“I haven’t asked her yet. I’m not even sure she’d want to go with me. She’s happy here with you and Helene.”
“’Tis you she’s happy with,” Dougall noted. “Ye ken, she’s me sister and while I havenae spent a good deal of time with her over the years, I do know she’s never been this happy.”
“Aye. I’ve never seen her smile and laugh so much,” Logan added. “I’ve known her almost as long as she’s been Dougall’s sister.”
Zeke was surprised by this. He thought back to their first meeting and could see what they meant. She didn’t come across as the warm, sweet woman he now knew. She’d seemed cool, distant and somewhat disagreeable with him, which is why he didn’t really like her much at first.
This new information put a whole new spin on his return trip. He hoped it would be alright with Edna, because he’d made up his mind. He wanted Brenna to come home with him.
***
The thought of never having to answer to her Da again, had Brenna walking on air. San Francisco sounded as if it would be exactly the right place for her and the best part of it all was that Zeke would be there with her. This would be the adventure that had been sorely lacking in her life. She no longer had to tolerate the pettiness of her step-mother. Excitement, followed by anticipation, followed by nervousness kept her moving. She couldn’t seem to sit still.
“Brenna, what on earth is wrong with ye, lass?” Helene asked.
“Nae a thing,” Brenna answered.
“Yer jumping around as if a spider’s crawled up yer skirt.”
“I ken it. I’m sorry. I dinnae mean to disturb ye.”
“Dougall and Zeke will be home soon. I could use yer help to make the evening meal so it’s ready when they arrive.”
“Aye. What can I do to help?”
“Can ye go to the root cellar and get me some wine to serve with dinner?” Helene continued chopping herbs and mixing them into the dough she’d prepared.
Brenna froze. She was afraid to go to the root cellar alone. It was dark now and it was always possible that Laird Munro had snuck back and was waiting for her out there.
“What’s wrong, Brenna? Ye’ve gone pale on me. Do ye nae feel well?” Helene stopped what she was doing and rushed to Brenna’s side. “Och, me. I’m so sorry. I didnae think about yer ordeal of yesterday. Come, let’s go together.”
Helene took a torch to light the way and Brenna held her sgian-dubh tightly in her hand as they slowly made their way to the cellar. Every little sound caught Brenna’s attention. Her heart was racing in her chest. Once they’d made it to the cellar, Helene grabbed the wine and hurried Brenna back to the house. As they came through the door, Brenna shrieked in fright and clutched her chest, startled to find Dougall and Zeke standing there waiting for them.
Zeke was immediately at her side holding her close. “Oh, sweetie, it’s alright. It’s just us. I’m so sorry we frightened you.”
“She was nervous to go out back after what took place yesterday,” Helene explained.
Brenna held tightly to Zeke. “I thought ye were Laird Munro.”
“Munro! I’m a lot better looking than that old geezer,” he laughed hoping that it would help Brenna to stop shaking.
Brenna clung to him, took a deep breath, then looked into his eyes. He held her close so she would feel his strength. He couldn’t stand the thought of her being scared. It was only a moment until she shared a small smile with him then laughed, as did Helene and Dougall.
“Forgive me. I dinnae ken how I could have mistaken either of ye fer that terrible man,” Brenna said.
“No need to apologize, or to ever worry about him again,” Dougall said.
He and Zeke exchanged glances and Brenna wondered what secret they shared. “Ye didnae kill him, did ye?”
“Nae, of course we didnae,” Dougall said.
“Dougall, would ye take the wine. Let’s sit by the fire before we eat,” Helene suggested.
Dougall took the wine jug from her. Brenna observed her brother and Helene as she had been since her arrival. She could see how much in love they were. If she needed to know what love was, then this was the best example she’d seen. He was so attentive and sweet with her, but he also showed great respect for her, listening to her opinions and taking her advice.
Once they were seated around the hearth, Dougall filled their goblets with wine.
“Slainté,” Dougall toasted, raising his wine. They all followed suit.
