Page 19 of Hearts Bound By Time

“I know what you mean. I’ve got to seriously get a grip on being the over protective mother. I’ll be happy to remind you to live in the moment, if you’ll remind me not to be so obsessive about Emma’s health.”

“Agreed. I’m happy we have each other.” The two women locked arms and walked ahead of their husbands and Emma. The men were having an animated conversation about whether or not Cailin’s Glendaloch was better than Cormac’s San Francisco.

Jenna and Ashley couldn’t help but giggle at what they were overhearing.

“Cailin, I tell ye, San Francisco is a much more wondrous place. Glendaloch has only the one bridge, but San Francisco has two and they’re much bigger. And Glendaloch has only the one street. San Francisco is vast. There are cars, buses and trains. There are many, many more people, everywhere ye go.”

“I like Glendaloch. ’Tis better,” Cailin protested.

“Ye wouldnae ken better if it bit ye in the arse,” Cormac teased.

The men had picked up some of their wives favorite sayings and liked to use them whenever there was an opportunity.

“Brother, I’d nae be so quick to choose a battle of wits. Ye ken I’d win.” Ashley could tell Cailin was controlling his temper.

“If ye had any wits I might be worried,” Cormac responded.

“Stop it, you two.” Jenna turned back to reprimand them. “Does the sibling rivalry ever stop?”

“’Tis all in good fun. We’ve been at each other since we were wee ones and we still love each other.” Cormac threw an arm over Cailin’s shoulder, kissing his brother’s cheek.

“’Tis yer good luck that I’ve Emma in me arms or I’d…”

“Or ye’d what? Kiss me back?” Cormac chuckled. “Or maybe kiss me arse?”

Ashley rolled her eyes. She knew this kind of teasing could go on for hours. Cormac was an expert at getting under Cailin’s skin, but he was right about the fact that they loved each other and she loved that about them. Cailin was the serious older brother and Cormac was the light-hearted younger brother. No matter the circumstance, they always were there to support each other. Even better than that was the fact that her best friend, Jenna, was now her sister-in-law. Cormac was as perfect for her as Cailin was for Ashley.

***

Cormac wished to hold wee Emma more than anything, but he feared it would only cause Jenna to gaze on him with those sad eyes she showed him whenever he played with his nieces and nephews. He loved them all so very much and he was sure it must be obvious to his wife that it was the one thing missing in what he felt was an already perfect life. Yes, of course, he wanted a bairn of his own. He hoped that their visit to Dr. Ferguson had put her mind at ease and that she would stop being obsessed by their inability to have a baby. Cormac was sure it would happen in due time, but until then he would keep his longing for a son or daughter to himself, not wishing to cause Jenna more grief. Truth be told, his beautiful wife was all he really needed, and come what may, bairn or no bairn he was a very happy man.

Chapter 9

Edna & Angus

Edna slept better last night than she had in years. Something about having all of her time traveling family here at the inn put her mind to rest. She’d never admit to anyone, including Angus, how much she worried about these people she’d come to know and love so much. Yes, she’d sleep well while they were at The Thistle & Hive.

She rose from bed and headed straight for the dining room where Dylan had laid out a sumptuous breakfast for their guests. Having Dylan and Maggie living here at the inn had given her some breathing room. She no longer had to do it all. Not in the witchcraft department and not in the running of the inn. Angus had always done his best to help her, but there were some things he just wasn’t good with. He was not a witch, so he couldn’t help her with the bridge. He did help with the inn, although one look at him sometimes scared the guests away before they even registered. They had no idea he was actually a teddy bear in disguise.

She smiled, thinking of her handsome Highlander. Angus loved her and her quirkiness, showing her every day why she was the luckiest woman on earth.

“Edna, I’ve put together a plate of all yer favorites,” Angus said, patting the seat next to him. “Come sit down.”

“Thank ye, my love.” Edna kissed his cheek as she took her seat. “What have ye planned for the day?”

“Breakfast.” Angus continued eating. “Dylan is a fine chef. He’ll be a good replacement for John.”

“Do ye think ye should perhaps show the lads around while I take the lasses shopping?” Occasionally Edna had to push Angus to be more social.

“If they wish. They havenae asked me.”

“Ye cannae wait for them to ask, ye big fool.”

Angus eyed her with feigned hurt. “How can ye call me a big fool? Am I nae the man ye love?” He pouted and Edna couldn’t help but laugh.

“Aye. Ye are the one and only man I love and have ever loved. I ken ye’d like to sit here and read or spar with yer hay bale warrior out back, but our guests are only here for a few days. They’re not staying like ye did, so it would be nice if ye could show them around.”

“As ye wish, my love. I’ve nae seen ye so excited and ye slept well last night, didnae ye.”