Chapter 17

Jennifer collapsed onto her bed, her body aching from the rigorous training session. She welcomed the sound of a knock at her door, hoping it would be Cam. She hadn"t seen him since their discussion, when he"d left her room. She was beginning to think he was angry with her. The knock sounded again, and she got up to answer it. "Sally, hey, what"s up?"

Sally looked at her strangely, but said, "I"m nae sure what you"re askin", Jen, but I came to see if you needed help dressing for dinner."

Jennifer smiled. "It"s just a way to ask what brings you by my room," she sank back onto the bed, "and no, I think I"m just going to chill, er, relax here in my room. I"m not feeling up to a lot of company right now." She sighed.

Sally"s brow furrowed. "Jen, did something happen? You"ve been avoiding the dining hall for a few days."

" I argued with Cam, but he"s being stubborn, and I"m exhausted from training and trying to keep myself from spiraling because I can"t ever return home."

"What did you argue about?" Sally questioned.

"I told him I wanted to help fight the bandits."

"Oh, aye, that would do it. He cares about you and doesnae wish to see you injured."

Jen arched a brow. "I could accept that if he treated everyone the same, but we both know that if I were his brother or some male cousin, he wouldn"t give two figs if I wanted to go out there and help."

Sally laughed. "But he doesnae want to kiss and cuddle them, now, does he?"

Jen rolled her eyes. "That's beside the point. I am just as good of a fighter as his men."

"Aye, you are. I"ve seen you training."

"Thank you."

"So, if you aren"t going to the dining hall for dinner, would you like me to bring us up a platter and we can dine together?"

"That would be great. It"s not you I wish to avoid. I hope you know that."

"I do. Give me a quarter of an hour, and I"ll be back with our meal."

Sally left and soon came back with a tray laden with heaping platters of delicious food. Jen"s eyes widened in surprise at the abundance before her. A roasted pheasant sat at the center, surrounded by an array of perfectly roasted root vegetables. A basket of freshly baked bread, a plate of various cheeses, and a savory meat pie completed the feast. The mouthwatering aroma filled the room, making Jennifer"s stomach growl in anticipation.

"Goodness, Sally! This is quite the spread," Jennifer exclaimed, astonishment and gratitude in her voice.

Sally grinned, placing the tray on the small table. "Aye, as I said, I"ve seen how hard you"ve been training, and a body cannae thrive on thin air alone. You need to eat, or you"ll wither away before our eyes."

Jen chuckled, appreciating Sally"s concern. "Thank you, Sally. I suppose I"ve been neglecting my health in the pursuit of mastering these skills."

Sally nodded and poured a generous amount of whisky into two glasses, sliding one toward Jennifer. "You also need a wee bit of spirit to warm you. A toast to your determination and strength."

Jen raised her glass. "To determination and strength," she echoed, clinking her glass against Sally"s before taking a sip of the fiery liquid.

Sally joined her in eating.

As Jen savored each bite, the flavors exploding on her tongue, she and Sally chatted. Sally asked her questions about her trip to see the wise woman and what happened. Jen explained what Aine had told her about Dub Sith bringing her to this time and place, and how she felt about it.

The more she spoke, the better she felt about her predicament. Sally was a great listener, and she didn"t get upset because Jen missed her home and the life she had there. After the meal, Sally cleaned everything up, and even though Jen said she"d help, Sally insisted she had it and would let her rest. The problem was that her mind wouldn"t shut down long enough for her to relax. She missed Cam. She missed being able to cuddle with him and talk to him. Even so, she would give him space if that was what he needed. She wasn"t going to push herself on him if he didn"t want to be around her. At least romantically. As far as going after the bandits and fighting them, she was still adamant about being able to help.

The next few days were a swirling haze of tension and avoidance. Jennifer threw herself into her training, using each grueling session as an outlet for her pent-up frustrations. With each punch thrown and victory earned, she channeled her anger and longing, determined to prove her worth and regain a sense of control.

Among the guardsmen, she was a force to be reckoned with. Her speed, agility, and unwavering determination set her apart and earned their respect. Even the ones she defeated couldn"t help but acknowledge her prowess, their admiration mingling with a touch of wounded pride.

Yet, as the sun dipped below the horizon and the quiet of the night settled upon the fort, Jennifer"s thoughts turned to Cam. The longing in her heart grew unbearable, and the absence of his presence was a constant ache within her soul.

In the solitude of her chamber, she recalled the taste of his lips, the strength of his embrace, and the way their bodies fit together as if they were made for each other. Her mind drifted back to the warmth of waking up beside him, a sense of belonging and contentment that felt all too fleeting.

Ever since she"d heard about Dub Sith and his vow to find strong women for the MacDonalds, she"d heard this insistent voice in her head that said she and Cam were meant for each other. It haunted her thoughts. A part of her wanted to dismiss it as fantasy, a product of ancient folklore and meddling spirits. But deep down, she couldn"t deny the connection she felt, and the undeniable spark that ignited between her and Cam every time they touched.

Her anger at him for dismissing her abilities was soon replaced by a bittersweet realization. No matter how much she resisted, no matter how fiercely she clung to her identity and desires, her heart yearned for Cam. The gulf between them seemed insurmountable, but the pull of their connection refused to be ignored.

In the quiet of her room, Jennifer allowed herself to acknowledge her vulnerability. She missed him, his presence, and the way he made her feel alive. The walls she had built around herself began to crumble, revealing the truth that lay beneath—she was falling in love with him, if she wasn"t in love with him already.

With a deep breath, she made a silent promise to tell him how she felt. She"d lay her heart bare and see where they stood. She was done being afraid, and she wouldn't allow his stubbornness to keep them apart and deny them a chance at being together.

The next evening, she dressed to attend dinner in the dining hall, determined to face Cam. Jennifer pushed open her chamber door and stepped into the dimly lit corridor. Her footsteps were resolute, guided by a newfound sense of purpose.

She would find Cam and face him with honesty and vulnerability, and hope that their hearts could find a way to bridge the divide. She had decided he was worth fighting for. She"d been brought through time because Dub Sith, a wise and ancient being, thought she was perfect for him and for this time, and she"d be damned if she would let this chance for a happily ever after escape her. She"d do everything she could to make him understand that not only did she want to be with him, she wanted to fight by his side. To love him forever.

As Jennifer moved through the fort, she caught snippets of conversation that piqued her curiosity. The clan folk whispered about Cam, their voices tinged with concern. She heard them saying he seemed to be moping and getting into relentless arguments over the most mundane things during planning sessions and the like. The weight of their impending battle, the persistent harassment from Malcolm, and possibly what happened between her and him the other night weighed heavily on him.

Guilt washed over Jennifer like a turbulent wave crashing upon the shore. She couldn"t ignore the turmoil she had caused him, the turmoil that mirrored her own.

With each step she took, her resolve solidified. She would make him see reason if it was the last thing she did.