Gwen stood in the great hall of MacQuin Castle, still finding it hard to believe she was in medieval Scotland and the head of a Highland Clan. The funny thing was it felt like home and where she belonged. However, she knew Kyle wanted to go back to the twenty-first century and she had to admit, she’d missed her mom and dad. Her grandmother had played such a huge roll in her life growing up and the idea of never seeing any of them again broke her heart.  On the other hand, she was born in this century—which was likely why she’d always felt displaced—and had just met her birthmother, of whom she was very fond.

“There is much to consider,” Beatha said.

Gwen spun around. “You’re here.”

Beatha folded her hands in front of her and smiled. “Where else would I be?”

She is still speaking in riddles, Gwen thought as she studied the old woman. “I was afraid I’d seen the last of you when I banished Damen, but there are still things I need to know. Kyle wants to go back to our century and I have no idea if or how that is possible.”

Beatha tapped her furrowed brow. “I thought mayhap you would choose to stay.”

“We have a life in the twenty-first century. Kyle is a successful doctor in a pediatric clinic run by his grandfather, and his patients love and depend on him. Not to mention his family and friends would miss him,” Gwen explained. “I have parents and a grandmother who love me, and a job that is set to begin when I return from my trip.” The idea of leaving all these things behind was good reason to return.

“Aye, but are there not sick and poor here in need of the same sort of care?” Beatha asked. “Will na the fact that you are an educated woman who knows about justice and the law make you a better leader of the clan? Are there na people here who will miss you?”

From the moment Gwen arrived in the fourteenth century, all she’d wanted was to find a way home. Now, she was torn. While she couldn’t disagree with Beatha, there really was a lot to consider before making a decision. As for Kyle, she didn’t want to live without him, of that she was certain, so what he wanted was pivotal in her choice to leave or stay.

“My parents must be beside themselves with worry, and my best friend Beth must think she’s going crazy. First I disappeared and then Kyle. Poor thing doesn’t handle the unexpected well.”

“If it helps, your parents have always known from whence you came. They wanted a child so badly and were willing to accept that you could go back to your own time period someday.”

She stared at Beatha in disbelief. “My Parents knew about this?” She gave her head a shake. “Being adopted is one thing, but learning they knew I was from another time and place boggles my mind. I am very close to my mother and am shocked she never saw fit to let me in on the secret.”

“Dinna be harsh on your parents. As part of your placement agreement, they promised never to speak of your true past to anyone, not even you. It was your birthmother and those who placed you out of danger, who decided it was best for you never to know the truth.”

“Is the reason you are telling me this now, because you are trying to convince me to stay?” She had to know.

“Nay. I tell you now so if you decide to stay, you know that while they love you very much and would miss you, your parents will understand if you dinna come back. You also have a mother here, who deserves the right to know her daughter.”

As if on cue, the doors to the great hall swung open and Lilith entered, followed by Kyle. She hurried to where Gwen stood and threw her arms around her. “Och, my sweet lass, it does my heart good to see you well. I was so worried about you.”

Gwen returned Lilith’s embrace. “I was worried about you too. Damen was a horrible man and when I learned you’d been accused of murder and thrown in the dungeon, all I wanted to do was get back to you and see you freed.”

Lilith hung her head and twisted her hands. “Aye, Damen was evil, and if na for me, he would na have had the power he acquired. He hurt a great many people because of my selfishness.”

It broke Gwen’s heart to see Lilith so upset. She’d done what she had to save her daughter, and was willing to risk all to see her safe. In Gwen’s mind that was far from selfish. She liked to think if faced with a similar dilemma, she would do the same thing on behalf of her child. A love that deep could never be condemned, and not only did she like Lilith, she respected her courage.

“You can’t blame yourself, Lilith. Circumstances sometimes make deciding between right and wrong difficult. You made the choice you did out of love, and for that I am grateful.” Gwen kissed her cheek.

Kyle moved to Gwen’s side and wrapped his arm round her shoulder. “Gwen is right. Had you not swapped her for Damen, who knows what might have happened to her, and I would never have had the joy of meeting her.”

“Have you decided what you plan to do?” Lilith asked. “Will you stay or go back.”

After glancing at Kyle and Beatha, Gwen smiled at Lilith. “There is a lot to consider. We are still deciding.”

Kyle frowned, then leaned in and whispered in Gwen’s ear. “What decision is she talking about? We are going home as soon as Beatha tells us how, are we not?”

Gwen placed her hands on Kyle’s chest and looked him in the eyes. To be honest, she had never mentioned the idea of staying in 1305, so she didn’t blame him for being surprised. “Maybe we could talk in private. There are some things to talk about before we decide.”

He gaped at her in disbelief. “There is nothing to discuss. If you love me, you’ll agree to come home.”

Using their love as a means to get her to do his bidding did not sit well with Gwen. She loved him and wanted to spend the rest of her life with him, but she didn’t like the idea of being blackmailed. She looked to Lilith and Beatha. “Could Kyle and I have a chance to talk?”

