Page 31 of A Promise Through Time

“Nor I,” he said.

The sadness in his voice touched her heart and she reached out to take his hand. “I like you,” she said, hoping he could hear the sincerity in her voice.

“Thank ye. ’Tis good to know.”

“So, where are we going?”

“To the smithy,” he replied. “to get my wee lass her verra own spoon.”

They strolled through the courtyard, hand-in-hand drawing the stares of those they passed. The fact that Donal had recently lost his wife made her feel guilty and a little self-conscious. She made a conscious decision not to let it bother her. Maybe it wasn’t normal for a woman to hold hands with a man in this time, but she didn’t really know any of these people and she wasn’t staying here. She wondered how Donal would feel about leaving. That thought hadn’t occurred to her until this very moment. “Donal, do you like living here?”

“Aye. ’Tis my home.”

“What if there was something you wanted in your life that wasn’t here?”

“It would have to be something verra good. Something I couldnae live without. Why do ye ask?”

“Just wondering.”

They arrived at the smithy, who stood over a blazing fire. “Ye should stay out here,” Donal said, handing Elena into her care. “’Tis too hot in there for her.”

“Okay.” She watched him with a new appreciation as he spoke with the blacksmith, who it seemed had some spoons already made. Donal picked them up and examined every one until he found the spoon he must have thought to be perfect.

“I’ll take this one,” he said, reaching into his sporran and handing payment to the man. Donal held it up in front of his face as he came back to them. “What do ye think, Elena? Will this one do?”

She held out her hand and was rewarded with her very own spoon. She waved it around before promptly dropping it. Donal retrieved it with a grin and placed it in his sporran. They walked around the courtyard together for a while longer enjoying the warmth of the sun and each other’s company.

“’Tis been a good day,” Donal noted.

Tina was pleased to hear this because she was thinking the exact same thing. “The next thing we need to find for you is someone to look after Elena while you’re working.”

“Aye. Yer right. ’Twouldnae be fair to ask ye to spend all yer days here looking after her.”

“Don’t get me wrong. I don’t mind helping. As a matter of fact, I really enjoy it, but I’m going to need back up.”

He was looking at her with a confused expression.

“I’m going to need help,” she explained.

“Where will we find someone?” he asked.

“Let me see what I can do. I might have better luck with it than you.” The way everyone was treating him she had no doubt they’d probably run the other way if he were to ask.

“Ye’d do that for us?” he asked. The poor guy couldn’t believe someone was willing to help him.

“I already told you I’d help in any way I can.”

“So ye have,” he smiled warmly at her and her belly sang with the beating of a million butterfly wings. His eyes held hers for what should have been an uncomfortably long time, but to her seemed not long enough. She thought he might kiss her when they were interrupted.

“Excuse me, miss. Ye dropped this.” A girl of not more than fourteen stood before her holding up one of her earrings. She instinctively checked both ears and realized that one of her earrings had fallen out.

“Oh, thank you. I wouldn’t have noticed until much later and by then probably wouldn’t have had a chance of finding it.”

“Yer welcome, miss.” The girl’s eyes were glued to little Elena. “How old’s yer bairn?”

“Oh, she’s not mine. She belongs to Donal and she’s…ten months old.” That seemed about right. “What’s your name?”

“Doreen,” the girl said, tickling Elena’s toes and making her laugh. “She’s verra sweet.”