Christmas In Delight: Delight Book Four Page 14

  “Or perhaps something worse,” Kade replied.

  “Someone has got to talk some sense into him.” Amy looked around the room. “Ross?”

  “We’ll have a wedding first and then I’ll have a talk with him.”

  Amy was relieved. She’d thought all along that Ross might be the only one who could get through to him.

  Chapter 16

  After returning to the inn, Avery had time to think about what had just happened. Things had been settled for everyone but her. The men were all happy with one another. Amy would have Gavin. She, on the other hand, would not have that happily-ever-after she’d hoped for. The more she thought about it, the angrier she became. Conall, it seemed, was the only one who had a say in what happened for them. Avery scrubbed the cast iron skillet with every ounce of anger she had in her and as she did, tears cascaded down her cheeks and into the sink below. “Damn it!” she wanted to throw the pan across the kitchen, but stopped herself.

  “What has that poor skillet done to ye?” Conall had entered the kitchen without a sound.

  Avery rubbed her face with a kitchen towel, erasing the evidence of her meltdown. “Nothing. Sometimes I just hate these things.” She placed the skillet beside the sink and turned to him.

  “What has it done to ye that ye cry?” He was much more observant than she gave him credit for.

  She sniffled a bit and looked down at her feet.

  He lifted her chin. “Doona be sad.”

  “Conall, I…” He put a finger to her lips.

  “Doona say it.”

  She pushed his hand away. “I love you! Even if you don’t want to hear it, I do. You can’t stop me. I love you.” She felt the tears returning. “No matter if you’re here with me or back in your own time, you can’t change the way I feel.”

  “Ye’ll forget me.”

  “Is it that easy to do? Out of sight, out of mind? I guess the same could be said for you then.”

  “Nay. I will never forget ye.”

  “Don’t say that. I’m not some young girl who has her whole life ahead of her. I’ve been alone for a long time. You gave me hope that it didn’t have to be that way. And now you’re taking that hope away.”

  “I’m sorry. I should have kept me distance. It was wrong of me.”

  This was turning into exactly what she’d been trying to avoid. She didn’t want to make him feel bad about his decision. It was just something she had to come to grips with. Nothing would be settled here in her kitchen or anywhere else. “I’m going to my room for a while. I need time to think.”

  He moved out of the way to let her pass. How could she explain to him that her heart felt as though it had been torn from her chest and stomped on? She’d never felt like this before and she knew she wasn’t handling it well. She hurried down the hall to her bedroom, closing and locking the door.

  “What’s going on here?” Amy and Gavin stopped short as they came through the door and saw Conall. Amy narrowed her eyes and cocked her head to the side. “Did you do something you shouldn’t have?”

  “Avery is upset with me. She does no’ wish me to go.”

  “You can understand that, can’t you?”

  “I’ve stayed too long. I should go now.”

  “If you leave now, I won’t be responsible for my actions.”

  Conall pulled his head back, scrunching his eyebrows.

  “I might have to tackle you if you even make a move to go anywhere.” She was about to lunge at him, but Gavin was faster than she was and stopped her.

  Gavin chuckled at this and Amy elbowed him in the side. “Ye can no’ go. Yer to stay for the wedding.”

  “Gavin. I give ye me blessing to stay. I will no’ expect ye to return home.”

  “’Tis kind of ye brother, but it was no’ up to ye.”

  “Do you love her, Conall?” Amy asked, hoping her glare was penetrating straight through to his heart.

  “I do.”

  “She loves you, too. What on earth is wrong with you?”

  He shrugged his shoulders.

  “Don’t let your stupid male pride get in the way of what could be a lifetime of happiness for both of you. Do you really want to go back home to be alone and miserable, knowing you left her with exact same future? The least you can do is stay for the darn wedding.”

  “I’ll stay,” Conall conceded.

  “For good?” Amy was hopeful. This was Avery’s happiness and she wasn’t about to let this go.

  “For the wedding.”

  “That’s a start. We may change your mind yet.” If she had anything to do with it, he would change his mind and fast.

  “I need some fresh air.” He turned toward the door and began walking away.

  “You better come back or I’ll come looking for you,” she said, shaking a finger at him and following him to the door.

  “She’s a scary one,” Conall said to Gavin, tipping his head toward her as he walked past his brother.

  “When it comes to my friends, I turn into a momma bear,” Amy called after him as he closed the door. Her upset for Avery was very real. “Gavin, I don’t know how we’re going to do it, but he’s not going anywhere. I’ll block the entrance to the cave if I have to.”

  “I doona want him to go either.” He took his jacket off and folded it over his arm.

  “I should go check on Avery.”

  “Shall I come with ye?”

  “No. She probably wouldn’t appreciate that. Why don’t you go see what you can find to eat in the kitchen?” Avery usually kept a stash of snacks for the guests in a box that Gavin had become very familiar with.

  Amy walked down the hall to Avery’s room and knocked. “Hey, it’s me. Do you want to talk?”

  Amy opened the door a crack. “Not really.”

  “Come on. I’m worried about you. You know I’m a really good listener.”

  “I do know that about you.” The door opened just enough for Amy to enter. “Where’s Conall?”

