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W
abi and Caitlin had a few quiet minutes together and she told him about Charlie's deafness. He made some suggestions which could be helpful. She finally got around to asking the question that had been in her mind, the one she wasn't sure she wanted to know the answer to.
"Uncle Wabi, in the cave, when Nezerra came upon Alex and me, I knew she was there. I caught her scent a few seconds before she arrived. When I saw her, however, none of my powers came to the surface. All I could think of was protecting us . . . Alex and myself. Do you think my powers have been taken away? I've not used them since reducing the soldier to dust. Perhaps they were only given for a short time."
"No, dear girl. Your powers are still with you. You did exactly what you should have done in your situation. You protected yourself and Alex. That was the most important action at the moment. And those actions were definitely your powers at work. There are situations that cause us to employ our powers in ways that are difficult to understand."
"But Wabi, she could have killed us both. Why would I resort to just putting us into a protective state where she couldn't reach us instead of just outright killing her?"
"That's a question you must ponder. But when you do think on it, ask yourself one question — who is the most protective creature on this earth?"
Caitlin stared at her Uncle, but make no response. He knew more than he was telling her, but she didn't pursue the issue any further.
Yes, I'll think more on this.
Although she wasn't sure she would ever need them again, she was relieved to know she hadn't lost her powers. They had been most helpful with Lord Warwick and Commander Campbell. She had to believe they were given for a purpose.
Certainly Highlanders were a superstitious lot, no doubt. They believed there were those with special abilities, such as second sight, or curing disease. So it was not so strange that they accepted that Wabi, Caitlin and Ian were unusual and no questions asked.
~ * ~
THE OLD WIZARD AND the young one said their goodbyes to everyone. Again, no one asked any questions, which was a great relief to Ian, who was still asking questions in his own mind. He didn't know how many days or months he would be gone from the Highlands, but whatever the period, this place would always be home.
They walked to the top of the moor, and the wind began to rise and the trees began to sway.
"It's time we get home, my boy. Everybody ready?"
Wabi, with Owl perched on his shoulder, and Ian, with Henson tucked under his arm, took the short route to Skye. Owl could be heard squawking his complaints when Wabi caught the tail of a whirlwind as it passed over them.
Master. You promised this would be an easy trip!
At the other extreme, Ian's laughter could be heard ringing across the Highlands. His life with Wabi would be an interesting adventure for sure. Henson just closed his eyes tightly, burying his head under Ian's arm, his long, black tail jerking back and forth rapidly, a sign Ian would learn meant the critter was anxious. He was trusting that his new master knew what he was doing. He needed to have a feline-to-wizard talk with him.
~ * ~
ALEX HAD MADE HIS WAY over to the Taggart place. There was no sign of Deirdre or anyone else having been there. Hopefully, that meant the constable had taken the girl away and they were rid of her. Maybe now he'd agree to let Caitlin have her wish.
Later that evening, Alex decided he could now approach Caitlin to continue their discussion of the clinic. Both of them had skirted around it long enough. The minute he came into the lodge and found her mixing her potions, he began.
"I think it's time we finished our talk about ye having a clinic in the village. I still have my reasons for not wanting ye to go down there, and . . ."
Before he could go any farther, however, Caitlin jumped him with both feet.
"Alex MacKinnon, you'll not tell me what I can and can't do. I'm intelligent enough to make my own decisions and I've decided about this clinic. I'm going to have one!"
Caitlin's temper had once again raised its ugly head, but she'd kept it at bay for longer than usual, so she felt she was making progress. To her surprise, Alex responded in a manner she had not expected.
"Aye, lass, I know the clinic is important to ye. Just promise me ye'll always take Willie with ye. Da says he'll go as often as possible, too. He knows everyone in the village and they'll likely let ye treat them if he's with ye. At first anyway."
Well, what brought that about? Maybe he's finally beginning to understand I need to follow my own path. And maybe he's learning I can make good decisions, too.
Caitlin had the presence of mind to realize this was a great concession on Alex's part. It might be good if she, too, thought to make a gesture of understanding. She walked over to him, placed her arms around his waist and looked up at him, admiring his cleft chin that marked him from all the others.
