The Sunstone Brooch : Time Travel Romance by Katherine Logan (comprehension books .TXT) 📗

“Are ye saying I’m the weak link?”

“Henry, ye and Robbie bookend our general,” David restated. “We lose him, and the battle will be over before the winner is determined.”

The twins strutted across the barn, blowing on their fingernails and buffing them on their shirts.

“Watch yer attitude, lads. Ye’re assigned to protect the Keeper. It’s an honor and a responsibility.”

“We know, Da. We won’t let anything happen to Grandpa. We’ll be his secret service agents and take a bullet for him.”

“If you’re taking a bullet, it’ll be coming from one of us since the Vikings don’t have guns,” Kenzie said.

Robbie clapped Henry on the shoulder. “I’ll take the right side. You take the left.”

“Is that a strategy or a statement?” Henry asked.

“It’s a strategy, dumbass. Grandpa’s right-handed. That makes it his strongest side and easier to defend.”

“Fine!” Henry said. “I’m the strongest and therefore the best warrior to defend his weak side.”

Robbie glared at him, but the beeping of a dozen golf carts interrupted the moment, and everyone turned toward the doorway. The rest of the family bounded out of their carts and moved quickly toward the interior of the barn, waving small squares of tartans that matched the ones the team members wore.

“We’ve come for the send-off,” Meredith announced. “And to bring this.” She held up a duffel. “You forgot Tavis’s utilities.”

“Fuck!” Remy said, taking the duffel and adding it to the one containing his medical battle kit. He’d already given everyone an overview of what was in the kit in case there were multiple injuries, and he needed help.

“That’s bad luck to forget his utilities. If he’s lost weight, he’ll be okay. But if he’s gained twenty pounds, he might have a problem getting into them.”

“Tavis wouldn’t put on weight. He’d stay lean and mean,” Austin said. “He’d want to be ready when his rescue team arrives.”

“But what if it’s been years?” Kevin asked. “He might have given up hope.”

“The lad will never give up, and neither would any of ye. He knows how the brooches work, and we’ll arrive when we’re meant to arrive,” Elliott said. “Not sooner. Not later.”

Meredith, Kit, Charlotte, Amber, Olivia, Amy, JL, and the children kissed their husbands and fathers, but two boys broke from the group and ran up to Austin, hugging his legs.

“Ensley, these are my brothers Blane and Lance. They’ve grown since you saw them last.”

“I remember you,” Lance said. “You were the chick with JC.”

“The chick? Don’t you think that’s a rude name to call a woman…to call me?”

He ducked his head. “I was just trying to be cool like Austin.”

“Cool people use respectful names, don’t you think?”

“Yes, ma’am. Sorry. A bull rider should be treated with respect. That’s a real ball-buster.” He slapped his hand over his mouth. “I messed up again, didn’t I?”

“Ball-buster’s okay. But I don’t ride bulls anymore. I broke too many bones and decided that if I kept riding, I might get hurt so bad the doctors couldn’t fix me.”

“Like Austin got hurt bad.”

“Sort of like that. If you want to see me ride, there are videos of me on YouTube. I’ll show them to you when we get back.”

“You’ll only be gone a few minutes. You’ll go poof! And then you’ll be back before the stinky fog even disappears,” Lance said. “I know all about traveling through the vortex because Robbie and Henry told me.”

“Well, they should know,” Ensley said. “Their job on this adventure is to protect your grandpa.”

“Wow! That’s an important job. Why aren’t you protecting him, Austin? You’re the biggest.”

“’Cause I’m protecting Ensley.”

“She doesn’t need protecting. I watched her play polo yesterday. She’s a better rider than Granny Mere. And that’s saying a lot.”

“Blane! Lance! Come back here,” JL called. “They’re leaving, and I don’t want you two sucked up into the fog.”

“Mom’s calling,” Austin said. “You better go. I’ll catch up with you guys when we get back. Maybe we can shoot some hoops.”

“You just called her ‘Mom,’” Lance said. “How come?”

“Because it makes her happy.”

“Well, I want to make her happy, too.” Lance ran toward JL, yelling, “Mom!”

Blane high-fived Austin and took off after his brother.

“That was an awesome big brother thing to do,” Ensley said. “Look how happy it made JL—and the boys, too.”

Austin’s expression barely changed, but something in his green eyes did, a change in his pupils maybe, or a slight movement in the corner of his mouth. But something subtle changed. Perhaps it was the realization that a simple act could make JL so happy.

“Yeah, well, it looks like I’m in the make-people-happy business now.”

“It’s not such a bad business to be in, is it?”

“I just want to make you happy.”

“You do. Every minute. Every day.”

He leaned over and kissed her. “Let’s get this show on the road. We have lots to do when we get back.”

She moved into her spot between Austin and Kevin. “I can’t believe I’m making another trip through the vortex. I hope this is the last one for a while.”

“I never planned to make another trip after that disastrous adventure back to 1909 New York City,” Kevin said.

“It turned out okay for you, Kevin. I mean, you married JL,” Austin said.

“Yeah,” he smiled. “The best thing I ever did.”

Remy walked over to her, carrying something wrapped in a large piece of felt. “I had it shined up for you.” He reverently unwrapped Erik’s battle-ax as if it was a living, breathing extension of the man who once carried it. “I did it myself…well, Braham and Daniel watched over my shoulders and offered suggestions while they smoked cigars and drank whisky. Vikings made their axes from wrought iron with a steel cutting edge. Erik could have swung or thrown this with head-splitting force.”

Ensley glanced over at the two men. They were watching to see how she reacted to the gleaming steel and the polished, two-foot wood handle. “You should have warned me. I’m going to get all teary-eyed now. It’s gorgeous.”

“I had a sleeve made for it so