Separated By Time: Book 3 of The Thistle & Hive Series Read online

  SEPARATED BY TIME

  BOOK THREE OF THE THISTLE & HIVE SERIES

  JENNAE VALE

  JENNAE VALE

  Contents

  Copyright

  Acknowledgments

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Epilogue

  About the Author

  Other books by

  Copyright 2015 Jennae Vale

  All Rights Reserved

  Created with Vellum

  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

  Thank you to my editor, Deb Williams - The Pedantic Punctuator, for all your help and for making the editing process a fun learning experience.

  A big thank you also goes to Sheri McGathy, Covers by Sheri, for the beautiful cover design for Separated By Time.

  I’d also like to thank Hannah Schwartz for helping me plot this story, it made the writing process so much easier.

  Thanks to my family and friends for your support and encouragement throughout this process.

  CHAPTER 1

  A beautiful woman alone in the woods was the last thing he’d expected to find on his morning walk. The fact that he knew the woman, and she was hundreds of years away from where he’d last left her, was almost unbelievable. Almost, but not completely. Because as crazy as it seemed, he knew better than to doubt the possibility that Maggie MacKinnon stood before him looking as beautiful as he remembered.

  “Hello, Dylan.” Her voice sounded sweet to his ears. A coy smile danced across her lips.

  “Is it really you?” He had to be sure he wasn’t hallucinating. Maggie had become an obsession for him. He hadn’t been able to get her out of his thoughts, not since he’d last seen her, five hundred years in the future. The day he left, he had kissed her soft, warm lips and vowed to himself that he’d be back for her. He’d regretted leaving her, every moment since. The fact that he’d only known Maggie for a few short days didn’t matter. He’d known from the first moment he laid eyes on her, that this was the woman who he wanted to spend the rest of his life with. It would come as a shock to anyone who knew Dylan, and it was an even greater shock to himself, to discover he wanted to leave his perpetually uncommitted status behind – especially since he’d never truly been in love before. And now here he was, ready to give it all up for a woman he’d met only briefly at The Thistle & Hive Inn in Glendaloch.

  “Of course ’tis me, you silly man. There arenae two of me,” she teased. Her sweet Scottish accent danced in his ears.

  The last person he’d expected to see on his daily walk was Maggie, and the impact of her sudden appearance found Dylan staring at her with a dumbfounded expression.

  “Well, are ye going to greet me properly, or are ye going to stand there all starry-eyed?” she asked.

  “I’m sorry. I’m just so surprised to see you.” Dylan closed the distance between them and leaned in to kiss her cheek. She smelled of honeysuckle and roses, and her silky red hair caressed his face softly as he lingered there for just a moment, his hand resting gently on her arm. He took her hand and smiling brightly, tried to clear his head of the cobwebs making it hard to think. “Did you walk here on your own?” he asked, looking around to see if anyone had accompanied her. He couldn’t believe her aunt and uncle would allow her to travel here alone.

  “No, of course not. I mean, I came on my own, but I certainly didnae walk here.” She made a funny face and rolled her eyes at him.

  “Oh, I see. Witchcraft?” he asked. She was a witch, so it only made sense.

  “You could say that.” Maggie seemed quite pleased with herself, a satisfied smile on her face.

  “Well it doesn’t matter, because I’m excited to see you.” Dylan wasn’t certain he should let her know just how happy he really was. Would that scare her away? He didn’t know her particularly well and he wasn’t very good at this kind of thing. He was more of a ‘love ’em and leave ’em kind of guy. Maggie was the first woman he’d met who piqued his curiosity enough that he had actually cared about seeing her again. A redheaded beauty with sparkling green eyes, she was dressed in a simple green gown and wore a brown velvet cape and hood. She truly was a sight for sore eyes. “We should get you back to the castle,” he said, his eyes never leaving hers. “Chester,” he called to his dog. The big black Rottweiler came charging through the trees, tongue lolling from the side of his mouth, and stopped right in front of Dylan. “Look who I found, boy,” Dylan announced.

  “Hello, Chester,” Maggie said.