"Alex, I understand you are concerned about me. I promise that Willie will always be at my side, and Da can accompany me whenever he wishes. I couldn't have better protection than those two, unless it is you, mo chridhe." Alex's smile at her use of his term of endearment sent a shiver down her spine. He was still exactly what she wanted.
As for Alex, he would always want to protect her, but was slowly realizing she would retain a certain degree of independence no matter what. He'd stay in the background as much as he could, but he'd have to work diligently to tame his propensity to make her decisions, just as she would have to work hard at keeping her temper at bay. Alex recalled that Mam had often said our strengths and weaknesses are but a flip side of each other.
~ * ~
CAITLIN AND MILLIE were putting the final touches on the crofters' hut, the larger one, getting it ready for Uncle Andrew and his lady friend. Kenny and Hamish had spent most of their workweek making sure the thatching was fresh. They'd whitewashed the walls and the interior had been scrubbed by Millie and Caitlin until it was as clean as it had ever been . . . maybe even cleaner.
When the two women had discovered mam's keepsakes and found the oil paintings, there were numerous other items they were excited about — beautiful linens, sheets of music, pieces of handmade pottery, several woven rugs, and a very old diary. When they had found the diary, however, Caitlin and Millie had agreed they would not read it.
"These words were meant for someone special. They were not written for our eyes. Let them remain private," Caitlin said. Millie nodded in agreement and they carefully rewrapped the diary in its silk cover and returned it to the trunk where Alice had placed it years ago.
But the other items, the paintings, the linens, the colorful rugs and pottery were arranged in the hut. These small additions added a fine touch to what otherwise would have just been a deserted crofter's hut. The shed out back was also filled with unused bits of furniture, and a few pieces still had some life left in them. The two ladies created an inviting place. Any woman would recognize this as a gesture of welcome.
~ * ~
ALEX AND JACK LEFT early, the dew still clinging to the ground, and headed to look at another flock of sheep at the Fraser place. Two of their sheep had died recently and Fraser had sent word by one of his workers that something had killed several of his also. The MacKinnon brothers knew what a disaster disease could mean to any sheep farm. If it was contagious, then a whole flock could be wiped out.
Winter had been difficult for everyone at the MacKinnon place. Now spring was almost upon them and that was a relief for all, and no one more so than Alex. More than a month had passed now and no one had seen Deirdre. Just to ease his mind, however, he made a trip to the village to see Constable Stewart two days ago.
"She's in Edinburgh, Alex. She has an aunt there, her mother's sister. I put her on a coach and gave her enough funds to tide her over till she could get to her aunt's home. I know ye have yer own feelings about her, Alex, but she deserves a chance."
"She'll not get another chance with me, Stewart. If she ever shows her face here again, I promise ye I'll kill her." The constable sincerely hoped the lass would stay away, as Alex MacKinnon always made good on his promises.
The Highlander walked out and slammed the door behind him.
Well, good riddance. Some of her kin have taken her in and she's gone from here.
~ * ~
CAITLIN WAS BUSY WITH her new clinic, although it was dawning on her it might be better to have it at the lodge. With all the children there now, Millie had her hands full, and she was excellent with the children, especially Charlie.
Caitlin taught everyone to stand in front of him when they spoke to him. Slowly but surely, he was beginning to understand lip reading, a skill Uncle Wabi had talked to her about. It took a lot of patience and Charlie wasn't always easy to work with, but even he was liking that he didn't always have to have Bridget right next to him.
Caitlin was happier than Alex had seen her since she came to his home. Her skin glowed and her ever-present smile was back. The laughter he had so liked had returned as well. Millie had seen this new excitement in Caitlin, too, and was glad. These two women had already suffered more than most ever did.
Life was always full of surprises, certainly, but the days were so filled with activity that none stopped to think about what might happen next. The orphaned children had a place here, just as Da had said. This lodge would always find room for a child who needed a home.
Alex was relieved to hear the Frasers’ sheep had been attacked by wolves, not stricken by a disease. He wasn't sure what had caused the death of his two, but for the moment he wouldn't worry about it.
