Page 52 of A Promise Through Time

At around the noon hour Tina got some relief. Doreen came back and offered to stay with Elena for a while.

“She’s been sleeping quite a bit, but at least she seems comfortable. Send for me if she seems worse.”

“Aye. Me ma tells me many of the villagers are sick with the same. ’Tis never a good thing. We’ll lose many to be sure.”

Remembering where she was and when she was had a sobering effect on her. A bad feeling worked its way through her. What if Elena was one of those who would be lost? “Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that.” Tina vowed to herself that she wouldn’t allow that to happen. “Maybe I should stay here with her.”

“She’ll be fine for a short while. Ye need some time out of this room.”

She gave Elena one last kiss on the forehead and was satisfied that she no longer had a fever, “I won’t be far if you need me.”

Once outside in the courtyard, Tina lifted her face to the sun, feeling its warmth chase away the chill she felt inside. How could this have happened? She’d been sent here to find a mate and somehow the idyllic scenes she had imagined when she first thought about it in her own time, were far from the reality she was living here and now. Why did Edna send her? Was it because she knew Elena would need her?

She found herself walking towards the practice field. She wasn’t sure why, but for some reason she needed to see Donal. Not to speak with him, but just to know he was there. She watched him from afar greatly appreciating his skill and was struck by how attracted to him she still was. He spun around suddenly and was facing her direction, he must have seen her because he spoke to his opponent and began striding her way.

Tina pivoted on her heel, heading away from the field and Donal.

“Tina!” he called.

She didn’t answer as she hurried on her way.

“Tina!” he was right behind her now and it was implausible that she couldn’t hear him. She stopped where she was. “Is it Elena? Is she well?”

“She’s fine. She seems better.”

“I saw ye and was afeared something was wrong. I’m relieved to hear yer news.”

What a fool she was. It wasn’t her he wanted to see. He was worried for his daughter, as he should be. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you.”

“Who’s with her?” he asked, placing his dirk back in its sheath.

“Doreen came back today. I told her I’d only be gone a short while. I should go back.” He was too close. She needed to get away from him so she could breathe. She turned and began to walk away.

“I’ll walk with ye,” he said, hurrying to catch up with her.

“No need. You should go back to what you were doing.” She couldn’t look at him as she kept walking.

“I wish to see my daughter. I’m coming with ye.” His patience seemed to be wearing thin and she realized she may have pushed him too far. Maybe he was more affected by her than she gave him credit for.

As he walked along beside her, Tina was acutely aware of him. The way he slowed his stride to stay at her side, the sheen of sweat on his shirtless chest and arms. She found herself breathless and aroused by him and yet confused and uncertain about where these emotions were coming from. Hadn’t she already made up her mind about him? He didn’t try to apologize as he had before. In fact he didn’t speak at all. Any conversation, any move at all would have to come from her.

He opened the castle doors allowing her to walk in before him, being the type of gentleman she’d always hoped for and not the type of guy who let the door slam in your face before you got through it. Then he stopped at the bottom of the stairs waiting for her to go first.

“I’m going to look for Ashley,” she said. “I’ll be up in a little while.” The need to escape his incredible pull on her was great. If she didn’t create some distance between them she might findherself in his arms once again and she couldn’t let that happen. Not yet and maybe not ever.

He bounded up the stairs two at a time and out of sight. Tina stood at the bottom looking up for a long while after he was gone.

Chapter 12

“Are you alright?” Sara asked, surprising Tina as she stood at the foot of the stairs.

“Yes,” Tina said, recovering. “How are you?” Sara looked like she was ready to pop at any moment.

“Logan doesn’t want me to be home alone during the day, so he brought me here this morning. I was looking for you.”

“I’m right here,” Tina said. “Did you need me for something?”

“No. I just wanted to spend some time with you.” Sara’s sweet smile lit up her whole face.