Page 9 of Hearts Bound By Time

“As are we,” Daniel said.

“We’re back visiting Ma for the holiday with our two sons and some other members of Ewan’s family. I hope ye’ll stop by for our Christmas Eve celebration.”

“We just might do that, lass. I’m closing the pub early to be sure everyone is home with their families, as they should be on a night like that.”

“Good. I’ll tell Ma and Da to expect ye then.” Lena sat back down. “I can hardly wait to taste yer famous fish and chips.”

Mr. Calhoun looked back to the pass through, jumping into action as he retrieved the food and brought it to them. “Here ye are. Lunch is on me today and I’ll nae hear another word about it.”

“Thank you so much, Mr. Calhoun. We appreciate it,” Dylan said. “Would you care to join us?”

“Nae. I’ll let ye enjoy the food and I’ll see ye on Christmas Eve. I can hardly wait to meet yer little ones, lass.” With that he turned and went back into the kitchen and Daniel retreated to the bar.

Ewan squeezed her hand under the table. “Ye’ve many good friends here in Glendaloch.”

“Aye. I do.”

***

The walk back to the inn was a quiet one. They were all quite stuffed from their meal.

“I hope the boys are napping,” Lena said. “I think I’d like to do the same.”

“Dylan and I will watch them so ye can have a rest,” Maggie volunteered.

“That’s so sweet of ye both. Thank ye.”

They opened the door to the inn and were greeted by Edna and Angus. “Did ye have fun, Ewan?” was the first question out of Edna’s mouth.

“I did.” Ewan gazed at Lena who was yawning and leaning into him. “We’re verra tired though. We thought we’d take a bit of a rest.”

“Oh, please do. Lena before ye go, Michael Allaway called. He wanted to know if he could take ye to lunch tomorrow.”

Ewan did his best to control his jealousy. This was merely an old friend and he trusted Lena to have lunch with him without incident, but why did he feel there was something more to it. She looked to him and he nodded.

“What did ye tell him, Ma?”

“I said ye’d be happy to.”

“Ewan do ye want to join us?” Lena appeared worried.

“Nae, love. Ye go and enjoy yer time with yer friend.”

“Are ye sure?”

“Aye. Dinnae worry about me.” I’ll be busy worrying about ye, my love.

Chapter 5

Irene & Robert

“Ooo, Robert, I love it here. Do we have to go back?” Irene was mesmerized by all the unusual things she was seeing at the local apothecary. She picked up everything that caught her eye and examined it from top to bottom. “I’ll have much to ask Edna when we return to the inn.”

Robert smiled adoringly at his wife. “Irene, no matter how much ye love it, we must go back to Breaghacraig when the time arrives.” It was their first afternoon in Glendaloch and they were both excited to explore, so they’d left the children with Edna and headed out. For his part, Robert also spent a lot of time pushing buttons, pulling levers and generally trying to figure out how all these modern luxuries worked. He’d already decided he wanted a shower, although he had absolutely no idea at all how to create one. Plumbing is what Angus had called it, trying his best to explain the workings to a puzzled Robert.

He finally managed to pull Irene away from the apothecary and their next stop was the hardware store. His eyes lit when he saw things that he recognized as parts to the light fixtures. “Mayhap I’ll find what I need here in this store.” Robert took off and left Irene running to keep up with him.

“Robert! Wait!” she called after him.