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I
n a short time, Caitlin's condition was obvious. Even she was surprised at how quickly her middle had grown. She had guessed the bairn would be born in June, but she wasn't sure. Alex was excited, but was anxious about this new situation. What if she died during childbirth? It was not uncommon and now, after learning about having a twin sister who died, that thought was running around in his head. And she looked really big to him already.
"Oh, Alex, don't be such a worrywart. Just look at Millie and Midge. That child was born out in the forest in the middle of a snowstorm, and they made it through just fine. And so will I."
~ * ~
MILLIE HAD HER HANDS full. She'd spent hours making "word cards" for the class, but she had Charlie in mind when she was creating them. Writing the words on them was easy enough, but drawing the pictures was not so easy. But she needed a lot of cards in order to help Charlie, so she'd keep working on them. Now that they had Camille to help them, there was no need for Daniel and Caitlin to go to the village looking for help.
"Daniel, she's just too perfect. We could have scoured the entire Highlands and never come across one with her education, training and experience. Uncle Andrew has helped us in more ways than one."
"Then maybe he and I can get back to the discussions we always used to have. We've solved most of the world's problems, lass. Did ye know that? Then, with ye ladies well into yer routine today, perhaps the two of us might make a trip to the village ourselves. I'd like his opinion on a young pony I'm looking at. Murdock showed him to me last week, but I'm not sure he's what we need."
"Whatever do we need another pony for?" asked Caitlin.
"Well, lass, young Dugald will be needing a pony to learn to ride, ye ken? He's small, but now's the time to start him out, teaching him about taking care of the animal first, of course. Then, once he's got that down I'll be teaching him to ride."
"But why can't he ride Ian's horse, Merlin?"
"Oh, no. Merlin's not the easiest mount to ride. And besides that, something tells me Ian will be here to retrieve him shortly. They've been together a while now."
"I guess I hadn't thought about that. So, Da, does that mean you think Ian will never come back to the lodge? To live here with us?"
"That's not for me to say. It's clear to me he's where he needs to be, with Wabi. That one will take care of him well enough. But he's a MacKinnon, and that means he'll make his own decisions. A family trait I'm afraid."
"Yes, I'm familiar with that family trait." She smiled at him. "Then we'll see you two later this evening?"
"We wouldn't miss one of Millie's meals. We're old, but not without our good senses. Well, not yet anyway. And Alex and Jack should be here today, too, if they get their business with MacDonald finished. So we'll see ye at supper."
So the two old ones rode out, glad to have a few hours of man-to-man companionship.
Caitlin headed to the stable as Alex had told her she might find a few cages there. Camille had already made a list of items she would need for organizing her science class. The first items on the list were small animal cages, and a bird's nest. Caitlin decided not to ask what Camille was going to do with these items. Just the fact she was willing to help them was enough for Caitlin. Rounding up cages might be easy enough, but a bird's nest?
Willie walked beside her, attentive as always. Charlie had been marched into the classroom with the others so the wolf was free for a while. As soon as they arrived in the barn, however, Willie jumped in front of Caitlin and snarled. His hackles stood on end and he bared his teeth, showing the fangs that had been used more than once to protect his master.
"Easy, Willie. What is it?"
Caitlin had learned to always listen to messages from Willie. He stood even closer to her, prohibiting her to move another step. Every muscle in his body was taut and ready to spring at her command.
"Who's there? Where are you?" Caitlin called out. Her scalp was stinging and the hair on her arms was standing at attention.
There was a front door to the barn and also a small side door they used for loading hay from the loft. Both were open, but even with that much light there were shadowed corners in the building where anyone could be hiding.
For several moments there was not a sound in the stable save the wind whistling through the open door. Willie's growl filled the hollow emptiness, and the air quivered with his rumble. Caitlin immediately held her hands over her large abdomen — a protective gesture as natural as breathing.
Then she heard a small cry. "Oh!"
The cry was cut short, and then she heard a gasp, as if one were trying to get a breath of air. She turned in the direction of the noise, directly to her left. Apparently the intruder had come through the side door.
Turning all her senses on alert, Caitlin's nose was the first to send her information — a floral scent — then a voice confirmed the message from her nostrils.
"So, looks like ye did keep my Highlander warm through the winter, then. What he ever saw in a tiny lass like ye is beyond me."
Caitlin's eyes took in the scene in front of her — it was too awful to contemplate and her brain was having great difficulty organizing her thoughts.
Be still Caitlin. Think. Don't do anything that will anger her further.
Caitlin's reactions needed to be measured now, and she needed to give all her concentration to the task at hand. Most of all, she knew she had to keep her emotions corralled so as not to unleash her powers. What effect they could have on her unborn child was unknown. Uncle Wabi had reminded her that "you did what you needed to do to protect," so she needed to figure a way out of this situation without bringing down the wrath of power that was at her fingertips, the wrath she had brought on Lord Warwick and Commander Campbell.
But harnessing that power might prove to be a difficult task. She could already feel it simmering and boiling up inside her and, like Willie when he saw Deirdre, it just wanted to attack.
Deirdre was standing a few feet in front of her, holding young Charlie around his chest with her left arm, lifting him off his feet. Her right hand held a long-bladed knife at his throat, and a small trail of blood trickled down his thin neck. The little child's face was so white Caitlin feared he would faint. But he never uttered a sound. With the knife digging into his neck, he trembled from head to toe.
Deirdre stared at Caitlin, taking note of the fear in the pregnant woman's face.
"What? Ye thought I'd stay in Edinburgh with my daffy old aunt while yer here with Alex living the life that should have been mine? Not likely. And who does this bairn belong to? Huh? He came just at the right moment. And I see yer protector is still with ye. But if he comes any closer, I'll slice this lad's throat before ye can blink an eye. I will. Ye know that though, don't ye?"
"Deirdre, let that child go. He's done nothing to harm you. He's only a small lad."
"Oh, for sure. But he came into the barn and he was just what I needed — a prize to bargain with. So, Caitlin, I'll thank ye to put that wolf in his cage now. He never has cared much for me. If ye don't, then the boy will die. He means nothing to me, ye ken?"
Caitlin held onto Willie's fur, talking to him under her breath. It was all she could do to hold him back. He was ready to pounce and was pulling at her arms to let him go. But she'd put him away, as she didn't doubt that Deirdre would carry out her threat.
"Come, Willie. Let's put you away for a short while. Come, boy."
Willie stayed in place, clearly not liking this situation— his Master and a child that he'd been looking out for were both in danger.
"Now, Willie. It's all right. Come." Caitlin led him to the last stall, Merlin's stall, where he always stayed when she needed to put him away for safekeeping. He followed, but the growling never ceased and he looked to Caitlin, begging for permission to attack.
"Stay Willie. I'll take care of her. Stay." She pushed him through the opening of the stall and pulled the gate to behind her. Her mind racing and her heart beating rapidly, Caitlin decided to try and talk Deirdre out of her insane actions.
"Deirdre, you need to let the lad go now and come inside with me. We'll sit together and see if we can't figure out how to help you. Your condition is all Nezerra's work. But if you'll let me, I can help you recover from her treatments."
Wild laugher filled the air. "Ha. Ye'd like that wouldn't ye? The chance to poison me just like she did. Well, that won't work again. Yer a witch just like she was. And Alex deserves better than that. So now I think it's time for ye to have a taste of my medicine. And it's verra tasty.” She held the knife in her left hand now, then with her right, she pulled out a small bottle from her pocket and tossed it to Caitlin. The little lad never even tried to escape her clutches. He was petrified.
