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W
abi wandered far into the woods listening and observing with every sense and learning more about this region. There was such a variety of creatures here that he found himself engrossed in naming each one. In Skye, they had sea creatures such as harbor seals and otters, and his pine trees were full of red squirrels. But here in the Highlands there were other critters that Wabi found interesting, particularly the fowl.
He watched as a golden eagle glided high above him, and out of the corner of his eye he spied two peregrine falcons dipping and diving in an apparent mating ritual. He wasn't exactly sure why he was continuing to go deeper into the woods, but his intuition had yet to fail him, so he'd go until such time as it felt like he should stop. So far, nothing had his scalp tingling or his skin itching.
~ * ~
MID-MORNING FOUND UNCLE Andrew and Da outside, even though it was chilly still. Da had felt a need to walk about, anything to ease the pain in his heart. Andrew would not leave for Edinburgh as planned. Not today. He and Daniel would see that Jamie was properly buried with family about and the vicar speeding him to his next place. Daniel, Jamie, and Andrew had spent hours discussing the hereafter and still hadn't come to any conclusions that brought them to any greater understanding.
Andrew's Florence had died years ago from an illness they were calling influenza in Edinburgh. He'd done his reading on the subject on one of his trips. Edinburgh was the place to find information on about any subject one could think of.
Then Da had lost his Alice. Of course, her ailment wasn't one that was discussed in public. She had died of a type of cancer — that dreaded word — which had all but eaten away her body. She was as thin as a rail when she finally passed on. Daniel had more than one doctor and several healers look at her, but none of them had any magickal potion to stop the spread of that hideous disease.
She'd been buried on the moor in the burial plot, close to the circle of stones as she'd asked. She'd given him specific instructions to follow regarding her burial as well as his. And he had followed them to the letter. Something he needed to discuss with Alex, too, soon. No one had expected Jamie to be gone so quickly, and Daniel was only a couple of years younger than Jamie.
"Daniel, it grieves me so to know he's gone. But if anyone was ready, it was Jamie. He was at peace in most any situation he found himself. I believe maybe we can count on him to find us a place and have it waiting for us. Not that we need to rush to it just yet, however." Andrew smiled at his brother. They'd both buried wives, and now a cousin who was also a dear friend. But Daniel had been blessed with enough sons for the two of them, and just recently Andrew had found another person who would bring joy to him in his final years. The Creator was merciful.
Alex had started the day headed to the Taggart place thinking the lass would most likely have gone home. Surely she'd want to say farewell to her mam. Maybe that was the best after all, going home that is. Caitlin didn't seem to think the woman was a killer, but Alex would not let his guard down again.
He brought Zeus to a halt, walked along the cobblestone path and knocked on the front door. No answer. So he went around to the rear where he thought he might find Deirdre at the gravesite. But the only thing standing by the newly dug grave was a small white cross. The vicar would have brought that. There was also a small bouquet of wildflowers at the head of the grave — Millie would have sent that. There was no gravestone yet as those were usually put in place later. Perhaps he would send a lad to help Deirdre with that. But he'd never allow her to be in Caitlin's presence.
Where else would he look? There were no relatives and the nearest neighbor was a family with half a dozen children. She might have gone there. In spite of her numerous despicable traits, she always liked children and had hoped to have one herself. Alex remembered that bit of information. That might be the next place to look. Now, however, he'd get back to the lodge and help the others get on with getting Jamie taken care of.
Maybe he and Jack would cover more ground tomorrow after the burial was over. They'd find her all right. Right now he was more concerned about Da and Uncle Andrew and how they were faring. Those three old men had been inseparable. This death would be hard for the two remaining ones.
He took one slow walk about the place but saw nothing to make him think Deirdre had been here. Well, she had to be near, and he would find her. As long as she was out there he feared they may all be in danger.
He mounted and started home. He liked this time of year especially. Winter was losing its grip and spring was just around the corner. Despite the furor of the weddings and kidnapping, Christmas had been a rather quiet affair compared to past celebrations. He had missed everyone gathering around Mam's harpsichord and singing Christmas carols. Next year. They'd get to that next year. By then perhaps Ian's voice will have found a range that could be counted on.
Alex smiled, thinking about the last time they all sang together. There was such richness with all the voices blending, but Ian's would occasionally squeak and bring all of them to their knees in laughter — because they had all been through the same thing when they were his age.
"That's all right, me lad. Give it time. Ye'll have a voice that will call to the heavens." Mam was in her element when playing that harpsichord and listening to her personal, all-male choir. Da was content to listen and keep the cider poured. He was proud his lads could sing, but he, himself, had a tin ear.
The lads were busy out in the shed putting together a coffin for old Jamie. He would not have wanted anyone to go to a lot of trouble and certainly he would have only wanted his family to gather around. He was a very quiet, unassuming old gentleman, and he would be greatly missed.
Alex found Caitlin in Mam's sewing room, clearing away leftovers from Deirdre. "Millie's made a flower arrangement for the gravesite and I took care of wrapping Jamie in a clean soft shroud. I've done that for others in the past, but as we have discussed before, only now that he's gone do I realize how important he was to all of us. His gentle ways and quiet manner were his trademarks."
She turned away and walked out of the room, not wishing her tears to add to Alex's grief. She'd never had any kin before joining the MacKinnons. Now, feeling this pain, she thought perhaps it was easier when you didn't have anyone to care about. She'd been very young when her grandparents died, and she'd only had Uncle Wabi until now. She found herself wishing he were here. She still missed seeing him every day and discussing her thoughts with him. Of course, she and Alex always discussed their daily events. But with Wabi, she didn't have to leave out the parts about sensing something, or being aware of something unseen. She often left out those thoughts when she talked with Alex for fear he wouldn't be comfortable with that part of her.