The Sunstone Brooch : Time Travel Romance Katherine Logan (no david read aloud TXT) 📖

“If this is an adventure, I’ll take it any day over the last one I had.”

“I’d take it, too, lass,” Elliott commiserated.

“I’ll see you when you return,” Gangchu said. “Good luck.”

They began their trek through the forest with Meredith and Charlotte leading, Ensley and Austin behind them, and Elliott bringing up the rear, riding a damn mule. The numbness in his leg and foot was manageable right now, but God knows what would happen once he started climbing all those steps to reach the gate at the top.

After two hours, they stopped at the only café for tea and biscuits. The owner said two young men who matched James Cullen’s and Paul’s descriptions had been there but left about thirty minutes earlier.

They mounted up again and rode up a steep incline on a wide dirt path, passing shrines with multicolored flags strung from all the trees.

“What’s with the flags?” Ensley asked.

I don’t care. Let’s just get to the top.

“They’re prayer flags,” Meredith said. “They symbolize protection from evil forces, plus prayers for positive energy, vitality, and good luck.”

“We could use some of that,” Ensley said. “But how do you know?”

“I did my research.”

They reached the second stop, billed as the last official photo opportunity. But the trees obstructed a full view of the monastery, and Elliott had no desire to pose for or take any pictures. He did sit for a while and drank a bottle of water.

Ensley sat down beside him. “You don’t feel good, do you?”

“Well enough. I just want to see James Cullen safely ensconced in the monastery.”

“I’m not talking about emotional pain. I’m talking about your leg.”

“Nothing’s wrong with my leg.”

“Bullshit. You’re talking to someone who has constant pain from a prior injury. Your leg hurts. I don’t know why, but I remember JC talking about all the surgeries you had years ago. Has the problem come back?”

He looked at her and growled. “I don’t want to worry Meredith, and if Charlotte knows, she’ll think it’s her problem to solve.”

Ensley shrugged. “Meredith is already worried.”

“Because her heart is breaking over James Cullen.”

“That’s true, but she’s worried about you, too. I can see it in her eyes when she looks at you. And before you deny it again, her gaze goes to your leg. She knows it’s bothering you.”

“If she did, she’d have said something.”

Ensley laughed. “Why would she? You’d just deny it, and it would start another fight.”

Meredith walked up to them. “We have to leave the horses here and walk the rest of the way.”

“Really?” Ensley asked. “I was just getting used to Eeyore.”

“Leave it to ye to give that critter an identity, but Eeyore is a donkey’s name.”

“But it’s the best fit for the cute mule I was riding.” Ensley stood and stretched. “In all your research, did you find out how many steps we have to climb?”

“Eight hundred and fifty, all cut into the rock,” Meredith said.

I’ll never make it.

“The entrance is at the top of the steps,” Meredith continued. “If we tour the monastery, we have to leave our shoes, phones, cameras, and backpacks at the gate.”

“You did do your research,” Ensley said. “Did you read anything about a zip line at the top? We could get back down in under five minutes.”

“Don’t you think it would destroy the spiritual element?” Meredith asked.

“It wouldn’t matter to me. I can do a one-way spiritual thing.”

Elliott chuckled. “I believe ye could.”

“I’m going to the bathroom,” Meredith said.

“It’s dirty, so I went behind the bushes. I got sorta used to it while trekking through the Badlands.”

“I’ve been running races for years, and squatting in the bushes is part of racing. I’ll see you two on the trail,” Meredith returned to the trail in search of a private bush.

Ensley linked arms with Elliott. “Come on. Let’s hit the trail. If it gets too bad for you, you can use me as an excuse to stay behind.”

“Thanks, lass. But I have to make it to the top. James Cullen might not care if we’re here, but if everyone makes it to the gate and I don’t, he’ll be alarmed, and I don’t want to be the cause of any distress.”

“Okay, but the offer stands.”

Austin returned from taking pictures. “How are you two feeling?”

“We’ll survive to fight another day.” She squished up next to Elliott. “Take our picture.” She glanced over her shoulder. “Can you see the monastery?”

“No, but the forest is beautiful. Smile.” He took the picture. “Honestly, neither one of you looks good. You’re both in pain. Why don’t you stay here?” He glanced at Elliott. “I’ll take care of your girl if you’ll take care of mine.”

“I’d appreciate it if ye’d go with Meredith and Charlotte. They haven’t stopped talking since they started up the mountain, and they aren’t paying attention to their surroundings. I don’t want them caught off guard.”

“Okay, but Ensley, be careful and don’t go off on your own.”

“If we decide to sit it out, I’ll send ye a text,” Elliott said.

“You’ve got service out here?” she asked.

“We carry satellite phones,” Austin said. “We always have reception.”

“If Charlotte and Meredith ask, tell them we’re talking and taking our time.” Elliott stood and leaned on his walking stick as Ensley walked with Austin over to the trail. Then he chuckled when Ensley pushed on Austin’s back and yelled, “Go!”

Austin walked away but kept looking back until he was too far ahead and couldn’t see them anymore.

Elliott took her arm. “Let’s get this done.”

Over the next hour, there was a constant stream of curses from him and grunts from Ensley. Elliott stumbled a few times, but Ensley had his arm, and along with the aid of the walking stick, he didn’t fall.

They reached the final approach to the monastery, which was over a bridge across a waterfall. It dropped at least two hundred feet to a pool below. Prayer flags were hung in every direction, flapping in the breeze.

“Look,” Ensley pointed. “What are those pointy things crammed into crevices in the rock?”

“They’re reliquaries containing