"Let's see ye drain that bottle — now. Else this little lad may have a verra short life I'm thinkin'."
Caitlin hesitated a moment, then just as she raised the bottle to her lips, a screaming screech came from the top of the barn and a large, feathered creature slammed into the back of Deirdre's head at full speed. Owl had come zipping through the loft window and his talons struck her head with a tremendous amount of force—a move he had perfected.
Deirdre's head snapped forward with her chin striking her chest. "Whaaaa?" She stumbled several steps, dropping Charlie in the process. Before she could gather her wits, however, another sound of indignation shattered the quiet. Willie's primordial call fractured the air — a call to his ancestors that signaled his wild nature was surfacing with a vengeance.
"HOOOOOWWW!" The great wolf came flying over the stall gate and was at Deirdre's throat in a heartbeat.
Caitlin felt rooted to the floor. Her feet wouldn't follow the instructions her brain was sending to them. Charlie had slumped to the floor, but still had not made a sound. He was beyond crying apparently. He was totally soundless. But he pleaded with his eyes and Caitlin understood the message.
"Noooooooo! Get off! Nooooooo!" Deirdre was lying on the ground, struggling to get Willie off her neck. She still held the blade and struck wildly at the beast — and the blade was ever so sharp. She lashed out again at Willie and he yelped only once. She lifted her hand to strike him again, but was having great difficulty breathing. Willie's fangs were buried deep in her throat and he had no intention of letting go. Her breath was all but gone when she heard a noise and glanced at the side door.
Alex. Yes. He'll help me.
Caitlin felt the power as it flooded her body. She lost all control when she saw Deirdre slashing at Willie, and in the next instant a blazing stream of fire streaked across the barn, finding its target — Deirdre's hands. In less than a second they burst into flame and were seared to a smoldering crisp, smoke rising from them in wisps. The blade was nothing but ashes as well.
Deirdre looked at them as if they belonged to someone else. Then unspeakable pain registered in her demented brain.
"Alex, help me!" She called to him, hoping against hope that he would put aside his anger and help her.
Then, with hands that were nothing but charred lumps of flesh, Deirdre turned her head once again toward the door as another sound tore through the stable. The pistol shot rang so loudly that Caitlin grabbed her ears in an effort to protect them from such an explosive noise.
Deirdre's body lay still on the ground. Her last thought was that Alex had chosen that tiny lass over her —again.
Caitlin's voice split the sudden silence. "Alex, help me. Charlie. Charlie's hurt. Help me!"
Caitlin was always one to keep her head in a frightful situation, but Alex could hear the fear in her voice. This was her first experience with a child of her own. Well, maybe Charlie was not exactly her own, but her heart told her it was the same.
Before he checked on Charlie, however, Alex held Caitlin close and gave thanks for her safety.
"Lass, are ye sure yer all right?" He could feel her trembling as he held her.
"I'm fine, but I just couldn't control the power. There was no way I could stop it. I've worked so hard to keep my temper in bounds, and I've tried to consider others as I never have before. Now I've killed a woman, a person who had a place in this world. And not only that, but I may have harmed our unborn bairn! Oh, Alex, will I never be able to control myself and these powers?"
"That power was given to ye for a reason, and I doubt the Creator would allow ye to use it if it would harm ye. And I believe I dealt her the lethal blow, Caitlin."
Alex quickly picked the lad up and carried him to a large bale of hay and laid him down. Caitlin spoke to the child soothingly while checking out his neck wound carefully. "There now, Charlie. It's all right lad. It's all right now." She saw the wound was only a slight one, but the poor lad was still trembling. She held him close and nodded to Alex. "He's all right now, Alex. Go see about Willie and Deirdre."
It took only a second to determine the extent of Deirdre's wounds. They were fatal. Between having most of her neck missing, hands that were nothing but withered, black, appendages, and a large hole in her chest, she was most definitely dead.
And that's what I should have done long ago. Not for one second would he wonder if he should have let her live.
As for Willie, Alex knelt and wrapped his arms around the great beast. "Now, Willie, let's see how ye be, huh?" He ran his hands down Willie's sides and along his neck. His sticky fingers told him the beast had been wounded. "Looks like she got ye pretty good just under yer belly there, fella. But ye've had worse and ye'll survive this, no doubt."
Caitlin got on her knees and hugged her great protector. "Ah, Willie, you've never failed me. And I seem to need you more than I ever knew I would." Tears were falling now, but as with everything else in the last few minutes, she didn't seem to have any control over them.
Alex lifted Charlie, holding the lad close to his body. "Easy lad. Caitlin will have ye fixed up in a second. She's quite a great healer, in case ye didn't know. She made our Ian well, and she'll get ye back on yer feet in a jiffy. It's all right, lad."
Caitlin quickly ran to the lodge and returned with a drink laced with just a tad of herbal medicine that would help him relax. He still hadn't uttered a sound, which had Caitlin concerned. He never spoke, but always made enough grunts and sounds to get attention when he needed it.
"Alex, he's been so frightened he can't even utter his usual sounds. We need to keep close by him. He's had quite an experience today."
"And so have ye, Caitlin. Are ye sure yer all right lass? I've never been so scared in my life as when I saw Deirdre holding the lad and ye standing there. There wasn't any time for thought, just action. And I have to tell ye, I'm not sorry I took her life. She was evil Caitlin, and that evil needed to stop with her."
"I know that was difficult for you. But I truly believe she would have hurt Charlie or me if you hadn't come. Your timing was perfect."
"Well, I may have had a little help with that, ye ken? Jack and I were coming up the lane and Owl flew so close to my head I had to duck. It didn't take much to know he wanted me to follow him, so I came as fast as Zeus would bring me. That owl knew something that I didn't. But I'm learning to not question, to just go with my intuition. Another lesson from Mam. Ye know, lass, I can't remember how often she must have said that. It didn't mean to be foolish, it just meant to trust yer feelings."
Jack had been just a minute or two behind Alex and had entered the stable just as the streak of fire struck Deidre's hands. He had witnessed Caitlin's powers once again, and he knew they had come at the right time. He was relieved even more so when Alex fired his pistol, completing the job. He'd decided to take a backseat and watch from the sidelines.
"Jack, give me a hand here. He's heavy."
Alex and Jack struggled to get Willie up on a large table that Caitlin used for drying herbs. She cleared the area and made room, but the great beast was almost more than they could handle. Finally the two of them managed to get the animal up where she could check him over.
"Willie, let's see what I can do for you. We've got to stop this, you know —this stitching you up every few months. You never cease to amaze me. Without you I'd have been done in several times. Uncle Wabi told me he was sure you and I have a connection that can never be broken, and I believe he's right. You and Alex always seem to show up just when I need you."
She stroked the great animal's head then went about stitching his underside. Following that, she bandaged him, which he really didn't like. Last time he pulled the bandage off before she would have done so, but maybe he’d known the healing was completed even if she didn't.
Just then a thought occurred to her.
"Alex, if Owl was there leading you home, then Uncle Wabi can't be too far behind. That owl stays with him unless he's been sent on an errand. Perhaps Wabi sensed something was going on. His powers are much greater than mine. He knows about events much sooner than I. Perhaps he and Ian will come soon. I hope so. I'm concerned about what releasing my powers may have done. But he'll know. I hope."
