Niall: A Highlander Romance (The Ghosts of Culloden Moor Book 32)

by Diane Darcy

  From one moment to the next, bitterness at the thought of losing her washed over him. He’d just found her, and she was never meant to be his. Eventually she’d be with someone else, someone not him, and the thought of it was like a dirk to the stomach.

  As he actually knew what that felt like, he could state such with authority.

  He already hated the man.

  Chapter 14

  A few hours later the phone rang and Jenny picked it up.

  “Jenny?”

  “Zach?” He was the last person she’d expected to hear from any time soon. But if her brother was willing to talk to her, she was certainly willing to listen.

  “Dinner at five o’clock at Tina’s house. Both of you. That’s in thirty minutes. Be on time.”

  “Okay.” She was quick to answer. She was glad to go and hoped they’d had time to cool down.

  He hung up without another word and she set the phone down and turned to Niall, who was half-heartedly trying to master the game.

  “That was Zach. We’re invited to dinner. That sounds positive, right? I mean he did call it Tina’s house, and not our house, but still … what do you think?”

  He shrugged. “I think we should go to dinner.”

  She smiled at him. “That’s what I was thinking too.”

  They arrived for dinner precisely at 5 o’clock. Jenny didn’t want to do anything to irritate her relatives.

  When they knocked on the door, Zach opened it and motioned them inside. “Come on in.”

  “Thank you.”

  He led them into the living room, his fists in his pants pockets. Something was different about him, perhaps his expression, or his attitude. She wasn’t sure. “What’s going on?”

  “I just thought you’d want to know I got a job.”

  Jenny’s mouth parted in surprise. “Are you serious? That’s wonderful!”

  “It’s in road construction.”

  “Seriously, that’s great!” It was on the tip of her tongue to tell him he could keep applying for mathematician jobs while he worked, but he was a big boy and could figure that out himself. “Congratulations. What does Tina think?”

  “She’s glad. Relieved, I think.”

  Zach looked over at Niall, who gave him one of those manly nods, Zach returned it, and no more was said.

  Jenny turned to the window before she rolled her eyes.

  Men.

  “Have a seat on the couch. We’ll let you know when dinner is ready.”

  She glanced at Niall, and he just shrugged.

  The two of them took a seat on the couch, and for Jenny’s part, she felt like a naughty child being given a time-out.

  But whatever. They’d been invited here, so that was good news, and she was really hoping for an announcement that the two of them were back together.

  She glanced around the spotless living room at the walnut furniture and armoire, red throw-rugs, and the huge decorative clock on the wall. Tina had carefully picked out the warm gray paint color and the teal accent wall.

  Niall was relaxed at her side, but she was nervous—her knee was bouncing up and down as she waited to see what would happen next.

  Niall reached out and took her hand.

  She took a breath and closed her eyes, enjoying the heat from his hand, his solid presence at her side, and the attraction flaring between them. On her part anyway.

  This must be what it was like to have a husband.

  The thought was like a record scratch in her mind. She almost snatched her hand away, but didn’t want to hurt his feelings, or she willingly admitted to herself, lose his touch.

  “Do you think they’re back together again?”

  “Aye, as I told ye.”

  “But Zach seems so distant.”

  “No doubt the man is trying to save face.”

  But it wasn’t just Zach, they found out, when they were invited into the dining room for dinner.

  As soon as they were seated across from Tina and Zach, the two really didn’t have much to say to them.

  “Oh, chicken and rice! My favorite!” Jenny tried to break the ice, ignoring the way neither of them smiled, or offered much in the way of conversation.

  Jenny dug into her meal. “Tina, I really need to get this recipe from you.”

  “I’m sure I’ve given it to you before.”

  “You probably have. I need to dig it out and make it.”

  Tina glanced at her, and then went back to her meal. She glanced over at Niall, hoping he could pick up some of the slack of the conversation, but he seemed content to eat, paying the other couple no mind whatsoever.

  “I picked up a new client at work.”

  No response.

  “Grandma called. She’s still trying to help Niall find some of his ancestors.”

  “That’s good,” Tina said, though she sounded more bored than interested.

  “Is the baby doing okay?”

  Tina grimaced. “No thanks to you.”

  Jenny’s mouth dropped open. “What do you mean?”

  “Putting her in the trunk of a car.” Zach’s tone was harsh. “Leaving us without a phone to contact anyone if something had gone wrong with the baby.”

  “My apologies. That was my fault, my idea,” Niall said.

  Neither one of them softened.

  Jenny swallowed past the lump in her throat. “I’m sorry. I’d never kidnapped anybody before, and hadn’t thought the details through.”

  Neither Zach nor Tina responded, and soon everyone was finished eating. The lack of conversation was getting to her. “Is there any dessert?” She asked the question, but hoped there wasn’t. She couldn’t wait to get out of there.

  “I’m glad you asked,” Tina said.

  “Yes,” Zach agreed. “We’re glad that you asked. We have a real treat for the two of you.”

  Jenny looked between the two of them. “I can go get it if you’d like.”

  Zach threw down his napkin. “It’s not that kind of treat.”

  “What, then?”

  “Follow us.”

  Zach and Tina led the way out back to the deck, then down the stairs to the driveway. Tina’s car was in exactly the spot Jenny’s had been in yesterday, backed in the driveway, ready for a quick escape.

  Zach popped the trunk. “Both of you, get in.”

  Zach grasped Niall from behind and pushed him toward the car. Niall knew he could easily escape, but he wasn’t feeling aggression, he was feeling hope.

  He let himself be forced into the boot, and laid back, relaxed.

  Zach was arguing with Jenny. “Get in, or there will be no forgiveness. It’s not like I’m tying you up or anything, like you did to us.”

