Time and Space (8 page)

Cadence headed straight up to her bedchamber when they arrived at the castle, leaving the men to tend the horses.

Before she changed out of her dress, she’d followed the steps Donnall showed her earlier to light a fire. After a few missteps, she got a spark to light the kindling. While the fire grew, she changed into her nightgown and turned down the bed. There were still a few hours until dinner and she planned to spend the rest of the evening in bed. It had been a long day and her head was pounding.

Gathering her voluminous gown around her, she laid down on the luxurious fur rug in front of the fire. Rolling to her side, she watched the as the flames grew and danced. It felt good knowing she’d done this for herself. In terms of gaining skills it had been a great day, but she was still a long way from being self-sufficient in the fifteenth century.

A knock at her door startled her out of her thoughts. “Who is it?” The last thing she was in the mood for was company.

“It’s Aggie and Sorcha. We’ve brought a bath for you.”

Cadence scrambled to her feet and ran to open the door. Two beefy warriors carried in the large wooden tub and an army of women carried in pails of water. “I didn’t order a bath, Aggie.” Confusion was etched in her voice.

“Donnall asked if we would bring this up for you. He said you could use a long soak after your first day in the saddle. If you don’t mind me saying so, you look worn to the bone.”

After watching Donnall, Carter and Fionn about to rip each other apart, she was certain her friend was right. “That was very kind of him.”

“He also asked us to bring you dinner on a tray so you’d be early to bed.”

“I feel like I could drop to sleep now.”

“Just make sure you don’t fall asleep in the tub. I’ll be up in a bit with your dinner and an extra sweet for my best girl.” Aggie pulled her into a tight hug.

“Thank you,” Cadence said quietly, tears pricking her eyes. It was easy to see how much Aggie cared about her. She had no doubt she treated Jilly the same way when her little niece had been orphaned and stayed with the older woman.

Cadence dipped a finger into the water and found it was hot, but not overly so. Shedding her nightgown she slipped into the tub, sinking down until the water washed over her bare shoulders.

Taking a deep breath, she closed her eyes and visualized her mantra, which until recently had been the ruin of Moone Castle. Growing up hearing stories about Fionn and the people of Moone from her father, the castle always felt like home.

After losing her parents and the family home, Moone became even more important to her, becoming an anchor of sorts as she and Carter navigated the foster care system. Now, it was easier and homier to picture Moone the way it looked today.

The hot water was working its magic on her sore and tired muscles. She had a feeling her legs and butt would ache tomorrow thanks to her first time riding Starburst. Riding Donnall had inspired another sort of ache all together.

His hands had been hard and demanding as he touched her. She had no doubt things would have gone a lot further if Fionn and Carter hadn’t burst in when they had. She would have given herself to Donnall without question. She knew he held her heart in the palm of his hand.

She supposed the bigger question was did Donnall feel the same? True he had offered to marry her, but she was certain that was more from a sense of duty than of an abiding love. Fionn had mentioned countless women Donnall had taken to his bed. Was she just another notch to be carved into his bedpost or did she mean more to him?

Just before he’d left the cottage, Donnall had apologized for everything. She couldn’t help wondering if the sex was lumped in with getting caught first in the rain and then by Fionn and Carter.

She shivered in the water which had grown cold as she continued to ponder her situation. She climbed out of the tub and wrapped herself in a long drying cloth before sitting near the fireplace to dry her hair.

The one thing she didn’t have to worry about was Fionn’s demand she marry Donnall. He’d apologized for putting that requirement on her when he spoke to her after the fight and her meltdown. He’d also apologized for being so wrapped up in Carter and being a bad host as a result. Cadence, in return, had asked Fionn to go easy on Donnall. She could only hope Fionn would do as she asked.

Even though Donnall knew ahead of time Cadence was eating in her room, he still missed her lively presence at the table. Carter had gone to take Cadence her tray so they could talk, leaving him alone with Fionn.

They’d had many squabbles and disagreements over the years with a few coming to blows, but Donnall couldn’t remember Fionn ever being this angry at him. They hadn’t spoken since they’d all left to ride back to the castle. He reached for the pitcher and poured them each a tankard of ale.  “I am an arsehole.”

“I know.” Fionn tried to hide his grin with his ale.

“You’re not supposed to agree with me. You’re supposed to say, ‘I’m an arsehole too.’”

