Chapter Seven
“Awaken night; bathe the world in silvery sleep.
Veer not into a dreamy sea of smoke-tattered clouds.”
Angel, her mother, Lauren, and Granny M appeared to prepare and serve the meal without the aid of servants. Angel directed him to a high chair edged against a counter where he could observe their work. The many kitchen conveniences they tried to describe as they prepared the meal fascinated him.
The dinner consisted of fish stewed in spiced wine, an array of colorful vegetables, warm rolls with butter, something called a salad made of raw greens and tomatoes, and a large steaming bowl of grain they called white rice. He’d had rice before, but not of this pearly, snowy wonder. Common grains of the Highlands consisted of oats and barley. Although unaccustomed to such a variety of vegetables, Angus found his appetite ravenous and greedily ate everything served. Though different from his usual fare, he savored the unique flavors and enjoyed the casual banter, even while he struggled to understand many of their words and references.
To complete the feast, the women served coffee and a dessert of hot apple pie topped with something called ice cream. His full, contented belly relaxed him, as he had not been since first waking that morning. Was that only earlier today?
“I don’t believe I’ve ever enjoyed a more delicious meal. Thank ye, sir,” he nodded to Alistair, “and ladies, for this fine table and for inviting me into yer home. I cannae begin to express my gratitude. I hope to repay yer generosity in time to come.” Time to come? Suddenly the whole issue of time banged into the room, and all conversation ceased.
Granny responded first. “As to that, lad, ‘tis no better time than the present to discuss your situation. We all understand you may not have fully accepted my explanation. If, however, we accept your version of the battle you escaped, consider your mode of dress, injuries, your story of events and the year in which you say you fought, it is obvious to me that you’ve indeed traveled forward in time. As I mentioned earlier, my own husband came to me from another time, but we’ll save that story for another day. Let’s focus on how we can help you adjust to the present.”
The conversation continued until near midnight. The family cautioned Angus about the need to conceal his time-travel experience from all outsiders. Evidently, time-travel was not common nor generally believed a possibility. He wasn’t certain he believed it, despite evidence to the contrary.
They all assured him he could stay with them until he chose to move. Alistair insisted the family gather around a box called a TV and watch the evening news while talking over each other in their rush to explain what he observed on the screen. The flickering images and their jumbled words made it near impossible to absorb much of what he witnessed. They pulled out books called encyclopedia and scanned pages of historical information until his head throbbed. By evening’s end, his gut churned as though he’d consumed large quantities of sour mead. All the contentment from the delicious meal dissipated under the strain.
Finally, Alistair rose from his seat. “I think we’ve overloaded Brian with more than enough information for one night.” He clapped Angus’ shoulder. “Our first order of business will be to obtain identity documents and establish a plan to integrate you into modern society. Tomorrow is Sunday; you are welcome to join us for Sunday services. If you aren’t ready for a social event yet, that can wait for a few weeks. In the meantime, I’d be glad to hire you as an assistant at the clinic while you grow accustomed to your new life. It will provide you an opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of life today, and earn a modest income.”
When he stood and extended his hand to Alistair, the earth trembled under his feet and he could barely focus on the words coming from everyone’s lips. He bowed, “I am humbly grateful for yer generous welcome and find I’m bereft of words. I think I’ll retire and consider all ye’ve shared. I owe you a considerable debt, sir, and gladly offer my assistance,” He bowed neatly. “I’m at your disposal. As you suggest, however, I believe I need a few days to digest everything a’fore I meet other people.”
In truth, his mind kept slipping back to the place where Angel had found him this morning. If he returned there, would he find where he’d fallen through the fabric of time? Mayhap he could return to his home and kin. Despite the kindness shown by these fine folks, this world held all manner of terrifying and disturbing things. He didn't belong here. His mother would need him now more than ever before. He alone, of all his family, remained to care and provide for her, and he meant to honor his obligations to family and clan.
* * *
Angel had gone to her room when Brian went to his. Her bedroom, situated above his, allowed her to slip out to the lounge chair on her balcony and listen to his movements below, waiting for what, she didn’t know. The clouds had moved in but had not yet thickened enough to block all the stars that glittered overhead. She snuggled into the quilt she’d removed from her bed and tried to imagine what it must be like to be in Brian’s shoes. No matter what fantasies she conjured, they couldn’t possibly compare to the disorientation, the sheer torment of his experience. One minute he’d been in a fierce Highland battle, held his father as he died, and next, he woke up three hundred years in the future. Inconceivable. Unimaginable. Heartbreaking.
When Angel woke, still curled up on her lounge chair, the night sky softening to shades of deep purple, she listened for sounds from below. Footsteps sounded on the garden walkway. She looked down and saw Brian pacing near the oak tree in the back yard, head bent, shoulders tense, with Simon silently shadowing his steps. She quickly dressed and slipped down the stairs on the side of her balcony just as Brian reached the gate.
Her heart beat hard in her chest as she flew across the yard. It was like Daniel leaving all over again. She had watched him slip through that gate before sunrise many months ago and had regretted her failure to stop him ever since.
“Wait. Brian, where are you going?” her strangled voice hissed on the dew-laden air. When he turned toward her, she noted the dagger strapped to his belt. He wore a pair of her brother’s jeans, plaid flannel shirt, and clutched one of Daniel’s military jackets in his left fist.
“You can’t leave. Where would you go? You don’t know your way around the city.” Barely able to catch her breath, or hear for the pounding in her head, she grabbed his hand.
“Please don’t—don’t leave alone. Your wounds need further attention. Dad will have to remove those stitches in a week. Besides, you’d become lost in minutes and wouldn’t know how to return to us. You need me.” She held her breath, waiting for a response.
Brian reached up, brushed her hair back from her face, and cupped her cheek. “My sweet Angel.”
They stood in silence for what seemed an eternity. He still carried the faint hint of antiseptic from his recently treated wounds, but as she stepped closer, male heat, fresh soap, and his manly musk surrounded her. Angel thought he might kiss her and knew she wanted him to. She lifted her face and placed her hand over his hand still cupped to her cheek.
“You want to go back.” It wasn’t a question. He didn’t need to answer, a dark corner of her brain understood his need, but a selfish corner didn’t want him to leave. Yet, she didn’t want him to suffer because of this radical change in his life either.
“Och, lass, ye cannae understand, but me…my faither just died. My maither is alone, no husband, no remaining sons. I must try to find a way home to her. I’m all ‘tis left of her family. ‘Tis my duty.” He choked and turned his face away, but not before tears edged his eyes.
Simon whined at their feet. She patted his head, but never turned her gaze away from Brian’s face. “I’ll drive you back to Lands End, the cliff where I found you yesterday. I don’t think it’s possible to go back to your time, but I’ll take you wherever you want to go if it will ease your mind.”