A Bridge Through Time: Book 1 of The Thistle & Hive Series (28 page)

They waited in companionable silence. Edna settled into a chair and Cailin could feel her eyes on him, as he paced back and forth. After what seemed an eternity, the woman came back and called to them. “You’re here for Ashley Moore?”

Edna jumped up from the chair and hurried over to the woman, and Cailin stopped his pacing to follow her.

“Come with me,” the woman said.

They followed her through a door and down another long corridor. Cailin’s head was swiveling around constantly, as he looked left and right trying to take in everything he was seeing. Each chamber they passed had an occupied bed or two, with more people sitting beside them. There were a number of men and women wearing long white capes of some description, walking up and down the hallway and entering the rooms.

“What has happened here, Edna?” Cailin queried.

“What do you mean, dear?”

“Was there some great battle? There are so many people in here.”

“Oh, no, Cailin. These people are all feeling unwell, or have injured themselves in some way,” Edna explained in a low voice. “This is an Emergency Room. It’s where people come, when they are very sick or they’ve had an accident.”

“Ashley told me of such a place when I was injured, but she didnae call it an Emergency Room.”

“Perhaps she called it a hospital,” Edna offered.

“Aye,” Cailin nodded. “That’s it.” He continued to turn from side to side, taking in the amazing sights and sounds of the twenty first century.

*****

Ashley was somewhat groggy from the pain meds, but overall, she was much better. The medical staff had been wonderful. They’d set her arm and explained the cast needed to stay on for six weeks, so the bone would heal properly. Ashley didn’t care how long it took; she was relieved to be alive after her ordeal. She gazed out the window at the growing darkness and was amazed by the constant noise she could hear coming from the street. It was so incredibly noisy, after the peace of Breaghacraig.

“You’ve got some visitors, Miss,” the nurse announced when she ushered Edna and Cailin into the room.

Ashley’s eyes locked onto Cailin, who looked adorably out of place in his t-shirt and kilt. She offered him a joyful smile, thrilled to see him again.

He crossed the room in two long strides, but stopped short at her bedside, looking confused as to what to do next. He hovered for a moment, and then he leaned in and tenderly kissed the top of her head. He lifted her chin with his fingers and looked lovingly into her eyes.

“Mo chuisle,” he murmured. His gaze lowered to her arm in the plaster cast and he frowned.

“Don’t worry,” Ashley hurried to reassure him. “I’m fine. I have to wear this cast until my arm heals, but other than that, I’m good to go.”

“Let us go then,” Cailin said firmly.

“I have to wait until the doctor signs the discharge papers and I guess I have to speak with a police constable about what happened. As soon as I’m done with that, we can go.”

Cailin breathed a sigh of relief and turned towards Edna. He motioned to a chair beside the bed. “Come, sit, Edna. Ye look quite tired.”

Edna took the seat. “Thank you, dear. I was so worried. That’s all.” Edna glanced around to make sure no one could hear her and said, “We all need to get our story straight, so the police won’t suspect anything out of the ordinary when they come to speak to you, Ashley.”

They quietly discussed the details while they waited.

The doctor arrived first and gave them Ashley’s discharge instructions. “Pain meds as needed and see Dr. Donaldson for the removal of the cast.”

“Thank you, doctor. I truly appreciate your help,” Ashley said.

“It was my pleasure, Miss Moore. Try to stay out of harm’s way in the future. I’d rather not see you in here again.” He gave Cailin a disapproving glare as he left.

Cailin looked puzzled as he turned to Ashley, worry in his gray eyes. “Why did he look at me that way? Does he think I did this to ye?”

Before Ashley could respond, she heard the doctor out in the hallway. “Ah, Senior Constable Douglas, Miss Moore is right in here.”

“Thank you, doctor.” A police constable entered the room and gave all three of them an appraising look before introducing himself and taking their names. “I’d like to speak with Miss Moore alone, please,” he announced briskly.

“Of course, Senior Constable. Come along Cailin.” Edna took Cailin’s arm and headed out into the hall to wait, offering Ashley an anxious smile as she dragged Cailin along behind her.

When the door closed, Senior Constable Douglas stood at the end of the bed and glanced down at his notebook. “So, Miss Moore, tell me how you came to arrive at the Emergency Room in this condition.” His gaze lingered over the cuts and bruises on Ashley’s face. “Did your boyfriend have anything to do with this?” he asked, watching her closely when she answered.

