Page 34 of A Keeper of Time

“We’ll have to discuss this. Come back tomorrow,” Daire said, dismissing her.

“Tomorrow? I was hoping ye could take care of this today.” Maggie hoped her impatience wasn’t coming through in her voice. She didn’t wish to anger them.

“I’m afraid no’. We will look into what ye’ve told us and have an answer for ye tomorrow. Now off with ye.” Melusina shushed her away with her hand.

Maggie took a moment to look each of them in the eye, but she saw nothing there that gave her any hope. She thought she’d be on her way home to Dylan with the help she needed to free her aunt, but that was not to be the case. She turned and headed back down the long hallway and out the door into the cold, windy alleyway.

She pulled out her cell phone as she walked and was happy to see she had service. She could call Dylan.

He picked up the phone right away. “Hey, babe. How’d it go?”

“No’ the way I was hoping. I’m going to have to spend the night in Edinburgh tonight. They want me to come back tomorrow.”

“Oh. I thought this would be an open and shut case for them.”

“Me, too. We were wrong. I guess they have to discuss it before they decided what to do.”

“I’m sorry. I know you were hoping this would be easier than it’s turning out. Don’t worry about me. I’ve got everything under control here. You get a good night’s sleep and try again tomorrow.”

“Thanks, hun. I’ll talk to ye tomorrow. I love ye.”

“I love you, too.”

She put the phone back in her pocket and headed to the only hotel she’d ever stayed at in Edinburgh, the one across the street from the cute little bakery where she and Dylan met Alec Sinclair and his wife—Dylan’s many times great grandparents who’d time traveled from the sixteenth century to return a kidnapped baby to her parents. That mission had been successful. She was hopeful this one would be as well.

Maggie checked herself into the hotel feeling lucky to have a room for the night. Before she got too comfortable she decided to pay a visit to The Mayflour Bakery and Sweetshop and the proprietress, Mrs. May. A bowl of warm soup and one of Mrs. May’s famous scones sounded perfect. It was just the comfort food she needed.

Before crossing the street to the bakery, Maggie waited for a few cars to pass and then hurried across. She opened the door to the bakery and inhaled the intoxicating scent of sugary treats. She spotted Mrs. May behind the bakery cases. “Mrs. May!” she called.

“Aye.” Mrs. May had her back turned to Maggie, busily stacking cookies onto a decorative tray.

“Hello,” Maggie said.

Mrs. May turned and placed the tray atop the counter. She gazed at Maggie appearing unsure at first, but then, “As I live and breathe. Is that ye, Maggie Sinclair?”

“It is. How have ye been?”

“Fine. Fine. What brings ye to Edinburgh and where’s that handsome husband of yers?” She came around the counter to give Maggie a hug that smelled like vanilla and spices.

“Ye smell delicious,” Maggie teased.

“Hazards of the job,” Mrs. May teased back.

“Me aunt sent me to see some… friends of hers. Dylan had to stay back at the inn.”

“I imagine the inn can no’ be without their chef for too long, can they?”

“No. They can no’.”

“Please sit. Are ye hungry?” Mrs. May asked.

Maggie sat at one of the tables and Mrs. May pulled out a chair across from her.

“I’d love some soup and a scone. Maybe some tea, as well.” Maggie could smell all sorts of deliciousness and it made her tummy grumble loudly.

“Good. I’ve got some delicious tattie soup, if ye like.”

“I do like.” Maggie’s eyes lit up. It was one of her favorite soups.