Page 4 of Hearts Bound By Time

“’Tis hot chocolate. I ken ye’ve never had it, but isnae it delicious?”

“Mmmm…” was the response. Fiona gazed up at Maggie and all the other children giggled at the dollop of whipped cream that had somehow made its way onto the tip of Fiona’s nose. Maggie gently wiped it away with a napkin and Fiona smiled brightly at her, before taking another cookie. “Everything is so pretty,” Fiona said as she looked around the room.

Edna and Maggie had decorated it with the children in mind. The tree was enormous, practically touching the ceiling and it was covered with many colorful ornaments and sparkling lights. A giant star adorned the very top. The windows and doors were framed by garland and more lights, and a candle sat on each sill.

It wasn’t long before Ranald and Rowan began racing around the room and peeking their heads into every doorway.

“Ranald! Rowan! Settle down. Yer Grannie doesnae wish ye to tear apart her home in the first few moments yer here.” Lena broke away from the adults and brought the two young lads back to their seats. “Ye must behave yerselves. Ye can play once we’ve all gotten settled. Do ye ken my meaning?”

“Aye.” Rowan smiled sweetly at his mother.

“Ranald?” Lena asked.

“Aye.” He seemed somewhat reluctant to concede, but when Lena leaned down and kissed his cheek, he said, “I’ll be good, Ma.”

Maggie exchanged a knowing glance with Lena. “I’ve got it from here.”

***

“Ashley, Jenna, ye and yer husbands and baby Emma will stay in the cottage behind the inn. There is plenty of room for all of ye and ye’ll have some privacy. I’ll show ye the way once the men are back from the stables.”

“Thank you, Edna. It sounds wonderful.” Jenna said.

“Lena, ye and Ewan will have yer old bedroom and the little ones will all be sharing a room. Irene, Angelina and Catherine, ye’ll all have rooms upstairs, but first help yerselves to the scones and a nice warm drink, please.”

“I can hardly wait.” Ashley broke away from the group and headed straight to the refreshments and the hot chocolate. “Mmmm…” She took a sip of the chocolate. “I love chocolate so much. How I’ve missed you.” She spoke directly to the cup and the others all chuckled as they tried the scones, which much to Edna’s delight seemed to be a huge success. Everyone took a seat at the table next to the children. The cozy warmth of the inn was something that Edna prided herself on and she was happy to see how at home her guests felt since their arrival.

The doors to the inn opened and the men along with wee Robert entered and joined their wives in the dining room, taking seats at another nearby table. Cormac was greeted by a bounding Chester, who practically leaped into his arms.

“I see ye’ve missed me as much as I’ve missed ye.” Cormac hugged an obviously ecstatic Chester, who rolled over for a belly scratch.

Edna brought the baked goods to the men, along with mugs. “I’ve coffee if ye’d rather that.” Edna said.

“Aye. I’d like that,” Cailin said with a gleam in his eye.

“Cormac?”

“Aye,” he replied.

“I’ll have some as well,” Richard said.

“Robert, I ken that neither of these drinks is familiar to ye, but what would ye care to try?”

He glanced at the other men and decided, “Coffee.”

“Alright then, coffee all around.”

“I’ll help ye, me love,” Angus offered, following her into the kitchen.

She peeked back over her shoulder to make sure everyone was happy and seeing that they were, closed the door behind her. “Angus, this is going to be a verra happy time for all, dinnae ye think so?”

“Aye. So far all is well. No one seems too shocked to be here,” he chuckled.

“I can hardly believe they’re all here. I’ve been looking forward to this for months with all the planning and preparation.”

“I’m just happy they accepted the invitation.” Angus winked at Edna.

“Oh, come here ye silly man.”