The three of them, Caitlin, Alex and Jack, got the lad and the wolf to the lodge and had a tale to tell to the others.
~ * ~
SURE ENOUGH, ONLY A few hours later two men could be seen at the top of the moor. From a distance Ian looked just as much a man as Wabi. He was almost as tall, but at close range he still looked like the young lad he was. His legs were beginning to fill out, as was his chest. Apparently he was going to be another big MacKinnon lad.
"Holy sheep shiiii... uh, dung, Uncle Wabi. Do our landings always have to be so hard? My backside has just recovered from our last trip."
Wabi laughed at the young man, whom he was growing to appreciate more every day. He had only to look at the lad and see all the MacKinnon traits: dark hair and eyes, long limbs, and the makings of some very broad shoulders.
Just give him a few more years and he'll stand just as tall and broad as the other brothers.
"I'll leave that to you to figure out. I've been doing it so long I no longer think about it. But time weaving is the quickest way, no doubt. I'm sure you will have figured out it can be most tiring, however."
"Well, I've only done it a few times. But so far it seems to be all right. Sure beats walking."
The two looked about, taking in the circle of stones and burial plot. Ian was the first to notice the recently dug grave. "Look, Wabi. There's a new grave over there, right close to Mam's grave. With a new wreath on it. And Mam's grave has a new one too. Uncle Wabi, do ye think me da has passed? Or one of me brothers?"
"No, lad. As perceptive as you are, you would have felt it. No. It's someone else. But look. It's a very small grave, Ian."
Ian stooped and looked at the small square stone that had been laid on the grave. "A.A.M. February 22, 1719. I don't know who that is, Uncle Wabi."
"Well, you could go into the circle and probably learn who it is. Or you can go to the lodge and ask your brothers."
"Aye. Let's go to the lodge. It seems like forever since I've seen all of them. And they'll have stories for me. But I'll have tales for them, too.” He laughed as they started down the hill.
Ian opened the back door and the two entered, certainly without knocking.
"Well, look at you, Ian, you've grown another foot. Wabi, what have you been feeding him?" Millie smiled broadly and embraced the two.
Calling out loudly, "Jack, Alex, we've got company," she wiped her hands on her apron and watched happily as the two older brothers came through the door.
"About time I say. We've been wanting to see yer face, brother." Jack hugged the young boy, and Wabi as well. The old wizard was as much a part of this clan as Caitlin now.
Alex came up and put an arm around Ian's shoulder. "Well, just another couple of inches now, my lad. Jack, can ye believe it? Our little brother is about to catch up with us. Think we should knock him down to size?"
Ian smiled at the joking and his insides warmed just being here in the lodge. His life with Wabi was such an adventure and he never wanted it to stop, but his people were here and his heart was in this place.
Finally, another voice called out. "Hey, what's all the ruckus?" Da walked in, book in hand — a trait he and Ian had in common. "Now that's a sight for sore eyes. Three fine-looking MacKinnon lads. 'Course the really handsome one is at the estate."
That brought laughter all round and Da felt his throat tighten. He'd welcomed Wabi's tutoring of Ian, but the lad's absence left quite an empty place around the lodge. He hugged the young man and nodded to Wabi. Those two old ones didn't need words to communicate.
Dinner was a noisy affair with everyone talking at once, food being passed around, and children spilling milk and dropping biscuits on the floor. In other words, a typical meal at the MacKinnon lodge these days.
"And Jack, ye wouldn't believe this place called the Orient. That's where Henson came from originally, according to Uncle Wabi. And the lasses over there . . . they're even more beautiful than the Highland ones."
"What? Yer looking at the ladies already? Wabi, yer gonna have to watch him looks like."
Caitlin had placed Charlie on a pallet next to the fireplace and covered him with a blanket. Willie had taken up residence right next to the lad and the boy reached out to stroke his back.
The other two children thought Ian was just another child to play with, so they rolled about the floor with him, showing him how Tess would let the smaller one, Bridget, ride on her back.
"But now, you know you aren't the first ones to ride Tess, don't ye?"
"Who? Who rode her before us?"
"Well, I did as a matter of fact. She's been with us for years — she's even older than I am, so be easy with her, ye ken?"
The house was so different than when he had left. But it only took a moment for him to see this place was just right for all of them. The children had needed a home and it seemed to him Da had stepped right in and considered them part of his family.
Mam would really like this. The thought made him smile.
It was Alex's night to put the children to bed. He carried Charlie and the two others followed behind him. The three bairns were still sleeping in old Jamie's big bed and Caitlin had spoken with Alex tonight, just before he took them upstairs.
"Let's put Charlie in his usual bed, with the others. He lost a father, then a mother, both in a short period of time. And these two, his brother and sister, are the only constant things he's had in his entire life. Let him be with them. We'll watch him closely and I'll talk to Wabi about him.”
Alex nodded and agreed with her suggestion.
Caitlin and Wabi sat at the old pine table, still shining from Millie's daily waxing. This had become the place where all decisions were made. There was something comforting about the old table that had been here even before the lads. It was scarred as were most of the lives of those who had sat at it over the years. But it still served its original purpose — a gathering place for a family. Caitlin poured a small amount of cider for herself and for Uncle Wabi.
"Wabi, it's been quite a day for all of us. I'm concerned about Charlie and not real sure if there's anything I can do."
"Charlie's a very young lad, Caitlin. He may surprise you. It's difficult to not rebound when you're surrounded by so many folk who care about you. He feels that inside and time will help him put this event behind him. All you can do is continue to care for him, as I am sure you will."
Da came strolling in and had a seat at the table, followed by Jack.
"Lass, ye did a verra brave thing today. Taking care of Deirdre as you did. I saw how ye stopped her from hurting our Charlie." Jack was not one to heap on praise, but today it was warranted. He was the one who had feared Caitlin's powers when they first appeared and had not particularly wanted her here at their home, but it was appropriate that he acknowledge that her actions had saved another of their loved ones — once more.
"We're in yer debt once again, lass. Looks like we may have to keep ye," he smiled at her.
"I don't think I was being brave. I was trying to keep my powers inside, but at the last moment I lost control and then it was too late. It's a good thing Alex came along. I don't know how it would have ended otherwise. Wabi, that's my real concern now. What did that moment, when I released that streak of fire, do to my bairn? Has it been harmed?"
She took a deep breath and refused to let her emotions get away from her again.
"Those powers were given to you by the Creator, for purposes known only to him. I rather doubt he would allow them to harm you when they come forth. Trust in yourself and the Creator, lass. All is as it should be. And I'm pleased to see you didn't need me to step in. You handled it on your own, my girl."
"Aye, well, Alex and Willie came to my rescue — as always. Now I have another question. This one is for you, Daniel. If you could spare just another moment, I want your opinion."
"Well, as I always tell ye, lass, I know a lot about sheep. But not much about anything else."
Wabi smiled at the old man. He knew Daniel was one of the most "educated" men he'd ever known. And he was very wise.
"Then, Alex and I were wondering, you see. Just a thought mind you."
"Lass, would ye come on out with it? It can't be all that bad."
