All In Good Time: Book Six of The Thistle & Hive Series Page 12

  She started to ride away from him. He was stunned and at a complete loss as to how to handle her. Sara really knew how to get to him. He loved her fire and determination and since he was already this far, why not see why Rory hadn’t come back to get Aisla as he’d promised. At the very least, Rory Mackall was in for a pummeling. “Wait,” he called. “I’ll join ye.”

  Sara was angry with him. He could see it and feel it. Even if they settled things with Mackall, she might nae want him after all of this.

  Sara couldn’t believe Logan had tried to stop her. If he really loved her, he’d have done this as soon as he found out that Sara was in his time, but instead he continued to go ahead with his plans to marry Aisla. At first, she’d thought it was a very noble gesture and she’d been proud of him. He was willing to sacrifice his own happiness to help a friend in need. Now, for some reason, he seemed very reluctant to find out what Rory Mackall would do when he found out Aisla was pregnant. Maybe he really did have feelings for her. Maybe he didn’t even realize he was in love with her. Why else would he fight this?

  She rode sandwiched between the two men, but she wasn’t about to give Logan the time of day. She was going to see this through, Aisla deserved that at least. She kept conversation going with Hamish and he obliged, answering her questions and comments and giving her more tips on her riding skills.

  Sara spurred her horse forward. She could feel Logan’s eyes on her, but too bad for him. He blew it with her. There was no way she was going to forgive him for this. She hoped Rory did want Aisla after all and then Logan would probably come crawling back to her, but he’d have another thing coming. She was going home as soon as they got back to Breaghacraig. If she wasn’t his first choice, she certainly wasn’t going to be his second.

  “Sara, wait!” Logan said.

  She kept riding. If he wanted to talk to her, he’d have to catch up.

  “Sara, please. I’m trying to do what’s right for everyone.” Logan trotted up beside her.

  She finally faced him with her face aflame and tears ready to burst forth from her stormy eyes. “Face it, Logan. If I hadn’t shown up, you’d have married her and never looked back.” She drew in a shaky breath and continued. “Edna was right. She told me this was the wrong time and that I shouldn’t come, but I’m here now and I’m going to help Aisla. Something you should have done all along.”

  He had hurt her and he was sorry, but what could he do? She was right. Rory had a right to know about the babe and he should have done his best to find him, but what if he didn’t want Aisla or the babe. That knowledge would surely crush her. He’d know soon enough whether he was right or wrong.

  Sara’s mind was a muddled mess of thoughts about Logan and leaving him behind, but she had to get it together. Aisla’s happiness depended on it and Dunaill castle was right in front of her. It’s enormous stone walls were topped with formidable battlements that included turrets with arrow slits and open barbican gates they were able to ride through unchallenged. Sara was in awe. She didn’t think she’d ever grow tired of seeing these massive structures and knew she’d miss them when she returned to her own time.

  They came to a stop by the stables and dismounted. Handing their horses off to the stable boys, they entered the castle where they were greeted by a servant. They were ushered into a small room, which contained a desk with chairs on either side. The roaring fire brought a welcome warmth and Logan attempted to guide Sara towards it, but she shook him off and moved there of her own accord.

  A soft female voice greeted them from the doorway and they all looked her way.

  “Welcome to Dunaill. I’m Katriona Mackall, wife to laird Nick Mackall.”

  Sara seemed unable to speak as she stared at the lady of the castle.

  “Good day to ye,” Logan said. “I be Logan McPhail, this is Hamish MacBeown.”

  “I’m pleased to meet ye both and who is this?” She walked to Sara, who finally seemed to regain her speech. “I’m Sara Barrett.” She put her hand out to shake Katriona’s.

  “Sara. Nice to meet you.” She eyed Sara with some curiosity and then took her hand. “Please sit and tell me what we can do for ye. Me husband isnae here at the moment.”

  “We’re looking for Rory Mackall,” Sara said. “We have a message for him.”

  “Rory?” Katriona appeared shaken by this. “Whatever could ye want with him?”

  “It’s kind of personal,” Sara said.