  “He went for a walk.” Seeing Avery’s face, she was quick to reassure her. “No. He really went for a walk. He didn’t get his horse and ride away. He went down the street.”

  “We had an argument.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  “Really, I guess I was the only one arguing. It was an argument I was never going to win.”

  Amy put her arms around Avery, giving her a big hug. “I’m here for you.”

  “I know and I appreciate it. I’m just going to have to deal with it. There’s nothing else I can do.”

  The biting cold stung less than the hurt look on Avery’s face as she’d turned away from him and went to her room. As he walked down the street, the few people he passed all greeted him with smiles and waves. This was a good place and if he had nowhere else to go, he wouldn’t mind staying.

  If only he could find a way to let Avery know he would never forget her, and that she would always be in his heart. He wanted her to know that. It was important to him.

  As he passed the windows of the local metalsmith’s shop, he stopped to look at the ornate swords displayed in the window. The shop owner waved to him through the window.

  He took that as an invitation for a visit. As he entered the store, he was taken by the displays of swords, knives and jewelry.

  “Welcome,” the man said. “I’m Quinn. Are you looking for something special?”

  “I’ve no’ much money.” He had a pouch of coins he’d received in his own time. He knew that money today was different and wasn’t sure the man would acccept what he had to offer.

  “What were you looking for? Maybe we can work something out. It’s Christmas, after all.”

  Conall looked down into the display case. “I want something for a woman I care about. I want her to ken I will never forget her.”

  “Okay. Let me see what I’ve got that might work.” Quinn pulled a beautiful silver necklace from the case and laid it on a piece of black velvet fabric. “This is a beauty. It’s a Scottish heart. I
t’s a puffed heart formed by Celtic knots. It forms a cage to surround the loose amethyst stone inside.”

  “’Tis beautiful.” He pulled the pouch from his pocket and poured his coins onto the table. This is all that I have.” They were the coins he’d been saving to build his home, but he would gladly give them away for Avery. He could earn more.

  “Wow! Where on earth did you get those? They’re worth a whole lot more than this necklace.”

  Conall was shocked to hear this. “I’ve been saving them for some time.”

  Quinn picked them up in his hand and examined them carefully. “I’ll tell you what. I’ll take a few of these off your hands in exchange for the necklace. How does that sound?”

  Conall accepted the rest of the coins and placed them back in the pouch.

  “I’ll even wrap it for you. I’ll be right back.” Quinn went through the curtain to the back of the shop.

  While he waited, Conall examined one of the swords, picking it up and feeling the heft of it in his hands. It was a beauty. The blade was engraved with Scottish thistles. The finest workmanship he’d ever seen. What he wouldn’t give to have something like this to take back with him, but then the English would probably confiscate it from him. They’d taken all of his good weaponry and replaced it with something far inferior to what he was used to. He placed the sword back where he’d found it just as Quinn emerged holding a small box wrapped in paper with a bow atop it. He placed it in a bag and handed it to Conall.

  “Come by anytime. If you want to get rid of any more of those coins, let me know. I’d be in the market to buy them from you.”

  “Thank ye.” Conall continued on his way until he came to Rose’s Bakery. He could see his cousin Kade through the window. They’d made peace. There was no reason for him not to say hello.

  “Conall!” Kade came around from behind the bakery case to greet him. “Sit, please. I’ll get ye something to eat.”

  “I’m no’ hungry, but thank ye.”

  “Tea, then?”

  “I’ll have some tea.” Conall sat at a table looking out onto the street while Kade got some tea and joined him. “Ye work here?”

  “Rose has taught me all about being a baker.” He rose and strode across the floor to a tray of cookies, which he retrieved. “I made these. Try one.”

  Conall picked one up and looked it over.

  “It’s chocolate chip. They’re me favorite. Try it.” Kade waited while he took a bite.

  He’d never had anything like it before. “Verra good,” he said before taking another bite. He finished the cookie and sipped his tea. “Are ye happy here?”

  “Verra. I doona believe I could be any happier.”

  “Ye never thought about going home?”

  “Nay. I wanted to stay right from the beginning. Bear wanted to go home, but he couldn’t. It was no’ possible.”

  “Ye did no’ ken about the cave?”

  “No’ until recently, but he’s happy here. Payton, too. The world we left behind was no’ good to us. We were struggling to stay alive. Here we have everything we need. Our wives, good jobs. We could never leave.”

  “Gavin will stay. I ask that ye take care of him for me. ’Tis been me job all these many years, but I can no’ be his brother from so far.”

  “We’ll all be sure he is taken care of. If he needs anything, he only need ask.”

  “Good.”

  For the next little while, Kade talked to him about living in Delight and all of the benefits it had to offer. He told him about great cities nearby where many, many people lived. It was all hard to imagine. The sun was getting low in the sky. He needed to get back to the inn and to Avery. He hoped she wasn’t still angry with him, but he couldn’t blame her if she was.

  “I hope ye change yer mind about staying.” Kade walked him to the door.

  All Conall could do was give him a stiff smile before he began his walk back to the inn, feeling the weight of the world on his shoulders. He’d always been so sure of himself, but in this moment, there was doubt.

