A Journey Out of Time (7 page)

"I knew ye'd like it."

"It's lovely Ewan." She lowered her voice, "Are we supposed to be in here?" Ewan giggled. "I assume this is for special occasions?"

"Aye."

Sonya ran her fingers over the carvings around the fireplace. The tapestries with golden threads running through them were like the ones in the other hall, but there were plums & blues & deep greens in them.

"I have something else to shew ye." Ewan & Sonya blew out the candles & they closed the door.

"You are going to get us in trouble master Ewan," she said, but he just laughed & she smiled after him. She had a happy childhood & it brought back memories for her.

This time Ewan took her back down the corridor & just around the corner. She looked at him & he nodded. She was to have the pleasure of opening this door. She did & her mouth fell open. It was a library & the most wonderful library that she had ever seen. The walls were covered in books! The shelves were as high as the ceiling & all around the shelves were intricate carvings. There was a circular staircase that went up to a catwalk so you could reach the books there.

Ewan tugged on her sleeve, handing her a note. "I must gew now."

"But…"

Ewan & Aaralyn ran out. Sonya opened the message which was penned in a beautiful writing. It was from Duncan. Her stomach fluttered.

*

Sonya, of the Clan MacLeod,

I doona write much, so ye may wish ta keep this with yer bible. I asked Ewan to show ye the library. I am sure ye can make use of it. I look forward to seeing ye when I return.

Duncan MacLeod

*

She put the letter to her chest & twirled around. She felt like a young girl who saw a cute boy across the room. He was looking forward to seeing
her
! She smiled & looked at the books again. It was a beautiful room. Tucking the letter behind her bodice ties, she went over to the nearest wall. She took a couple of books & sat in a well padded maroon chair. Pushing off her slippers, she pulled up her feet & began to read.

*

As Sonya coiled up some wiring, she recalled how her hand felt in Duncan's. She told Kerry how, when she had run into Duncan, she could feel his manhood pressed against her as they stood there against each other. There was heat coming off of his muscular body & her hands pressing against his chest made her shake. Did Duncan feel this way about her? Could he? How could he with beautiful women like Brenna vying for his attention? Not to mention being a close friend of the king. There would be tons of women at court. Then there was Aaralyn. Sonya wondered about her. She must have been quite young when she died. That was sad; such a short life. Was Duncan still mourning for her? She knew there were some people that loved someone so much that they would mourn them their whole lifetime.

Chris had several men helping with the plane. They were nearly all finished. Sonya wished she had packed her drill & a lot of batteries. Imagine the alarms that would have set off in the airport! Funny, the things you could miss. Sonya thought she missed her drill more than the toothbrush she had been so happy to see! As she wandered up the hill she watched as the engines were being stacked in an outbuilding with barrels around it. She hoped they had a tarp or two! What could you use those for? Surely there could be something…eventually anyways.

Sonya went into the kitchen just in time to see Ewan running off. What was he up to? She decided to see where he was going & followed quickly behind. As she went around the corner she heard a laugh & Ewan ran down the stairs of the far wing & jumped into the awaiting hands of Duncan! Well, no wonder he was in such a hurry. Sonya smiled. Duncan saw her at the top of the stairs & smiled mischievously & she raised an eyebrow. He whispered something in Ewan's ear & Ewan looked at her & laughed. Ewan whispered back & Duncan let out a loud chuckle.

"Did ye bring me something?" Ewan asked excitedly, his green eyes dancing.

"Doona I always?" Duncan grinned, handing Ewan something.

"Thank ye, Da." Ewan hugged him tightly & ran off calling to Aaralyn.

Duncan climbed the stairs. Sonya knew she was smiling at him. She seriously could not stop! This man had an almost magical effect on her & her entire being!

"I like the dress, lass."

Sonya looked down & smiled. "Thank you. Sarah made it for me."

"She is a very good lass."

"Yes, she is."

"Ewan tells me ye like the library." Duncan's eyes were bright.

"It is beautiful! I have hardly stopped reading since." They started walking down the corridor towards her room.

"Well, I am glad ye like it, lass."

"The families got off alright? On their voyages?"

"Aye. I hope they will be alright."

"As do I."

"I know I said ye could stay, but why have'na ye set off? Or John & Cami?"

"I don't think Cami will make any plans until the man she is looking after is well."

"He may ne'er wake."

"I know. We did find out his name. It is Guy Mackie."

"Ah. Another one coming home was he?"

"It seems so."

They stopped at the end of the hallway. Duncan was very close to Sonya & she felt a bit lightheaded. "You did'na answer why
ye
have'na left though," he said softly.

Sonya looked up at him. A heat was searing through her & it felt like she could burst into flame! What was she supposed to say?
I would love to stay & let you ravage my body?
After she didn't answer he said, "I have something for ye as well, lass." He seemed unsure of himself suddenly. This wasn't something she had seen.

"That was very nice of you."

"It isn't from the trip, but something I felt ye would like." Duncan handed her a little, pouch. Sonya pulled the strings apart & turned it up in her hand. A stone fell onto her palm. It appeared to be from a necklace at some point.

"It is beautiful, Duncan! Amethyst?"

"Aye, it is," he said, pleased.

Sonya certainly was pleased! He wouldn't bring her something if he didn't care, right? "Thank you, I love it."