“We already agreed you are an arsehole, so what is your point?” Fionn smiled broadly now.

“I fucked up with Cadence. I was too busy watching the joy on her face as she rode for the first time, not to mention the way her arse was slapping the saddle. It never occurred to me to look up at the skies, which has never happened to me before. When I finally noticed the weather rolling in, it was too late and we rode for the cottage. We were both soaked to the skin and her teeth were chattering.” Donnall took a long gulp from his tankard, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. “Did you know she didn’t even know how to start a fire?”

“Neither did Carter when he first arrived here, so I should have known. He said it is not a skill they need to survive in their world.” Fionn sighed. “I should have made sure it was a skill she learned, so the fault is not all yours, old friend.”

“But it is.” Donnall hung his head. “What you said about me and the other women was true. I fucked anyone I could get my cock into and now with Cadence, I…”

“What?” Fionn asked curiously

“I do not want to fuck her. I want to love her.” Donnall sounded miserable. This had never happened to him before. He’d always been perfectly happy to sow his oats in many fields but meeting Cadence changed that. He was done lying with other women. He only wanted Cadence.

Fionn nodded, a knowing look in his eyes. “It was the same with me and Carter. I ceased looking at and fucking other men the moment we met, even though I thought he was a Scottish spy. I told Cadence I would not force you two into marriage, even though you agreed to do the honorable thing.”

“I don’t want her bound to me out of honor, but want her to love me enough to marry me willingly. I want to have a relationship with her like you and Carter.”

“I suspected as much. Are you willing to stop fucking around with Mallory and the others?”

“Yes. I have already. What do I do now? How do I win Cadence’s heart?”

“Stop being an arsehole for a start.”

Cadence was stirred from a light doze by a knock at her door. “Come in.” Figuring it was Aggie with her dinner, she was shocked when Carter walked in carrying a tray with enough food to feed all of South Boston.

“Did I wake you, Cookie?” Carter grinned and shut the door.

Cadence laughed. Carter only called her “Cookie” when he was in trouble. Cookie Monster had been her favorite when they were kids and Cadence would imitate his deep voice when she asked their parents for a cookie. Carter only used the name when she was in need of cheering up.  “I was dozing off a little bit. The fire is so soothing. I built it myself.”

Carter reached a hand down to her and easily pulled her to her feet and into a warm hug. “I’m so sorry for begging you to come here with me and then abandoning you and for losing my mind with Donnall this afternoon. Can you forgive me?

“You know I can. I’d do anything to avoid wearing our ‘get along’ shirt.” The shirt was one of Carlyle’s old white tees that Brigid would make them wear at the same time. Both of their heads stuck out the head hole forcing them to get along and work together, before their mother would set them free.

“I used to hate that damned thing. I’d want to go left and you’d want to go right.” Carter grinned and hugged her tighter.

“Not much has changed.” Cadence hugged him closer.

“I didn’t mean to dump you here and spend all my time with Fionn and the kids.”

“Yes you did,” Cadence said with a smile. “You were coming home to the man of your dreams and an infant son. I didn’t mind making my own way here. I’ve made friends and the attention from Donnall is…flattering.” She was hesitant to tell her brother what she really felt about the irritating barbarian.

“But?”

“Today was just too much for me to handle. Learning how to ride the horse was wonderful, but there was this undercurrent of it not being solely for pleasure, but to assist in the defense of the castle. Add in getting caught in the rain and being unable to start a fire. If not for Donnall, I wouldn’t have been able to take care of myself. Then you and Fionn burst in like Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid…”

“What happened with you and Donnall? Did he force you?”

“No! He’s not an actual barbarian, Carter. I just call him that to tease him. He’s a good and honorable man. He’s trustworthy and I’m pretty certain he’s not mobbed up like Liam.”

Carter burst out laughing. “You never know, Donnall could have been the one who started the Irish mob.”

Cadence shook her head sadly. “He’ll be dead in a few weeks, Carter, unless we can stop history from repeating itself. I don’t think it’s enough that we’re here, we need to take action.”

“I know, Cookie. We will take action. I have so much to fight for, but enough talk about that for now. Are you falling in love with Donnall?”

Cadence buried her face in Carter’s chest knowing he’d be able to see right through her. “Of course not.”

“You might be able to bullshit him, but you can’t bullshit me.”

“Don’t you mean I can’t ‘bullshite’ you?” Cadence laughed. “Maybe I am, Carter.”