  The dog turned and approached Maggie cautiously. He appeared confused, which Dylan found surprising. Chester generally displayed one of two reactions to people – he knocked them over in excitement, or he growled with his hackles raised. There really wasn’t any middle ground. At least there hadn’t been, not until this very moment. Chester sniffed Maggie’s outstretched hand and whimpered slightly, backing away.

  “That’s strange,” Dylan observed. “I’ve never seen him do that before.”

  “Mayhap he doesnae recognize me,” Maggie offered.

  “Yeah, that’s probably it. You’re out of context.” The last time Chester had seen Maggie was back in twenty-first century Glendaloch, where Dylan and his cousin Jenna had arrived to speak with Edna about sending them both back to the sixteenth century so that Jenna could be reunited with Cormac, the love of her life. Upon arriving at the inn, they met Maggie, and Dylan was smitten right from the start. Much to his surprise, Chester was practically hiding behind Dylan now. “Come on, Chester. It’s just Maggie. Nothing to be afraid of.” Dylan had to admit, he was concerned by the dog’s reaction.

  “Maybe it’s the magick,” Maggie offered. “Perhaps he can smell it.”

  “Oh, yeah. I didn’t think of that. Of course, that must be it.” Dylan was still smiling brightly. “Shall we?” Maggie took his arm and he led her along the path, back through the woods. It wasn’t a long walk, but they had been sheltered by the trees and once they were out in the open, the castle became visible, looming large over the valley. They passed the small crofts that dotted the landscape leading to the gates and Dylan and Chester exchanged greetings with those who were outside, tending their plots.

  “This is lovely,” Maggie observed. “Have ye been enjoying yer stay here, Dylan?”

  Dylan stopped and surveyed the castle and the area around them. “I have. I wasn’t sure what to expect at first, but everyone has been so welcoming and I feel right at home here.”

  “I suppose you’ve been learning to be a fine warrior,” Maggie stated, blatantly admiring his muscular physique. She ran a hand up his arm, settling her fingers on a flexed bicep.

  “Learning… yes, but I’m a long way from being a fine warrior.”

  “I doubt that. A big, braw man like yerself is sure to be good at everything he does.” He didn’t remember Maggie being such a flirt, but then again, he was certain there were plenty of things he didn’t know about her.

  “Thanks,” Dylan said. He was feeling awkward with Maggie, which surprised him and had him off-kilter. When he had spent time with her in Glendaloch, it had been anything but awkward. On the contrary, their relationship had been easy and natural. They’d enjo
yed an instant connection and gotten along like kindred spirits. That was one of the reasons she’d been on his mind so much. They had talked for hours and even in their silent moments, he had felt a deep bond with her. Where was that feeling? Had he been wrong about her? Maybe it wasn’t as he remembered it at all. Maybe he was romanticizing the whole thing. Dylan was disappointed and mentally shook himself. Of course it was going to be odd to meet up with Maggie again. You haven’t seen her in weeks. Give it time, he told himself.

  They walked through the gates and into the hustle and bustle of the inner courtyard. Out of the corner of his eye, Dylan watched carefully for Maggie’s reaction, but she showed no response. She didn’t seem in the least bit fazed by the medieval surroundings. She certainly wasn’t behaving like someone who’d just found themselves in a different century. Instead, she looked very comfortable. Odd, he thought. “Maggie, have you been here before?” he asked.

  Before she could respond, Cormac’s voice boomed from the stables. “Dylan, there ye be! I’ve been searching for ye everywhere.”

  “I was out walking with Chester and I came across an old friend.” Dylan gestured towards Maggie.

  “Good day to ye, lass,” Cormac said. “Where have ye come to us from?”

  “This is Maggie. She’s Edna’s niece,” Dylan said, by way of introduction.

  “Edna’s niece! Well ’tis pleased I am to meet ye,” Cormac said. If Cormac thought it odd that Maggie had arrived from twenty first century Glendaloch, he certainly didn’t reveal it.

  “My pleasure,” Maggie said.