“Of course, dear.” Lilith kissed Gwen’s cheek and cupped Beatha’s elbow. “Let’s give them some time. I know in my heart they will make the right choice.”

Suddenly feeling the need for fresh air, Gwen asked Kyle to join her outside. She wanted to check on the poor and the children before she left, and to take them supplies. If she did nothing more while in this time period, she’d do what she could to make life better for those in need, and to ease their suffering.

“You know I will never force you to do anything you don’t want to do,” Kyle said. “I just never considered staying here. I really need to go back and hoped you wanted to go home too.”

“Right now I am confused and need some air, let’s take a walk.” Gwen was pleased when Kyle agreed, and they headed toward the bailey, but first, she insisted they stop by the kitchen, where she ordered supplies of food, blankets, and other personal items be put together under Mara’s supervision and delivered to the poor area of the village. Once that was accomplished, they left the keep.

They strolled the streets, greeted by the crofters, and soon found themselves in the poverty-stricken area of the village. She could tell by the expression on Kyle’s face that he was as shocked as she was to learn that some in the clan had so much, while many had so little.

One of the children she’d met on her first visit hobbled up to Gwen and threw her arms around her waist.

“Och, I am so happy to see you, m’lady. It’s me, Willow. Did you bring us anything?” The child quickly lowered her gaze and kicked at a rock. “Forgive me,” she muttered.

Gwen squatted and tucked two fingers under the girl’s chin to raise it. “You have nothing to be sorry for, Willow. And yes, I brought you this.” She reached into a pouch hanging at her side and pulled out an apple.

The child squealed with delight, again hugging Gwen around the waist. “Thank you. I will share this with my brothers and sisters,” she said. 

“You don’t have to share, more is on the way, enough for everyone.” Gwen rose and wiped the tears from her cheeks as she watched the lass hobble away. “She is so sweet and there are so many in need.”

Kyle wrapped his arm around her shoulders. “I noticed her limp, gaunt cheeks, and rotten teeth. I suspect Rickets and Scurvy, among other things.”

“Damen was a miserly ruler and many of these people are in the same shape as Willow. When Mara brought me here, I was shocked to see the number of sickly, malnourished children, and the elderly people begging for scraps of food. It broke my heart.”

Though she did not ask him to do so, Kyle started examining some of the other children who flocked to them upon learning Gwen had brought food with her. She watched in awe, amazed at his bedside manner and the easy rapport he had with the kids. He checked out each child individually, assessing their needs, be it nutritional supplementation or surgery for things like a cleft lip or tonsillitis.

After the last of the children scampered away with an apple in hand, Kyle turned to Gwen and released a heavy sigh. “You’re right, there is a lot of work to do here if we want to see these children healthy.”

Gwen nodded, but never commented. This was something Kyle needed to process on his own. “It’s getting late and Mara warned me not to stay in this area after dark. Sadly, there are thieves who rob the poor for even scraps food.”

They walked back to the keep in silence, but she could tell by his furrowed brow and somber expression, Kyle was brooding about the children he’d met.

When they arrived at the castle, Kyle slowed his pace. He took Gwen by the hand, then turned her to face him. “You know I love you, Gwen, and have asked you more than once to be my wife. I ask you again. Gwen Lindsay, will you marry me?”

She wasn’t expecting him to ask at that moment, but to her surprise, her heart leapt with joy and she found herself saying yes. “I love you too, Kyle, and never want to be separated from you again. You were right when you said we belonged together.”

A broad smile tugged at his lips. “I was hoping you would finally agree. You have made me the happiest man in the world.” He enveloped her in his arms and kissed her with unbridled passion, then raised his head. “The children of this village are in dire need of help. And you will be an amazing mistress of the castle.”

She peered up at him. “What are you saying?”

He dropped to one knee and took her hand. “Marry me, Gwen, and together we will work to fill this village with happy healthy people, both young and old.”

At first, Gwen wasn’t sure she’d heard him correctly. “Did you say you were willing to stay here in the fourteenth century?”

“I did.” He kissed her again.

She loved kissing him, but there was a time to show affection and a time to talk, and this was the latter. “What about your work at the clinic? Your grandfather?”

“My life is where you are, and I would never be happy if I thought I’d asked you to give up something you really wanted,” Kyle said. “My Grandfather is about to retire soon and maybe he will finally ask his receptionist Louise to marry him. They have been dating for ten years, and I know he loves her. My cousin Andrew is the prime candidate to take over as clinic administrator when Gramps retires. There is crack team of doctors and nurses at the clinic, and while I would miss my patients, there are so many kids here that need me.”

Hearing Kyle say these things made Gwen’s decision to stay easier. She had become very fond of Lilith and Mara, and if Kyle was on board and ready to pitch in and help the children, she couldn’t think of a more perfect life. “If you’re sure, we’ll tell Lilith and Beatha.”

“I’m sure.” Before she could say anything else he lifted her in his arms, and carried her up the stairs to the keep, taking two steps at a time.