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he first few weeks Caitlin, Millie and little Midge spent at the MacKinnon farm were anything but boring. It seemed everyone on the farm had specific jobs and were good at them. Millie knew she could learn her way around a kitchen, and that thought appealed to her. Therefore, she had come into the MacKinnon kitchen — Hector's kitchen — and in her usual, efficient fashion had begun making changes. It was apparent to her these men were doing fairly well without a woman around, but Mam's touch was definitely missing in Millie's opinion.
When Mam had passed away, it only took a few weeks for the men to realize they needed some help around the house. Mam had always managed to keep the laundry caught up and the place was always filled with great smelling and tasting food. She had the Widow Murray come in one day a week to help her, and as her health gradually declined from the cancer the Widow came even more often. With no husband, the few extra coins she earned were helpful. The brothers agreed to ask her to come the same as she had when Mam was there, so even though the home was not as organized as when Mam was in charge, they had clean clothes and there was at least a semblance of order.
But even with that help, Millie and Caitlin had their hands full just keeping up with the daily chores that must be done. They put their heads together and decided there must be a better way of operating the lodge and when Millie had finally had enough, she made a firm decision.
"I might not know how to cook well but I have had experience running a large household, and this one could certainly use attention." Using her keen powers of persuasion, she enlisted the young hired hands to help her.
"Here, lads, do you think we could put a few hooks in the ceiling? Then we can hang the pots from them. That way we can reach them and not have to rummage through the cabinets when we need one. And over here, could you maybe add another shelf or two in the pantry so we've enough room for the flour, oats and other dry goods we use daily? I hate having to run out to the storage room when I need more flour."
The lads were getting use to this new lady and her gentle way of asking for their help. They hadn't seen anyone quite so beautiful, and she had them eating out of her hand.
"Do you think you could move the large table, the one out in the barn, inside? It would seat all of us and we wouldn't be so crowded at dinner."
The two young lads, Kenny and Hamish, would do her bidding just to have the pleasure of being near her. Getting the lads to help her was easy enough, and the new arrangements in the kitchen really did make it more workable. The only problem with making all these changes was she hadn't asked Hector's approval beforehand. That oversight resulted in a flaring of tempers from both he and Millie.
"Nae, lass. I don't mind ye helping, but I've been in charge of feeding this lot since our Mam left us. She taught us all to cook a bit, and I've been designated to take up where she left off. But I could use help in here, even though it doesn't look like ye've been in a kitchen very often," Hector yelled.
Despite his tirade, Hector, the second oldest brother, was actually the one with the best negotiating skills. At the moment, he seemed to have lost this ability. He did welcome her help, as feeding this crowd took a lot of effort, but this woman was trying his patience.
"Aye, Hector, you're right. I was never allowed to be in the kitchen as a child, and certainly not in Warwick's castle. That was considered beneath the dignity of a Lady."
Hector held his tongue, but jumped Jack the moment he entered the room.
"Jack, ye've gotta talk to Millie. She's just taking over me kitchen. I'm glad to have her help, but it'll work better if she asks my opinion before she makes any more changes."
Jack stood there, scratching his head. He hadn't found anything about Millie that wasn't to his liking, but could see his brother was not keen on anyone taking over his domain, and that person a woman to boot.
"Aye, brother. I'll talk to her. She's got a lot to learn about living with a bunch of sheep farmers. Give her time, if ye can."
Hector threw down a dishtowel and walked out the door, slamming it behind him.
Jack hadn't seen him this angry in a while. In fact, it took a lot to rile Hector, so Jack might need to ponder this a bit. That's the most emotion I've seen from him in years.
Having been the daughter of a Lord and then wife to one, Millie had been a Lady all her life. She'd never had to ask anyone's permission to do most anything, certainly not when it concerned running a household. Of course, she'd never had the experience of having a sibling, or any contact with children, either. So she had quite a bit to learn about living with a houseful of Highland men, and now she also had a child to contend with.
~ * ~
CAITLIN'S LIFE HAD been one dedicated to healing, and even though she stayed busy, she was a loner. She'd always hoped to wed, but so far she'd not found a man who met her requirements. The few men she'd known had been intimidated by her intelligence and her commitment to her calling of being a healer. So none of those relationships had ever worked out, and Uncle Wabi was her only kin. She'd all but given up on her dreams of children, family gatherings and holiday rituals.
Hopefully this Highlander, Alex, would make those dreams come true. She'd agreed to wed him, and was excited about becoming a part of this clan. But Caitlin had fears about their relationship also. She was aware not everyone was as happy about that event as Alex.
The only other dream she still held on to was increasing her healing knowledge. There was much to be learned if she could only get to a place where that knowledge was available. The Isle of Skye had nothing more to offer, and she doubted these Highlands did either.
~ * ~
ALEX HAD WAITED PATIENTLY for his perfect mate. He had thought he'd found her as a young man, at university, but that woman wouldn't follow him to the upper Highlands, the only place he was interested in spending his life. But this one, this healer, had such spirit and dedication to her ideals that Alex was drawn like a magnet.
"Jack, I tell ye she's a fine woman. She's committed to her work as a healer and has her heart set on a home and bairns as well. She's exactly what I've been looking for."