His latest worry was, as usual, Caitlin and her clinic. The lass was so full of energy he could hardly keep up with her. In fact, he'd thought the work would slow her pace, but not so. She'd just gotten home, Da at her side, and had reported that his presence in the village helped with getting the old ones to let her treat them.
Hector had left this morning headed to the estate again. He, Millie and Jack had laid out careful plans for the next phase of their project and Hector's mind wouldn't let him have a moment's peace.
Now, where in the world am I going to find women to help with the children?
And not just anyone, he remembered, but ones that would meet Millie's approval.
~ * ~
IT WAS A LATE SPRING evening with the days beginning to lengthen, and Caitlin was missing. Alex knew the circle of stones continued to call to her, and he was pleased she no longer tried to hide it from him. The longer they were together, the greater their bond. She was his woman and his life with her was just as he had hoped—complete.
This evening the lodge was brimming with children laughing, dogs being chased, and Millie calling out to Jack to come get Midge. Willie had learned to keep his distance from the children as much as possible. But Tess had lived with a house full of lads and knew the children were harmless. Da and Alex watched the activity and grinned at each other.
"Alex have ye ever seen such? I suppose ye lads must have been this active, but for the life of me I can't remember it. Alice always seemed to keep things more ordered that this, but just look at Jack and Millie, and those bairns."
Alex looked about, finding the scene one he approved of. He nodded to Da and, knowing where to find Caitlin, walked out the front door. Standing on the porch, he could just see her outline. Only yesterday she had talked with him about the henge and how she was drawn to it.
"Alex, there's a problem I have to figure out. I must go inside the circle. Every day the pull gets greater. And even though the nightmares have decreased, I still dream about someone — but I don't know who it is. Please understand. I can no longer put it off. I must settle this."
Apparently, she had decided today was the day. He had wondered about the cave incident. What had really happened there? Had she used her powers then? He wasn't sure why she hadn't done away with Nezerra if she had known she was there. Was she afraid of her powers? Or was she just caught off guard and didn't have time to react?
I'll give her a few minutes alone. Then I'll go to her. Maybe if I try to help her get to the bottom of this we'll have peace.
He slowly made his way up the moor and saw her with that same look on her face—serenity, peace. As he got closer he saw her bend down and, to his amazement, he watched as she lifted the square stone in the center, the one with the smooth edges. She gently turned it over. It was a small stone and had been there as long as he could remember. It was just part of the circle. Of course, until the incident recently, he had never been inside the circle.
When he got closer, Caitlin called out to him.
"Alex, you must come inside. It's all right now. I promise you. If it weren't, I would know it. But you must see this."
Alex wasn't at all sure he wanted to do this, but she was insistent.
"Come, hurry. Look at this."
Alex walked through the opening and reached Caitlin's side, bending to see what she was pointing to. She held the stone in her hands and read the inscription. "A.A.M. February 22, 1719." And there was a small etching, a drawing of a sprig of heather, drawn at the bottom of the small stone. "Alex, I think it's a gravestone. For a child. I can't explain it, but I know this child is the one calling to me. It's looking for someone — maybe its mother."
Alex ran his fingers over the letters and numbers, as a blind person who reads braille would have done. When he looked at Caitlin, there was much confusion in his face. And for a moment she thought he registered a quick moment of pain.
"What? What is it? Do you know whose stone this is?"
"Nae, lass. But that date — February 22, 1719— that's the day I was born."
"What do you think this means?"
"I don't know, but we'll corner Da and ask him. He's always been one to keep a lot to himself, but we need to know more about this. Maybe he doesn't know any more than we do. After all, the stone's been here for as long as I can remember and no one's ever turned it over before."
"I had no choice, Alex. It called me. But I still don't know the reason. And why me?"
"Come on. Let's get to the lodge. Let's get the bairns fed, bathed and settled for the night. Then we'll approach Da. But he may decide not to tell us anything he doesn't want us to know."
"He's entitled to keep some things to himself, Alex. We all are. We'll have to accept what he wants us to know and let the rest go." Caitlin had learned from Uncle Wabi as a child that certain memories belonged only to us and were not to be shared.
~ * ~
MILLIE BROUGHT IN A pitcher of cider and made sure everyone had a cup. It was the quiet period of the evening when they all gathered round and discussed their day.
