The Highlander's Time

do?” Will miracles never cease to happen? “Okay, what's going on?”
    “You know my mom was big on getting into her roots last year. She even conned me into taking a few classes in Gaelic before she took her trip to Scotland. She brought me back a kilt, but explained the dress wasn't popular until the Eighteenth-century.” Charlzie appeared ready to jump out of her skin.
    “So?”
    “We're in Scotland. They're speaking Gaelic.” She dropped her voice to a shallow whisper. “If their dress is any indication, and I'm remembering correctly what Mom told me about all the history she'd soaked up, this is the Middle Ages. We're in the past.”
    “No way.” Jenny shook her head. A re-enactment? Nope, the setting was too detailed unless they were on some movie set. That might make sense, but there wasn't any place for a live studio audience. A closed set? There weren't any spotlights or cameras overhead. Even if a frenemy had the money to accomplish this elaborate publicity stunt, she couldn't fathom why they'd go to the effort.
    “Yeah—way. I can't catch much of what they are saying, but I recognize the brogue.”
    “You're talking time travel.” Jenny’s frown shifted to a scowl. Through narrowed eyes, she searched the rafters for a camera.
    “Yeah, I am. This is incredible.”
    “Tell me something I don't already know.” Sticking to her plan of lying, she darted her gaze over the elaborate setting again and again. If this is a sick practical joke, I will kill someone. There was absolutely no damn way they'd gotten sucked into some sort of vortex. “Let's fly low under the radar until I can figure out how to get us home.”
    Charlzie's excitement dropped off when Dudley the Delusion leveled his ice-blue glare on them. “Sounds like a plan,” she muttered.
    No, it's our only option . Jenny decided, her fingers curling around the heavy ceramic mug placed in front of her. Where there’s a will, there's a way . And, she was going to have to find their way out of this nightmare.

    ***

    Iaen kept his anger in check by sheer force of will. “You talk fantasy, Father.”
    “Nay, milord. Lady Ainsleigh, Laird MacPherson's wife....”
    “I am well aware of who Adaem wed. If you will recall, I was there.” Aye, he stood witness to the happy occasion. His first impression of the lass Adaem had fallen in love with was she'd die afore the year was out. Reckless, and at times independent, Lady Ainsleigh didnae have the wherewithal to dress herself without the assistance of ten maids let alone protect herself from the unforgiving island where Adaem and she lived.
    “She is from the future,” the priest insisted.
    “What?”
    “After much conversation and many visits to Kilkierney, she trusted me with the truth of how she came to be in the Highlands. She was picked up by the Veil.”
    “You believe her?” Superstitions ran deep and long in the Highlands. Iaen couldn't believe a priest in good standing with the church would entertain a concept as fanciful as the Veil. 'Twas a miracle he hadn't called for Lady Ainsleigh to be put to the stake.
    “I have nay reason not to. She provided a modicum of proof to me. I believe her tale.”
    “You have lost your senses, old friend? The Veil is a myth.” Iaen propped his fists on his hips. “A phantom that races o'er the land with the intent of snatching wayward travelers and naughty children to a horrible place. A land where they will be lost and alone for all time. 'Tis nonsense you speak.”
    “I tell you, milord, the Veil is real. 'Tis the tale that is warped. Aye, the Veil plucks a person or persons to spirit them away.” Father Thomas pointed to the duo sitting at the High Table. He snorted at the other lass when her head lolled against the back of the chair pulled up to the hearth. “It whisks them to a time and place where they can find true love.”
    “Bah.” Nonsense meant to keep wee ones in their beds, is more like it .
    “ Milord , listen to me. Lady Ainsleigh found happiness with Laird Adaem. Kilkierney hadn’t known peace in many years yet now it hasn't seen a threat from the ocean or the mainland since her arrival. The Clan MacPherson believes Lady Ainsleigh is the cause for their good fortune.”
    “My clan makes its own good fortune.”
    “There is a reason they are here.” Father Thomas dropped his arm to his side. A burst of chatter came from the women at the table. “They want to know if they can care for their friend. She's very