Chapter Twelve

“Of all the stupid, idiotic—”

“I quite agree, young lady,” Ian said, pulling his SUV up beside her, the passenger side window down. “Stomping off into the snow simply because you are angry at my godson is not the greatest of travel plans.”

She came to a stop and let out a huff, her breath fogging around her as she looked to the bright blue sky. At least it wasn’t snowing.

“I know the lad can be a bit trying at times, he has his father’s thick skull, but surely you can overlook that less than appealing quality.”

She looked at Ian and his charming smile and knew darn well there was something more to all this. “You know what he told me, don’t you?”

“Why don’t you get in, and we’ll discuss it?”

“No way, you’ll take me back there.”

“Ah, then you leave me with no other recourse than to press charges, my dear.”

With that bomb dropped, he turned to look straight ahead, his hands poised on the steering wheel, but he didn’t roll up the window or pull away.

He was a lousy bluffer, but then this was a really weird situation. He probably believed Erin. She guessed that’s what you did for those you loved. You overlooked their oddities and stood by them no matter what.

With a resigned sigh, she opened the door and got in the car. “Talk.”

He cast her a small smile. “Other than his tale of traveling, do you have additional concerns regarding my godson?”

She chewed her lip a moment then shook her head.

“Ah, good. Then I think it’s time you met his parents.”

She let out a snort as he rolled up the window and turned the car around. “Right, sure, why not? I don’t have a passport, but knowing you with your strings, that isn’t a problem.”

He chuckled low. “You’ll not need a passport.”

“I was afraid you’d say that.”

He stopped in front of the house and placed his hand on her arm. “Heather. This may all seem insane. I too was taken aback by my friends when they explained it to me. But if it aids you in believing, know that I too am not of this time. My friends, Erin’s parents, sent me forward in time to find Jenny and take her back so that she could aid Erin’s mother in the birthing. She would not have survived without contemporary assistance.”

Her jaw fell lax, and she couldn’t move. They were all crazy.

He patted her arm with a chuckle. “I know, we’re all bonkers, but I’m afraid it’s all true. And we can prove it to you with a little trip.”

She swallowed hard. “A trip?”

“Aye, a bit of a jump backward. So what do you say? Are you game for an unusual journey? I promise you with my life, as I know Erin does as well, that you will be safe, as will Burt.”

“You’re taking Burt too?”

“Of course. We can’t very well leave the lad on his own, now can we? And he’ll have a jolly time of it, I’m sure.”

Her door swung open, and she looked up into Erin’s worried eyes. “Heather, will you at least give me—us a chance to prove it? If once all is done, and you still wish to leave, I willna stop you.”

She gave him a shaky nod. Battered heart or not, she should at least find out how crazy they all were for Burt’s sake. She’d never forgive herself if she left him in a situation worse than what he’d come from. Her heart would just have to deal with it for now.

Erin took her small bag and escorted her through the front door with Ian right behind. She felt like she was being led to the guillotine.

“I’m glad you came back, Heather. You would’ve regretted your rash decision eventually, you realize,” Jenny said.

“Jail doesn’t hold much appeal to me.”

“You knew that was a ruse, and yet you returned anyway. Your curiosity and your feelings for Burt and Erin outweigh your mind’s attempt at logic amid a vastly illogical situation.”

Heather looked to Ian and Erin. “She do this all the time?”

“Afraid so,” Ian said. “It can be most annoying, but usually because she is almost always right.”

Jenny stopped fussing with her arrangement of a collection of small backpacks to glare at her husband. “When have I been incorrect?”

Erin grinned and kissed her cheek. “Never, Aunt.”

“Don’t say that, boy! You know bloody well—”

“Now, Ian, please. We have a young man living with us now, who is currently eavesdropping at the top of the stairs. Withhold your cursing until he’s at least sixteen.”

Ian let out a heavy sigh. “You’ve been had, lad, you may as well come down.”

Heather couldn’t help it. She burst out with a laugh that maybe had a bit of hysteria in it, but the situation was too comical by far. Here she was, with people she’d known less than a week, heck a pair of days, crazy people whose house she’d broken into, who were planning a trip to some distant century as if it was just another ordinary day.

Erin clasped her by the arm. “Are you all right, leannan?”

She shook her head, her laugh now nothing more than a weary smile. “You’re all nuts, but I can’t help liking you.”

Erin smiled. “Glad I am to hear it.”

A few minutes later, all gathered in the foyer with their packs on their backs, Jenny asked if everyone was ready.

“This is going to be very difficult. We’ve managed with just Ian and myself, but more than two we’ve not yet attempted,” Jenny said. “But if my calculations are correct, if we stand together in a circle, each concentrating on one another, we should all arrive together. But in the event that doesn’t happen, you have provisions with you.”