“Of course not,” Ashley replied, irritated that anyone could think Cailin was capable of hurting her.

“Are you sure? You needn’t be afraid to talk to me. I understand you may be wary of the repercussions of admitting if it was him, but rest assured, we will protect you.”

“I just told you, Cailin didn’t do this! I’m not lying and I’m not afraid of him.”

“Well, then perhaps you can tell me exactly how this occurred.” He waved his hand in the direction of her bruised and battered face and throat.

“Cailin and I were camping. We had hiked out from The Thistle and Hive hotel, where we’ve been staying with Edna Campbell. Apparently, we were followed by two men and when Cailin went to gather firewood for our campsite, they grabbed me and dragged me off with them. I tried to fight back as best I could, but there were two of them against one. That’s where I got all these cuts and bruises.”

“What about the marks on your throat?” Douglas eyed her suspiciously, as if he didn’t believe a word she’d spoken.

“As I said, I was trying to fight them and one of them got really angry. He tried to choke me.” Tears filled her eyes at the very real memory of Roger’s attempt at choking her. “I thought I was going to die,” she whispered.

Douglas wrote some notes. “What happened next?”

“That’s when Cailin found us. The big guy let me go and Cailin fought them both off. I tried to help him, and in the process, my arm was sliced open and I got thrown to the ground and hit my head. I must have broken my arm in the fall. I think I passed out then, because the next thing I recall, I was back at The Thistle and Hive.”

“Can you describe your assailants?”

Ashley described Thomas and Roger to him in great detail. Both men were dead back in the sixteenth century, but Douglas no doubt was determined to solve this crime and she’d rather send him on a wild goose chase, than have the police focus on Cailin as a suspect.

*****

Outside Ashley’s room, Cailin and Edna were answering the very same questions for another police constable, when Senior Constable Douglas joined them.

He focused his attention on Cailin. “Suppose you tell us what really happened, lad,” he said.

Cailin bristled at the implication. “What do ye mean? I just told this man exactly what happened.”

“I think you understand my meaning. Why would you want to hurt such a lovely lass as that?”

“I wouldnae.” Cailin’s anger grew at their assumption that he had been the one to cause Ashley’s injuries. “I love Ashley and I wouldnae do anythin’ to harm her,” he growled.

“It seems you have quite a temper there, young man,” Douglas provoked.

Edna put a cautious hand on Cailin’s arm, silently warning him to remain calm. “Senior Constable, I can vouch for Cailin MacBayne. He is a kind and caring young man, who loves that girl verra much. It is certainly not in his character to harm any woman, least of all Ashley. I am appalled that you would suggest he is to blame.”

Douglas turned to Edna, lifting an eyebrow. “Thank you, Mrs. Campbell. I’m sure you know that in most of these cases, we have to eliminate family and friends from our list of suspects first. We can’t be too careful.” He gave Cailin another ugly look. “Naturally, we’ll be doing our best to find these two fellows you say attacked Miss Moore, but we’ll no doubt have more questions for you. Don’t leave the area. We’ll be in touch.”

“I dinnae like that man,” Cailin whispered to Edna as they watched the two police constables stride down the hallway.

“I think the feeling is mutual, dear.” She squeezed his hand. “Let’s go get our Ashley and be on our way, shall we?”

THIRTY-SIX

The drive back to the inn was filled with Cailin’s questions, as he tried to figure out exactly how the car worked and what Edna was doing to make it go. Ashley sat in the back with a huge grin plastered on her face. Cailin had wanted to sit beside her, but she encouraged him to sit up front with Edna, knowing he would be fascinated by the process of driving. Edna patiently explained the accelerator, the brakes, the turn signal, the horn, and the windshield wipers. The car seemed much too small for Cailin’s large frame, but he appeared to be quite comfortable. Ashley giggled hysterically each time he threw his hands onto the dashboard as they came up behind another car, or when headlights came towards them.

“I dinnae think Cadeyrn can go this fast, even if I give him his head,” he said in amazement.

“You’re right about that, Cailin, and I’m not even driving at the fastest speed a car can go,” Edna said with a smile.

Cailin’s eyebrows rose in surprise. “Ye can go faster?”

“Yes, I can, but there are laws against it. I must obey the speed limit, so I can’t show you, I’m afraid.”