"Well, as you know, Charlie is deaf — partially, if not completely. And Willie has been sort of staying close to him. I think he senses the lad can't hear and tries to look out for him. Now today, Willie wasn't with Charlie when the lad went to the stable. He was with me. Charlie couldn't hear Deirdre in the stable and she was able to come upon him before he even saw her. If Willie had been with him, that woman would never have gotten to Charlie. As Wabi has told me, Willie belongs to me. And that's the way it is. But Alex and I were wondering if maybe we should think about getting a protector for Charlie—like I have in Willie. You know, his own companion."
"A protector, ye say. Hmm. What do ye think Wabi? Would that be a good idea?"
"I think it's a grand idea, Daniel. That would give the lad confidence he doesn't have now. And he's going to be afraid for some time, I'm sure of that."
"As it is he almost always has to have Bridget with him. And she feels she can't leave him either. Perhaps it would help both of them," Caitlin continued.
"Then, there's nothing to be lost by trying, I say," Da nodded.
"As I happened to have trained quite a few dogs, I can find one for the lad. Let me look around a bit and I'll locate one and bring him to you," Wabi chimed in.
"Uncle Wabi . . . uh . . . ye don't mean another wolf do ye?" This question was coming from Jack.
Wabi laughed. "No, Jack. It's not the size of the animal that matters. Mostly we have to be sure the two of them bond. And that'll be easy enough to see in just a few days with each other. Caitlin, that's a good idea, lass. Healing takes many forms and Charlie's wounds require a different kind of medicine. Looks like you understood his needs. Always a healer."
With the bairns all tucked in, Alex came down and took his place next to Caitlin. It was quiet time and the fire was burning low, casting a warm glow throughout the great room. Candles were plentiful and they provided their own soft light. Then, as usual, a small voice called from the top of the stairs.
"Grand-Da, you promised!"
They all laughed as Da stood. Every evening he looked forward to story time with the bairns. It brought back memories for the old man and created new ones for the orphaned children. A special time for all of them.
Just as he rose to go upstairs, there was a loud rap on the front door.
"I'll get it. Up already. Hope nothing's wrong. A few sheep have probably gotten into somebody's garden, though it's a little late for neighbors to come calling."
He walked across the room and opened the door — and felt the blood drain from his face.
No. This can't be. No. He's here in this room. And he's not a lad any longer. He's a man. No.
His brain was telling him, no, it couldn't be. But his heart recognized the truth. The same thick shock of dark hair and even darker eyes that bore into your soul, long, gangly legs that had outgrown the rest of his body, and a cleft in his chin that couldn't be denied.
Oh, Alice, mo chridhe. Ye should see him.
Daniel finally found his voice and connected it to his floundering brain.
"Good evening, lad. Can I help ye?"
The young lad pulled off his tam and crumpled it, nervously shifting it back and forth from one hand to the other.
"Yes, sir. I'm looking for my da. I was told he lives here."
The riveting, intelligent eyes never left Daniel's face.
The old man nodded.
"Yes. I believe he does. Come in then, lad."
The boy entered and Daniel leaned against the door, just for a brief moment, regaining his equilibrium. Then he called out loudly.
"Alex! There's someone here who needs ye!"
Hallelujah! You made it and I'm very grateful that you took the time to read my work. However, your feedback is essential to improving my craft as an author. Therefore, if I could ask for "one more thing," please go to your favorite online bookstore to favor me with your review.
If you would like to know more about Caitlin, Wabi, the MacKinnon brothers, and all the animals, please go to your favorite online bookstore for a copy of Highland Healer, the first novel in this series.
...and to get a peek at the first chapter of Highland Healer, please scroll down...
1
T
he MacKinnon lodge was a most inviting place this evening. Oil lamps and candles burned softly, while a small fire kept the damp chill at bay. The hills and moor were coming to life again after a long winter, and even though it was after eight in the evening it was still light outside.
All the bairns were abed and the MacKinnon men were enjoying a wee dram after a trying day. To an outsider peeking in, the scene was one of perfect calm and peace. Were that outsider to enter, however, he would be steeped in the anxiety and tension that sizzled in the room.
The topic of conversation was the same as it had been for several nights now, rumors the British military were rounding up Jacobite supporters who had survived the Battle of Culloden and either putting them in prison, executing them on the spot, or sending them to the islands to be sold as slaves.
These rumors were not new, and many supporters had already been captured. It had been some time since the battle and the MacKinnons had avoided being captured. Their lodge was a difficult place to find, it being well hidden high up in the Highlands.
Alex came in the back door, having needed a word with Boder, the new hand they had hired for the lambing season.
"What did Boder want this time?" Jack asked.
"Another complaint about his living quarters. He's not too keen on sharing the cottage with Hamish and Kenny. Says they talk too much and keep him awake at night. Mostly he's miffed because I told him to put that cheroot out before he goes in the cottage at night as it wouldn't take much for that thatched roof to go up in flames. Don't think he much liked that. Thinks he should have a cottage to himself. He's a good hand, but I'm not of a mind to have the lads clean another cottage and make it ready just for his convenience. Let's see how he works out before we make any other arrangements for him."
From the kitchen, Caitlin was only half listening to the conversation. Her mind was occupied with the events of a few days ago. It wasn't every day she was called upon to use her extraordinary powers to save a loved one, and certainly it was not every day she caused the death of another human being. She was a healer after all, not a killer.
As she entered the room, her long skirt sweeping along the floor, Alex stood and turned his attention from Da and Jack to her, reaching for her hand as she came closer. He thought she was the picture of perfection. Her long, curly, flame-colored hair and sparkling aqua eyes seemed even more brilliant these days. Willie, her wolf companion and protector, trailed along beside her. He seemed to be aware of her condition and kept glued to her every moment. His role as her protector was one he never neglected.
"Lass, here, sit now, rest awhile. I know yer still worried about Charlie, but the ordeal's over and the little lad's safe. He's wounded to be sure, but he's young and he'll recover. Hear me on this now, mo chridhe."
Caitlin's large girth made sitting a bit of a chore these days. She and Alex were expecting their first bairn, and one look at the healer's body indicated the birth would be soon.
"I hope you're right. He's such a special lad, but he’s had enough problems already. His deafness is quite a challenge for him, and since the incident with Drosera, he hasn't even made his usual sounds. Millie and Camille and I have worked diligently with him, and this is a major setback."
"Aye. But he's got this entire family to help him, lass, ye ken?"
Caitlin nodded and, finding the chair uncomfortable, stood again and walked to the window. As she looked out across the moor, Alex came up behind her and put an arm around her shoulders.
"Mo chridhe, ye don't need to worry so. Drosera was an evil woman if ever there was one, and if ye hadn't taken care of her she'd have killed our wee Charlie for sure. Don't forget, ye aren't totally responsible for her death. Yer bolt of lightning definitely started the process, but the shot from my pistol finished the job. So, I'm responsible also.
We both know it had to be done. If we hadn't taken action, she'd have found us again someday. Nae, ye needn't let her death weigh on yer mind. I know that's difficult for a healer, but let it go lass, let it go."
Alex thought he had gotten his message through to her, but Caitlin turned to face him, grabbed his shirt and jerked him closer.
"Alex, I killed a woman! A healer saves people, she doesn't kill them. I had no intention of destroying a life, I simply needed to save Charlie. I acted on an overwhelming instinct and in a matter of seconds I had taken Drosera's life. I don't want these powers. I'll never be able to control them!"
She burst into sobs and held her face in her hands. For a woman who remained calm in most trying situations, the emotional exhibition was out of character.
