Highland Circle of Stones Read online

  He pulled his boots on, grabbed his morning cup of Hector's strong coffee, and started to the shearing shed, where he knew Alex would be giving instructions to the local men he had called on to help with the shearing. He'd make sure they were all clear about what they were to do.

  "Alex? Ye in here?" Jack called, opening the large door to the shed.

  "Yeah, brother, back here."

  Alex was back in the rear of the building looking for a warmer pair of boots as his were a bit thin about the soles, and he was tired of having wet feet. The snow wasn't so heavy this year, but after all day walking about the farm the thin soles allowed the cold to seep in.

  "Heavens but it's cold out here. What are ye doing? Let's get back to the lodge and have a bite of breakfast before we leave."

  "Be right there. Just looking for warmer boots. Mam always had several pairs stored out here, some that had a little more wear if we needed a pair."

  Alex sat on a bale of hay and removed his wet boots, replacing them with another pair, also worn, but with a better sole on them.

  "What are ye doing out here so early? We don't have to get underway quite yet." Alex looked at Jack.

  "Yeah, I know. But we got to have a talk. I can't put it off any longer, ye ken? It's about Caitlin."

  "Caitlin? What about Caitlin? Haven't seen her yet this morning, so maybe she's sleeping in a bit."

  "Aye. Alex, remember the storm the other night? The loud thunder and lightning that sizzled across the whole moor, and wind that threatened to tear the roof off? Quite a storm it was, I'd say."

  "Yeah. Don't need any more of those. Gets the sheep and animals in an uproar; I'm sure we'll find strays that were spooked that night."

  Jack sat across from Alex, sipped on his coffee, holding the mug with two hands, enjoying the warmth it provided. He looked directly at his older brother.

  "Alex, in the middle of that storm did it ever occur to ye that maybe it was Caitlin causing it?"

  Alex remained quiet, kept his head down and continued to lace his boots.

  "When we went to bed there wasn't any indication we would have a storm —and we usually can tell. Then, just a few hours later, the whole house is awakened by Caitlin and Millie's screams, and a storm out of nowhere."

  "What are ye trying to say?" Alex looked up, his piecing eyes never leaving his brother's face.

  "I was just thinking, remembering what happened at the well at Cameron Castle, and what happened to Commander Campbell and Lord Warwick."

  "So ye think Caitlin may have brought the storm? Is that what yer saying?"

  "I'm not saying she did, I'm just asking if it crossed yer mind."

  "Nae, it never did. Caitlin wouldn't bring a storm upon us. She saved our lives in case ye've forgotten that." He tied the boots and stood, still looking at his little brother, who was actually the taller one.

  Jack stood then as well. "Nae, I remember that well enough. But how do we know she won't do something that could put us all in danger, what with these "powers" she seems to have been given. I mean —Jesus, that Lord Warwick never had a chance against her. Did you see his body? It scared the daylights out of me I can tell ye."

  "Jack, I think yer reading way too much into these powers. Caitlin would never harm any of us, or anyone else if she could help it. I hear what yer saying, but I'm willing to trust her and figure we'll never see any evidence of these powers again. Ye gotta remember, brother, Mam always thought there were folk who had been given special talents, and I believe Caitlin is one of those."

  "But yer gonna marry her. What about any sons or daughters ye may have? How do ye know they won't be some sort of strange bairns, or witches?"

  With a bit of effort, Alex called on one of his greatest assets — his ability to remain calm when he most wanted to yell. Then he spoke quietly to his brother.

  "Listen to me. Caitlin is not a witch, and that's the end of this discussion. Yes, I'm going to wed her, just as ye are going to wed Millie. If my memory serves me, it's going to be real soon — next week. Now, stop yer whining and worrying about something ye need not worry about. Caitlin's a fine woman and I'm not going to let her go."

  "Aye, but I had to tell ye my worries."

  "And so ye have, so ye have." He put an arm around his "little" brother's shoulders. "And have ye forgotten another small fact? Yer about to marry a Sassenach yerself . . . and there are those who think that's even worse than a witch."

  "But . . . well, Millie's different. She's no regular Sassenach, ye ken? She's only half Sassenach."