Ashley giggled again, at the disappointment in Cailin’s expression. “Are you enjoying the twenty-first century, Cailin?” she asked.

“Aye, love, this a wondrous time.” He was gazing out of the window, staring in fascination at the lights and the buildings as they passed. “Why would ye leave this, Ashley?” he asked, suddenly becoming quite serious.

“I think you know why,” she smiled.

“Aye, but tell me, what will ye miss most when we return?”

Ashley thought carefully for a moment. “Hmmm. I’ll miss indoor plumbing and a hot shower, that’s for sure.”

“I’ve seen yer indoor plumbing and hot shower and I ken why ye’d miss them. I’ll miss them, as well, and I’ve only used the bathing chamber once. What are the other things you’ll miss?”

“Hmmm. Let’s see.” Ashley thought some more. “I’ll miss chocolate, coffee, pizza and my friend, Jen.” Ashley grinned. “Edna, can we let Cailin experience my favorite food and drink?”

“Of course,” Edna agreed immediately.

“Unfortunately, you won’t get to meet Jen. She’s my best friend, but she’s in the United States. We’ve been friends ever since we were little girls.”

“I’m sorry ye’ll nae see her again, love.”

“It’s okay. I’ll miss her terribly,” Ashley admitted, “but I’d miss you so much more.”

He reached back and took her hand, kissing her fingertips.

“I am going to call Jen though, before we go back to Breaghacraig,” Ashley said wistfully. “To say goodbye.”

*****

When they reached the inn, Ashley and Cailin retired to Ashley’s chamber. She was still a bit drowsy from the pain relief, but did her best to stay awake for him and answer his questions.

Edna sent food upstairs for them; burgers and fries, with a beer for Cailin and a soda for Ashley, along with her much loved pizza.

Cailin enjoyed the meal very much, he was starving after their long day, and his long night of searching for Ashley and Irene. He’d snatched a bite to eat here and there, but it had been minimal.

Ashley had to explain the different food items to him, but once Cailin had figured out what everything was, he finished all that was on his plate and, the rest of Ashley’s when she announced she was full. They shared a piece of molten chocolate cake for dessert and Cailin understood exactly why Ashley would miss the delicacy and wondered again why she would leave all this behind to return to Breaghacraig with him.

After their meal, Cailin helped Ashley prepare for bed. He could see that she was exhausted from the excitement of the day. He tried to be as gentle as he could, but was alarmed when he saw tears in her eyes after he settled her in bed. “Did I hurt ye, love?” he asked, concern written all over his face.

“No,” she sniffled. “I’m just so happy you’re here with me. These are happy tears.” Cailin cocked his head, uncertain if she was telling the truth, but Ashley rushed to reassure him. “Really, Cailin. I’m telling you the truth.”

He accepted her word. “I want to hold ye close to me tonight, but it might be better if I sleep on the floor, love. I have no wish to harm ye.”

Ashley shook her head firmly. “Don’t be silly. I want you here, beside me. We’ll figure it out, I’m sure. I know you won’t deliberately hurt me.”

With a happy grin, Cailin removed his t-shirt, pulling it over his head and dropping it to the floor. When he glanced at Ashley, she was appraising him with lust in her amber eyes. With a wicked smile, he removed the plaid and watched her eyes wander south before a smile lit up her face. Cailin chuckled as he climbed into bed beside her. “Don’t be lookin’ at me with those eyes. I won’t be responsible for what might happen.”

“I would love for something to happen,” she teased huskily.

“Ye are surely a vixen, my love, and if ye didnae have a broken arm, stitches and bruises covering ye from head to toe, I’d be happy to make your wish come true, but nae tonight.” He kissed her nose and laid one hand possessively on her stomach. Ashley fell asleep within minutes and Cailin lay there for a very long time watching her, grateful she would be returning to full health soon.

*****

The next morning, Edna was knocking at their door bright and early, with a tray full of goodies and a large pot of coffee. Edna was enjoying the chance to expose her time-travelling guest to life in modern Scotland. She made sure to bring him an assortment of foods he’d never have had before, along with some, she thought he might find more familiar. There was bacon, eggs, scones, lemon curd, butter, hash brown potatoes, and pancakes with maple syrup. She’d also supplied cream and sugar for the coffee. She set the tray on the table and turned a brilliant smile on her two guests.