"Lass, ye saved the lad's life and that's all that matters. If ye hadn't stopped Drosera, Charlie would be dead now instead of that vile woman. Come now. Let's get ye settled here in the chair. We'll put yer feet up and I'll fetch ye a mug of Millie's hot cocoa."
He helped her into a larger chair and she sat quietly, sipping her cocoa and catching a few words of the discussion the men were having. Trying her best to turn her mind from her recent deplorable deed, she listened more closely to the men. She still found it amusing the true Highlanders spoke so differently than folks from other areas of the country. Their brogue was unique, certainly.
She had heard different accents in almost every village she came through on her way to the upper Highlands, where she now lived. She was originally from Skye, the largest island of the Inner Hebrides. And even though Skye was considered part of the Highlands, the accent was still different from the accent she heard up here. She loved the way these brothers said "ye" instead of you and "yer" instead of your. She'd grown used to it now, but still enjoyed hearing the men and their brogue. It was like a language from another era and she found it refreshing.
Da and Jack expressed their thoughts openly, but she knew Alex would keep his thoughts to himself and only express them when he had worked out the details. But this latest issue, the Brits rounding up the Jacobites, this was a real problem and she could see the worry on Alex's face.
Her own thoughts, her worries, were about what would happen if the Brits managed to capture them, Alex and Jack. What would happen to the others? Da was still able-bodied but getting older now, as was Uncle Andrew. And Hector and Ian? Did the Brits know that all the brothers had been at Culloden? Would she and Millie have to fend for themselves and the bairns?
My life has changed so since coming to the Highlands. I was a carefree healer caring for the villagers in Skye and life was so easy. What was I thinking when I married this Highlander? It seems that we've gone from one calamity to another since we met. Of course, I was running from two men who were determined to kill me back then and Alex saved me from certain death. Oh, what a mess. I do love him so, but I wish life weren't so complicated.
These powers are very disturbing. I've used them twice now, and in neither case was I in control of them. Uncle Wabi says they were bestowed on me for a purpose, but I don't want them. I can just hear him now though . . . 'patience, dear girl, patience.' It seems to me if one is given powers, shouldn't they be able to control them?
Looking around the room, she saw all those she cared for gathered. If the Brits did manage to find them, Alex and Jack wouldn't be taken easily, but she also knew the Brits had plenty of soldiers and was aware there were informers, other Scots, who were aiding the soldiers in their quest. Brother had fought against brother in this battle, and in the end there was great heartache for all. There were too many unanswered questions. She had no doubt this problem was not going away, and time was not on their side.
~ ~ ~
FOR ALEX, THE LEADER of this band of brothers, his shoulders felt a heavy load of responsibility, as if they were carrying a heavy ewe, as they often had over the years. Da was still around, but he'd turned the reins over to Alex, the eldest son. Though they made decisions as a family, it was obvious the others looked to Alex to handle difficult situations, which certainly arose in such a large family. His intelligence was a great asset, but some situations were difficult to come to grips with.
Jack, the second oldest brother, and a very large Highlander, paced back and forth, his face flushed with excitement.
"But, Alex. We can't just sit here waiting on the Redcoats to come round us up. We've got to do something I tell ye!"
"I'm just as concerned as ye, Jack, but we have to think this through. We need a plan of action, not just a knee-jerk response that could get all of us killed. It's not just us menfolk now. We've got women and bairns to think about. Let's be rational about this and then take action." Alex had learned long ago to let Jack vent and then try to reason with him.
"Yeah, but if they show up tomorrow we might just be caught without a plan. What do we do if that happens?"
Then, as usual at the end of the day, a small voice called from the top of the stairs.
"Grandda, you promised!" That stopped the serious conversation, which was a good thing. No amount of talking had brought any answers so far anyway. They all laughed as Da stood. Every evening he looked forward to story time with the wee ones. Reading to them brought back old memories for him and created new ones for them. The irony of the situation was that these were not even his own grandchildren. They were three orphans Hector had found hiding in Cameron Castle, an estate Millie inherited upon her grandmother’s recent death. The orphans had been in the lodge for several months now and were an integral part of the MacKinnon family.
Just as Da rose to climb the stairs, there was a sharp rap on the front door. Alex was out of his chair in an instant. "Jack, pistols!" Fearing it might be the Brits, Alex hurried to the kitchen to retrieve the pistol he kept hidden in the pantry. Jack flew down the hall to retrieve his own firearm, moving quickly for such a large man.
Before the brothers could get back, however, Da had gone to the door.
"I'll get it. I'm up already." He opened the door and felt the blood drain from his face. No. This can't be. He's here. And he's not a lad any longer, he's a man. No.
His brain kept telling him it couldn't be, but his heart recognized the truth. There was the same shock of dark hair, and even darker eyes that looked into your soul, and long, gangly legs that had outgrown the rest of his body. And the final touch, the cleft in his chin that couldn't be denied.
Oh, Alice, mo chridhe. Ye should see him.
Da finally found his voice and connected it to his brain. "Good evening, lad. Can I help ye?" He held his breath almost dreading to hear the answer to his question.
The young lad quickly pulled off his tam and crumpled it, shuffling it back and forth from one hand to the other. "Yes ... sir. I'm looking for my father. I was told he lives here." The dark, intelligent eyes never left Da's face.
The old man nodded. "Yes. I believe he does. Come in then, lad."
The boy entered and Da leaned against the door for a moment, trying to regain his equilibrium and feeling his age as never before. Then he called out. "Alex, there's someone here who needs ye!"
Alex heard Da calling and quickly walked that way, his kilt swinging as his long, muscular legs covered the distance quickly. "What? Who is it?" He held his pistol tightly as he reached the door, coming face-to-face with the young lad standing there. Certainly not the Brits. But who?
Alex, too, seemed to have the same problem Da experienced—lack of connection between his tongue and his brain. His mind reeled as he stared at the lad and he had no doubt he was seeing the very image of himself at that age—the thick, dark hair, rather scruffy at the neck, in need of a trim as Alex's always was, and long legs that were out of proportion with the rest of his body. The lad already stood close to six feet tall. But most telling of all were his eyes, so dark and deep Alex could feel them searing into his face. Likewise, his own dark eyes were taking in every inch of the young lad's features, as if to etch them into his mind. Then the cleft chin said it all.
Holy Jesus. What have I done?
What was he to say? How do you address a stranger who is so like you there's no denying it? But it was impossible. He had no children, except, obviously that was not true. But when, where, who? As Alex furiously ran a litany of questions through his mind, the lad looked away from him, then, turning back to face him, held his head at an angle that caused an avalanche of memories to come cascading through Alex's brain.
Yes, of course, Fiona. My English rose at university. Ye always cocked yer head in that manner when ye were about to question me about something I probably wasn't going to agree with. Why didn't ye let me know I had a son?
His held his pistol in his left hand, still pointed directly at the chest of the young lad, who stared at it as if he had never seen one. As his mind slowed down and reason returned, Alex finally spoke and let his pistol hang down by his side.
"Lad, I'm Alex MacKinnon. Please come in, join us." He held out his hand and offered it to the young lad. Much beyond that Alex wasn't sure how to proceed.
To his great relief, Caitlin had her emotions back under control and walked over to join him. The healer had only to take a quick look to understand the situation. The lad was the spiting image of Alex. And he was even more uncomfortable than Alex himself. That was apparent to her as she, too, offered her hand to the stranger.
