Aye, he said. It is.
We were silent for a time, and Rogers head nodded; I thought he was nearly asleep, and was gathering my legs under me to rise and collect everyone for bed when he lifted his head again.
One thing
Yes?
Have you met a manevernamed William Buccleigh MacKenzie? Or maybe Buck MacKenzie?
I recall the name, I said slowly. But
Roger rubbed a hand over his face and slowly down his throat, to the white scar left by a rope.
Well hes the man who got me hanged, to begin with. But hes also my four-times great-grandfather. Neither one of us knew that at the time he got me hanged, he said, almost apologetically.
Jesus H . Oh, I beg your pardon. Are you still a sort of minister?
He smiled at that, though the marks of exhaustion carved runnels in his face.
I dont think it wears off, he said. But if ye were about to say Jesus H. Roosevelt Christ, I wouldnt mind it. Appropriate to the situation, ye might say.
And in a few words, he told me how Buck MacKenzie had ended in Scotland in 1980, only to travel back with Roger in an effort to find Jem.
Theres a great deal more to it than that, he assured me. But the end of itfor nowis that we left him in Scotland. In 1739. With erm his mother.
With Geillis? My voice rose involuntarily, and Mandy twitched and made small cranky noises. I patted her hastily and shifted her to a more comfortable position. Did you meet her?
Yes. Ehm interesting woman. There was a mug on the ground beside him, still half full of beer; I could smell the yeast and bitter hops. He picked it up and seemed to be debating whether to drink it or pour it over his head, but in the event took a gulp and set it down.
Iwewanted him to come with us. Of course there was the risk, but wed managed to find enough gemstones, I thought we could make it, all together. And his wife is here. He waved vaguely toward the distant forest. In America, I mean. Now.
I dimly recall that, from your genealogy. Though experience had taught me the limits of belief in anything recorded on paper.
Roger nodded, drank more beer, and cleared his throat, hard. His voice was hoarse and cracking from tiredness.
I take it you forgave him for I gestured briefly at my own throat. I could see the line of the rope and the shadow of the small scar Id left on his when I did the emergency tracheotomy with a penknife and the amber mouthpiece of a pipe.
I loved him, he said simply. A faint smile showed through the black stubble and the veil of tiredness. How often do you get the chance to love someone who gave ye their blood, their life, and them never knowing who ye might be, or even if yed exist at all?
Well, you do take chances when you have children, I said, and laid a hand gently on Jems head. It was warm, the hair unwashed but soft under my fingers. He and Mandy smelled like puppies, a sweet, thick animal scent, rich with innocence.
Yes, Roger said softly. You do.
Rustling grass and voices behind us heralded the return of the engineersthey were deep in a discussion of indoor plumbing.
Aye, maybe, Jamie was saying, dubious. But I dinna ken if we can get all the things yell need for it before the cold weather comes. Ive just started digging a new privy, though; thatll see us through for the time being. Then in the spring
Brianna said something in reply that I didnt catch, and then they were there, caught in the fires halo, so alike to look at with the light glimmering on their long-nosed faces and ruddy hair. Roger stirred, getting his feet under him, and I stood up carefully, Mandy limp as her rag doll, Esmeralda.
Its wonderful, Mama, Bree said, and hugged me to her, her body strong and straight and softly powerful, encompassing me, Mandy between us. She held me tight for a moment, then bent her head and kissed my forehead.
I love you, she said, her voice soft and husky.
I love you, too, darling, I said around the lump in my throat, and touched her face, so tired and radiant.
She stepped back then and took Mandy from me, swinging her up against a shoulder with practiced ease.
Come on, pal, she said to Jem, gently nudging him with the toe of her boot. Its time for bed. He made a sleepy, interrogative noise and half-lifted his head, then collapsed again, soundly asleep.
Dinna fash, Ill get him. Roger waved Jamie away and, stooping, rolled Jem into his arms and stood up with a grunt. Dye mean to go down, too? he asked. I can come back and take care of the fire, as soon as Ive put Jem down.
Jamie shook his head and put an arm around me.
Nay, dinna trouble yourself. Well maybe sit awhile and see the fire out.
They moved off slowly down the hill, shambling like cattle, to the accompaniment of clanking noises from Briannas bag. The Higgins cabin, where theyd spend the night, showed as a tiny glimmer in the dark; Amy must have lit a lamp and pulled back the hide that covered the window.
Jamie was still holding the chisel in his hand; eyes fixed on his daughters disappearing back, he raised it and kissed it, as hed once kissed the haft of his dirk before me, and I knew this, too, was a sacred promise.