Page 32 of Hearts Bound By Time

Teddy snuck in through the kitchen door of the inn, carefully setting the baskets he carried on the floor. He tucked one special gift into his jacket pocket before entering the dining room of the inn.

“Teddy, there ye are. We’ve been waiting for ye,” Edna said.

He nodded to Edna, all the while thinking to himself that he needed to start speaking more. He’d felt so comfortable last night with Marissa. She understood him and had encouraged him to come out of his shell. All his life he’d felt like the odd man out. Being different hadn’t been easy and growing up in this little village had been difficult. There were times when the other lads of the village had taken great pleasure in making his life as miserable as possible. If it wasn’t for Edna, he wasn’t sure where he’d be today or if he even would be for that matter.

He loved the way Marissa’s face lit up when she saw him. He’d never experienced anything like that in his entire life. “Merry Christmas!” he said, straightening to his full height and attempting eye contact with everyone. It felt good. They all smiled and wished him the same. That wasn’t so hard. Marissa was beaming at him and he beamed right back. He pulled that neatly wrapped package from his pocket and walked to her. “This is for ye.”

“Really? For me?” She accepted the package from him and stared down at it. “I don’t have anything for you.”

“Ye’ve already given me my gift. Ye encouraged me to speak and be heard. I intend to do that from now on. Thank ye for that.”

“You’re welcome.” She gently untied the ribbon and ran her finger under the tape. The package fell open, revealing a beautiful hand tooled purple leather notebook accompanied by a matching pen.”

“Because yer a writer,” Teddy said.

Marissa jumped up and threw her arms around him. It took only a moment for Teddy’s arms to find their way around Marissa. He was holding her close and not feeling at all awkward. What a relief. She felt good in his arms. He could definitely get used to this.

“Thank you, Teddy. It’s the most beautiful gift anyone has ever given me and so thoughtful.” She kissed his cheek and moved back out of his arms. Teddy’s hand automatically went to his cheek, where he could still feel the softness of her lips as they’d left an indelible impression on him. He’d remember it forever.

“I ken ye’ll be leaving soon, and I wanted to give ye something to remember me by.” His voice took on a solemn note.

“Oh, Teddy. I guess I do have a gift for you after all. Mrs. MacDougall has extended an invitation to stay with her as long as I like. I’ll help her around the house and stable and I’ll be able to write my book.”

Teddy was so happy that he swept Marissa up in his arms and twirled her around, completely oblivious to everyone present in the room. When he finally put her down he glanced at Edna and the others who were all smiling brightly at them.

“That’s wonderful news, Marissa,” Edna replied with a sparkle in her eyes.

Teddy knew that sparkle. He’d seen it many times before. He never thought he’d see it directed at him, but there it was, plain as day. Edna had been matchmaking again and he was very thankful that she had.

***

Jenna excused herself and headed to the kitchen. She was being followed by Cormac.

“Where do ye think yer going, love?” Cormac blocked her way into the kitchen.

“I’m going in the kitchen. What does it look like I’m doing?”

“What do ye need. I’ll be happy to retrieve it for ye.”

“I can get it myself. Thanks though.” She tried breezing past him, only to find an arm in her way. “Cormac, please. There’s something in the kitchen I have to get.”

“What is it?”

“Why are you behaving like this.” When he didn’t answer her or move, she said, “Okay. Your present is in there.”

“What?” Cormac appeared puzzled. “Yer gift is in there.” He pushed open the door and Jenna practically knocked him over to get in first.

They both stopped short when they saw two baskets with red ribbons attached. “Which one is which?” Jenna asked.

“Teddy!” Cormac called. “Why are there two baskets?”

“Ye each asked me to pick something up for ye this morning and I did.” Teddy peeked his head through the door. “The one on the right is the one Jenna asked me to get and the one on the left is yers, Cormac.”

The puzzled couple exchanged suspicious glances and then each grabbed their gift basket. “Let’s go back in the other room,” Cormac suggested.

“Okay.”

Cormac held the door open for Jenna and then followed her back to their seats.