Page 26 of A Promise Through Time

“That must be hard.”

“It is, but I know I’ll see him again, one way or the other. Ignore these tears! Ugh! Pregnancy hormones are in over drive, I tell you. I really am happy here.”

Tina admired Sara’s commitment to her husband. She couldn’t imagine giving up her family to stay in this time. She continued sipping her tea and seriously considered the idea of bringing the recipe back with her. Maybe she could find out how to make the soap they all used, too. She didn’t like the idea of sitting around and doing nothing when she got back home, maybe she could take up soap making or something. As Ashley and Sara continued talking, Tina’s mind wandered to Donal. She hoped he was doing okay with Elena. As soon as they got back to the castle she decided she would check in on them.

“What are you thinking about Tina?” Sara asked.

“Oh, nothing much.”

“Nothing much seems to have put a smile on your face.”

“I was just thinking about how nice it is to be here with you both,” she lied.

Apparently neither woman believed her. “Uh-huh,” Ashley said, rolling her eyes towards Sara, who did the same.

“What?” Tina asked. “I mean it.”

“Sure you do. Who were you really thinking about?”

“Baby Elena,” she admitted. She purposely left out Donal. It was obvious from what she’d seen and heard, they weren’t fans.

“She is cute, isn’t she?” Ashley said.

“I’m going to have to come to the castle so I can meet her.”

“Don’t walk over there by yourself,” Ashley said.

“I’m kind of a klutz,” Sara explained. “They’re all worried I’ll fall or something.”

“Falling wouldn’t be good at this point,” Tina said. “So, I agree. You should be extra careful.”

“Well, I can walk back with you both then and I’ll wait for Logan. Maybe we’ll eat there tonight. I’m sure he’d be more than happy to have a decent meal.”

“Don’t sell yourself short,” Ashley said. “You’ve been working extra hard to learn to cook. Besides, I always hear Logan bragging about you to the other men.”

“Oh, he’s so sweet. I just love him to pieces,” Sara grinned. “So, Tina tell me all about Elle. What’s she doing? Is she writing new songs? Is she touring?”

Tina had to admire Sara’s enthusiasm. She seemed to be Elle’s biggest fan, but she had kind of hoped to leave Elle in the future and make this trip all hers. “She’s doing really well. She’s happily married now and we just completed a European tour.”

“We? Do you travel with them?” Sara asked.

“I’m the tour manager,” Tina said, sounding less than happy about it.

“Oh, that sounds…um…exciting.” Sara said, clearly not sure how to proceed.

Ashley seemed to understand how Tina was feeling without her even having to say a word. “It must be hard having a sister who’s a celebrity. I can’t even imagine what that must be like for you.”

“It’s never been easy,” Tina said. She wasn’t sure if she should reveal her deepest, darkest feelings about her sister’s fame. “I never wanted to be famous,” Tina said. “When Elle made it big with her first single, I was still in high school. I suddenly became very popular, but for all the wrong reasons. It wasn’t me they were interested in. Guys only dated me so they could meet Elle. Everyone else only wanted tickets and backstage passes to her concerts. Don’t get me wrong. I love Elle and I’m so happy for her success. It’s just that now I don’t know if people really likeme for me or if they’re just trying to get close to her. Does that make sense?”

“It does. I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to bring her up. If I’d known…”

“Don’t worry about it,” Tina interrupted. “It’s fine. How could you possibly know about my insecurities.”

“Well, I know now and I promise, from this point on my lips are sealed about your sister.”

“Really, it’s okay. You can talk about her all you want.”

“I guess you know we won’t be hitting you up for tickets,” Ashley laughed.