Lost in the Highlands, Volume Two

by Lorraine Beaumont

  Gavin opened his eyes.

  Embarrassed, she jerked back.

  “Are ye trying ta have yer way with my person while I sleep, lass?” he asked groggily.

  “No!” she lied, her face turning scarlet.

  “Doesna look that way ta me.”

  “Well, I can’t help what it looks like to you. I wasn’t going to.”

  “Hmm,” he mused, propping his head up. “Would ye like ta have another go?” His eyes flashed mischievously.

  Yes! “I really should get back to work.”

  “What are ye working on this time? Another vase or one of those statues ye like to make of fairies and such?”

  “It’s another fairy.”

  “Is she weeping like the last one?”

  “No. She is holding a gazing ball.”

  “Does she look sad?”

  “No. She is not sad. She is contemplative.”

  “They all look sad ta me. Can’t ye make a happy fairy?”

  “Well, I tried. They just come out that way.”

  “I wonder why that is?” He pondered that for a moment. “Are ye sad?”

  “No.” She should have said: not any longer now that he was here, but didn’t. “It’s art. I can’t control how they look.”

  “That seems odd. If ye create it, can’t ye control it?”

  “It doesn’t work that way. Besides, the people who buy my art like the way my fairies look.”

  “They must be sad people then, aye?”

  “Maybe. I don’t know. Art is interpretive.”

  “What do ye mean?”

  “People see what they want. You know, like the saying goes, ‘beauty is in the eyes of the beholder’ or something like that.”

  “That sounds like rubbish ta me. I think they must be sad.”

  “Maybe they are.”

  “One would think they would want something cheerful ta look at.”

  “Misery loves company,” she muttered.

  “Och, misery is mostly self-inflicted. If it is happiness ye seek, ye need ta realize it is not something ye can find, it’s actually a choice ye have ta make.”

  It always amazed her the insightfulness Gavin had even though he wasn’t from this time. “Is that what you do?”

  “Aye. Most days. Sometimes though, it’s harder than others, but I do endeavor ta try ta be happy. Don’t ye?” He gave her an expectant look.

  “Most days,” she agreed even though she had no idea where this conversation was coming from. Was he trying to tell her something?

  As if in answer to her unasked question, he grabbed her hand and looked deeply into her eyes. “I have ta tell ye something, lass…”

  Oh, crap!

  Her throat constricted and her mouth went dry. That is the same thing he told her on the mountain. “What?” she finally managed.

  “I need ta go…” He cleared his throat. “I need ta go and find the gypsy.”

  Her blood ran cold. “But we already tried.”

  “Aye, I know but that can no be the only place she might be.”

  “I don’t understand what the hurry is.”

  His expression became resolute. “I have ta find her, ta make amends.”

  “Make amends for…what?” She was freaking out.

  “Can ye help me or no?”

  “The Highland Games on Grandfather Mountain won’t be back until next July.”

  “There are more games though, aye?”

  “I don’t know.” That was a lie of course. There were other games but she had hoped he wouldn’t ask her about those.

  “Can ye find out or do I have ta find another way?”

  “I can see what I can find on the internet.”

  “Good.” He stood up. Lifting his plaid off the ground, he put it back on and then he turned towards her, his expression, once again, unreadable.

  Crap! Crap! Crap! “You want me to do it now?”

  He smiled but it didn’t quite reach his eyes. “Nay lass, we have time.”

  “Then why are you looking at me like that?”

  “I’m hungry.”

  “Oh. Okay.” Paige should have felt relief but she didn’t. As they walked back up to the cottage her mind spun different variables of what to do. At least she had time on her side.

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  BLOWING ROCK, NORTH CAROLINA

  The Cottage Property- Present Day

  Turns out, time wasn’t on her side at all. After they got back to the cottage, Gavin sat at the table while she reheated some pizza from last night’s dinner.

  The silence between them was deafening.

  The last thing she wanted to do was look for more games.

  The microwave dinged, making her jump.

  “Lass, did ye drink too much coffee today?”

  “No. Why?”

  “Ye seem a mite jittery.”

  Jittery wasn’t even close to what she was feeling. “I guess I’m just tired,” she lied and sat the plate of pizza along with a glass of lemonade on the table for Gavin.

  As Gavin ate his fill, the conversation turned back to the Highland games.

  “Can ye look on that thing ta see about the games?”

  Paige acted nonchalant and lifted the plates from the table. “Huh?” She walked over and set the plates in the sink. She knew immediately what ‘thing’ he was speaking of—her laptop.

  “Lass…”

  “Hold on, can’t hear,” she lied and blasted the water, rinsing off the plates. For once, she wished she had some more dishes in the sink, so she had a reason not to look up the damnable Highland Games. After a few minutes, she had to turn off the water for fear of running the well dry. Picking up the dishtowel, she wiped off her hands and finally turned back towards Gavin. “What did you say?” She played dumb.

  “I would like ye ta look up the Highland Games.”

  “Oh, that.” She tossed the towel back on the counter and walked towards the trashcan, thinking to delay the inevitable for a bit longer.

  “Are ye going ta look now?”