  "I don't think anyone here is too concerned about that fact. Millie's found a place with us. Just reminding ye Caitlin's not the only woman with a few special qualities. Come on now, we got work to do. With the ewes about to come into season, more hands will be needed to keep the rams in the right pastures. I've called on several of the local lads to help out for a few days."

  "Aye. And I suppose the two of us should go down next week, after the ceremonies, and bring another flock to our place," Jack responded.

  Until then, they both had their hands full doing chores and trying to help Caitlin and Millie get everything ready for the weddings that were to take place at the end of next week.

  According to the ladies, much needed to be done around the lodge. They needed to decorate for the ceilidh (celebration with dancing) that would be held the evening of the ceremony, and Hector was planning enough vittles for the entire village. Most of the villagers would come as there were far too few celebrations anymore, and one at the MacKinnon lodge would certainly be one not to miss.

  Caitlin and Millie had been here a few months now, and everyone was in agreement that a double ceremony was in order. The banns had been posted and the vicar had agreed to conduct the ceremony at the kirk in the village, not so far from the lodge. It was small, but there would only be a few folk from the MacKinnon side and only Uncle Wabi from Caitlin's side. Millie had no one to come, so Uncle Andrew had agreed to walk her down the aisle, as they called it. He was delighted with the idea, and Uncle Wabi would be there to escort Caitlin.

  Uncle Andrew regaled them with his evening tales around the fire. His stories were ever so interesting to Caitlin, who knew absolutely nothing about her own family. Millie never mentioned hers, so no one knew what memories she might be keeping to herself.

  Having never had family around, Caitlin delighted in learning about Alex's clan. Da and Uncle Andrew were the rocks of the group. And old Jamie? Well, there was just something about that old one's face, so richly lined with life experience, which Caitlin found so very interesting. There was a feeling of recognition.

  This evening, thanks to Hector and Millie, they had filled their bellies with a dinner of lamb stew, followed by plum pudding. They were satiated and drifting off to sleep in their chairs. Finally, Da suggested they find their beds and get a bit of proper rest.

  As had become a nightly ritual, Jack walked Millie and little Midge to their room in the far west end of the lodge, and Alex escorted Caitlin to Mam's sewing room.

  After saying their goodnights, they all got to bed and were sleeping soundly. Living on a sheep farm insured that all would be ready for bed when night came, and this family was no different. Now, hours later, the new phenomenon that had started about a week ago played itself out again. It fact, it was becoming a nightly event.

  "No. Not yet. Not yet. No... don't leave me!" Caitlin's voice could be heard throughout the lodge.

  Alex came dashing into the bedroom, finding Caitlin drenched in perspiration and crying uncontrollably. "Caitlin, whatever is wrong?"

  "Oh, Alex, it's you. It's you."

  Alex pulled her close and stroked the curls hanging down her back. He still liked to feel the silkiness, and smiled when he pulled a curl and watched it creep up where it had been originally. Having never had sisters, this was a new experience for him. But he was becoming concerned about Caitlin. She was recovering well physically from the accident at the castle, but in the last week they ha
d all been awakened every night by her screams, just like tonight. What was causing these nightmares?

  "Ah, Caitlin. What must we do to stop this nightly visitor who brings such anguish to ye, mo chridhe? Ye do well enough in the daylight hours, but at night something creeps into that beautiful head and causes ye much pain, I'm thinking."

  "Aye. You're right. I've given it thought, but just when I think I'm about to discover this person or this unknown entity in my dreams, it slips away — just leaves in a fog or a mist. Then I look for it but I get lost and I can never find my way home. It's difficult to explain. I don't even understand it myself."

  "Aye. I see that. Rest now and we'll talk more about it in the morning. Sleep now, lass."

  He left her with just the softest, gentlest kiss he could manage. But that was getting more difficult every day. Alex was ready to get the courtship part of the relationship over and move on to the next — where they were wed and Caitlin slept in his bed. He understood her wanting to "walk down the aisle" with Uncle Wabi as her escort and the day would be coming shortly.

