Mum rummaged through then removed a red and white courier envelope and handed it to her. “Read it out loud. We can’t have any secrets between us.”
“I can’t believe he wrote me.” She clutched the thin package to her chest, her last lifeline to Alex. No, she had their child, the most precious gift ever. She glanced at her parents and Annie. Mum looked worried. Dad nodded encouragement, and Annie, her expression was full of sympathetic understanding. They were all here, and they’d never leave her.
“Open the letter.” Mum nudged her then wrapped an arm around Annie’s shoulders. “We’re a family now, and we’ll deal with what it says together.”
“The most amazing family too.” Annie nestled her cheek against Mum’s shoulder.
“Okay, here I go.” She unfolded Alex’s letter and began.
“To the woman who holds my heart,
You just disappeared afore my eyes and I couldnae halt you from leaving.
Do whatever it takes, but damn well get back to me. You’re no’ raising our bairn alone.
Believe in us and wish your way back, as I will wish for your return each and every day.
I’ll be waiting for you, always and forever.
Alex.”
She laid the letter on the countertop then traced the scrawled slash of his name. “I love him.”
“He clearly feels the same way, and he needs you.” Dad rubbed her hands between his. “No man wants to lose his family, not the way he has.” He held out a hand to Mum and she tugged Annie with her and took it, then eyeing them all, he nodded. “Annie, your wish set in motion the most amazing event. And Anne, your drive and determination, and wishes as well, continued it. Girls, I want you to make another wish, one that will take all of us back through time. Our family isn’t complete until we join Alex. My grandchild shall know its father.”
“Dad, there’s no telling what any wish Annie and I make might do. What if nothing happens? What it Annie alone is taken since she still remains outside of her time? What if she and I go and leave you and Mum behind?”
“So many what ifs. Remind me again what you’ve learnt these past weeks?”
“You can’t expect me to take such a chance.”
“I can and I do. At the airport you told us you’ve learnt to never give up, history can be changed, and love should always prevail. We have to try this.”
“Yes.” Mum nodded frantically. “We have to try this.”
Annie gripped her other hand. “Anne, let’s trust in our MacLeod fairy blood and all wish together. I’ve come from the past, you the future, and”—she eyed Morainne and Tor—“from far beyond either of those realms. Everyone has to wish with us.”
“We’ll all wish, Annie.” Mum looked at Dad. “All of us.”
“Yes, together.”
“Okay, if you’re all in then I’m in. Let’s do this.” Anne held her family.
“Aye, I’ll begin.” Annie cleared her throat. “I wish upon the Fairy Flag within Dunvegan Castle.” They all repeated her words, unified as one. “That as kin, we shall travel back through time to where we most desire.”
They chanted the wish, over and over.
Anne squeezed her eyes shut, wishing with all her heart to return to Alex, her heart’s greatest desire.
“What are those lights?” Mum cried out.
Anne flung her eyes open. Stars surrounded them, blazing bright. Her hair whipped around her face and tangled in Dad’s bristles as he pulled them ever closer.
“It’s working,” he laughed then suddenly sobered. “It’s working.”
“Annie.” Her hold on her new sister was fierce. “Sisters forever.”
“Forever,” Annie whispered in awe. “We’re going together, as we should.” Wind tore around them. “No one let go,” she yelled.
“Hold tight,” Dad bellowed.
A mist rose and the stars blinked out.
Chapter 11
“Or mayhap more than a little magic.” Atop the battlements, Alex opened his eyes. Stars flared and ebbed above in the night sky.
“Can you no’ sleep, MacDonald?”
MacLeod. The man plagued him no matter where he was.
“Aye, mayhap you might help? A little exercise in the yard would aid me in bedding down better.”
MacLeod stroked the dirk sheathed at his wrist. “Margaret should be abed and unable to interrupt us this—”
Light flashed out Anne’s chamber window, so bright the courtyard glowed.
“What was that?” MacLeod gawked.
“Let me through.” He shot past MacLeod who swiftly tore after him. Outside Anne’s chamber, he pounded on the door.
“Coming.” Margaret slung the door open then glanced between the two of them. “This is no’ a good—”
“Out of the way, Margaret,” MacLeod blared as he stormed in past Alex.
“Rory, nay.”
Alex followed him into the chamber. The ruse was up, not that he’d expected it to—