Page 28 of Hearts Bound By Time

Dylan was pretty pleased with himself. He’d made many traditional Scottish dishes, including steak pie and roast goose. Vegetables were also in abundance, with many different ones to choose from to please everyone’s taste. The guests happily passed platters of food down the table, with the parents, along with some help from the others, filling their children’s plates before taking their own food. He smiled, happy that he had a hand in tonight’s celebration. “How is it?” he asked Maggie as she took her first bite of the steak pie.

“Mmm…” she managed through a mouthful of food.

“Dylan, ye’ve done it again, lad. Delicious. We’ll nae miss John when he leaves us.” Angus had piled his plate high with all of his favorites.

“Thank you, Angus. It means a lot to me,” Dylan replied.

“Aside from the fact that Dylan has made our Maggie so verra happy, we love having him here with us. He is a gem.” Edna spoke to everyone at the table. “Shall we all raise our glasses to toast him?”

Everyone stopped what they were doing and picked up the glasses of champagne that had been set before them. The children had sparkling cider in their glasses and they felt very grown up being able to join in with the adults.

“A toast to a good man. A man who has made our lives much easier by his mere presence. And to a man who is a damn fine cook. To Dylan.” Angus made the toast and then glasses were clinked all around as the others nodded in agreement.

Dylan felt good about his life here in Glendaloch. He felt loved and appreciated and he’d learned that he was so much more than the surfing football player he’d been back in San Francisco. He liked this much better. He’d found the love of his life and like his cousin Jenna and his friend Ashley, he’d found a family and in his mind, nothing could be better.

***

Maggie was so proud of Dylan. He’d gone above and beyond to make this Christmas Eve celebration special for everyone. The food was delicious, for which she was thankful. She wasn’t much of a cook and had never truly been interested, so having a husband who cooked delicious meals every day was a dream come true.

“Maggie, how’s Witchcraft 101 coming along,” Jenna asked, using the term she’d heard Maggie call it in the past.

“You’re a witch?” Marissa asked, a look of wonder on her face.

“Aye. So is me Auntie Edna.” She smiled warmly at Marissa, who still appeared to be wrapping her brain around what she’d just heard. Maggie turned her attention back to Jenna. “Well, I think I’m in the advanced class now, wouldnae ye say, Auntie?”

“Aye. I think I’ve taught ye just about all that I ken. Ye no longer need me help. Yer a full-fledged witch, my dear.” Edna beamed with pride.

“Coming from ye, that’s high praise.” Maggie’s eyes twinkled with unshed tears of happiness. “I don’t know if I’ll ever get that meddling thing down that ye do so well.”

“I’m a proud meddler, although I prefer to be called a matchmaker. The proof is right here at my dining table. My meddling… I mean my matchmaking has brought together most of the couples here tonight.”

“I doubt that yer done though.” Maggie glanced down the table at Teddy and Marissa who were engaged in a very animated conversation. “If ye ken my meaning.”

“Aye. Verra observant of ye. I’ve more up me sleeve, but I’ll nae speak of it now.” Edna took a sip of her champagne. “Marissa, my dear. What brings ye to Glendaloch?”

Marissa looked up from her conversation with Teddy. “I’m here doing research for a book I’m writing.”

“A book! How exciting! We’ve a famous author at our table.” Edna raised her glass in Marissa’s direction.

“Not famous at all, actually. This is my first book.”

“What’s it about?”

“Well, it’s funny you should ask.” Marissa hesitated for a moment before speaking again. “It’s about a witch who helps people travel back in time.”

Everyone stopped talking at once and glanced at each other.

“Did I say something wrong?”

“Nay. Of course not, dear. I’m sure ye’ll laugh when I tell ye that everyone here has time travelled, with the exception of Teddy, Arthur, Frances and the Calhouns.”

It was Marissa’s turn to be silent. As a matter of fact, she looked like she might faint. Teddy grabbed hold of her hand, worry etching his brow.

“You’re teasing me, aren’t you?” Marissa sat up a bit taller and took a deep breath.

“Nae. I’m verra serious.”

“I’m sorry. I’m having a hard time understanding. You mean to tell me that I came here to Scotland to research a time travel romance and I somehow stumbled upon two witches and a time travelling family.”