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C
haos was the only word to describe the scene at the lodge this evening. With the arrival of Alex, Caitlin, Jack and Robbie a couple of days ago, any semblance of order was lost.
Earlier in the day, Aileen had taken Charlie by the face and looked directly at him.
"Charlie, I know you can hear me, son. Get yourself back to the classroom now."
Aileen pushed the little lad out the kitchen door and he laughed as he ran along. He had been so excited to see Willie and would much rather spend time with the wolf than be in the classroom. The two had forged an unusual bond and Charlie was thrilled the wolf was back.
Since the Scarlet Fever had abated, Millie and Caitlin were struggling to get the children back in school doing their studies again. Today, Dugald and Bridgette dragged the four kittens into the classroom, which brought shrieks from the other children making it almost impossible to conduct any kind of instruction.
Aileen had taken over the kitchen and ran it even better than Millie had. This clan needed her and she was already becoming indispensable. The end of the day found her in the kitchen, Millie closing the school for the day, and Caitlin gathering up her herbs from the stable where she kept them in an unused stall.
Alex and Jack were coming in after a long day of herding sheep from one pasture to another. They had barely gotten inside before the thunderstorm that had threatened all afternoon finally arrived.
"Well, one good thing has come from our time in the Tolbooth," Alex said, brushing the rain off his shoulders.
"Yeah? What's that?" Jack asked.
"I used to think the sheep smelled bad, but after the Tolbooth I won't complain about them anymore."
They both laughed and headed to the bath.
A little while later they were coming down for their evening ritual, a wee dram and conversation around the dining table, when the back door opened and Caitlin rushed inside.
"Holy Rusephus! A thunderstorm this time of year?" She'd had to make a run for it from the stable.
The next one to make his way to the kitchen was Da, whose health had improved markedly since his lads had come home. He spent a few minutes rocking Flinn to sleep and placed her in her crib, still located in the corner of the kitchen. Willie, her self-appointed protector, was back in his preferred place keeping watch from beneath her crib.
Millie handed out mugs of cider and watched as Aileen filled the table with scrumptious looking dishes, one after the other.
"Aileen, you are amazing. It would take me a week to prepare that many dishes."
Jack laughed. "But don't stop, lass. We've been starved for more than a week and need to build our strength up."
A banging on the kitchen door had everyone looking in that direction. Jack opened the door and stood there staring. After a long minute, the visitor said his piece.
"It's raining out here, brother. Ye think ye could let us come in?" Hector smiled at his big brother.
"Hector? Yer alright, then? Yer alright?"
Alex and Da came closer and embraced him.
"Aye, I can see yer alright, lad,” Da said. "But I do believe yer mam would tell us we've forgotten our manners." He bowed to Reggie, who'd been standing there watching as the scene unfolded before her.
"Good evening, ma’am. I'm Daniel MacKinnon and these three oafs are my sons. Please come in."
The laughter that filled the room was music to everyone's ears.
Reggie removed her long, hooded cloak and looked about. "So then, this is the family you speak of so often. As you said, there are a lot of them!"
Reggie had a brother, but he had died as a youngster so she'd grown up in a relatively quiet home.
"And this isn't all of them," Hector told her.
"Oh goodness! Who's missing?"
"Ian, the youngest. He's off with Uncle Wabi," Caitlin informed her.
"But take my word for it, he looks like all the others and is just as loud."
"Here, let's close the door. The rain's really coming down now and with this wind it'll be blown inside," Millie said.
"Oh right. Certainly." Hector stood back, and just as he was about to close the door a booted foot stuck itself through—a boot with a prosthesis.
"Ian! Our long lost brother! Didn't expect to see ye. How'd ye get here?"
Then, seeing Uncle Wabi standing behind him, he quietly nodded.
"I see. Uncle Wabi. So glad to see you, sir. Please come in."
Caitlin's tears began the minute she saw Wabi.
"Uncle Wabi, I thought something awful had happened to you. I've called and called but you didn't answer."
Wabi gathered his niece in his arms. "Yes, dear girl. There was a problem for a short while, but all is well now. I can hear you now should you call again."
