Kenna’s lips trembled when she tried to smile, unsure if she’d ever see him again.
“Well now,” Owen cleared his throat and put on a bright smile. “Hop out. I’ve work tae do. I’ll be back for ye right after I close. Sean is helpin’ me with the inventory tonight, so dinnae let him get too worn out with his grave tendin’.”
Grave tending? Puzzled, Kenna simply nodded and opened the door.
“And dinnae forget the picnic basket I packed for ye. I put it in the trunk earlier so ye couldnae talk me out’ve it. Mayhap Sean’s already discovered it.”
Kenna thought of the meager apples and leftover bread she’d put in her bag, along with her clothing. “Ye’re a treasure.”
She got out, closed the door, and gave Owen a light wave at the same time Sean closed the trunk. He had indeed discovered the basket and was peeking beneath the cover.
“Mmm. Smells so good.”
“Ye cannae have it. At least, not yet.” Kenna raised an eyebrow and pointed to the shovel on the ground. “Ye must earn it, first.” She held her stern look for several seconds before her grin gave her away.
A look of relief washed over Sean’s face. “Ye’re no’ still angry wi’ me?”
“Nae.” Shaking her head, she turned toward the kirk. “ ’Tis ye who should be angry with me. Ye’ve done everything ye could, tae help me. I’m grateful. And sorry.”
Sean picked up the shovel, tucked the basket under the same arm, and cupped her elbow with his free hand. “This ground is uneven. Let me help ye.”
She complied, liking the feel of his strong hand guiding and supporting her. ’Twas such a new experience, to lean on someone. ’Twould be easy to get used to. Too easy. Reminding herself she’d need all the self-reliance she’d learned—and earned—when she got back to her own time, she pushed such self-indulgence aside.
Sean tightened his grip as they maneuvered past some scattered stones at the front of the kirk. “How are ye feeling? Truly?”
“Much better. Just a little soreness, yet, but nothing I cannae manage. The bandages have helped tae keep my jeans from rubbing. And as soon as I slip behind the kirk-wall and exchange them for my own clothing, ’twill be even better.”
“Need help?”
’Twas clear from the sudden alarm on Sean’s face, he hadnae meant it the way it sounded. “I ken I can handle it,” she chuckled. “If not, I’ll call ye.”
“Oh. Aye. Okay.” He stepped away, nodding toward the graveyard and the outer wall. “I’ll just set this basket in the shade and get started, then.” Shifting his load to both hands, he gave her a resigned look. “I’d ask ye tae stay up here and get some rest, but I ken ye willnae listen. So, if ye intend tae join me once ye’ve changed, dinnae come down that steep slope alone. Call, and I’ll come help ye.”
Noting the blush still staining his cheeks, Kenna pressed her lips together to contain the smile fighting to get out. “I promise.”
Once inside, Kenna limped to her usual corner, removed her Tee-shirt, and carefully eased the fabric of her jeans past her bandaged knees. She wondered, as she pulled her old clothing from the sack, if this was the last time she’d make the change. Or if she was destined to be doing this same thing, weeks, even months into the future.
Her stomach churned at the thought. She dinnae ken she could endure this fear and uncertainty, much longer. If only she knew where her family was. How they were. She’d prayed for their safety until the words felt more like a recitation than a plea ripped from her very soul.
Todaymustbe the day she finds her way home.Please, let this be the day.
By the time she’d dressed and gotten around to the kirk’s south side, Sean was hard at work, digging in the opening where she’d fallen.
“Sean!”
He looked up, paused, and stared at her. She stared back. The long end of his plaid hung behind him, and his longshirt lay open at the neck. He’d rolled the sleeves past his elbows, exposing strong, corded forearms. Standing in the sun, looking bronzed from his skin to his hair, he seemed more fantasy than real. This was the picture she wanted to memorize. To take with her, along with the ones she’d already tucked away of the tender look he sometimes wore when he looked at her. And the way his voice dropped to a whisper when he leaned in, close.
But most of all, the way he’d held her and kissed her.
All that, she would keep tightly tucked inside her heart to carry with her, forever. No matter what the future held.
“Ready, lass?” Sean drove the shovel into the turned earth. Broad strides brought him quickly to her side and his face revealed his pleasure. “Ye’re a bonny sight, with the sun on yer face and the breeze in yer hair.”
He captured the end of a lock and rubbed it between his fingers. “Pure copper and soft as down. A true treasure.” Smiling, he stepped back. “What’s yer pleasure? Shall I assist ye, or carry ye?”
Remembering their long walk, and how Sean had cradled her in his arms, she was more than tempted to relive the experience. It seemed like a lifetime ago. He’d been a stranger, then. But now? Now he wasfarmore than that. Somehow, he’d opened the empty places she hadnae realized she even had and made her wish for the impossible. A future. With him.
Something she’d never tell him. ’Twould serve no purpose. When she left him, the separation had to be clean. He needed to move on. Make a life somewhere else. With someone else.