  Katriona walked around behind the desk. She looked at some papers there and seemed to be gathering her thoughts before speaking again.

  “Where have ye come here from?” she asked, gazing at them again.

  “The Clan MacKenzie,” Logan said.

  “Well, Rory cannae see ye at this time. Mayhap ye can return another day.” They were being dismissed.

  Logan checked to see Sara’s reaction. As he’d expected, she wasn’t going to let go of this.

  “As I’m sure you are aware, it is no short journey from Breaghacraig to Dunaill. He must see us. It’s very important.” He could see the determination in Sara’s eyes as she spoke.

  “I’m sorry. I’ve never been to Breaghacraig, so I have no idea how far it is. If you’ve been on the road for days to get here, then ye shall stay tonight. Mayhap tomorrow Rory will be able to see ye.”

  Sara narrowed her eyes and Logan could see she was ready to argue with Katriona. “That would be fine,” he said.

  “I’ll have Ina show ye to yer rooms. Once ye’ve rested, please join us in the great hall for our evening meal.” She looked very pointedly at Sara and then turned and left.

  “That was weird,” Sara said.

  By now both men were used to her odd sayings and didn’t seem at all surprised by anything she said.

  A few moments passed before Ina came to show them to their chambers. “If ye’ll follow me,” she said as she led them down the passageway and upstairs.

  They stopped in front of a door at the end of the hall and Ina opened it. “Lady Katriona would like the lass to stay in this room.”

  Sara entered the room and Ina told her if she needed anything she’d be back to help her. Sara glanced at Logan and Hamish before heading into the room.

  Next Ina brought the men to another chamber a few doors down. She opened it and led the way in. There was one bed. Hamish rolled his eyes and laughed.

  “Is there a problem, sir?” Ina asked.

  “Nae. This will be fine, Ina,” Logan answered.

  “I’ll leave ye then. Rest well.”

  Logan took one look at Hamish and walked out of the room and back to Sara’s where he knocked. He waited and was about to give up when she opened the door. Seeing him, she tried to shut the door in his face, but he was quicker than she and put all his weight into the door, keeping it open.

  “What do you want?” she asked, a note of anger in her voice.

  “I must speak with ye,” he said.

  “I’m too tired to talk right now. Go back to your room and I’ll see you at dinner.” She again attempted to close the door, but Logan wasn’t budging. An exasperated sigh escaped her lips as she walked away from the door allowing him to enter. She sat on the edge of the bed and waited for him to speak.

  “May I?” he asked, indicating that he’d like to sit with her.

  She gazed up at him, unsmiling and apparently skeptical of his motives.

  He stayed where he was. “Sara, I don’t know where to begin. I know yer angry with me and I fear ye may hate me now.”

  Sara put her head in her hands. “I don’t hate you. I just don’t understand what you’re doing.”

  Logan squatted down in front of her. “I came after you to make sure you were alright.”

  “And to make sure I never made it to Rory.” She looked up at him, sadness in her eyes.

  “I admit that is true,” his voice softened, “but I was worried about ye. Ye needed me to protect ye.” He could see by her reaction that he’d said the wrong thing.

&nb
sp; “I beg your pardon!” Sara raised her voice. “Who crossed a continent, an ocean and five hundred years all alone? Who found Rory? And, yeah, I might have needed Hamish to find this castle, but I did get here and all without your protection.”

  “Sara, ye must understand, I love ye, ‘tis only natural for me to want to protect ye.” He lifted her chin to look into her eyes and was pleased she let him. “If things turn out the way I believe they will, I’ll be marrying Aisla. I’ve made me promise and I willnae change me mind. She needs me.”

  “I know she does. But Rory has no idea she’s having a baby. He has to know and if he’s any sort of decent human being he’ll do the right thing. We have to give him that chance. I know Aisla thinks he doesn’t want to be with her because she’s not a noble lady, but she doesn’t know that for certain.” She stood and moved further away from him. “The thing that really bugs me is that you didn’t even fight for us. You were willing to go along with her wishes without question. I understand how she feels, but with very little trouble I was able to figure out who Rory was. You could have done exactly what I did without her knowing it. Don’t you think she’d rather be with the man she loves?”