  Alex wasn't the only MacKinnon man wanting to get on with this ceremony business. Jack, too, was tired of whispering his goodnights to Millie and baby Midge at her door. But he would bide his time as Alex was, knowing he would never find a woman he desired as much as he did this one. Mam had taught them all that most things happened when they were supposed to, and patience was definitely a virtue — but not necessarily one that was easily come by.

  Caitlin lay in bed after Alex left and knew sleep would not come this night. Her mind dashed to the evening of the storm and she recalled how frightened she had been. Jack wasn't the only one who was afraid of her powers. She, herself, found them quite daunting too.

  What if I find myself in another stressful situation? Will these powers come on their own, as they did the last time? Or will I discover the trigger that must be pulled before they become evident? And these nightmares? What are they about? Maybe I should just steal away in the night as I have before. Perhaps removing myself from the picture is what I should do if I really care about all these folk — and I do.

  THE NEXT MORNING ALEX found Caitlin where he usually did, sitting outside under the birch tree wrapped in her tartan. Caitlin and Willie liked the serenity the old hut and tree provided, and together they were both recovering well. The hut was behind the lodge and protected from the harsh winds, but it was still cold out there and she had brought a blanket for Willie. He, too, had been wounded at the castle. Today his wounds were almost totally healed and protecting her was still his first priority.

  The hut was where Mam kept her keepsakes, as she had called them. As far as Alex knew, they were still there. No one would dare throw anything away until Mam had given permission. Of course since she died no one wanted to part with anything that was hers.

  Caitlin and Willie spent hours sitting under the tree, she wrapped in her arisaid and he snuggled at her feet. During this season, the limbs of the birch tree were bare. Their silver trunks were etched with fine lines as if they were ancient, and their beauty and simplicity appealed to her. When spring came, she knew the tree would be draped with branches gracefully curving toward the small stream below it, like fingers dripping from each branch.

  "Morning to ye, my lovely lass. Ye think it might be a mite too cold to be sitting out here?"

  Alex had brought her a hot cup of tea, and sipping their brew together had become a morning ritual for the two of them.

  "I just needed to be outside for a moment. I'm feeling much better and am so sorry to keep waking you every night. You can't keep getting up and coming to see about me."

  She gratefully took the tea and sipped quietly as he sat next to her, placing an arm about her shoulders.

  Alex looked at her and wondered how he had ever been so lucky as to win this woman's heart. She was beyond beautiful with her aqua eyes and that luscious hair, and her keen intelligence was even more appealing.

  "Lass, ye are everything to me. Coming to see about ye is not a chore, ye ken?"

  "Aye, I know. But they're confusing, these nightmares. In these dreams it's like I'm in a place I almost recognize, but then I get lost. I'm always looking for someone, but I never find them. And the scents are so familiar, but I can't place them. It's frustrating."

  "Ye've been through quite an ordeal in the last few months. Maybe ye just need to try to quiet yer mind as Mam would say. 'Just be one with nature' would have been her suggestion." His eyes crinkled as he remembered Mam's words fondly.

  "Huh. That sounds like something Uncle Wabi would say."

  Caitlin smiled at this man sitting next to her. When in his presence, her heart overflowed with a warmth she didn't quite understand yet. But whatever it was, she knew she would stay with this Highlander. She looked up at him, and her physical response to him never ceased to amaze her. His dark eyes always seemed to pierce into her as if he could read her mind. He towered over her and yet she fit perfectly into his arms when he held her. Her body always responded to his touch, and her mind always followed suit.

  Yes, he's exactly what I've been looking for. But he'll have to learn that I make my own decisions.

  "Now, about yer nightmares. What do ye think could be causing them?"

  "It's beyond me. I've tried to think about everything that has happened, but as unpleasant as it all was, I don't believe any of that is responsible for these nightly demons that come calling."

  "Ye don't recognize anything about the place where ye find yerself?"

  "No, not really. When I have the dream, it feels like I travel to a place where I've been before, but that's not possible. I can only see shadows. And this place—it has that same soft, golden glow that was in my cave when I would light the candles, the one where I treated Ian."

  "What do ye think we could do to help ye figure this out?"

