“I’m nae as sure of it as I once was, Da. I thought I did, but if being laird means hurting those I love, as I’ve done with Helene, then…” Could he say the words? It had been his primary goal since he was a young lad and now it didn’t seem important to him. Since meeting Helene, he’d thought of being laird with her by his side as Lady MacRae. Without her he simply didn’t care.
“I understand what yer saying. Ye’ve got time to make yer decision. I dinnae plan on leaving this earth soon, not now that I’ve found me lovely Greer. I plan to stay and enjoy me wife for as long as the good Lord above will allow it.”
“Do ye mind if I go back to the MacKenzies?” Dougall asked.
“Lad, if that’s where yer heart tells ye to be, then I willnae hold it against ye if ye go. I dinnae need ye here. I’ve yer brother Fingall to help me if need be. He’s grown up to be more responsible than I had imagined. Mind ye, he’s nae as responsible as ye, but he’ll do.” He laughed as he stood to go.
“I’ll be taking Logan with me when I go, Da.” He thought Paddraig would object, but he didn’t.
Paddraig nodded his head in understanding. “Get some rest, son. ’Tis still too early to be up and about. I’m going back to me warm bed and me even warmer wife.” He clapped Dougall on the back and then left him.
“I’ve much to think about,” Dougall said aloud. He was amazed that all it took was his sister’s wisdom and Greer Matheson to cause his father to become more light hearted and loving than he’d ever been in the whole of Dougall’s life. He shook his head in disbelief. Life was strange at times and never stranger than it seemed at this particular moment.
Dougall and Loganstayed on with Paddraig for another month. Dougall sent word to Breaghcraig to let them know he was back, but without Helene. He told them he was staying on at Castle Treun for a while longer because there were some projects and repair work that needed tending to and Fingall lacked the skills to do it himself. He hoped that would put their minds at ease. He knew they would be sad to hear Helene had not returned with him, but it was best they know before he returned to them.
Dougall spent his time instructing Fingall and found his brother to be a very attentive student. The last time they’d shared any time together was before he left to foster with the MacKenzies. Back then, Fingall was more interested in the lasses than he was in running the castle and, according to Paddraig, that had only recently changed with his betrothal to Gillian. Now, he was paying close attention to how Dougall handled things, asking questions when he wasn’t quite sure what he should do. Overseeing the workers meant having a general knowledge of what needed to be done. Dougall wasnae a stone mason, nor a carpenter, but he knew how to communicate his wishes to them and see that they followed his instruction.
“Yer doing well, Fingall,” Dougall said.
“Are ye surprised?” Fingall’s smile told Dougall that he wouldn’t be offended by the truth.
“A wee bit, aye. Ye were never much for anything that included hard labor. Ye were more likely to be chasing after a lass or two instead.”
“I’m nae a young lad, Dougall. I’ve grown and I understand what it means to oversee the castle and the clan.”
“Ye’d make a fine laird.” Dougall clapped his brother on the back.
“I’ll not have that chance unless it comes at your expense and I do not wish that.”
“Let’s get this finished. I intend to return to the MacKenzies as soon as we’ve completed these tasks.” They filled a wheelbarrow with stones to complete the repair work they were doing on the section of wall in the inner courtyard that had fallen. Luckily no one had been nearby when it collapsed. After a day of hard work, the repairs were almost complete.
“Do ye nae wish to stay with us?”
“I’m happy at Breaghacraig.” He didn’t mention he wanted to be there in case Helene returned. “I’ll be back more often now that Da is a happily married man.”
Fingall laughed at this. “I ken yer meaning, brother.”
“Tomorrow we’ll look over the rest of the wall to be sure there are no other spots in need of repair.” Dougall placed the last rock in the wall and used his trowel to tap it securely into place.
Covered in dust, Logan joined them. “Have we finished?”
“Aye. Ye look as if ye could use a wee dram of whisky.”
“I could. And some food.”
“What of ye, Fingall? A wee dram to celebrate our success.”
“Aye. Lead the way.”
Helene was getting moreand more comfortable with her life in San Francisco. She no longer spent her time in the house waiting for Zeke to return or for Sara to come by. She was quite proud of herself. San Francisco was a scary place for a medieval Scottish woman, but she somehow had managed to get over her fear and embrace her new life. She spent a few days a week at the studio with Zeke, helping with his younger students. She’d learned a lot about sparring and combat from watching the men at Breaghacraig on the practice field and she was pleased that she’d been able to use that knowledge to teach the very youngest students at the school. Zeke had expressed his admiration for her newfound confidence and Helene was pleased. The last thing she wanted was to be a burden to him or Sara. He’d given her a credit card and a phone and she’d made good use of them as she made her way around town. It was difficult at first to understand the workings of such unbelievable things and there were a few mishaps, but now she was a ‘pro’ as Sara had called it. Every day she felt herself getting stronger and more sure of herself. She could never go back to being the timid and meek woman she’d been when she first arrived. She hoped that one day she’d be able to go back to Breaghacraig. It was her home, after all, and she missed the friends she’d come to think of as her family. As much as she wanted to return, she felt torn. She loved Sara and Zeke. They had become very special to her and she couldn’t imagine leaving them, but perhaps if she did go back, she’d be able to visit them again. Edna had helped her get here once, she was sure it could happen again if she wanted it to. In the meantime, she was going to take full advantage of her newfound freedom and go to the movies on her own.
Chapter 21
Helene had just about givenup on returning to Breaghacraig. She’d watched Zeke try every day for the past several weeks to contact Edna and she’d tried as well. As much as she wanted to go back home, she was becoming resigned to the fact that it was most likely never going to happen.
“I’m heading off to the studio. Sara’s coming over in a little while. You two have fun today.” Zeke grabbed his jacket and headed for the door with barely a glance in her direction.
“What time will you be back?” Helene asked.
