Page 30 of Hearts Bound By Time

“And ye need my help?” Edna was touched by his love and devotion to Ashley. She would help him in any way possible.

“We’ll need a place to stay until we get settled here. Could we stay here with ye, in the cottage?”

“Of course. Ye are always welcome in my home. I love ye both as though ye were my own children.”

“Thank ye, Edna. I’d ask that ye nae say a word. ’Twill be my gift to Ashley. I’ll tell her tomorrow.”

“As ye wish, Cailin.”

He turned and left her alone in the kitchen, wondering what she could possibly do to help the situation. She had an idea. She only hoped it would work.

Chapter 14

Christmas Day

It was still dark when the children scurried downstairs, where Edna sat waiting for them, along with Angus who was thoroughly engrossed in his newspaper. The sun wouldn’t rise for some time. Winter in the highlands meant extremely short days. The candlelight and warmth of the fireplace added a cheery ambience to what might otherwise be a depressing time of year. The fairy lights outside of the inn and up and down the street lent a magical quality to the little village of Glendaloch.

“Good morning, children!” Edna went to them, wrapping each one in a grandmotherly hug. “Why are ye up so early?” she teased.

The children rolled their eyes,something they’d learned from their time traveling aunties. Edna couldn’t help but laugh. They were a delight and she cherished each and every moment she got to spend with them. It would break her heart to see them leave tomorrow, but she knew that she had the ability to arrange for visits, either in her time or theirs. It was something she planned to do more often now that she had help with the bridge.

“Do ye nae think ye should wait for yer parents?”

The children exchanged glances and then shook their heads vigorously.

Edna chuckled. “Well then, at least wait until I’ve served ye some hot chocolate. Come with me to the kitchen while we get everything we need.”

The children gazed longingly back at the tree and gifts, but did as requested and followed Edna into the kitchen.

***

“Good morning,” Ashley said as she yawned and stretched.

“Good morning.” Jenna was seated on the sofa, coffee in hand. “I have such a hard time getting used to the fact that it’s eight o’clock in the morning and still dark outside. You think I’d be used to it by now.”

“I know.” Ashley plopped herself down on the sofa next to Jenna.

“Is Emma still sleeping?” Jenna asked.

“She’s all snuggled up with her daddy.”

“I have to see this.” Jenna rose and peeked into Ashley’s room. “Awww… I wish I had a camera. That is the cutest thing I’ve ever seen.”

Ashley always felt a pang of guilt when it came to Emma. Jenna wanted so badly to be a mother and was having a hard time. She understood how difficult it must be for her to see Cailin and Emma together. Jenna wanted that too and it simply wasn’t happening. Ashley had reassured her that she should give it some time and not worry about it so much. She knew that Dr. Ferguson had told her the very same thing. The sad expression that was normally on Jenna’s face as she observed Emma was gone this morning. It gave Ashley hope that Jenna was finally taking her advice.

“I’ll bet the little ones are dying to open their gifts.”

“We should probably get the guys up and head over to the inn. We don’t want them to have to wait for us.”

“True, but I was so enjoying the peace and quiet. Can we wait just a bit longer?”

The fire was blazing a bright warmth from the fireplace. Ashley nodded and sank into the sofa, finally at peace with herself and her future.

***

“Where is everyone?” Lena peered into the dining room. She could have sworn that she’d heard the children earlier, but they were nowhere to be seen. Worry clutched at her and she looked to Ewan for reassurance that they hadn’t wandered off again.

“They’re here somewhere. They wouldnae dare even think of going off without telling us,” Ewan responded.