Page 32 of A Promise Through Time

“She is, isn’t she?” Tina said. An idea was beginning to form. “Do you like babies, Doreen?”

“I do, verra much. Some day I hope to have a house full of them, like me ma.”

“So you have lots of brothers and sisters?” Tina asked.

“Too many to count,” Doreen laughed. “I’m the oldest, so I help ma with the little ones when she needs me to,” Doreen said, seeming proud of herself.

“Doreen, how would you feel about watching Elena every now and again?” Tina asked, crossing her fingers that she would.

“I’d love to,” the girl answered.

“Could you start tomorrow? Donal would be happy to pay you for your services.” This was going to be the medieval version of babysitting.

“Do ye ken how to do it?” Donal asked, sounding concerned as any good Da should.

“Aye. Ye’ve nae need to worry. I’ve done it before.”

“Meet me here tomorrow morning then,” he said, seeming more relaxed.

The girl beamed with joy as she thanked them and spun away to join her friends, excitedly telling them what had just occurred.

“There, problem solved,” Tina said. “She can’t watch her all the time, so when she’s not able, I will.”

“Thank ye, lass. Me heart will rest easy now.”

“You should probably take her upstairs. She probably needs some sleep.”

They entered the castle and Donal left her to go up to his room. She entered the great hall where Ashley had just finished up with the afternoon lessons. Children scurried past Tina and out the door. “All done for the day?” she asked.

“I am. What have you been up to all day?” Ashley asked.

“I think I figured out who Edna had in mind for me,” she said.

“Tell me! I can’t wait to hear.” Ashley seemed quite excited at her news.

“I think it’s Donal,” Tina said and watched as Ashley’s face dropped.

“No. It can’t be,” she said.

“Why not?” Tina was feeling a bit defensive. “What’s wrong with Donal?”

“Oh, nothing. I just didn’t think he’d be the one. You know with the baby and all. It doesn’t seem like Edna would send you here to find a man who already has a family.”

Tina watched as Ashley danced around her initial reaction. No matter what she said now, Tina knew she wouldn’t be an ally as far as Donal was concerned.

“You should still just see if anyone else catches your eye. You might be wrong. You never know.”

“You’re right,” Tina said, knowing that she wasn’t, but not wanting to be judged. “I should keep my options open.”

“That’s probably the best idea,” Ashley said. “I’m going to enlist Cailin’s help. He knows all the men who would be eligible bachelors.”

“Thanks,” Tina said, filling her voice with feigned enthusiasm. What was wrong with Donal? Was there something she was missing?

***

Donal wasn’t surprised at the light tap on his door. Although he’d tried his best to quiet her, Elena’s continued crying was sure to wake Tina. He should feel bad about that but he had to admit he was glad to see her.

“Come in,” he said.