Page 36 of Hearts Bound By Time

“Thank ye, darlin’, but I’m nae faerie. I’ll be yer witchy godmother.” Chuckling to herself, she left the cottage.

***

Edna, Angus and the others were all seated in the dining room enjoying Dylan’s hard work, when Ashley and Cailin entered. Emma was wrapped in her sling and attached to Cailin’s chest.

“What’s this?” Irene asked. “Are ye coming back with us?”

“Aye, sister. We are.” Cailin was absolutely gleeful. He would have stayed if Ashley had wanted, but he was relieved when she told him she wanted to go home.

“Thank ye, Edna. I ken this was yer doing.”

“I’m going to need all of your help,” Ashley announced. “I can’t do this alone. I’m going to need babysitters.”

“What is a babysitter?” Irene appeared puzzled.

“Someone who watches your baby for you while you go do something else,” Ashley explained.

“I’d be happy to do that for ye,” Irene stated.

“We all would,” Jenna added.

“And Dr. Ferguson will come and visit us, too.” Ashley blurted.

Cailin noted that Lady Catherine’s ears perked up at the mention of Dr. Ferguson.

“He’ll be here soon to say goodbye to ye all,” Edna said.

Cormac and Jenna each had their new little pups in their arms. Chester was curious to see them and sat at attention in front of Cormac. “Dinnae worry Chester, ye’ll always hold a special place in me heart, as I ken I do in yers.” He bent down to scratch Chester behind the ears and at the same time let him sniff the puppy. “Now even though I’ll miss ye, this little one will be with me.” Chester cocked his head to the side and everyone laughed. “Why do ye laugh? He understands what I’m saying to him.”

“I don’t doubt that he does,” Dylan added. “He’s pretty intuitive.”

“Shall we go get the horses,” Angus asked.

“Aye.” Robert said.

The men, along with Wee Robert, all headed off down the street to the stable, where they would gather their horses and return for the women.

They were no sooner out the door when Dr. Ferguson arrived. “I came to say my goodbyes. I saw the men heading off down the street as I arrived.”

“They’ll be back shortly,” Edna said. “Would anyone like to help me in the kitchen. I’m going to check in with Dylan to see if he needs any help.”

“I’ll go with you,” Angelina said.

“Me, too.” Lena added

Jenna and Ashley got the hint and followed Edna, leaving Lady Catherine alone with Dr. Ferguson.

***

“Catherine, I wanted to speak with ye before ye left.”

“I’m happy that ye did, Arthur.”

He took Catherine’s hand and led her to a settee in the lobby. “Please, sit.” He cleared his throat. “Catherine, I’ll be visiting yer time soon and I was wondering if ye’d allow me to call on ye.”

“I’d be delighted, Arthur. As a matter of fact, my feelings may be hurt if ye didn’t.”

Arthur relaxed. He’d felt something for Catherine the moment she walked into his office. At first he thought the fact that she lived in another time would be a huge deterrent to any relationship with her, but then Edna had approached him with a plan to help Ashley to overcome her anxiety and he’d been more than happy to agree.