"Hello, I'm Caitlin MacKinnon. And what is your name?"
"I'm Robbie. Actually, Robert Alexander MacKinnon."
"Please come in, Robbie. Come warm by the fire and I'll make you a cup of cocoa. That'll get your insides warmed up. It's still a mite cold out."
Alex was grateful someone had stepped in and taken the lead. It was apparent to him that both he and Robbie were having difficulty speaking—maybe a familial trait or genetic problem.
Da excused himself. Alex had no doubt that he, too, was relieved his daughter-in-law had sorted the situation quickly and was trying to assist in making things a bit more comfortable for everyone. In her usual fashion, the healer started issuing instructions.
"Alex, introduce Robbie to everyone and then you two come to the kitchen. We should have a few moments together and see if Robbie is hungry as well."
"Yes, of course, come in lad. Come in." Alex stepped back and the lad came through.
Robbie was surprised to find so many people in the lodge. His mother had told him only a few facts about his father. He knew Alex came from a large family with several brothers and that they lived in the Highlands. Other than that, he really didn't know much. He stood in the middle of the room wishing he could drop through a hole in the floor.
What was I thinking? That he'd welcome me with open arms? He didn't even know I existed before today.
Alex, usually very adept at handling social situations, found himself struggling to find the right words. Finally he managed to utter something that at least got the conversation going.
"Uh, Robbie, the beautiful woman making the cocoa is Caitlin, my wife. This other lovely lady is Millie, and she's married to my brother, Jack."
The lad continued to shift his tam back and forth in his hands as he nodded to the ladies and briefly made a quick handshake with Jack, who still held his pistol also. Young Ian stood up from his lying position on the floor. He, too, saw the unbelievable resemblance to Alex. The boy could be another MacKinnon brother from the looks of him.
"Hello, I'm Ian, Alex's youngest brother."
Robbie looked at Ian and felt a warmth he hadn't felt coming from the others. Perhaps it was that they were close in age. Whatever, it was a welcomed feeling.
Alex cleared his throat. "Um, everyone, this is Robert Alexander MacKinnon. Apparently he belongs in this family, so we'll get to know him. Now, Robbie, let's go to the kitchen and see if Caitlin has that cocoa ready."
Alex wasn't sure which was worse, standing with the lad, a son he didn't know he had, or seeing the expressions on the faces of his family. They were astounded.
The lad followed Alex and they took a seat at the old pine kitchen table, the one where all family matters got settled. Robbie liked the looks of the table, as there was something of permanence about it. There were many scars on the surface and someone's initials had been carved on one corner. Around the edges there were what looked like scratches made by an animal. But thanks to Millie's efforts, it was shining and smelled like lemons. In fact, the whole place smelled like a home should smell, not one that reeked like an infirmary with sick folk, like his own home had for the longest time now.
"So, Robbie, would you like a taste of Millie's apple cobbler? She's the main cook around here, and I assure you it's delicious."
"Uh, yes mum. I've not eaten all day, so that would be appreciated."
As for Caitlin, she had an ear that didn't miss the very proper pronunciation of his words. Apparently the lad had been reared with proper British English, and most probably proper manners as well. She observed that he waited for Alex to sit before he did, and he carefully lay his tam on the chair next to him.
She couldn't tell who was the most anxious, Alex or Robbie, and her heart was breaking for these two, a father and a son who had never met. She debated whether to retreat from the room and leave them alone to figure out how to communicate, or whether she should help them for a few minutes then take her leave. The healer in her desperately wished to bring some relief to the situation.
"Here, try this cocoa and have some cobbler. Your stomach will thank you, I'm sure. Alex, here's another cup of cider for you. I'll leave you two to yourselves now. You need to get acquainted, I believe." She left, holding her hands over her abdomen as she walked back toward the great room.
~ ~ ~
DA FINISHED HIS STORY time with the bairns and stood at the window of the upstairs hallway, looking out over the moor. Thinking. Remembering. Alice, Mam, had a saying she used at times such as these: "Life is meant to be embraced, Daniel. If we run away from everything unpleasant or uncomfortable that is thrown at us, we'll cease to grow as people and never gain any new understanding. Rejoice in all experiences that ye encounter, even if ye don't completely understand them, and let them become part of yer soul."
Mo chridhe, this may be a great opportunity to embrace that which we don't quite understand.
He knew he must go down and lend Alex a hand, but thought he'd give him a few minutes alone with the lad then step in, as Alice would have done. Yes, she would have taken it all in stride. Eventually, he made his way slowly back down the stairs.
Jack, the largest of the MacKinnon brothers, and also the most hotheaded one who despised changes, accosted Da the minute he got to the bottom of the stairs.
"Da? Do ye think he's Alex's son? I mean, he looks just like him! What are we supposed to do? Alex has a son? Who would have ever thought that? And what are we to do with him? That's just more changes, Da, more changes."
"Oh, well, I feel sure we'll find room for him, don't ye? He's obviously a MacKinnon, so I don't believe we'll be throwing him out the door."
"No, but what will Caitlin think? She's about to have a bairn any day now and here, this evening, she learns Alex already has one."
"And she thinks it a very fine thing, too, Jack," a voice spoke behind him.
Caitlin joined them at the bottom of the stairs.
"The lad apparently is in need or he wouldn't be here. So, we all should make him welcome and try to see what we can do for him. He's fearful and anxious, certainly. I can see that on his face." The healer not only saw the pain in the boy's face, but she felt it at an even deeper level. Uncle Wabi had told her she would learn to shield herself from sensing others' pain, eventually, but as yet she still hadn't mastered that skill.
She was getting close to the end of her pregnancy and her emotions were riding a wave that crested high one day then crashed the next. The bairn wasn't due for several more weeks, and she knew these emotions were common in the last days, but she wished the child would get here, and soon.
"I think the best thing we can do this evening will be to find the lad a place to sleep and let him know we're glad he's with us."
Ian, the youngest of the brothers, stood again, which still took a bit of doing with his prosthetic foot. But he had no complaints, and didn't let his prosthesis stop him from doing most anything he wanted. Caitlin had been responsible for keeping him alive following a wound at the Battle of Culloden in which he lost his foot. The prosthesis was a gift from Da, Uncle Wabi and Uncle Andrew. The three had worked together to create it and now Ian was almost good as new.
"Let him come up to the attic with me. There's a small cot he can sleep on and I'll find some blankets for him. He'll like being up there. It's the best place in the lodge, trust me."
Ian would be returning to the Isle of Skye in a few days anyway, and his room would be vacant. The new lad could have full use of the room then. Being part of a large family had its good points, but Ian always liked that he could climb up to the highest part of the lodge and have his own space where he could light a candle, read to his heart's content, and watch out the window for the old stag that wandered the moor at night. He knew Robbie would like that too.
Millie and Jack made their way to the east wing where Millie's little daughter, Midge, was already asleep and they, too, retired for the evening. Jack and Millie had wed the same day Alex and Caitlin had. Millie, the former Lady Sinclair, had gone from being a lady in a castle in England, and wife to a despicable lord, to being wife to Jack, a Highlander whom she thought hung the moon. He had his strong points, and his weak ones as well. Most of all he disliked changes, but this past year had proved to him he didn't need to fear them. Sometimes they actually made things better.
"But, Millie. Another child, a lad, in the lodge? How many can we take in?"
