The Wellspring (Kaitlyn and the Highlander #12) - Diana Knightley Page 0,17
neck and holding on.
Ten - Magnus
Day Three
I told him, though it was liable tae break m’heart tae do it, I told him I had tae go away for the night.
I said, “Archibald Campbell, there is an emergency that I need tae handle. Tis in our kingdom. Ye haena been there in a long time, ye might nae remember it well…?”
Archie shook his head. “Kind of.”
“Tis a wonderful place, I would take ye with me if we could do it safely, but I need ye tae remain here, tae keep Kaitlyn company and tae help with yer sister. Isla needs ye verra much.”
“How long you be gone, Da?”
“I will return on the morrow.”
He nodded.
I said, “I ken it is too soon tae go, and I ken that it will be frightenin’ for ye. But I wouldna go if I dinna hae tae. I hae tae.”
He threw his arms around my neck and held tight.
“I am proud of ye.” I straightened him up. “When I need tae do something that is difficult and frightening, I find a comfort in m’duties and I fulfill them with care and attention. Would ye like tae ken the duties ye must fulfill for me on the morrow?”
He nodded. “First, the horses will be here when ye wake up. I want ye tae make sure they hae enough hay tae eat, if ye daena remember how much ye can ask yer Ma, she will tell ye. Also they will need water. I want ye tae check they hae enough.”
He nodded.
“And I hae the saddles, I need them tae be cleaned. Ye will need tae take a clean cloth and rub them, like I shewed ye yesterday. Yer ma will help ye if ye need it. Dost it sound good tae ye?”
He nodded and I hugged him hard. “Thank ye. I love ye little man, I will see ye on the morrow.”
I stood tae go in but he sat down on the deck chair. “Are ye comin’ in?”
“No.” He slumped back in his seat.
I said, “Do ye want tae speak tae yer Ma?”
He nodded, so I sent Kaitlyn out to speak to him.
Eleven - Kaitlyn
Day Three
Chapter - Kaitlyn
“Hey, little guy, you wanted to talk?”
He leaned back in the Adirondack chair, his little legs not long enough to reach the floor. I sat in the one beside him and leaned back with a sad and sorrowful sigh. “I’m sorry.”
He nodded quietly.
“I would tell you that it’s going to be fine. That we won’t even notice. That you and I will have fun. We won’t even have time to worry, and we won’t miss him because he’ll be back tomorrow, but I told you I wouldn’t lie to you. So instead I’ll say this — we are going to miss him terribly while he’s gone. And it’s not fair. And the three of us are going to have to be strong and help each other through it. And we are going to have to kiss him goodbye so he can leave without crying. Have you ever seen your Da cry?”
“Da doesn’t cry.”
“Oh he does, Archie. Because the world needs tears sometimes. It’s not a sign of weakness, it’s strength. But you know how when you’ve cried you have to lie down for a long time because it takes so much out of you? He doesn’t have time to lie down, so we have to help him not cry today so he has the strength to go. Then I will help you—”
“Da told me to rub the saddles.”
I took his hand in mine on the arm rest. “You and I will wake up first thing and do that. I’ll help you and you’ll help me. That’s an excellent idea. The horses will be here?”
“They be here in the morn.”
We watched the night for a few moments, dark and cool, quiet except for the waves crashing beyond the dunes. “Ready to go inside?”
Archie said, “Aye.”
I followed Magnus and Quentin out to the truck. They had both changed into future-future clothes, Quentin was in a dress uniform, with stripes and medals, befitting his status as a colonel. Magnus was wearing a dark suit with embroidered patterns on the lapels, a high starched collar, with a tie, and his chest was covered in insignia and medals and cords. A king’s uniform. When he walked out of the back room wearing it everyone had made a big deal, hooting and hollering, because it had been rather magnificent and that was entirely the point.