“We’re staying,” Dougall answered as he jumped down from his horse. “Logan will be joining us, so he’ll be in need of a bed.”
“And some food.” Logan had dismounted and was sniffing the air, which carried the aroma of roasted meat. “We’ve not had a good meal in days.”
“Ye ken the way to the kitchen, so go get yerself something to eat and then find me. I’ll have someone get a bed ready fer ye,” Cailin said. “I’ll take yer horse.”
Logan handed the reins to Cailin, nodded to Dougall and was on his way.
“I was sorry to hear about Helene,” Cormac said.
“Aye. ‘Tis difficult to be back without her, but is good to be home,” Dougall replied. He really didn’t wish to speak of it right now and it seemed the brothers understood, because they dropped the subject. “I’ll help ye with the horses,” Cailin said. “Cormac, we’ll see ye inside.”
Cormac headed off to the soldiers’ quarters to make room for Logan while Dougall and Cailin entered the quiet of the stables. Dougall led Broch to his stall and Cailin followed with Dewin. As they unsaddled the horses and brushed them down, Dougall was grateful for Cailin, who knew better than to prod him for information. He’d talk to him, but not right now. Now he simply wished to think about something other than the happenings of these past weeks.
The two men worked in silence, the sound of the horses munching on their hay was a balm to Dougall’s soul. His mind focused on the task at hand and all other thoughts vanished. If only it could stay this way, then he might be able to get on with his life.
When they’d finished, Cailin escorted Dougall to the great hall where the women were busily planning a feast to celebrate the summer solstice. They stopped when they noticed the men.
Ashley jumped from her seat and quickly made her way to Dougall and Cailin. “I’m so sorry, Dougall.” Her concern was evident, as was her own disappointment at losing her friend. Ashley and Helene were very close and it broke his heart that she too would have to live her life without someone who was obviously so important to her.
“I’m sorry as well.” This homecoming was bittersweet. He loved these people who were more like family to him than his own, but it also reminded him of the time he’d spent here with Helene.
“What happened? Why didn’t she come back?” Dougall could read the disappointment on her face.
“She didnae wish to come.” Ashley’s raised her eyebrow in question, so he continued. “She’s met someone else and she wished to stay with him.”
“Did she say that?” Ashley stood with her hands on her hips now, eyes narrowed and head tipped.
“There was nae need. I told her I was returning and asked her to meet me at sunrise. She didnae come.” What more could he say? That was the way of it.
“And you’re okay with that?” she asked.
Of course he wasn’t, but what could he do. “It was her wish to stay.”
“Dougall, what if she wanted to come back and she was late or something?” Jenna joined in the conversation as she approached them.
He hadn’t thought of that. “I don’t believe that was the case. She’s been living in yer home with a man named Zeke Barrett. I ken he has feelings fer her and she for him.”
“I don’t believe it!” Ashley seemed incensed. “She loves you, Dougall. How could you give up so easily?”
Cailin gave him a sympathetic look from behind Ashley’s back. Dougall knew her well enough to know she wouldn’t give up on this.
“’Tis done. I cannae go back and fix it now.” The pain Dougall was feeling hadn’t subsided even a wee bit since his return to this time. He wondered if it ever would.
“Sure you can. We just need to get in touch with Edna. You tell her what happened and she’ll help you fix it.” Ashley appeared determined to get Helene back.
“She’s right, Dougall,” Jenna added. “She fixed it for me and Cormac.”
A small spark of hope ignited in Dougall’s heart and he quickly tried to extinguish it. This had been the most difficult thing he’d ever been through and he wasn’t sure he could do it again.
“You know that’s what she does, right?” Ashley prodded him. “I’m not going to let you give up.” She turned and marched towards the stairs.
“Where are ye going?” Cailin called after her.
“To get my snow globe. This is an emergency!”
“When she makes up her mind, she’ll nae be stopped,” Cailin explained.
“I ken it,” Dougall said. A small smile crossed his lips as he recognized a lot of Sara in Ashley, but he also saw the woman Helene had become.
