reasons you might need an I.D.” Sara seemed angry with her brother. “You should have seen to it that she got there on time this morning.”
“Oh, my.” Helene was beginning to feel as though she had done nothing but worry from the moment she’d arrived. Would it ever get any better, or would she always be afraid of living in this time. There were so many things to know and while her confidence had been bolstered by this experience, she wondered if she would ever feel at home in this place.
“Don’t worry,” Zeke said. “We’ll find a way to make this work, but I’m not giving up on getting you back to your own time, no matter how long it takes.”
All wasquiet at Castle Treun as Dougall and Logan rode through the gates. It would be hours before those in the castle awoke to begin their day. They dismounted and walked their horses to the stable entrance where they were greeted by a young lad who took their horses from them. Dougall strode across the courtyard, followed by Logan. When they arrived at the castle entry, Logan left him and went off to the kitchen in search of food. Dougall chuckled to himself. Logan was always interested in filling his belly and constantly worried about where his next meal would be coming from.
A fire blazed in the hearth of the great room and Dougall made himself comfortable in a chair he placed before it. He rested his elbows on his knees, mesmerized by the flickering flames, which reminded him of the many nights he’d held Helene in his arms as they enjoyed the warmth emitted by such a fire. How he would get her out of his thoughts wasn’t something he hoped to accomplish. At least not right away and perhaps not ever. She was so much a part of him that he was amazed he was able to walk and talk without that piece of him that was now missing. It would take time to mend his heart and to heal his soul.
A loud hacking sound came from behind him and he turned to find Laird MacRae stumbling into the hall.
“Da, are ye well?” he asked.
“Dougall! Yer back!”
“Aye. I’ve come to speak with ye.”
Paddraig dropped himself into a chair opposite Dougall and took a long swig of ale. “What ye didnae say enough the day that ye left?”
“Nae. I’ve come to tell ye that if ye wish me to marry Greer, I shall.” As he spoke the words, his stomach revolted on him and it was all he could do not to retch on the stone floor. He steadied himself. “Helene…” Her name caught in his throat. “Helene is gone.” He didn’t say more. His Da had no need to know the particulars of his situation.
“Aye. Well, ’tis good to hear. I didnae wish the lass any harm. Me only wish was that she leave ye be.”
The anger Dougall had been containing came roaring back to life. He fisted his hands to keep for pummeling the old man. His voice came out in a low growl, “Da, ye tried to kill her. Ye left her to die. How can ye possibly say that ye meant her nae harm?”
“I told yer sister to tell her that because I wished to frighten her into leaving and never coming back. I sent one of me men to follow her. Ye must believe me, I didnae wish her to come to any harm. He made sure she didnae, at least until they came to a bridge where he lost her in the fog. He couldn’t find her, so he returned to me. Ye ken me better than that lad. I was strict with ye when ye were a lad, but I am nae a murderer.” He looked in his cup and seeing it was empty, lurched from the chair and across to the sideboard where the ale sat in a pitcher. He poured himself more. “Do ye wish some ale, lad?”
Dougall shook his head. He didn’t think he could stomach it at that moment.
“As for Greer, I took yer suggestion and I married her meself.” He chuckled as he made his way back to the chair. “She’s a feisty one, she is and may end up being the death of me yet.”
Dougall was both shocked and relieved to hear this news.
“I’ll find ye another lass to marry. Dinnae fear. There are many who’d give all they have to be married to the future laird of the MacRae’s.”
“I’m nae ready to marry, Da. I need some time.”
“This lass has broken yer heart,” he said.
“Aye. She has.”
“And yet ye still love her?” Paddraig seemed puzzled by that.
“I do.” Dougall was baffled by his father. He wasn’t his normal irascible self. He actually seemed as though he cared about Dougall’s heart. “Da, ye seem so different to me. Has something happened to change ye.”
“Aye. Yer sister Brenna showed me that I’ve nae been the best father to ye. She’s wise beyond her years, that one is. She spoke to me about yer absence from Castle Treun. She told me ‘twas me own fault and that if I ever wished to have yer respect that I would have to show ye the same in return. It took some time for me to see things her way, but she wouldnae let it rest. She has taught me that I should be kind to those I love and I do love ye, son.”
What could Dougall say to that? In all his years, he’d never heard his father say he loved him.
Paddraig scratched his head and sighed. “I must thank ye fer not wishing to marry Greer. I believe that has helped me disposition as well. I’ve been a lonely old soul since yer Ma passed and I was angry with ye when ye wouldnae stay here with me after she was gone.”
Dougall was surprised to hear that. His father had never led him to believe that he needed or wanted him here.
“Do ye wish to be laird when I’m gone, lad?” Paddraig asked