"As Da said, we won't be throwing him out. I know how the lad feels, Jack. I, too, had no place to go and now I'm here with this family. It'll be alright."
With Caitlin and Millie having come into the family, the lives of everyone in the lodge had changed. Caitlin and Millie had become friends first, then Caitlin saved Ian's life after Culloden and the MacKinnons had come to her rescue in her time of need. Alex had been captivated by her from day one and had let nothing keep him from marrying her, not even family concerns about her.
The fact Caitlin possessed special powers had been a problem for Jack originally, but she had saved him, Alex, and Millie, as well as herself, on two occasions. That had gone a long way toward Jack accepting her and her abilities.
Caitlin slowly climbed the stairs, headed to the rooms she and Alex claimed in the west wing of the lodge. She particularly liked that wing as she had two large windows from which she could view the moor, and if she looked closely she could see the circle of stones at the top. She intuitively knew the circle was a special place and she longed to walk among the spirits that she was sure dwelled there.
This evening she found herself wondering what might happen next. Her handsome Highlander was her life, and his touch still sent chills along her spine. Watching him as he strode across the floor, his kilted body tall and muscular, was as appealing as ever, and the sound of his deep, resonating voice was soothing to her.
Her life was fulfilling and she never regretted leaving the Isle of Skye and Uncle Wabi, although she missed him greatly. He visited often and she could always "call" him if she really needed him. But this night she wished she could talk to another woman, perhaps Mam. That woman had raised this house full of lads who were a credit to her and Da. And now, as Caitlin was about to deliver the next bairn in this clan, a new MacKinnon lad had shown up.
She undressed and began to brush her hair. Tying a ribbon around the mass of curls, she pulled on a high-necked nightgown and crawled into bed. She was tired beyond belief, but her mind wouldn't stop its churning.
Holy Rusephus! Alex has a son. But why did he not know about him? Why would any woman keep such a secret from a father? This will be a tale worth hearing. I sounded so sure of myself downstairs, but I don't know how to handle this situation any better than Alex. A son? Just one more calamity.
Alex would be up eventually, but she knew he would remain quiet about his feelings regarding Robbie until he'd sorted them out in his own mind. Only then would he discuss them with her.
She felt like an elephant as she tried to get comfortable in bed, and fell asleep wishing the bairn would be born this very minute—several more weeks was unthinkable.
~ ~ ~
"SO THEN, ROBBIE. I think we might better try to get acquainted, ye ken?" Alex shifted uncomfortably in his chair, not sure how to get this conversation going.
"Yes ... sir. I suppose that would be the logical thing to do."
Alex noted the lad all but refused to make eye contact, and an element of anger and resentment inside the boy was palpable.
"Well now, it's fairly obvious the two of us are a lot alike, physically, that is. So we can agree ye must be my son. Is that how ye see it?"
The lad looked to the floor and, in a most sullen voice, replied. "I guess so. Mother told me I was to find you when she was no longer here with me. That's why I came here this evening. She died a fortnight ago and I've been trying to determine what would be the best course of action for me to take."
Alex could feel anger and resentment coming off the lad in waves. Unconsciously crossing his arms across his chest in a defensive manner, he took a deep breath and leaned back, fearing what the next words from the lad might be. The boy sounded like a much older person, and other than observing that the lad was nervous, what with him picking his tam up again and constantly fiddling with it, Alex would have assumed he was an adult.
Suddenly realizing his posture might be sending out a message that wasn't exactly welcoming, Alex released his arms and leaned forward to rest them on the table and gave the lad his undivided attention. Seeing his own dark eyes staring back at him gave him pause, but he began.
"Oh, lad, whatever caused her to die? She was such a lovely young woman when I knew her. It grieves me to hear she has passed away."
Still addressing the floor, Robbie began his tale. "She'd been ill for quite some time ... sir. When she wasn't teaching, she volunteered at the Old Tolbooth, the prison in Edinburgh, where she contracted typhus a while back. The doctors at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh treated her, but finally there was nothing else to be done so she asked to leave hospital and come home for her final days. Mattie, our housekeeper, arranged to bring her back home and nursed her through the last weeks. She died on April 14th, which is ironic, as that happens to be my birthday.
"Lad, that's a heartache for ye, to be sure."
"Yes ... sir, but actually, it's a meaningful day already so it seems appropriate somehow."
Alex sipped at his cider, trying to decide how to further the conversation along. But then, what did he want to know? Surely he would offer to help the lad, but how were they to get any kind of relationship going?
"To be frank with ye, lad, I don't know any other way of figuring things out except to ask ye questions, ye ken?"
"Alright. I guess that's OK. I'll answer them if I can. But you must know, I don't especially want to be here even though Mother said I should find you. I'm a British citizen, not a Scot."
"Aye. Aye. I see. Then, do ye understand I never knew I had a son?"
"Yes ... sir. And you should know I never knew my father was alive until a couple of months ago. Mother had a birth certificate that has my name as Robert Alexander Edwards ... and another one that says Robert Alexander MacKinnon. She told me my father had been a soldier in service of the Crown and that he was brave and died in a battle with a battalion of French soldiers. There was never a lot of discussion about him, other than she always insisted he was a most intelligent man, very handsome, and a fine soldier. She even showed me a few charcoal drawings she said were of him. Of course, I now realize she invented this man in order for me to believe I had been a wanted child, and that is exactly what she accomplished. I did always feel wanted and cared for. Only now, since she's passed away, I'm aware of new feelings, of being without roots, drifting, not sure what to do next."
"Aye. Of course, lad. Ye naturally would feel that. Then, ye can be sure this family, the MacKinnon family—yer family, I suppose—will welcome ye. And I should also tell ye we're probably quite different from folk down in the Lowlands or Edinburgh and London. Speaking of that, where did ye come from?"
"I've lived in London and Edinburgh. In my early life we lived in London for some years then, for some reason, Mother insisted we move to Edinburgh. She'd been a tutor at university there early on, then went back to London and was headmistress at Her Majesty's Preparatory Academy, a school for young ladies. She taught there for some time, but about five years ago she wanted to return to Edinburgh and the university. She had fond memories of her time there and missed the stimulation of the young students. So, we moved there and that's where I still live."
"So yer early years were pretty much spent in London then. I suppose that's why ye sound more English than Scot. But of course ye would. Fiona was English through and through."
"Yes ... sir."
Alex didn't miss the hesitancy of the lad to call him sir.
"But she always spoke highly of the Scots and their devotion to family and their strong work ethic. She was impressed with those characteristics. But not everyone I know feels that way about Scots."
"Then I thank her for that. She was a fine lady herself, and I never held it against her that she were English."
He smiled at the lad and the smile was returned briefly. But there was certainly a question written on the lad's face.
Ah, he seemed to take no offense and took that remark as it was intended. So, maybe we can get through this.
Robbie took a deep breath, then made his pronouncement. "I've always thought I was thoroughly British. But now, I guess I have to realize and admit I'm half Scot."
Alex thought for a moment before addressing this proclamation from the lad. The flat, non-emotional way in which he made the statement told Alex the lad would rather be a toad than a Scot.
Looks like I have a new problem to deal with. He was proud to be British, of course. Now he knows Scots blood flows in his veins as well, Highland blood at that.
"Well, then I suppose yer right. In my opinion a man, or lad, should be proud of his heritage, his country, and most of all his family. But I can understand ye might have some trouble agreeing with me on this. Ye've thought ye were British for some years now, and actually ye are half British, as it were. But there's goodness to be found in both peoples, I suppose, and areas where there will always be disagreements. Mam would have said 'that's life.'"