Wabi was relieved to find Caitlin and the MacKinnons had endured their escapade at the Old Tolbooth. He knew what the place was like and he shuddered to think of Caitlin running through it.
He walked over to the crib where Caitlin's bairn, Flinn, rested, then knelt down and lay a finger against her cheek. He was not surprised to feel a vibration coming from the child, but he was very surprised at the intensity of it.
Oh, my sweet one, such strong vibrations mean challenges for sure. What lies ahead for you? Only the Creator knows for sure. But you and I will be together, of that much I'm certain.
Caitlin walked over and smiled at her uncle.
"She's very special Uncle Wabi, very special."
"That she is, dear girl, as are you. Of course, all your ancestors were special. I strongly suggest you find time to read Ci-Cero's entire journal, The Wolf, the Wizard, and the Woad. Learning about your ancestors may be of great importance, Caitlin. We often are better able to face the future when we understand the past. And I have an inkling that young Flinn, the latest in this line of healers, will bring her own special talents and have her own challenges. Again, you must read the journal."
Hector was also relieved.
"So, looks like yer all in one piece. I had heard the Brits were all over the place and I feared ye'd all be in prison or learning how to behave like slaves by now."
There were nods all round, but no laughter. They were all glad Alex and Jack were safe, but the problem still existed—how to escape being caught by the British. There'd been much discussion since their return to the lodge, but no solutions had been found.
Ian wasn't sure he understood everything that was going on, so thought he'd change the subject.
"Wait until I tell ye about my trip down the Highlands to Wabi's cottage. I was followed by a mountain lion, then I rescued some folks from a highwayman, and learned how to talk to an owl."
"Of course ye did, lad. And it pleases me to see ye've learned to tell tales just like yer brothers did at your age!" Da put an arm around his youngest.
Ah, just take a look down here, mo chridhe. Our lads are safe and looks like Hector is bringing us another lovely lady. The Creator is merciful.
Ian sighed. "No, it's true! All of it! Where's Robbie? He'll believe me."
A voice from above rang out.
"Ian? Is that you? Come up here, quickly!"
Ian raced up to the attic, anxious to see his nephew again. As he stepped into the room, however, he began to roll with laughter. Robbie was in the middle of an undertaking that was totally beyond his comprehension.
"Here, let me help ye with that. Stand still."
When the two lads entered the kitchen a few minutes later, no one laughed. In fact, no one said a word for the longest moment.
Finally, Alex stood and walked over, taking Robbie by the shoulders and turning him around slowly.
"Aye. Lad. Aye. It becomes ye. Ye wear the kilt well."
He blinked back a tear and put his arm around Robbie. "Miss Carmichael, this is Robbie. He's my son."
"...just one more thing..."
Holy Rusephus — you made it! I'm very grateful you took the time to read my work and your feedback is essential to improving my writing. Therefore, if I could ask for "just one more thing"...take a moment to favor me with your review.
If you would like to know more about Caitlin, Wabi, the MacKinnon brothers, the animals, and how all this started, get Highland Healer, Book 1 in this series.
In Book 2 in the series, Highland Circle of Stones, the healer weds her Highlander and the family struggles to accept her and her magickal powers.
Book 4, The Wolf, The Wizard, and The Woad, is the prequel to the Highland Healer Series and takes readers back in time, to the beginning of the line of healers from whom Caitlin—the fiery, determined protagonist at the heart of the series—has come.
For information regarding future projects, blogs, and useful links about Scotland and its history, use the contact button at florencelovekarsner.com to join the mailing list.
Thanks so much for reading my novels and "lang may yer lum reek."
