Page 7 of A Promise Through Time

The Thistle & Hive Inn – 2018

Edna’s office was a cozy retreat tucked in behind the registration desk in the lobby. Tina was seated on the comfy sofa having tea with Edna and Maggie, enjoying the fact that there was absolutely nowhere she had to be and nothing she had to do. Elle and Hamish were exploring the village and she was free to enjoy her down time. The tour was over and her duties as the tour manager were also over. She had no commitments back homeand had no idea what she’d be doing with her time once she got there.

“I could get used to this,” Tina said.

“Why don’t ye stay with us for a while?” Edna asked.

“I should,” she said only half joking.

“We’d love to have ye,” Maggie said. “Dylan and I can show ye around Glendaloch and the surrounding area. Ye’d love it I’m sure.”

This was sounding more and more attractive to her, but Elle and Hamish were expecting her to head back home with them. She really shouldn’t.

“Maggie, I was speaking with Tina about taking a little time travel journey to Breaghacraig. What do ye think?”

“Does she want to?” Maggie asked, sounding surprised and looking to Tina.

“I don’t think I can. It all sounds so incredible to me, but I’m expected at home,” Tina said.

“Well, don’t let Auntie Edna pressure ye into anything,” Maggie eyed Edna with some apparent disapproval.

“Oh, Maggie, ye ken ’tis perfectly safe,” Edna protested.

“’Tis, butwedecided we weren’t going to send anyone else back against their will,” Maggie replied with an arched brow.

“It wouldn’t be against her will,” Edna sounded a little defensive.

Tina watched the verbal ping pong match going on between aunt and niece. It seemed like such a crazy idea, but if she could find a man like Elle had, it might just be worth it. Maybe if she had a better idea of what to expect, it wouldn’t be so overwhelming. Knowing exactly what was going to happen would give her the control she liked and maybe then she could think about having a little fun. “This man you say is waiting for me. What’s he like?”

Edna seemed pleased with her question and shot a look of satisfaction at Maggie. She smiled brightly as she replied. “He’s a good man, like Hamish, but he is a bit lost at the moment. He needs a woman in his life who can lead him in the right direction.”

“So he’s heading in the wrong direction?” Tina didn’t like the sound of that.

“I wouldn’t say it was the wrong direction, he’s just a bit lost and he needs yer help.”

“Help?” she asked, thinking she certainly didn’t want a man who needed help.

“Aye. Ye ken how the menfolk are. They always need our help. Isnae that right, Maggie?”

Maggie looked as confused as Tina felt. “I guess.”

“Ye wouldnae have to worry. Wallace will meet ye on the other side of the bridge and he’ll take ye to Breaghacraig. There are several others there who have traveled through time.”

“Why are they still there?” Tina wondered.

“They wanted to stay.”

“I don’t want to stay.” She surprised them all with the vehemence in her tone, but the idea of staying somewhere like that was terrifying. She was fine with a little adventure, just not too much of one. She took a breath and controlled her emotions. “I can’t stay.”

“Understood, dear. I’m just telling ye that Ashley, Jenna and the other lassies would be there for ye and, of course, when yer ready to come back to present time they’ll help ye get here.” Edna’s warm smile and compassionate eyes put her at ease. She made everything sound so easy. Tina couldn’t believe it, but as crazy at it seemed, she was actually considering this!

“I don’t want to condone my aunt’s meddling,” Maggie gave her aunt a meaningful look, “but it is a once in a lifetime chanceto see a place that no longer exists, at least not on this side of the bridge.”

“Have you both been there?” Tina asked.

“We have and so has Dylan,” Maggie said. “No matter what ye decide. My offer still stands to take ye on a tour of the Highlands.”

Tina’s mind was at odds. It was so nice to be able to sit still, to not have people asking her a million questions a day. And as much as she loved her family, they had spent an awful lot of time together. A bit of time all on her own seemed like a great idea. She wasn’t sure if she could really go through with traveling through time, but the idea of spending a few more days in Scotland was appealing.