  Paige halted in mid step and her shoulders slumped in defeat. What was the point? “If you like,” she said.

  “Good.” He stood up from the table and rubbed his taut belly. “That was a good meal.”

  Paige scuffed her slippered feet across the floor back towards the table. “It was just leftover pizza.”

  “Aye, I know. But it tasted good.”

  “I’m glad you liked it.” She bent over and pulled her laptop out from the basket on the floor. “You want something else to drink before we start?” Paige set her laptop on the table and sat down.

  “Nay.” He shook his head and sat down again.

  Paige stood back up.

  “Where are ye going?”

  “I think I’ll have some tea.”

  “Now?”

  “Yes, now.”

  “Ye still have a drink.” He pointed to her glass of lemonade on the table.

  “I want something else,” she snapped, not meaning to. “Is that all right with you?” Even though it was just a question, she felt like he was pushing her to look up the damnable games. And if she found one, she was afraid he would want to leave. And if he left, was he going to take her or go alone? There were too many questions and not enough answers.

  His brows creased. “Aye, lass. It is all right with me.”

  As usual when she snapped at him, she immediately felt bad but she couldn’t seem to help herself. After making a cup of tea and squeezing some lemon in, she half-heartedly made her way back to the table and sat down in front of her computer.

  Gavin’s frown returned. “Ye don’t have ta look so downtrodden, lass.”

  “Easy for you to say.”

  “Lass, we are jes looking. Nothing more, nothing less.”

  “If we are only looking then why do we have to look today at all?”

  He let out an audible sigh and scrubbed his hands over his face. When he dropped his hands, the resolute expression was
back and she knew she didn’t have a choice in the matter. “I need ta know.”

  “Fine,” she said, but she wasn’t fine with it at all. Actually, she was feeling quite the opposite. Opening up her laptop, she keyed in: Highland Games. She had one hand under the table with her fingers crossed. She was hoping like hell there wouldn’t be any until next year.

  Gavin sat forward, leaning close, so he could see the results.

  Paige saw the results, and let out a deflated sigh. “There’s one in West Virginia in a week.”

  “Is that far from here?”

  “It’s about a six-hour drive, I think.”

  “Will ye be able ta take me in that metal beast o’ yers?”

  Paige knew he was talking about her car. He hated it. Her heart picked up pace. If he wanted to get in her car, he must really want to go to the games. “I guess so.”

  He sat back and looked at her. “Don’t look so distressed, lass. I don’t know if she will even be there.”

  “If you don’t know, then why don’t we wait?”

  “Don’t ye understand?” he implored. “I have ta at least try.”

  “Okay, fine.” She sat back and slammed her laptop shut.

  “Och, lass. Why are ye so mad?”

  “Who said I was mad?”

  He looked at her laptop then back to her face, his brows creasing.

  “It slipped.”

  He gave her a look that said otherwise, but didn’t say anything more.

  ♦

  Gavin knew his lass wanted more from him…needed more, but the visions of his murdered men and the knowledge of what had really happened to Jillian had settled deep within and did not abate with time.

  Actually, these feelings of remorsefulness—they were growing worse the longer he stayed here. He kept seeing Jillian. He didn’t want to. He tried to forget, push her from his mind. He really did, especially at first. But he couldn’t and he wasn’t sure what ta make of it, but knew, he would need ta find the witch ta figure it out.

  Mayhap it was guilt, plain and simple. Nothing more, nothing less, but either way he still needed ta find out, one way or the other.

  CHAPTER NINE

  BLOWING ROCK, NORTH CAROLINA

  The Cottage Property- Present Day

  “Straight flush,” Gavin said triumphantly and laid down his cards.

  “How do you keep doing that?” This was his third straight flush.

  “I’m just lucky, I suppose.” A wicked gleam entered his eyes.

  If she didn’t know better she would think he was cheating.

  “Hand over my candies.” He stuck out his hand for the aforementioned foil wrapped candies.

  “Fine,” Paige grumbled and begrudgingly handed them over.

  “Do ye want to play another hand?” He shuffled the cards.

  She sat back in her chair and pulled her hair up into a messy bun. “No. I’m out of candy.”

  “We can always play for something else.” He lifted his brow daringly.

  “Like what?”

  He rolled his shoulders. “Ye could always give me a massage, like ye did when we were back at Greystone.”

  Her mind went straight to the gutter and her face heated with the remembrance. “Now?”

  “If ye like.”

  “But I have to do the dishes and …” What is wrong with me?

  His brows creased. “The dishes can wait.” He stood up from the table.

  “Um…” Just thinking about giving Gavin a massage made her feel warm and tingly. “All right.”

  He grinned and rubbed his hands together. “Where do ye want me?”

  Anyway, I can have you. “How about the couch?” she suggested.

  He gave the couch a doubtful look. “Are ye sure it’s big enough?”

  “Where do you want me to give you a massage?” She picked up the cards and put them away in the case.

  “The bed is bigger.”

  He had a point.

  “Okay.” Paige fanned her face.

  His grin widened. “Are ye undressing me with yer eyes again?”