Readers' Comments for HIGHLAND HEALER
Adventure abounds in the Scottish Highlands in Karsner's debut novel, in which a special woman with untapped elemental powers tries to stay one step ahead of a ruthless soldier bent on exacting revenge. Overall, this is a mostly charming tale of magic and mages. Karsner works quickly and efficiently to establish her principal players . . . the author manages to imbue the simple plot with a real sense of tension and suspense. The first in a promising series filled with likable characters and fun adventures.—Kirkus Reviews
I cannot wait to see what happens next- an enjoyable read. I would recommend it for a fun, twisting story with magical realism intertwined . . .Kay
Truly enjoyed this book. My ancestors are Scottish. The story itself was really good. All the characters were easy to follow. I could picture each one as they came into the story. Really enjoyed this book can't wait for the next one . . . Charles
She not only shows you the characters, she shows you their souls. . . Chris
I really enjoyed this book. I typically read the historical romance novels but found this one very refreshing. It had no "sex" scenes and it did not need them! It was well written how the author was able to introduce three separate group of characters and how their paths crossed. And I love Willie! Definitely going to get Book 2. . .Carol
It was packed with suspense and romance. It is one of my favorite books. A must to read. Put this on your wish list of books to read . . . Kathleen
Readers' Comments for HIGHLAND CIRCLE OF STONES
For the second installment of her series, Karsner creates an elegiac battlement on the first novel's foundation. The narrative's strongest theme is family...it uses its fantasy elements sparingly, though it also depicts them beautifully, as when the wizard, Uncle Wabi, uses 'time weaving, ' moving 'at a speed that had stars melting...and the colors of Aurora Borealis racing across the sky.'...a savage finale tests the clan and should rivet readers...A sprawling cast and deep family history invigorate this sequel." - Kirkus Reviews
The writing is fantastic. The characters are so well penned that I came to know them and when I put the book down, I wanted to know what they were going to do the next day. You find yourself immersed in the mists of the Highlands among the clan of brothers whose family values come through in spades. . ..Kris
I absolutely love this series of books! There aren't many that are safe enough for me to let my kids read and still be interesting enough for me to read. This is a good love story without all the dirty scenes you find in so many romance books. Once again, it is set in the Scottish Highlands, as was its prequel, which I love, and is a very interesting installment in this series of books. I love the way I have gotten to know the McKinnon clan even better and feel like the character development in this series was well done! I can't wait for the next book to come out! Thank you Florence for this wonderful story! . . . Sherri
This book was very well written and kept me engrossed from the very beginning! I completed it in a few hours because I simply could not put it down! Very well done! I also loved that it proved almost a cultural lesson by providing meanings to words native to the setting. Truly loved it! . . . Shilohna
I loved this second book in the Highland Healer series. The characters are well written. The devotion of the main characters to each other and to each family is admirable. The attention to small details such as items in a room draws the reader into the story and makes you a part of it. The last chapter had me wanting more . . . Angel
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Florence Love Karsner is a fifth generation Floridian who grew up in a rural Panhandle village near Tallahassee. In the late 60’s, she married a Navy Ensign and followed him to the South Pacific. In her travels she experienced different lands, peoples, and cultures all of which would forever influence her view of the world and provide creative ideas for painting, pottery, and writing.
Today, she is retired from nursing and clinical research careers, and spends her time writing, painting, and creating pottery. She lives with her husband on the Intracoastal Waterway in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. Her Highland Healer Series is set in the 18th century Scottish Highlands following the Bloody Battle of Culloden.
Dedication
To Dorothy and Jackie
...the best of our bloodline
The serpent is an ancient symbol of healing and is seen in early drawings wrapped around the caduceus of the Greek god, Hermes. Many ancient cultures regarded the serpent as sacred, and used it in healing rituals. A serpent devouring its tail is called an ouroboros. It is symbolic of immortality, the eternal unity of all things, and the cycle of birth and death. It unites opposites such as the conscious and unconscious mind. It has a meaning of infinity or wholeness, and is the Western world equivalent of Yin-Yang.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
As always, a huge thank you to my readers for taking time to read my work. Writing is much more enjoyable when I know it is appreciated. To those of you who have written reviews, please know that I appreciate your comments.
Elizabeth White, my editor, deserves special recognition. She very gently prods me until I produce a much better product than the one I started with. You can be sure to see her touch on all my work.
Finally, much credit goes to my husband, Garry, and my daughters, Caroline and Taylor for their never ending support. They read everything I write and give me unsolicited, but very helpful feedback! Couldn't do this without them.