"Now that the wild ones are settled I would like to ask a question, if I may."
Caitlin had thought carefully about this and still wasn't sure she should bring it up. But until she knew the answer to her question it would continue to run around in her head, so she might as well get it out.
"Da, I've been inside the circle of stones several times since I've come here to this home. And when I enter, there's such a feeling of peace and contentment. From what Alex tells me, Alice thought the circle was a place of reverence. But the last few times I've been there, I sense more than just peace. I'm being called, summoned. I need to ask this question. Are there any children buried in the burial plot? I believe the one calling me is a child. I don't understand it, but it's very real to me."
Alex spoke then, and he watched Da's face. "Da, Caitlin picked up the small stone in the middle of the circle. It has the initials A.A.M. and the date February 22, 1719, etched on the back side. I'm familiar with that date. Is there anything ye can tell us about that stone and that date?"
Alex thought it best that he ask the question rather than Caitlin.
Daniel rested his head against the tall back of his chair, the one Alice had selected for him. It was taller than the others. He thought for a moment before he responded to Caitlin, this healer who had powers that even she didn't understand yet.
Well, yes, perhaps now is the time for me to tell a few more secrets. Alice would want them to know.
"I'll answer all yer questions the best I can. Most things can't be told until the time is right, so just bear that in mind. And ye lads, ye must understand that yer mam had her reasons for asking for certain things to be done, and it's not yer place to question those now. She thought the sun rose and set in every one of ye. Yeah, I know ye heard her say Ian was 'her special boy,' but what ye don't know is that she said that about each of ye when ye were the youngest lad. Yer mother was the finest woman I've ever known, and that's the first thing that needs to be understood. I've kept the promises I made her. Now perhaps I'll share a few of them with ye.
"February 22, 1719, was a special day here at this lodge. 'Course then it was only a hut and I'd just added a small room off the right side, a place to put a crib for the bairn we were expecting. And yer mam, well, she was so excited about a bairn coming she was beside herself. She took one of her dresses, took it apart and fashioned curtains—for the nursery, ye ken. Then, finally, the day came when she sent me off to fetch old Harriet. She's been gone for years now, but she was the midwife here, and a fine one she was. She came and spent practically the entire night with yer mam. Andrew and Florence were here, too, and we sat together talking about how we would have to learn about taking care of a bairn. They lived just next door in that old hut that's still standing. They never had any children, but they were as excited about a bairn as we were.
“We kept hearing Alice's cries, and just when I thought I couldn't stand it another minute there came a wail that had us all grinning. A hardy cry if I ever heard one. Old Harriet called me in and handed me this small bundle wrapped tightly in a blanket and told me to 'hold this squirming little thing.' I looked into your face, Alex, and those black eyes looked back at me as if studying my face to make sure I was someone ye recognized. Well, I took ye into the kitchen and was showing ye off to Andrew and Florence when, Holy Jesus, another cry filled the hut!
"Andrew went flying into the room and Harriet handed him another blanket with a baby! And the child was giving Andrew the once over jest as ye had done with me. But these eyes were so sparkling Andrew had to smile—blue eyes, ye ken, and a tuft of hair as bright as a fox's tail.
‘What do ye think of that Andrew? Two bairns in one night?’ I called out. Then I went to Alice's side and she was still crying, but these were happy tears.
‘Daniel, I felt a lot of activity going on the last few days, but I never expected two. Whatever are we going to do with two bairns?’
'Well, I expect we'll find room for both of them, don't you mo chridhe?'
“Then old Harriet gathered the two bairns and continued to check them out head to toe. ‘This lad's quite a fine one, he is. Look at his legs — long as a sapling and kicking up a storm. And a head full of dark hair, just like yers, Daniel MacKinnon.’ She snuggled the lad next to Alice and started checking out the other.
‘Well now, aren't ye just the picture of health too, me lass. That hair the same auburn color as yer Mam. A mite smaller than yer brother, but ye've got a set of lungs fer sure.’
‘Lass? Did ye say lass? Andrew we've got one of each. Looks like we'll be needing to add on another room shortly.’
‘Aye, Daniel. I believe this calls for a wee dram, don't ye brother?’