  “This is Jenna’s husband, Cormac,” Dylan explained.

  Maggie simply nodded her head and smiled, looking bored and uninterested.

  “Did you need me for something, Cormac?” Dylan asked.

  “’Tis not important, I can see that yer busy. I’ll find Cailin,” Cormac said. “I’ll see ye later, then.” Cormac walked away and left Dylan and Maggie in the middle of the courtyard.

  “Shall we go in?” Dylan headed for the large wooden castle doors and Maggie followed along behind. Chester ran off after Cormac.

  “Chester loves him. He never misses an opportunity to spend time with Cormac. I’m a little jealous,” Dylan joked. Maggie didn’t reply and Dylan frowned. He didn’t remember her being this quiet. On the contrary, she had been quite talkative back at the inn.

  As they walked towards the castle doors, Dylan smiled and nodded at a number of women who eyed him as they passed. He had been a big hit with the women of Breaghacraig, who not only found him attractive, but also considered him interesting because he was so different from the men they usually met. Dylan took it all in stride and while he was happy to flirt with them, in the back of his mind he always knew Maggie was the only woman he wanted.

  Entering the silent castle, no one seemed to be in the great hall and Dylan wasn’t sure where everyone might be. Under normal circumstances, he would have been happy to be alone with Maggie, but he was uncomfortable and uncertain with her.

  “I’m sure someone will be along shortly. Let’s sit here for a while and catch up with each other,” Dylan said, as he led Maggie towards the chairs near the fireplace.

  Maggie sat and glanced around the room. “So, this is the home of the MacKenzies,” she observed.

  “Yes. It is. Robert is the Laird of the clan and his wife, Irene is sister to Cormac, who you just met. They have another brother, Cailin. I’m sure Edna told you all about them.”

  “Hmmm…”

  Dylan wasn’t sure what that response was all about, but Maggie seemed more intent on memorizing the layout of the hall and uninterested in him or what he was saying. He was disappointed by her reaction and disappointed that the spark he had experienced in Glendaloch seemed to be missing. In fact, it bothered him a great deal. There was definitely something different about Maggie now, but what was it?

  The doors opened and Jenna and Irene made their way into the hall. Jenna hesitated just a moment, doing a double take as she looked at Maggie. “Maggie, is that really you?”

  “That seems to be the question of the day,” Maggie replied.

  “I can’t believe it. Where did you come from?” Jenna asked.

  “And that is the other question of the day,” Maggie teased. “I’m here to see Dylan.”

  “I’ll bet he’s happy to see you,” Jenna said. She reached Maggie and pulled her into a hug, raising an eyebrow in Dylan’s direction. Maggie appeared stiff and ill at ease with the show of affection, and didn’t respond to Jenna’s embrace.

  After spending some awkward moments with Maggie, Dylan was relieved to see his cousin, but he was almost certain that Maggie didn’t recognize Jenna. Something about her demeanor was definitely off. By the look in Jenna’s eyes, she seemed to be aware of it, too.

  “You do remember me, don’t you,” Jenna asked.

  “Of course I do. I’m just nae verra good with names,” Maggie replied. Dylan got the distinct impression she was lying, but maybe he was jumping to conclusions. Since he hadn’t known her very long, it was completely possible that she really wasn’t good with names.

  “Jenna. I’m Jenna,” she said, sounding confused. “Oh, and this is Irene.”

  “I’m pleased to meet ye, Maggie. Welcome to Breaghacraig,” Irene said, and by the slight frown on her brow, she was picking up on Jenna’s confusion.

  “Thank you and it’s nice to meet ye as well,” Maggie replied.

