“That’s the big question. I haven’t heard from Edna yet. She’s in charge of our travel.”
“Ashley has the glass ball. She can talk to Edna.”
“What?”
“I saw her.”
“You saw who?”
“Edna.”
“When was that?”
“I was in Ashley’s room, sitting on the bed with the bairns. Emma wished to play with a glass orb that also sat on the bed. It was too heavy for her, so I picked it up and when I did, it appeared there was a snowstorm inside and then I saw a woman looking out at me. Ashley said it was Edna.”
“What happened? Did she speak to you?”
“Nae. I looked away for a moment and when I looked back she was gone.”
“We’ll need to go see Ashley tomorrow morning then, or is that too soon for you?”
“I wish to go home with ye as soon as possible.”
“Alright. We’ll try to contact Edna tomorrow then.”
Brenna nestled herself into his side, placing her head on his chest and her hand on his belly.This is what heaven must feel like, she thought before closing her eyes and drifting off to sleep.
***
They were up bright and early the next morning, eager to visit with Ashley. Dougall and Helene followed them out the door and down the path to Breaghacraig. Dougall held Helene’s hand thewhole way there and Brenna did the same with Zeke, resting her head on his arm as they walked. The sun had barely risen in the sky. Even the birds were just waking. Their happy songs greeted the new day from almost every tree they passed.
“I hope they’re awake,” Brenna said.
“Cailin will be waiting for me, we’re to do a short patrol of the land. I’ll be concentrating me efforts on any areas I think Munro might use if he were to come back.”
“Ashley will need me help getting ready. You should take Zeke to the kitchen and have bread and tea with Mary and Sophia. I’ll send for ye when she’s ready for visitors.”
“’Tis delicious, Zeke. Ye’ll love it.” Brenna said, her voice bright and lively for such an early hour.
“Sounds like it’s exactly what we need,” he replied.
They left Dougall and Helene at the entrance to the kitchen.
“Yer back,” Mary called to Brenna as they came through the door. “And I see ye’ve brought yer man with ye.”
“I’m pleased to meet you, Mary. I’m Zeke.”
“I’ve heard all about ye, Laird San Francisco,” she chuckled.
“Despite what you may have heard, I’m not the Laird of San Francisco, merely a citizen.”
“Me, too,” Sophia said from across the room.
“Are ye joining us for bread and tea?” Mary asked.
“Aye,” Brenna responded.
“Come sit then. Sophia get the tea. I’ll get the bread,” she said as she went to the bread oven located within the fireplace. She took the wooden paddle and removed several loaves, one of which she placed on the table in front of them. She retrieved a crock of honey and brought that along with some fresh butter to the table.