  “I am doing no such a thing.” She turned and put the cards in the drawer of the table to hide her expression.

  “There’s no need ta lie to me, lass. I can see ye can no wait ta have yer hands on my fine form.”

  “Oh, please.” She rolled her eyes. Of course, that was exactly what she was thinking.

  “No need ta beg, lass.”

  “I wasn’t…” she flustered.

  He laughed then—a deep boisterous one. “I am only playing with ye, lass.”

  “I know that.” She wiped her sweaty palms on her leggings.

  “Come, lass.” He crooked his finger and gestured for her to follow as he walked down the hall.

  CHAPTER TEN

  BLOWING ROCK, NORTH CAROLINA

  The Cottage Property- Present Day

  By the time Paige got to the bedroom, Gavin was lying face down on the floral comforter with his eyes shut. His tan upper torso was in stark contrast with his perfectly rounded, albeit pale, buttocks. He looked just like one of those hot underwear ads for men, except he wasn’t wearing any underwear. A surge of warmth spread through her body at the sight. He was, without a doubt, the most exquisite man she had ever laid eyes on.

  He cracked an eye open. “What are ye waiting for, lass?”

  She started from the sound of his voice and guiltily jerked her eyes away. “Nothing. I mean, I was just getting some oil.”

  “Oil?” He lifted his head up.

  “You will like it. I promise.”

  “There is no need ta make promises ta me, lass.”

  For some reason, his answer made her think he wasn’t talking about the oil. A queasy feeling twisted in her gut. It had been happening a lot lately. This feeling, that something between them was not quite... right.

  Squashing the queasy feeling down, she grabbed the oil and climbed on the bed. Kneeling, beside him, she opened the bottle, poured some of the oil on her hands and then rubbed them together. Taking a deep breath, she placed her hands on his back. His muscles flinched underneath as she began massaging his shoulders.

  “Och, lass,” he groaned. “That feels nice.” His eyes drifted shut once more.

  “Gavin…”

  “Hmm?”

  She was going to ask him about the games, and what his intentions were after he found the gypsy, but lost her nerve.

  “Never mind.”

  Paige continued kneading, massaging, explor-ing every hard plane and knotted muscle as her hands drifted lower to the curve at the base of his back. Normally when she got to this point he would turn over.

  She waited for him to move but when his breathing became heavy, she knew he had drifted off to sleep. The evening romp she was hoping for pretty much flew out the window. Dang it.

  ♦

  Gavin was dreaming. He knew this for fact

  and yet, he couldn’t shake the feeling that it was not a dream at all, but instead, something forgotten he had suppressed within his mind.

  A white swirling fog snaked around his legs, much like the mist that would come creeping inland from the waters of Loch Morar when the moon was full.

  He stood with his back to the castle facing the most breathtaking woman he had ever seen. She had long, curling, red hair that fell in a cascade of waves down her back and he knew if she were not wearing a gown, the ends would touch the top of her heart shaped bottom. When she turned her ice blue gaze in his direction, his heart seemed stop.

  “Jillian,” he sighed her name.

  Aye, he knew her name as well as his own.

  “What are you waiting for?” Her lilting voice drifted on the cool breeze towards where he stood.

  Gavin’s tongue felt heavy in his mouth, and his legs, anchored to the ground beneath his feet.

  “I thought you said you wanted a race?”

  His heart pounded faster. “Aye, that I did,” he said, falling back into the familiar banter they once
shared with one another.

  “Then what are you waiting for?”

  “I…I…” The words he wanted to say stuck in his throat.

  “My Laird, have I tied your tongue, then?” Her crystalline gaze widened.

  Finding his voice, he shook his head. “Nay, lass. I am merely giving ye a head start.”

  “Who say’s I need a head start?”

  “Tis only fair,” he reprimanded. “Ye run like a girl.”

  “My Laird…” She clasped her hands to her chest in mock horror. “I am a girl.”

  “Aye, lass, that ye are.” He smiled.

  “And you love me.” Grabbing up her skirts, she turned and fled. Her long hair billowed out in a wave of crimson in the setting sun

  His chest tightened at the sight. “Aye, lass, I do… more than ye will ever know.”

  He would have followed her, but he couldn’t.

  Not because he didn’t want to, but because that is where his memory ended.

  Instead, of letting go, like he knew he should, he held fast to the vision until she disappeared from his sight.

  ♦

  Where one dream ended, another took its place.

  ♦

  Gavin was back a Loch Morar and this time, Jillian was there but she didn’t look the same. His lass, Paige, was there as well. He couldn’t quite grasp why he was seeing both of them at the same time. Paige was standing in front of the Loch and Jillian was laughing. Not at him, but at his lass. His heart tugged in two separate directions.

  “What are ye doing?” he asked and his voice vibrated strangely in his ears.

  “I’m helping you get the treasure,” she said, gleefully.

  The answer was innocent enough, he supposed, but something about her demeanor set his nerves on edge. “How?”

  “We are going to use her.” Jillian pointed her finger at Paige.

  Gavin shook his head. “Jillian, she is no going ta be a sacrifice.”

  “Of course, she is. That’s what she is here for.”