  “I dinnae ken what to say, love. Yer right and ye have been all along. I have failed you and Aisla. I thought I was doing the right thing by her and now I know I wasnae. I’ve only made matters worse.” Her half smile gave him hope. “So, we’ll do this together. We’ll see it through to the end and hope fer the best. We’ll see Rory tomorrow and get the answers to all of our questions and if I dinnae like his answers, I hope ye willnae think less of me if I pummel him.”

  Sara giggled at this. “Thank you. I appreciate you seeing things from my perspective and I like that you can admit when you’ve been wrong.”

  He wanted to hug her, but wasn’t sure she’d except it, so instead he stayed where he was.

  “I’m exhausted,” Sara crossed the room and threw herself onto the bed, and then curled up like a cat near one edge.

  “Do ye mind if I stay here with ye fer a while,” Logan asked.

  “No,” she replied without looking at him.

  Logan sat back against the headboard staring at the canopy overhead. He wanted so badly to wrap himself around Sara, but he realized that would be a mistake. Her feelings were still raw. He understood her anger, but his plans to marry Aisla were hatched before she’d arrived. Everything was already set in motion when he ran into her that day in the road. And now he couldn’t possibly back out of his agreement with her. What if Rory didn’t want her? He’d not see his friend labeled a harlot and her child a bastard. Sara would survive. She’d go back to her own time and find a man to love her and care for her. This thought brought him great pain, but he couldn’t think only of himself. He must remember that she would need to live her life without him and she would be fine. He on the other hand doubted he’d ever forget her.

  The aches and sore muscles of riding were not something Sara expected, so having the time to lie on a somewhat comfortable bed and rest was just what she needed in this moment. What she didn’t need was Logan MacPhail at her back, where she could feel his presence and knew all she had to do was turn to him and he’d hold her in his arms. As it was, he’d covered her with a blanket, which she was grateful for, but she was angry and she wasn’t about to make any of this easy for him. How could she?

  This was all so maddening. With any luck, Rory would see them tomorrow and then she’d convince him to go back for Aisla and all would be well… for them. She was another story all together. She might never be the same after this strange journey she’d made through time. Dreams of a hot bath flitted through her head. She’d have to ask Katriona if it was at all possible. The thought of languishing in the warm water, soothing her tired body was almost as good as thinking about Logan. She needed to get him out of her head. She’d been trying since he came to her room, but so far no luck. Nothing she thought about didn’t end up with her thinking about Logan. A hot bath, food, anything. Tomorrow couldn’t come soon enough.

  The pain shooting across her lower back caused Sara to yelp as she rose from the bed.

  “Are ye well, lass?” Logan shot up and was beside her in an instant.

  “I’m fine,” she muttered.

  “’Twas nae the sound someone makes when all is well,” Logan noted.

  “I’m fine, really.” She turned to face him and could see he didn’t believe her. “I’m sore from riding for three days. I’ll get over it.” His intense gaze hadn’t left her face. “What are you looking at?”

  “Let me help ye, lass.” He moved a chair closer to the fire. “Here, sit.”

  Sara wanted more than anything not to do it, but she didn’t seem to have a mind of her own when it came to him and before she knew it, she was seated in the chair. Logan warmed his hands by the fire and then moved around behind her. As he moved her hair out of the way and laid his hands on her neck, the healing warmth of them was all she needed for a soft moan to escape her lips. As he expertly massaged her neck, Sara closed her eyes and guiltily enjoyed the sensation of his hands touching her skin. She repositioned herself in the chair, so that her left side was now leaning on the back of the chair. His fingers moved to her shoulders and then down her back, vertebrae by vertebrae. She was melting and not just from the heat of the fire. Logan’s thumbs circled her lower back, the mixture of pain and pleasure was a heady combination. Leaning her head back, she found it resting on his shoulder, her cheek touching his face. As he worked, she felt his warm breath on her neck.