  The atmosphere in the Great Hall was a little icy as the women eyed each other warily. After a moment, Maggie’s dismissive attitude became apparent and she very clearly began to ignore Jenna and Irene. She behaved as if nothing unusual was happening, and appeared completely unfazed by her interaction with them. In fact, she didn’t seem affected by much at all, to this point. It was as if she was physically in the room with them, but mentally somewhere else. Dylan noted her facial expression hadn’t changed at all. Not out in the courtyard and not here in the great hall. This definitely wasn’t the Maggie Dylan had remembered. That Maggie had been warm and engaging back in Glendaloch, but here she was standoffish and cool, based on her reaction to Jenna’s hug. The Maggie he had known had been full of questions – a naturally curious person. Dylan liked that about her, because he had a similar personality. He was a geeky surfer to his friends back home, but not everyone thought of him that way. He had that laid-back California attitude, sun-streaked golden locks and a ready smile. Those were all things the ladies loved and up until this point, he had loved every lady he’d had a chance to be with. He’d never really cared too much about whether he was compatible with them or not. When he met Maggie, everything had changed and Dylan knew he’d found the girl he didn’t know he’d been searching for.

  “How long will ye be staying with us, Maggie?” Irene asked.

  “Oh, I’m nae sure. I thought I’d just see how things go, if that’s alright?”

  Another odd response, Dylan thought. They were gradually adding up, but unfortunately, he didn’t know what the answer to the equation might be.

  “Our home is yer home. Stay as long as ye like,” Irene responded. “I hope ye won’t mind sleeping in the women’s solar, Maggie. All of the bed chambers in the castle have been spoken for.”

  Dylan exchanged a questioning look with Jenna, who shrugged her shoulders in response. Obviously, she couldn’t figure out this new and unusual Maggie either. “Irene, she can have my room. I’ll sleep in the soldier’s quarters,” Dylan announced.

  “Well, if yer sure ye dinnae mind, would ye show Maggie to her chambers?” Irene smiled sweetly at Dylan. She had become like a big sister to him, since his arrival at the castle. She was a lot like Jenna in many ways and Dylan had been comfortable with her right from the very beginning. She ran the castle like a well-oiled machine, which was saying a lot considering the size of the place and the number of people employed in feeding, clothing and protecting Breaghacraig. Irene had a hand in it all and she commanded the respect of everyone with w
hom she came in contact. Her partnership with her husband was based on love, mutual understanding and respect. Their children were very well behaved and even though they could be seen getting into mischief occasionally, Dylan knew that the mere sound of their mother’s voice set them back on the right track immediately.

  “Irene, we should get going,” Jenna said. “Mary’s waiting for us in the kitchen.”

  “Yer right, Jenna. Dylan, Maggie, we’ll see ye at the evening meal.” Irene hooked arms with Jenna and the two women departed, heads close in whispered conversation, leaving Dylan alone once again with Maggie.

  “Well, I guess I should show you to your room, and then I’ll take you on a tour of the castle, if you’d like.” Dylan took Maggie’s hand and led her from the great hall and upstairs to the bedchambers, all the while waiting for her to do or say something which would remind him of the girl he’d left behind in Glendaloch.

  CHAPTER 2

  “A untie Edna, is everything okay?” Maggie asked.

  Edna seemed to be in one of her trances as she stared into the flames of the fireplace.

  “She’s seeing something,” Angus offered, concern in his voice. “Edna?”

  “Aye. I’m fine, but there’s trouble brewing at Breaghacraig. Maggie, my girl, you’ll be needed there.” She turned away from the fire and faced Maggie.

  “Me? You want me to go to Breaghacraig?” Maggie asked incredulously. “You want me to time travel?” She wondered if she’d heard that correctly. Wasn’t Edna the one that was needed there?

  “This is something that only you can fix, my dear.”

  “Edna, you can’t really be thinking of sending Maggie back in time by herself,” Angus stated.

  “Aye. That is exactly what I’m thinking. Let me explain my vision.” Edna slumped heavily into a nearby chair, as if she had the weight of the world on her shoulders. “It seems that our friend, Sir Richard is up to his old tricks once again. Every time I think we’re rid of him for good, he reappears. He’s much like a bad penny that way. This time he’s in league with a very powerful witch back in his own time. They, of course, are plotting and planning to take down the MacKenzies and this time he plans to use magick, not men, to accomplish his goals. The problem, my dear Maggie, is that this particular witch has worked her magick and is pretending to be you.”