Ian looked to Burt, his expression grim. “Lad, if you should find yourself alone, you are to take your vile of water and immediately sprinkle it on your shoes and think of this place and this time. Do you understand me? It is imperative that you do this, should the need arise.”

Burt looked at Heather, and she gave him a small nod. She knew he was thinking along the same lines as her. These people really were crazy, so the best thing to do was to play along.

He looked to Ian and nodded. “Yes, sir. I understand.”

“I hope you do, lad,” Erin added. “This isna your video game. This is for real. Remember that.” He looked at Heather, his lips a grim line. “You are to do the same. Doona wander about, doona wait to see if we appear. Come back here straightway. I couldna forgive myself if something should happen to you.”

Crazy or not, she knew he meant those words and with a smile squeezed his hand in response.

“Well then we’re off,” Ian said. “Jenny, love, would you be so kind?”

“With pleasure, my love.” With a wide smile, she poured a small pool of water in the center of their circle, then took hold of her husband’s hand. “All right, toes in at the same time, everyone.”

Heather looked at each of them and shook her head, but did as instructed. Where was the fun if you didn’t play along?

The moment her foot touched the water, her head and her stomach roiled and the worse vertigo she’d ever experienced smacked her square between the eyes. She wanted to throw up but had a feeling she’d pass out if she did.

At her nauseated moan, strong arms wrapped around her and a voice, familiar and warm seeped into her dizzy brain.

“It will pass in a moment, leannan. The traveling isna pleasant. It is a bit like sailing for the first time. It takes time to gain your sea legs.”

“Man what a rush!”

Burt’s shout was too much. She pressed her hand to her forehead. “What did you slip me? Some sort of mickey?”

“No, mickey, sweetie,” Jenny said. “That’s just how it feels to travel. Erin is right in that it is much like sailing.”

“Please no more mention of boats, I beg you,” Ian groaned. “You know I cannot abide the things.”

“Yes, dear, I’m sorry. At least the traveling only lasts a moment.”

“My stomach never believes you when you say that,” Ian replied.

Heather opened her eyes to see Jenny smiling at her husband. At least with all of them suffering something similar, it pretty much ruled out a mickey.

Except for Burt. Then again, he was used to 3D reality games while hyped up on energy drinks and junk food. His stomach had already been conditioned for this weird travelling gig.

Wait, what was she thinking? They hadn’t gone anywhere, they were still in—the—hall. She took a good look around and felt her knees go weak. Drugged or not, she wasn’t in Wyoming anymore. They were in the middle of some sort of clearing. No snow, no beautiful house, just trees and grass, and the smell of the ocean. She could even hear sea gulls.

She shook her head. “This can’t be happening. Where are we?”

“Home,” Erin said with a wide smile.

“But—”

“I know ’tis hard to fathom, but we are on the Isle of Mull in Scotland, and hopefully the seventeenth century.”

She blinked a moment or two, looked around at their expectant faces, Burt’s included, and threw up her hands.

“You’re all nuts!” With that, she stormed off toward what looked to be a path, mumbling to herself.

“This is stupid. There is no way this is real. They’ve drugged me and are feeding me all this info through dream manipulation or some crap like that. Time travel isn’t possible. I am not here. I—am—dreaming.”

“And is it a good dream?” a voice asked, freezing her in her tracks.

She cautiously lifted her gaze from the ground to see a couple sitting on a rough stone bench. They weren’t wearing normal clothes, and if she didn’t know better, she’d swear the man speaking to her was Adam Sutherland.

But it couldn’t be. None of it was real. “You. I’m dreaming up you and this place and—and—them,” she said, pointing to Erin and the others hurrying up the path toward her.

He rose from the bench with a very big smile. “Oh, I see. So I, and my beautiful wife, and my parents and brother-in-law are all figments of your imagination, is that it?”

“Well, yes—I mean, no. I—I don’t know anything anymore.” She pressed her fingers to her temples, shaking her head.

“Hey it’s okay,” Adam said. “It takes a bit of getting used to, but welcome to the neighborhood.”

The woman rose. “Adam, doona tease her so.”

“Deidra!” Erin hurried into the little garden and picked up the woman and gave her a big bear hug. “And you, dear brother-in-law,” he said, after putting her back on her feet. “I should beat you to a bloody pulp.” He punched Adam in the arm, and none too gently it seemed.

Adam held up his hands. “More than just my idea, I assure you. Hey Mom, Dad.” He hugged his parents then motioned toward Heather and Burt. “Aren’t you going to introduce us?”

Heather felt the blood drain from her head. “Not impossible? Not a dream?”

“Nay, lass. All true,” Erin said.

Her vision quickly narrowed until she saw no more. Her only memory was of strong arms carrying her and the distinct spicy aroma of Erin MacLean.