  She wanted him to kiss her, but reluctantly remembered it wouldn’t be a good idea. He wasn’t hers and might never be. Her mind was playing tricks on her, because now she was thinking the exact opposite. How bad would it be to turn her head just that tiny little bit, putting her lips closer to his? A voice in the back of her head told her not to, but she brushed it aside and did it anyway. Now, if he’d only turn her way, his lips would be within kissing distance. She willed him to do it with her thoughts and after a few moments he seemed to understand her need for him and his lips lightly brushed hers. She raised a tentative hand to first caress his face and then his silky, soft hair. Logan move around beside her and knelt there, his hands skimming along her side and barely touching her breasts. She must remember to breathe, but her brain seemed focused on other places and on the persistent aching within her core. Logan’s lips were on hers again and she happily accepted them, returning his kisses with flicks of her tongue on his. Breathing seemed an annoying necessity at this moment. Breaking away for a brief second, she drew in some much-needed air before going back for more. Those kisses were going to undo her resolve if she didn’t stop them now, but the little voice in the back of her head said, “Just a little bit longer.”

  A knock at the door stopped them both mid-kiss.

  Damn, people in this century sure had bad timing, Sara thought as she broke away from Logan and rearranged her clothing.

  “Yes,” she called.

  “They’ve called us down for the evening meal.” Hamish’s voice came through the heavy wooden door loud and clear.

  “We’ll be right down,” Logan said. They listened as Hamish walked away.

  “I thought we weren’t going to do that again,” Sara said, moving away from the fire.

  “I dinnae believe we can help it,” Logan said, a lopsided grin on his handsome face.

  She couldn’t resist him. She might as well give up trying.

  “I guess they’re waiting for us downstairs. Shall we?”

  “Aye.” Logan opened the door and guided her out and down the stairs, fanning cold air up his kilt as he walked.

  Sara giggled as she watched him. “Sorry about that.”

  “Yer nae sorry and ye ken it.”

  She smiled. No she wasn’t sorry. Not one tiny bit.

  Chapter 12

  “Tell me about yourself,” Katriona Mackall said in between bites of food.

  “There’s not much to tell.”


  “I don’t believe that to be true. There’s something about ye that reminds me of myself a short time ago.” Katriona smiled warmly at Sara.

  “I’m not sure what you mean, Lady Katriona” Sara said, feeling a bit defensive.

  “Please, call me Kat. We could dance around the subject all ye like, but I can tell yer nae from here. Ye have a different way about ye that I recognize. Ye see I found myself here at this time and this place quite by accident.”

  “I can assure you I didn’t arrive here by accident,” Sara said, her eyes opening wide as she realized just what Kat was trying to tell her. Neither one of them wanted to come right out and say it for fear that the other would think them crazy.

  “Ye dinnae blend in quite as well as ye’d like.” Kat went back to her meal, leaving Sara wondering whether she should continue on with the same topic.

  “Do you know Edna Campbell of The Thistle & Hive Inn?” Sara asked.

  “Nae. Should I?” Kat tipped her head, waiting for an answer.

  “Not necessarily, but she’s the reason I’m here.” Sara thought if Kat didn’t know Edna, then what she’d been thinking must be wrong.

  “I see. She’s nae the reason I’m here. My story may be of interest to ye, but now isnae the time to talk.” Kat looked at her rather pointedly. Sara again, got the impression she was trying to tell her something, but no. If she didn’t know Edna, could it possibly be? “Mayhap tomorrow ye and I can spend some time alone to learn more about each other.”

  “Okay.” Sara said the word without thinking.

  “Ah ha!” Kat said with a gleam in her eye and a triumphant smile on her lips. “Just as I suspected,” she whispered. Before Sara could ask her what she meant by that, Kat turned in her chair and spoke with Logan who was seated on her other side, leaving Sara dumbfounded by what had just occurred.

  There were no further opportunities to speak with Kat that evening because Nick Mackall arrived home just in time to join them as they finished their meals. He was a tall man, much like her Logan. Her Logan! Whoa!