The hall emptied in seconds, everyone scrambling to follow Ian’s direction.
“I wanted to show you much more than the inside of these walls. But we’ve run out of time.”
She sighed and leaned into his broad chest for one blessed moment. “Don’t worry, Simon. The guy in the store said this necklace is good for more than one ride.”
He chuckled and brought his hands to her face. After one deep, penetrating stare, he grazed his lips to hers and turned to follow Ian.
One simple kiss and her whole body rippled with pleasure.
“Helen?” Tara called from Amber’s room, forcing her out of her daze.
Chapter Twenty
Rain pelted them on their ride across the Highlands. They rode for only two hours, but it felt like twenty. Sadly, Helen needed to ride with Briac so Simon could protect the women and children if necessary. Briac kept his seat despite the fact Helen nearly dragged him off on at least two occasions. Even with a death grip on the mane of the horse, holding on wasn’t easy. She vowed never again to curse her car for its lack of speed or impeccable timing for breaking down. A car had a roof, heater, and cushioned seats. Black Beauty, or whatever the name of the horse they rode was, didn’t even have a decent saddle.
Even with her internal complaints, Helen wasn’t oblivious to the others. Myra didn’t so much as squeak and the poor girl was seven months pregnant. Amber hadn’t uttered a word since she left the Keep. They left the Keep with Lora, Tara, Duncan, and Fin, but the four of them were an escort, not part of the future-traveling party.
Watching Amber part with her father had been painful. Ian’s eyes glossed over and his lip trembled when Amber mounted her horse. At least she would have some family with her for a while longer. But in the end, she would be left in the future without them.
Without realizing where her gaze landed, she was staring at Simon’s broad shoulders as he led the small band of travelers through the dense wooded forest. Duncan scouted ahead and doubled back constantly. Fin kept with the bulk of them and Cian took up the rear. The sun had set and the last rays of light were fading.
The forest opened up to a meadow and Duncan stopped their party. “This spot will work.” The rain eased to a small drizzle, which offered some relief.
With only twenty yards of open space, there was enough room to light a circle with all of them in it. Hopefully their plan would work, and Helen would be standing under pelting hot water within the hour. Without the threat of war, violence, or capture from the wacked-out enemy wanting to steal the MacCoinnich women, Helen could finally let her guard down. Medieval life didn’t hold a whole hell of a lot of appeal.
Rubbing her butt after sliding off the horse, Helen stood back as the family said their goodbyes. Duncan and Tara spent time assuring their children they would be together very soon. “Listen to Aunt Lizzy and Aunt Myra,” Tara told them.
“Take charge when the men are absent, Briac.” Duncan patted his son’s shoulder as he spoke. Even though the kid was in his teens, he still had a tear in his eye. Dad did, too. Not that Helen would ever say she witnessed it. These Highland men had a very strict “no crying” creed built in. She couldn’t help but wonder if they could lose an arm and keep from weeping. Something told her they could.
Tara had Amber in a deathly hug. “I guess I should have known things were quiet for too long.”
Amber didn’t hold back her tears. They ran down her face silently. “You had the courage to come to us, once upon a time. Now ’tis time for me to go forward. I suppose the Ancients might call it balance.”
Helen opened her eyes wide to keep her own tears back. Duncan and Fin both held their sister and offered words of strength. Of hope. But when Lora stepped forward, it seemed everyone held his or her breath.
Lora held both of Amber’s hands as emotion clogged her powerful words. “My lovely daughter. Every time the lord blessed your father and I with another child I had but one wish. I prayed that all of you would live long and happy lives. Duncan found the perfect mate in Tara. She’s witty, strong, and brings laughter to our home. Myra would never have been happy with a man in our time. They simply weren’t diverse enough for her. Todd is everything and more, the perfect husband and father. And Lizzy….” Lora laughed through her tears. “The things she says! God’s blood, we all think them, but she has the courage to say them and make even your father listen. Fin is blessed to have found her and Simon. Our home is stuffed with healthy children and laughter.”
Lora sucked in her lower lip, tears fell, but she kept going.
Helen wept openly, not caring. It’s not raining enough for people to think natural causes are to blame.
Lora placed one hand to the side of Amber face. “But your laughter has been missing for some time. Every day my heart broke a little more. My beautiful baby was dying, and there was nothing I could do but watch.” Lora’s words sucked into a hoarse whisper. “But then Helen dropped in and offered us hope. Offered you hope. Even if I’m not able to witness your happiness, at least the Ancient’s gave me hope that you would find it.”
Amber pulled in audible breaths.
“If our paths never cross again in this lifetime, know that I will see you again in the next. I love you.”
Amber threw her hands around her mother’s shoulders and cried the wail of the grieving.
Helen had to turn away. Lora’s love was strong enough to move mountains. At least Amber would always know that her mother cared.
Simon appeared at Helen’s side, his arm wrapped around her shoulders. He placed his lips to her temple in silent understanding. Calm settled over her.
Although, the grief she witnessed was not her own, it still hurt. Helen vowed in that moment to be as much help to Amber in the future as she could. They would both be orphans in a sense. If there was one thing Helen knew, it was how to be a woman without a family.
Of that, Helen was the resident expert.
Amber and Lora broke apart, and more goodbyes spread.
When Helen turned around most of her tears were gone.
“Are you ready?” she asked Amber.
After removing the moisture from her face with the back of her hand, Amber forced a smile and nodded. “Ready.”
Lizzy had helped Helen with the words to move them through time. Liz thought it would be stronger coming from the person wearing the necklace and had the forethought to consider that Amber would be too upset to talk.
She had been right.
Everyone traveling, all six adults and eight children formed a circle. The adults spread among the kids, easing their discomfort. Simon removed a knife from his waist. “We should shed a drop of blood,” he told everyone.