"Who's Mam?"
"Mam was my mother, yer grandmother. She's gone on now, but she always had sayings that seemed to fit most occasions.”
And I know she could help me now if she were here.
"Robbie, we have a lot of catching up to do. It's late now so I think we'll call it a night and tomorrow we'll make more headway. Tonight ye need to rest and, again, ye are welcome here in our home. I'm not real sure how a father should act, but I'll do my best. I hope ye can find a way to understand that if I had known about ye, I'd have come looking for ye. This family cares for its own. Ye are my son. That makes ye important to all of us."
"Yes ... sir. Mother and I discussed you at length before she passed on. She held you in the highest regard and indicated I was to do the same ... even if you are a Scot."
"I'm glad to hear that, lad. Then let's see where we're to bed ye down. Come, I'll see what Caitlin has in mind."
As they stood, Da entered and stood for a moment, staring at his son and grandson. Alex was certainly a handsome man, and wore his kilt with pride. The lad was clad in long, dark trousers and a dark matching coat. Obviously their clothing was different, but if they were any more alike Da would eat his tam. The lad was several inches shorter than Alex and certainly not as filled out, but then he still had a few growing years ahead of him.
Stroking his bearded face, Da ran his finger down through the cleft in his chin.
Huh. Well now, guess that's at least one trait the three of us have in common. Wonder what others we may have.
He walked over and put his hand out and the boy took it for a short moment.
"Lad, I'm yer grandfather, Daniel. Ye found yer way here, and now that ye have, we're glad to make yer acquaintance. We MacKinnons take care of each other, and ye'll be treated like one of us, as ye certainly are from what I see."
"Thank you ... sir." The boy hadn't known what to expect, but this was not an anticipated response.
They don't even know me, but are going out of their way to make me feel welcome. But they're Scots, known to be scoundrels and uneducated heathens. I know I can't trust them.
"If it suits ye, Ian would like ye to share his space. It's up in the farthest part of the lodge, the attic actually. He's about yer age, maybe a tad older, I think. So, take the stairs all the way to the top and he'll find ye a bed. We'll talk tomorrow. Night to ye now."
Robbie nodded quickly to Da. "Yes ... sir. That sounds fine to me."
The young lad looked about, not sure where he was to go. He made a quick trip back to the porch and returned carrying a soft, leather valise in which he had brought a few items of clothing, some of his mother's personal documents, and his ever-present writing pad. This pad was much more important to him than any of the other articles, however.
Da made his way to his room at the end of the hall, a book tucked under his arm as always, and Alex waited at the foot of the stairs for the lad.
"Up there, lad—Robbie. All the way to the top. Ian's got a place for ye to rest yer head. He'll be going to the Isle of Skye in a couple of days and then ye'll have the place to yerself. So, if you can manage to share a room a couple of nights, it will be helpful."
"Of course, ... sir."
Alex hardly knew how to react to such a formal, polished young man. On the one hand, the lad obviously disliked learning he was half Scot and had made that very clear. But on the other, he had the manners of a young gentleman. Alex tried to remember himself at that awkward age. He was quite sure he was not polished, but Mam would have insisted on good manners. And if he was rebellious, then Da would have given him some extra chores to work off his angry feelings. No doubt, though, this lad was as much a MacKinnon as any of them.
Robbie lifted his valise and began the climb up the stairs. And it was a climb, too. Once he got to the top, he saw the faintest light coming from beneath one of the doors. He knocked and waited a second. Just as he was about to knock again, the door opened and Ian nodded to him.
"Aye, this is the right room. Mine. And I think ye'll like it, too. Come in."
Robbie slowly walked through the doorway and felt as if he had entered a room that had been designed with him in mind. There was an old wooden desk in front of one of the tall, many-paned windows. A candle had been lighted and there were several maps and drawings lying on the desk. He came closer and took a quick glance at them. The maps were very old and Robbie thought they were from a much earlier period, perhaps from early Roman times, and there was a scent in the room that was most pleasant—an herb, something green and fresh. Maybe rosemary.
"Put yer bag in the corner. I've put some blankets on the cot and that should keep ye warm enough. Ye'll find it's actually warmer up here than any other place. Da says it's something about the heat rising. But still, it can get cold up here in the Highlands, even in the spring. Probably different from where ye came from. Where was that exactly?"
"I came from Edinburgh, where I lived with my mother. She died recently and I'm not sure what I'm to do now."
Ian found himself searching for the right words, but wasn't sure there were any. "Oh, then, don't worry too much. Alex is a very intelligent man. He'll figure out the best thing for ye to do. I know how it is to lose yer mam, though. Ours passed on a couple of years ago and we all felt like our world had turned upside down. Maybe that's how everybody feels when their mam dies. But I'm learning that because she died doesn't mean she's lost to ye. She's just in a different place now. Ah, listen to me, going on so. Come over here and take a look out there."
Robbie walked closer to the tall window, the two young lads standing side by side. Ian snuffed the candle out and it was pitch-black in the room. Suddenly, the moor was easily seen beneath the light of a glowing moon. The snow that had covered the ground for so long had melted now as the days were warmer, even though the evenings were still chilly. The highest peaks of the mountains were still covered and pockets of snow could be found in the crags, but the green, spring sprouts were beginning to show and the heather on the moor was blossoming quickly.
"Now look just at the edge of that stand of pine trees on the left side, look closely."
"I don't see anything. There's nothing there but trees. No, wait. Oh! Is that a stag?" Robbie stared at Ian, his face registering his excitement.
"Yeah. He's been here as long as I can remember. He shows himself sometimes on an evening such as this. I sometimes wonder if he can see me too."
Robbie continued to look at Ian. The two could have been brothers. But there was something about this young lad Robbie didn't quite understand. He acted as if Robbie was not a stranger but had always been here, in this lodge, as if he had always been a member of this family. There was also an element of mischief, or adventure that emanated from him. But then, there was an element of warmth, also. Robbie had lived in London and Edinburgh, but he had never come across a young person who was as interesting as Ian.
"Do you think he can see us now?"
"I'm learning that the animals know a lot, and we've a lot to learn from them if we only will. Just some of the things Uncle Wabi is teaching me."
"Uncle Wabi? Who's that?"
"He's actually Caitlin's uncle, but he feels like mine too so I call him Uncle Wabi. He's a very unusual man and I'm studying with him. I'll tell ye about him tomorrow. Right now I think we'd better get to bed. If I know Alex, he'll be expecting both of us to be down in the kitchen early, ready to listen to his instructions for the day.”
He smiled when he made this remark and Robbie smiled in return.
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Dedication
To my beloved mother-in-law and father-in-law, Ethel and Clinton Karsner, who brought joy to my life in so many ways. Though they are gone, they are still alive in our hearts and minds.
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.
Acknowledgements
Thank you, readers, for making my experiences as an author so rewarding. Your support and encouragement keep me writing even on days when my muse keeps herself hidden.
Certainly a thank you to Elizabeth White, my editor, is in order. Her talents are too numerous to mention and she is an exceptional find for this author.
I offer a special thank you to Garry, my unpaid, untiring, husband who cheers me on even when I know what I just wrote needs to be trashed! Without his encouragement these novels would never get from the computer to my readers.