"Aye…uh…I am famished, so I am off to the kitchen!" Duncan seemed uneasy. Nervous maybe? Sonya had never seen anything but confidence from the man.

"Yes. I believe they already have something waiting for you."

He smiled warmly, no more sense of unease & she smiled back. She wanted to stand there & just look at him.

"I will see you later, lass." He reached out & touched her upper arm. A shot of lightening ran right through her! He had an unusual look on his face. "At dinner."

"Yes," she agreed. She headed towards her room, listening to his footsteps going down the stairs. She heard his booming voice greeting Sarah & his meal, and then his deep laughter & she smiled to herself.

*

Sonya went directly to her recovered suitcase. She opened a small pocket where she had brought one of her much loved necklaces. It was called a Triquetra & had three triangles linked together. It was her favorite Celtic symbol. Where better to wear it? Right in the center there was an opening & she was hoping she would be able to place the stone in it. Now to find a way to keep it in. Digging in her bag she found some super glue. What would she do when that ran out? Putting some glue on the outer edge of the stone, she pushed it through the middle & wedged the stone in. After a couple of minutes she inspected her handy work. Ah, very good! She put it around her neck & looked into the mirror & smiled, very pleased.

At dinner Ewan was especially happy & Sonya had to smile at his enthusiasm at having his father home again. She couldn't help it, but warm tears began to slide silently down her cheeks. She turned towards her plate & tried to eat. Kerry reached over & squeezed her hand. She smiled briefly at her & Cami. They knew. They all had their moments. Sonya never asked Cami what she left behind or who. Her husband had already left her & John, having passed away. Everyone had their losses. Kerry & Chris both left big families behind. Sonya took a deep breath, smiled at John who looked concerned & started eating. Suddenly she saw Cami & Kerry's eyes widen & grins spread across. Even Chris was smiling & that
was
a concern. Sonya frowned & was about to look around when she jumped at the sizzle going through her shoulder. She looked up over her shoulder at Duncan.
Oh, boy! No lungs! Where did my lungs go? Why must they desert me like this?

He held his hand out to her. Sonya looked up at his grinning face & took his hand. Jolt! Warm feeling!
Boy, at this rate I should never get cold! Here & my mum always told me if I went to Scotland I would freeze my butt off!
As Duncan led her towards the dais she looked back at Cami & Kerry with huge, exaggerated eyes. She had three trillion butterflies fluttering in her stomach. She would never be able to eat anything now! Duncan sat her between Ewan & himself. She felt so nervous that she thought her legs would shake off! She spoke to Brenna who not only was beautiful, but was very smart & kind. Ewan laughed & chatted away & Duncan laughed as well. Sonya felt so out of place up there. After dinner, Duncan got called away & she excused herself & went outside. Ah, breathing again! Fresh air.

About half way to the wall, she said, "Come on up here, Ewan, so we can walk together."

He ran up next to her & looked up. "Ye were crying, Sonya…before."

"Aye," Sonya replied & Ewan smiled. Was that why Duncan took her to sit next to them?

"Yer family?"

Sonya glanced down at his little concerned face. He seemed much older than he should be. "Yes," she replied.

"Ye miss them?" They got to the wall & Ewan climbed up to the top.

"Yes, very much."

"I am sure they miss ye as well."

"Yes & that hurts too."

Ewan looked down at his hands. "I am not yer bairn, but maybe ye can be like my mother, until ye can go home to yer own family."

Sonya looked at him. There it was again, too wise. She felt emotions welling up inside her as he looked at her with those little green eyes. "I would be honored to be like a mother to you, Ewan." He smiled a big grin. "Perhaps we should keep it between you & I though."

"Why is that?" he asked, cocking his head to the side.

"I wouldn't want to hurt Brenna's feelings, or your father's."

"It won't hurt anyone. Brenna likes ye & I already asked my da. He said he was verra proud of me."

"And so I am," came a voice behind them. Sonya jumped. She was embarrassed & it apparently showed. She wasn't expecting such a conversation to be overheard. "Run on up now, Ewan. It is time to feed Aaralyn." Duncan lifted Ewan down from the wall with ease.

"Sonya?"

"Yes, Ewan?"

"I am glad ye said aye."

"Me too, Ewan." Ewan grabbed her around the waist, hugging her. She put her hand on his head, ruffling it. As he ran off, tears came to her eyes. As soon as Duncan's hand touched her shoulder she turned & buried her face on his chest & cried hard. Duncan waited until her wracked body had nothing more to offer. Again she was embarrassed, but it felt so right being in his arms; so at home that she didn't want to leave them.

"I…I am so sorry. I got your shirt, um, all wet." She wiped at his shirt. She had no idea what that would help exactly.

Duncan grabbed her hands, holding them against him. "Och, lass doona worry about such things. It was something ye needed to do & may need to again."

Sonya laughed weakly. She knew he meant the crying, but it sounded like he meant getting his shirt wet. "I hope not. I don't like to cry. It gives me a headache." Duncan chuckled.

"What, um, Ewan asked me."

"Aye, lass?"

"Why did you…?"

"I felt it was a verra kind thing to offer."

"Oh, it was, it was. I am very honored."

"Ewan wasn't always my bairn, so I understand what it is to gain the love of a child. First, I was honored that he was my nephew. He is my brother's son. When Emrys & shortly after his wife, Aarlyn died, I adopted him as my own."