Page 29 of Hearts Bound By Time

“Aye.” Edna knew it would take time for this to sink in, but she wasn’t worried. She knew Marissa would eventually be more than fine with it.

“Is this true, Mrs. MacDougall?”

Frances had been eating her dinner and apparently doing her best not to get involved in this conversation. “Aye. I’m afraid so.”

“Wow! I’m at a total loss for words and yet I have so many questions.”

“Dinnae worry yerself. I’ll answer any questions ye need answered and on the day after Christmas when everyone goes back to their own time, ye’ll see how ’tis done. Maybe ye can put it in yer book.”

“If you’ll excuse me, I think I need some fresh air.” Marissa stood, practically knocking her chair over in the process. Teddy steadied it and followed her as she headed outside, where the others watched as she paced back and forth in front of the window, with Teddy following along behind her.

“She’ll be fine. ’Twas simply a shock to her system,” Edna said. “Please, go back to yer meals. Children, dinnae shovel yer food into yer mouths. Take yer time. Ye’ll have to wait until we’re all done eating before ye can open yer gifts.”

There was a collective grumble from the children as they pouted their disappointment.

“Dinnae fear, we’ll be done eating in another hour or two,” Edna teased.

“Granny!” Rowan exclaimed, causing the adults to burst into laughter.

“Rowan, my darling, we’ll finish our dinner and then before we have dessert, we’ll give ye each a gift to open. How does that sound?”

“I’m done,” Ranald shouted.

Edna checked around the table. The children sat at attention, waiting. The adults were all smiling and nodding their heads. “Alright. Follow me and I’ll give ye yer gift from Angus and I.”

The children stood and ran to Edna who led them to the tree. She picked out two large boxes, almost as tall as Ranald and Rowan. “This is a gift for ye to share.” The children appeared disappointed by this. “Ye’ll see. ’Twill be far more fun when ye play with each other.”

Rowan and Ranald tore into the wrapping paper, their little faces lit with anticipation. Wee Robert took charge of the MacKenzie children’s package. When they’d finally gotten the paper off and had opened the box, they found hand carved castles populated by little tiny wooden people.

“’Tis beautiful,” Fiona said. “Did ye make it?” She looked to Angus, who Edna noted stood proudly watching how happy he’d just made six little children.

“Aye. Do ye like it?” he asked.

“Aye. We love it.” Wee Robert said.

“Angus you outdid yourself this time,” Ashley said. “That is amazing.”

“They’ll have many happy years playing with it,” Irene added. “Thank ye so verra much, Angus.” She stood and went to him, throwing her arms around him and planting a kiss on his cheek.

The children were enthralled and played happily on the floor. The adults picked up their conversations where they’d been left off. Edna’s gaze scanned the table and she knew it was time to exit to the kitchen. “I’ll go get more champagne.”

“I’ll get it, Edna,” Dylan volunteered.

“Nae. Ye sit and enjoy yerself. Ye’ve done enough this evening.” She went through the kitchen doors, where she waited patiently. It wasn’t long before the kitchen door opened and Cailin walked in.

“Edna, may I have a word with ye?” he asked.

“I was expecting ye, lad. What troubles ye? Although I believe I already ken the answer.”

“’Tis Ashley. She wishes to stay here in Glendaloch.”

“And ye dinnae wish to?”

“Nae, but I would stay for Ashley. I want her to be happy and I want her to stop worrying about Emma.”

“I understand. Won’t ye miss yer brother and sister?”

“Aye. I will.” His head was bowed momentarily, but when he looked up at Edna she could see determination in his eyes. “Ashley is me wife and I love her more than life itself. I’ve been watching her suffer every day since Emma was born. She fears for our daughter’s life and it causes her nothing but grief. I hate to see her this way. She has always been so happy. To see her smile was much the same as seeing the sun shining in the sky, but now it’s as if she’s always behind a very dark cloud. I cannae watch the pain she is in take her away from me. I’d do anything for her, even if it means I must leave me family.”