  "The only person who could possibly help me would be Uncle Wabi. But I don't want to bother him about my dreams."

  "Don't think Wabi is bothered about much," laughed Alex. "He's quite a piece of work, and I'm thankful for him every day. He had a great influence on ye, and ye turned out mighty fine, lass."

  "You're kind to say that, but I'm aware these new powers I have are unsettling to you. Well, rest assured the whole bit is strange to me, too. I'm thinking Uncle Wabi is just going to have to come up and work with me. What if I'm called on to use them again and don't know exactly how? What if I hurt someone I care about? What do I—?"

  "Whoa. Hold on now, lass." He took her hands and pulled her closer. "Yer right. I'm a bit unsure about the happenings meself. But I want ye, no matter what comes with the package. Now, enough of that talk. I think maybe ye should ask Wabi to come a few days

  before the ceremonies. He might be able to set all our minds at ease if we just listen to him. So if ye like, I'll go down to Skye and bring him back to the lodge with me."

  Caitlin glanced over at him. "Hmm. Actually, I think there's an easier way than that." The look on his face was one of non-comprehension. Caitlin smiled, just a small smile, unsure whether to proceed. The one bit of helpful knowledge that had come about as result of Caitlin using her powers was that Uncle Wabi had promised to come and explain more about them and aide in her understanding of her status as a called one. He had also informed her that his bird, Owl, was a special bird she could dispatch for him if ever she needed his assistance. Perhaps this was the time to see if that process worked. She had not missed the fact that, for some reason, the great-horned owl had stayed here in the upper Highlands after Uncle Wabi had returned to the Isle.

  You're just keeping an eye on me, Uncle Wabi. I am quite sure of that. She laughed to herself.

  "We'll ask Owl to get a message to Uncle Wabi. That bird loves flying at breakneck speed and making the trip for him is not difficult."

  Alex stared at her. Images of lightning bolts and sounds of rumbling thunder ran through his mind. He wasn’t overly concerned about her powers, but he also had not forgot
ten those events. He reached up and rubbed the back of his neck. That owl had played a part in helping them, too. He was a constant companion of Uncle Wabi — if one was around, the other would be close by also. Alex was quite sure he didn't understand the nature of the wizard and owl's relationship, but as with Caitlin, he just accepted that they were to be trusted. Mam had thought you should trust others until you knew that trust was misplaced. Mam left her mark on all of them and a good one it was, too.

  "Ah, well then. If ye think that's the way, then get on about it, lass."

  Alex certainly didn't understand Caitlin's newly discovered powers, nor her wizard uncle and his owl, but wasn't ready to ask any questions — not yet. He stood and kissed her lightly on the cheek.

  "Let's get in. It's really cold out here. I'll get on about my work, too. We're moving a large flock to MacDonald's place, so we could be gone for a few days. Jack will go with me, and Hector's going to Cameron Castle. Millie promised them she'd come back, but in the meantime she's asked him to check on the place for her. Da and Uncle Andrew will stay here with ye and Millie. Jamie and the lads will be about, too. They'll likely be corralling the ewes that are about to come into season, and a few of the local men are here to help them. Plus, we've hired Boder, a new hand. He's quiet, but that's all right. Don't need him to talk, just work. Da thinks we should do everything ourselves, but that's just not possible with such large flocks now. It'll take us the rest of today to get the sheep herded, so we won't leave until tomorrow, early if we can."

  "Don't worry about me. I've never had so many menfolk looking out for me. Millie and little Midge can hold their own, as you've seen for yourself."

  Caitlin had grown fond of this family, especially old Jamie, Da and Uncle Andrew, the old bard who entertained them with his tales of MacKinnon ancestors. She was sure he embellished some of the stories, but there was probably an element of truth in all of them. Old Jamie was her favorite. Her spirit recognized him and she so enjoyed listening to him when he spoke, which wasn't very often. His quiet presence always brought a peace that she relished. She knew nothing about her own family. Her grandparents, her father's parents, had cared for her early on, but as a child it never occurred to her to ask questions about her father or mother. Then, when her grandparents passed away, Uncle Wabi stepped in and her life was so full of adventure living with him that she never missed having kin around.