  Chapter 17

  In her velvety white gown, trimmed with white faux fur, Crystal looked radiant as she was led down the aisle by her mother, Grace, on one side and her daughter, Hannah, on the other. Standing in the doorway of the chapel was a piper playing a beautiful rendition of Highland Cathedral. Payton waited for his bride-to-be flanked by his brothers, all dressed in their Highland finery. A mix of Christmas greenery, white flowers and the Fletcher plaid in the form of ribbons and bows decorated the pews and altar of the little church. Candles gave the room a warm ambience set as they were in each stained-glass window and throughout the interior. It was breathtaking.

  The ceremony was romantic, so Avery couldn’t help but get a little choked up as she listened to them say their vows. She, like a number of others, had a hankie ready just in case. She couldn’t remember a wedding she’d attended that hadn’t brought tears to her eyes. Crystal and Payton were embarking on a journey through life together, pledging their love to each other in a way that touched her heart. Glancing over at Amy, she saw the same emotion expressed on her face. She caught Avery looking at her and mouthed, “I love this so much.”

  They were seated at the back of the chapel, not wanting to create a stir when they arrived. Conall and Gavin were seated with them and holding their hands. They seemed as touched by the ceremony as everyone else.

  The talk they’d had yesterday had gone a long way to healing the wounds that had created the anger and hard feelings on all sides. The Fletchers understood that what Conall was doing was for the good of their people and he meant no harm by it. And Conall and Gavin understood that they hadn’t been deserted by the brothers. They had no more known they were time traveling than Conall and Gavin did when they emerged from the cave. The difference being that Bear and the others had no idea they could even go back until they’d already set down roots here among the people of Delight.

  When the ceremony was over and Crystal and Payton had been driven away in a beautifully decorated carriage that would take them back to the ranch, everyone went to their cars and headed that way as well.

  “That was beautiful, wasn’t it?” Avery was still a little teary as they emerged into the waning sunlight of the day.

  “So beautiful.” Taking her hand, Amy gave her a quick hug.

  “That could be you someday soon,” Avery whispered into her friend’s ear.

  A beaming Amy separated herself from Avery and sidled up to Gavin, who seemed pleased to have her back in his arms. Amy happily complied, wrapping her arms around his waist. “It’s getting chilly out here. Let’s get in the Jeep and turn the heat on.” She led the way to the parking lot where they all got in.

  Conall put his arm out for Avery to get closer. “Come. I’ll warm ye.”

  She scooted across the back seat and let herself enjoy the feeling of being loved even if it was only temporary. She pushed that thought out of her head, vowing to enjoy every moment she had with him before he left.

  The big barn at the ranch was decked out in winter finery. A huge Christmas tree stood in the far corner, decorated with rustic ornaments and sparkling white lights. It was a sight to see. Tables had been placed around the dance floor, with the head table for the bride and groom at the front of it all.

  Elle Carrera and her husband were situated by the dance floor and were already playing their instruments to welcome the guests as they entered.

  “You know I love you dearly, Avery, but I’m glad we’ve got dates with us this time.”

  She couldn’t remember seeing Amy this happy in a very long time. She was always upbeat and cheerful, but this was different. She was positively glowing, which brought joy to Avery’s heart.

  “Hi, Avery.” Grace Emerson and her granddaughter stood just inside the barn doors.

  “Who are you?” Hannah asked Conall.

  “I’m Conall. Who are ye?” He bent forward as he spoke to her.

  “I’m Hannah. I don’t know
you.”

  “You doona. I’m new around here.”

  “Oh.” She gazed up at him, tipping her head as if examining him.

  “You sound disappointed,” Avery said.

  “No. I just thought you were married.”

  Grace winked at Avery and chuckled. “Hannah, your mother and Payton are just arriving. Shall we go out and see them in the carriage?”

  “Okay. Bye.” Taking her grandmother’s hand, she waved as they walked away.

  “She’s so precious.” Avery leaned into Conall, feeling a little disappointed herself that they weren’t husband and wife. “Let’s go find our seats.”

  Conall’s decision to leave without Gavin was weighing heavily on his mind. He had always followed through on anything he’d said he was going to do in the past. He picked up two glasses of champagne, handing one to Avery. Conall wanted to stay. He wanted to be with Avery, but he’d promised himself he would set things right back in his own time. What would become of his clan if he didn’t come back? Those were the questions that haunted him. And if he left, what would become of Avery? The thought of her with another man tore him apart, but he couldn’t expect her to remain alone. It wouldn’t be right.

  Avery was beautiful tonight. When she’d emerged from her room at the inn, she’d taken his breath away. Her dark green gown complimented her eyes, which he’d noticed the very first time he’d met her. It was only little more than a week ago, but he felt like he’d known her forever. As she stood there with her head held high, wearing jewels on her ears, her wrists and around her neck, he thought how regal she was. In his time, she might be a queen or of royal blood. She was more than he deserved. He had nothing to offer her, but for some reason she loved him. There was no doubt that he felt the same for her.

  “Will you dance with me?” Lost in thought, Avery caught him off guard. “Come on. It’ll be fun.”