"And Florence poured us a small amount into our cups and we drank to celebrate our blessings, two fine bairns. Yes, it was quite a night. But just a short while later, after we'd all slept for a few hours, I heard Alice crying, calling out to me.
'Daniel, Daniel, come. Help me!'
"I raced to her bed, still in awe of the sight — my Alice with a bairn on either side. And ye, Alex, ye were kicking and screaming for something to eat apparently. But on the other side, the wee lass was still, very still. Not a sound was coming from her. One look at Alice and I knew what she was telling me. Her heart was broken and I felt like the world had stopped spinning. We weren't expecting to have two bairns, but to lose one in just a few hours was devastating."
"I had a twin sister? No one ever told me that."
"Aye, lad. Yer Mam and I discussed it often. We both agreed there was no point in telling ye lads about the sister ye lost. She was gone and we'd dealt with our own grief. Alice didn't wish to bring any grief to her other bairns. Losing a child leaves a wounded place in yer heart, ye ken? No matter how many years pass, the pain still lingers. So we kept it to ourselves and Andrew and Florence were the only ones who knew about her. It's just as well I tell ye now, however, as Andrew has almost finished his written history of our family. And the birth of Amber Alicia MacKinnon will be listed on the same date as her brother, Alexander Daniel MacKinnon.”
"A sister. A twin sister. And her name was Amber Alicia — after Mam, I see. Just as I was named Alexander Daniel, after you."
"We had already chosen those names before ye were born. We'd decided on one for a lass and one for a lad."
"Is Amber a name from another relative long ago?"
"Nae, Alex. Yer Mam wanted to call a lass that. She was taken with the color, and had a beautiful piece of amber stone, a small one almost like a bird's egg, that she kept in her jewelry box. Probably still there today. It glowed from within she told me. So we agreed on that name for our first-born daughter."
"I'm sure there was no way to ever know why the lass died, Daniel. But I know now she must be the one calling me. I'll try to figure out more of this dilemma, but telling us about her is helpful. Now I know I haven't lost my mind. Somehow I just knew there was a child in the circle. Now I have to understand what she wants me to know."
"Then maybe I can help ye with that too, lass. Alice was so distraught over the death of our lass, Amber, and couldn't bear to think of the little bairn lying in that cold burial plot at the top of the moor all by herself. She always understood more about the circle of stones than any of us, including meself. She asked that we bury Amber in the circle where the "others" could watch over her. As I'm getting older, I am only now beginning to see Alice had her own special understanding of things I never did. But I never tried to have her abandon them. I just accepted her and her ways.
"So we laid the wee lass to rest in the circle and I created the small stone for her. Alice went within the circle often, and if you watched you'd see her rubbing her fingers around the edges of the stone. Over the years, the edges became smooth and thin. I suppose it was her way of connecting with the lass."
"Yes, the stone is so inviting, Daniel. It's light and when I touch it I feel a connection. And now I know it's Amber. But I'm not sure why she's connecting with me. Still, it's such a comforting feeling when I'm there."
"Nor do I, Caitlin. But to finish this story, there's one more piece of information I need to pass on to all of ye. When yer mam only had a few days left, she made a request that I promised I would follow through on."
"Request? What did she want, Da?" Jack was almost afraid to ask the question. He'd learned more about his family in the last six months than he had known in his whole life. And he wondered about much of it. "Is it something ye can do?"
"Well, yes, it's an easy enough task. But it wasn't anything I thought I had to hurry with just yet, ye ken? Yer mam asked me to move Amber's remains before I die and have them placed between her grave and the place where I'm to be buried. That way we would keep her close. Yes, I know, it's a request from a dying woman, but it's not much to ask for and easy to do. I always thought I would get around to it, but perhaps I should go ahead and take care of doing what Alice wanted. There's a place already waiting for me, so I'll just move Amber's remains and when my day comes I'll have already fulfilled my promise to Alice."
"We can do it for ye, if ye like." Alex nodded to him.
"Nae, lad. I would prefer to do it myself. But perhaps we could have a small prayer and gather round on the day. Yer mam would have liked that."
And the old man stood slowly and made his way up the stairs, to where his new family slept.