“So, what’s the problem?

“What if I’m not ready? What if I’m nothing but another lay to him? Why should it matter if we’re all gonna die?”

Carter chuckled, rubbing her back. “We’re all gonna die, at one time or another. I guarantee it. Only you know if you're ready to be with Donnall. As angry as I was earlier, I do think Donnall is a good man. He's been a brother to Fionn and a good friend to me. I’ve seen a lot of changes in him since you arrived. He’s not as flirtatious and now he goes to bed alone.”

Cadence hummed noncommittally.

“Whatever you decide, I’m behind you.” Carter kissed her cheek.

“I know. That’s why you’re the second best brother I have.”

Carter snorted. “Who’s the best?”

“Fionn. While he was apologizing for barging in at the cottage, he offered me a wolfhound puppy if I stopped crying.”

Dinner was a leisurely affair. They talked about Bree and what she’d think of this place when they saw her in a few weeks. They were interrupted by a knock at the door.

“May we enter?” Fianna asked.

Cadence could see Islynn was standing behind her.

“That’s my cue to leave. I’ve got two babies to put to bed.”

“Kiss them for me.” Cadence hugged her brother. He’d always been there for her no matter what. They might fight like cats and dogs, but at the end of the day they loved each other.

“And us,” Fianna added.

Carter hugged each of the women on his way out the door.

“Islynn said it was a bad day for you, so here we are to cheer you up.” Fianna threw her arms wide.

“Is what happened all over the castle then?” Cadence knew she had nothing to be ashamed about, but that wouldn’t stop people from talking behind her back or Mallory from getting her digs in.

Islynn exchanged an uneasy look with Fianna. “No, my gift told me…”

Cadence hugged her tight. “Thank you and your gift.”

Islynn let out a shaky breath.”What did you do with your girlfriends back home?”

“We would drink wine and eat chocolate while we talked about clothes and shoes.”

“What is chocolate?”

“I’ll show you. I never time-travel without it.” Cadence always kept mini-Snickers bars in her purse. The only thing she’d brought with her from 2015 was her purse and the clothes on her back. She grabbed three small bars from her bag and brought them over to the bed where her friends had piled in. She handed a chocolate to each of them and climbed up in bed beside Islynn.

“I mean no disrespect, but this does not look at all appealing.” Islynn turned the wrapped chocolate around in her hand and brought it up to her nose to sniff.

Cadence giggled. “Open the wrapper like this.” She demonstrated and held up the tiny piece of chocolate which she popped into her mouth and moaned.

“This is better than sex,” Islynn giggled.

Cadence nodded. “I know, right?”

“I would not know about sex, but this is amazing,” Fianna added.

They all laughed together while Fianna licked the candy wrapper.

Cadence picked up her phone and powered it on. Thankfully it had a full charge the morning she left. “These are the pictures from my wedding.” Cadence handed the phone to Islynn.

“You are married?” Fianna asked, shocked.

“No. The groom did not show up for the ceremony.”

“How awful,” Fianna sympathized.

“She was not meant to marry Liam,” Islynn added with certainty.

“I can see that now.”  Cadence wanted to talk about something else, knowing the subject of Donnall couldn’t be far behind. She keyed the access code to her phone and pulled up the pictures of her and Bree from the wedding.

Islynn smiled and touched her finger to Bree’s face on the screen. Sniffling to hold back tears, she handed the phone back to Cadence. “We will talk about my Breena and your hideous dress in a few minutes, but first, tell me what pains your heart so.”

“Yes,” Fianna agreed. “Let us soothe you.”

“I’m better now, but I was feeling overwhelmed earlier. In my time, I’m a free woman. I can come and go as I please without needing anyone’s permission.”

“That sounds lovely.” Fianna sighed dreamily.

“It is lovely. Donnall gifted me a beautiful horse. Are you familiar with Starburst?”

“That gorgeous grey mare? She’s stunning, but shy. I used to take her apples but she would not eat from my hand.” Fianna smiled.

“Yes, that’s the horse. There was no sign of shyness when Donnall got me into the saddle. She ran like the wind.”

“I am glad you two have found each other. True love tells,” Islynn added.

Cadence raised a questioning eyebrow knowing her friend was speaking about more than just the horse. She wasn’t ready to confront her feelings for her irritating barbarian or his for her. “We rode outside the castle gates and time got away from us. Before we knew it, a storm had come up and it was pouring. Donnall took us to an abandoned stone cottage on the edge of the forest.”

