Page 85 of Beyond Dreams

“Cease. Please,” he begged as they entered Newburn’s hall, readying for supper. “Look what you’ve done,” he reminded her, holding her hand. “What Cora, Gabby, and Kayla have done. Survived, lass. Graeme’s nae a weak man, and as you’ve said, he goes into the future, mayhap the past, already with the knowledge that his travel is possible. He will survive. If anyone—”

His speech was interrupted, as were a dozen more conversations throughout the hall by the doors bursting open, allowing inside a torrent or rain which had teemed all afternoon, and a sodden couple dressed in curious garb.

Lucas and Michael, already upon the ground floor and closest to the door, unsheathed their swords instantly, putting themselves between the pair and the denizens of Newburn.

Still only halfway down the stairs, Holly gasped and covered her mouth, just as the man lifted his green-eyed gaze and glanced around the hall.

“God’s bones, lad,” Lucas cried out, rushing forward to embrace the alive and well Graeme as a woman who’d come with him stood frozen and gawking at his side.

Still holding Holly’s hand, Duncan jogged down the steps, pulling Holly with him.

He pushed past all the curious onlookers, nearly throwing himself at his cousin, his relief and joy truly heartfelt.

“You bastard,” he rasped at Graeme as they embraced. “Scared the shite out of me.”

When he released his ridiculously grinning cousin, Holly launched herself at him. “Oh, thank God,” she wailed. Oh, gosh, I was so worried.”

“All is well, lass. I’m so pleased to find you here,” Graeme said. “I thought for sure you might have been flung somewhere else.”

“No, Graeme,” Holly enlightened him. “Only you were moved.”

“’Tis guid,” Graeme acknowledged, sounding a wee breathless.

Duncan lowered his gaze. Despite all the embraces, Graeme had maintained his hold on his companion’s hand. The woman was yet wide-eyed at Graeme’s side. Duncan had no choice to believe, based on her incredulous stare and her strange togs, that here was yet anothertime-traveler, as those people were now commonly referred to by those few in the know here at Newburn.

Relived by joy, Holly then realized fully the woman’s presence as well. He thought she understood fairly quickly what Duncan had presumed.

Oh, but here was a tale!

Grinning yet, having just greeted Michael, Aedan, and all the wives, Graeme returned his attention to Duncan.

“What are you still doing here?”

“Still doing here?” Duncan repeated, puzzled. “I only arrived a day or so after you...left.”

Graeme frowned, his confusion evident as well. “I’ve been gone for nigh on a month.”

“Graeme,” Holly said, her tone laced with sadness. “It’s been but a few days.”

“Nae,” argued Graeme, dumbfounded. “A month of days. At least.”

Duncan returned his attention the women who’d come with his cousin, who still wore her stupefied expression. Finally, she yanked on Graeme’s hand, reminding him of her presence.

“You son of a bitch!” She raged at him. “You just...without even...how could you?”

And then she pulled back her free hand and let it fly, her small fist connecting sharply with Graeme’s hard jaw.

Graeme absorbed the blow, giving a good shake to his head to clear it. He rubbed his jaw lightly, still holding the woman’s hand. Then he smiled at Duncan and Holly, his grin both sheepish and proud. “This is Megan.”

––––––––

The End