Alex had tried to convince Jack this woman was the one, but had sensed Jack's concerns about Caitlin even before the incident on the night of the storm. He, himself, never had any second thoughts about joining with this woman. And truth be told, when she entered the room he followed her every movement and his pulse always quickened. There was something about her that he couldn't resist — and he had no plans to try.
Just as Hector and Millie, though, Alex and Caitlin had their disagreements also. Today Alex went through the lodge looking for Caitlin.
"Caitlin? Where are ye, lass?" he called out as he strode through the great room.
Not finding her inside, he went outside to look for her. When they first arrived at the home place Caitlin had made use of Ian's crutch, the one the lad used before Uncle Wabi, Da and old Jamie had created his new prosthesis. She'd used it to work her way outside to the birch tree next to the old hut.
There was a small stream that ran next to the hut, and it was a good place to sit and reflect. Caitlin had spotted the hut when they first arrived, and she could be found there most days, with Willie at her side. Alex had learned to look there first, but today she wasn't there either.
Going back inside, he wandered to the kitchen knowing Millie would be working on a new dish. She was really taking to her new responsibilities and she and Hector were working through their problems. A truce had been called for the moment.
"Millie, have ye seen Caitlin this morning? She's not out by the birch tree and I don't see her anywhere."
"She was here earlier, maybe an hour ago. But I haven't seen her since. You know Caitlin — she needs her quiet time. She's still adjusting to so many people around. But she's where she wants to be, Alex. She's probably just taking a short walk. Her leg is much better and walking is good for her. Willie's always with her, so I wouldn't be too alarmed."
"Aye. Well, I think I'll saddle up and go for a ride. She'll turn up I'm sure."
Alex mounted and made one more trip to the birch tree. Looking closely at the ground, he could see marks where the crutch had made indentations in the earth. She had been here apparently. Then she must have wandered farther out onto the moor.
Dang it all, woman, I specifically told ye not to go too far from the lodge. Ye've got to start listening to me.
Alex was accustomed to his orders being followed, and he definitely remembered cautioning both ladies not to leave the immediate area. There were any number of dangers always waiting in the Highlands. Where there were sheep, there were always wolves nearby. Wild boars roamed everywhere, as well as coyotes and fierce, wild dogs. Then, too, what often looked like grass might be an area of boggy peat moss that could give way if any weight was put on it.
Alex followed the tracks of the crutch and was surprised to see where they were headed. Caitlin had to have walked for quite a while to get so far up the moor. How long had that taken her with her leg? After riding for a few more minutes, he stood in the stirrups and looked higher, to the top of the moor. There was Caitlin, with Willie close at her side, both standing in the circle of stones next to the burial ground. Mam had taught Alex and his brothers that only the "called" were to enter the circle and that they should always approach the area with reverence. He'd never utter it to Caitlin, but in his mind the place held secrets and was a place he and his brothers all feared to a certain degree, though they were unsure just why. Seeing Caitlin inside was most disturbing.
Holy Jesus, she's inside the circle! What if Jack's right after all? What in heaven’s name am I to think about this scene? Oh, Mam, if yer anywhere close, send me some of yer wisdom. At this moment I'm more frightened than I've ever been in my life. Maybe Jack's worries are justified. Maybe she is a witch and can harm all of us. Jesus, what am I going to do?
Sitting back in the saddle he rode up closer to the circle. He sat quietly for a moment, thinking, before dismounting. Then he did what he always did when faced with a difficult situation — he met it — in this case the woman who held his heart — head-on.
"Caitlin, mo chridhe. What are ye doing up here?" he called out.
She didn't move, as if she hadn't heard him.
Angry words were on the tip of his tongue and he almost gave in to an impulse to release them. As he got closer, however, he was mesmerized by the sight before him. Caitlin's tartan wrap was draped about her shoulders, her flaming hair blowing in the wind, whipping about her face, and her aqua eyes sent out flashes of light that almost blinded him.
Alex stood still, and for a quick instant thought he had interrupted a private moment of communication between Caitlin and an unknown entity. He had never seen this look on her face before. It was an expression of complete joy and contentment.
Then, as if she had awakened from a dream, Caitlin looked at him and smiled brightly. "Alex, did you know this circle was here? It's magnificent! Have you ever stood within it?"
"Nae, lass. Mam said only the called are to go inside."
Caitlin looked at the Highlander, this man who was more than she ever hoped for.
Is that fear I see on his face?
"Something has been calling to me since I got here, Alex. Today I followed that calling and this is where it led me. This circle of stones feels so familiar to me. I don't understand it, but standing within it brought a peace to me that I haven't felt in ever so long."
Alex looked down at his little healer, so small she didn't even reach his shoulders.
"Then so be it. Mam told us it's called a henge, a circle of stones, and it's a special place for special folk. Let's just leave it at that, lass. If it soothes yer soul, then perhaps ye were meant to enter. But Caitlin, there are dangers here. Please don't come again without one of us coming with ye."
Caitlin nodded. "I didn't think about that, Alex. I just went without considering my actions first. I never meant to frighten you. It'll not happen again."
Alex wordlessly accepted her apology with a kind look and a gentle hand on her shoulder, then helped her into the saddle for their return to the lodge. Caitlin rode in front of him, ever so carefully, trying not to jostle her still-healing leg. Part of her didn't want to leave the stone circle, but she could feel Alex's anxiety and kept her thoughts to herself. She thought she would probably return — and he was certain she would.