“I know of the place. One of Fionn’s soldiers built it after a nasty clash with Clan Lachlan. Several of his fellow warriors were horribly butchered and he couldn’t bear to live among the soldiers. He hid himself away from the people of Moone.”

It sounded to Cadence like the warrior suffered from PTSD. How did you treat it when it didn’t even have a name? Her heart went out to the suffering veteran. “The poor man.”

“Fionn and Donnall would ride out once a week and bring supplies and one day about a year ago, he was gone. No one has seen or heard of him since.”

“Tell us what happened when you reached the cottage,” Islynn urged.

Cadence had never been so happy for her friend to change the subject. “We were both soaked to the skin by the time we got to there. Donnall had to light a fire since I didn’t know how.”

“Rumor has it he’s quite good at starting fires,” Fianna giggled with Islynn joining in.

“No!” Cadence laughed. “He had to light an actual fire so we could get warm and dry our clothes. But…”

“But what?” Fianna batted her eyelashes.

“He also lit the kind of fire you think he lit.” Cadence blushed to the roots of her hair.

“Ohhhh,” both ladies sighed.

“Are the rumors just that or is he as good as the girls say?”

“Fianna!” Islynn batted at her hand. “Cadence doesn’t have to tell us, even though I already know the answer.”

“Stop reading my mind.” Cadence laughed so hard her stomach hurt.

“I do not have to read your mind. You are blushing so hard, you are about to burst into flame.”

Cadence nodded and laughed harder.

“So what happened next?” Fianna asked eagerly.

Cadence sobered instantly. “Fionn and Carter burst in.”

“Oh no,” both women cooed, exchanging sympathetic looks.

“Everyone was yelling all at once. No one was listening to me or what I was trying to say.”

“Were they trying to decide your future for you? My brother tries to do that to me all the time.”

Cadence nodded. “I’m so used to making my own decisions and taking care of myself that I just started yelling like a banshee for them all to shut up.”

Islynn wrapped an arm around Cadence. “Did Fionn insist you and Donnall marry?”

Cadence nodded. “I refused.”

Fianna’s eyes nearly popped out of her head. “How did my brother take that?”

“I yelled at everyone to get out so Donnall and I could get dressed.”

Fianna burst out laughing. “My brother can be so dense sometimes.”

“True,” Cadence agreed. “Fionn and Carter must have talked things over while they were alone outside because when I came outside, Fionn took me aside and apologized for being a bad host and for ordering me to marry Donnall.”

Islynn raised an eyebrow. “Interesting.”

“What was even more interesting was when Donnall agreed to marry me when Fionn demanded it.”

“Was that born out of his loyalty to Fionn or from his obvious feelings for you?” Fianna grinned.

“I don’t know.” And she didn’t want to know. “Let’s look at the pictures of Bree.”

Islynn nodded. “It has been far too long.” She took the phone from Cadence and flipped through the images until she came to one of all three McCann siblings.  “Brenna is not your natural sister.”

“No. Carter favors our father with his dark eyes and hair, while I favor our mother with my red hair and green eyes.”

“How did Breena come to be your sister?” Fianna wrapped an arm around Islynn and rested her head on her friend’s shoulder.

“Our parents died when Carter was sixteen and I was fourteen. We were sent to live with a foster family, like when Donnall came from England to live at Moone. Bree was also a foster child in the home we lived in. Carter and I loved her like a sister from the moment we met her and when he was old enough, he took legal guardianship of both of us and we went to live with him.”

“Why was Breena without her family?” Islynn asked through her tears.

It was the question Cadence was dreading. “Her parent hurt her and she was removed from their care to protect her.”

“They beat her?” Fianna asked, stunned.

Among other things
. Cadence shivered and nodded. “She was safe in the foster home and Carter and I took good care of her. She got a good education and went to nursing school. She cares for newborn babies.”

“My Breena is a healer?” Glistening tears fell from her icy blue eyes.

Cadence flipped through more pictures and came to some of Bree holding a tiny newborn, with a huge smile on her face.

“She is gorgeous with her long blond hair restored.”

“Islynn, how?” It had been the burning question Cadence had longed to ask since Carter told her about Islynn living past lives with Bree.

“The Sulcat.” Her voice was barely above a whisper.