Page 11 of Hearts Bound By Time

“Aye, but what?”

“We’ll speak with the others about it. Maybe one of them will have an idea.”

“Very well then. I believe we should head back to the inn. The shops seem to be closing for the night and our children may well have worn out our hosts.”

Robert kept Irene tucked close by his side as they made their way back. Irene could feel how relaxed he was and it made her happy. He had so much responsibility on his shoulders all the time. She was proud of him and proud to be married to the Laird of Clan MacKenzie, but she was also happy to have him to herself, even for this brief time.

Reaching the inn, Robert opened the door for Irene and followed her inside. Their children came running.

“Ma! Da!” Isobel called as she wrapped herself around her father’s leg. “Where did ye go?”

“We were exploring Glendaloch,” Irene said. “Did ye miss us?”

Isobel looked rather sheepishly up at them and whispered, “No.”

Irene and Robert chuckled at this and then led the children back into the lobby area of the inn. Angus was sprawled on the floor with the twins, as they did their best to wrestle him into submission. Edna was seated in a nearby chair with a pile of books on the table adjacent to it.

“We were just reading,” she said. “The children have been verra well behaved.”

“Can Edna keep reading?” Fiona asked. Little Brian climbed up into Edna’s lap and made himself at home.

“We’re mid-story, so if ye wish to go upstairs and rest, I’m happy to keep reading.” Edna waited for their answer and when she didn’t receive one, she said, “Go on then. Have a bit of a rest before dinner. I’ll call ye when ’tis time.”

“Thank ye, Edna. I don’t ken how we’ll ever repay ye fer yer kindness.”

“Don’t worry about that. I’m not doing this for payment, I’m doing it out of love.”

Irene was so overwhelmed by Edna’s statement that she surprised herself by going to her and giving her a big hug and kiss. “Children, continue to be good for Edna. We’ll see ye at dinner.”

Robert and Irene headed upstairs to their room. “’Tis odd having nothing to do.” Robert said as they topped the stairs.

“I can think of something to do, even if ye cannae,” Irene winked at him and swiftly opened the door to their room. Robert was quick to follow.

***

Edna chuckled to herself as she watched Irene and Robert retreat to their room. The children, Wee Robert, Fiona, Isobel and Brian, were a delight and Edna was enjoying the fun of spoiling them. They were such well-behaved little ones for the most part. The description did not, however, extend to her own grandsons. Yes, they were adorable, but the two of them could get into more trouble, more quickly than anyone would have imagined possible. It only took a moment of inattention on her part. Speaking of which, she’d been so focused on Irene and Robert that she’d forgotten all about the twins. It was much too quiet for her liking.

“Rowan! Ranald! Where are ye?” Edna called into the silence. No one answered. She cautiously entered the room, searching every corner as she went. She approached the center of the room and stood a moment, knowing that they had to be there somewhere. A swishing sound came from behind her and before she knew it, she had four little arms wrapped around her, tickling her for all they were worth. Robert and Irene’s children joined in and Edna hooted with laughter. “Why ye little rascals!” She squirmed out of their grasp and then turned the tables on them, grabbing the first child she could get her hands on. Ranald squealed with laughter. She let him go and one by one she chased them down until they got the tickling they deserved. “Enough of that now.” Edna caught her breath. She wasn’t as young as she used to be and as much as she wished to run and play with the children, she knew it was probably not the best idea. “Come. Let’s sit for a moment and catch our breath.” Edna plopped herself down on the sofa and was immediately surrounded with children all trying their best to be the one’s sitting right next to her.

“Edna, what are ye doing?” Angus asked as he entered the room.

“’Tis a good question. I’m apparently wearing myself out in an attempt to wear these children out.”

“Leave that to me, my love. Children, get yer cloaks and we’ll go out back to spar with my straw man.” He put his hands on his hips.

“Grandpa, can I go first?” Rowan asked.

“We’ll see, lad. Come, let’s go. ’Twill be too dark soon.”

The children jumped from the sofa and all ran to the coat rack to grab their cloaks. Robert, being the tallest, handed them down to the others.

Edna gazed gratefully at her husband. “Thank ye, Angus. Yer too good to me.”

“I won’t be long. They’ll be ready for their supper and then bed soon enough.”

“I’ll see to the food, while yer out with them.” She watched the little ones all line up behind Angus and head for the door leading to the back. If she wasn’t so exhausted she’d go with them, but for now she’d take a quick breather and then head to the kitchen to get their supper together for them.

Chapter 6