  “Get in that trunk, Jenny!” Tina’s voice was threatening. “You tied me up, you put me in there, and I’m pregnant. What if I’d thrown up back there? And do you know how bad I had to pee by the time we arrived?”

  “But—”

  “Unless you get in the trunk of your own free will, I am never going to forgive you for your interference in my marriage. Frankly, I’d like this chance again with my husband without any lingering feelings of resentment caused by you. So if you refuse to do this, and we break up again, then I’m blaming you.”

  “That’s not fair!” Jenny sounded rattled, and Niall could tell she was weakening.

  He willed her to just do it. To just get in, and trust him once more. Maybe he could get another night out of this if Soni couldn’t find him and had to track him down.

  After a bit more arguing, Jenny finally threw her hands up, climbed in the back, and lay down next to him.

  “Just be glad I don’t bash one or both of you in the head.” Zach shut them in, enclosing them in darkness.

  “Jenny? Are ye all right?”

  She made a growling noise. “This is not the way it was supposed to go, so just so you know, I’m not talking to you right now.”

  Since she couldn’t see him, he went ahead and smiled in the darkness.<
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  Chapter 15

  It was impossible not to touch him. His body heated hers through as they lay in silence next to each other until she just couldn’t stand it anymore.

  “I told you the kidnapping was a bad idea!”

  “They’re back together, aren’t they?”

  “Yes, but they’re pursuing a life of crime!”

  He chuckled, and she couldn’t blame him. She knew her argument didn’t hold water, as they’d kidnapped them first.

  After a moment she asked, “Do you really think they are back together?’

  “Undoubtedly. I told ye they would be.”

  “Maybe they’re simply conspiring against us. The enemy of my enemy is my friend, type of thing. What are we going to do now?”

  “Enjoy the ride? Do you suppose they’re taking us to the cabin?”

  “Where else?” Jenny shifted, trying to get more comfortable.

  “I have a hard time believing your brother would drop ye off in the middle of nowhere with the man ye’ve only known for two days.”

  “We went to college together, remember? Anyway, he’d do anything Tina says.”

  “Come here.”

  She felt Niall moving in the darkness, and he lifted her slightly to get an arm underneath her, and pulled her close. “Is that better?”

  “Yes, thanks.” It was, much.

  She knew it was at least an hour to the cabin and she finally just relaxed against him. If this was the first and last time he held her in his arms, then she was going to enjoy it.

  Anyway, she was too busy wondering if Zach had really winked at her as he’d helped her into the trunk.

  If so, best brother ever!

  They dropped them at the cabin and left them. They stood there watching the tail lights until they couldn’t see them anymore.

  Strange being on the other side of the equation.

  They’d left them with granola bars and water bottles. “Talk about mean.” She lifted the bag. “We gave them better treats.”

  Niall chuckled, sounding happy.

  Truth be told, she was happy too.

  There was still light, but not much and Jenny fished out her phone.

  Tina had allowed her to keep it, informing her that if you have an emergency, at least you’ll have access to medical care. Nothing like guilt to tie a family together.

  “I can’t believe my brother just left me here.”

  “If ye’re worried in the least, I’ll be glad to sleep outside, and ye can lock the door.”

  She turned to him, impatient. “I’m not worried in the least. I’m not worried at all.” With that, she headed to the cabin and unlocked the key box with the code Tina had given her, which was the same from yesterday.

  She went inside and flipped on the light.

  After the darkness, she had to squint as the light seemed over bright.

  Niall came in behind her and shut the door.

  She walked over to the kitchen counter, set the key down, then turned to face him.

  They smiled at each other. Truth be told, she was feeling sort of giddy, and Niall looked the same.

  She knew it was quick, probably too quick, but after reading all those romance novels, she definitely believed in love at first sight.

  After being held in his arms for almost an hour, she was as ready as she’d ever be.

  She was in love with this man and was going to tell him so. As her basketball coach used to say, you miss one hundred percent of the shots you don’t take.

  She was going to take a shot.

  “Niall …”

  “Aye, lass?”

  “I have something to—”

  Her phone rang and she wasn’t sure if she felt relief or irritation, but she scrambled to answer it like it was a lifeline.

  “Hello?”

  “Is this Jenny Hudson? Of Media Inc.?”

  “Yes, yes it is.” She noted Niall drumming his fingers on the countertop.

  “This is Dr. Salazar.”

  Jenny glanced at Niall. “Why, yes, he’s right here, but now might not be the best time to talk to him. Can I take a message?”

  “No. You misunderstand me. I am Dr. Salazar.”

  “What?”

  “You are running online ads under my name, with my address, and my phone number. People are calling me wanting to see that Scottish guy you have on YouTube!”

  “What?”

  “You are ruining my business! Take my phone number and address off your videos or I’ll sue you! Is that clear enough?”

  Jenny felt like she was having some sort of surreal experience. “I’m sorry, do I have you mixed up with the therapist on Main Street?”

  “I am the only therapist on Main Street. I am the only Dr. Salazar in Denver! I don’t know how to make this any clearer to you. I wouldn’t mind the extra business, but when clients come in, they’re expecting some guy in a kilt! Stop using my name, stop using my business, or I will sue you!”

  The man hung up the phone.

  Jenny looked at it, and then looked over at Niall. “Niall, are you Dr. Salazar?”

  He shook his head. “Nae, lass. I’m Niall MacDonald, from Scotland.”

  “But … but are you a therapist?”

  He shook his head again. “Nae, I’ve a farm outside of Glengarry. Or I did at one time. I doonae exactly ken what a therapist does.”

  Jenny took a step back. “But … ” She licked her suddenly dry lips. “But, I helped you kidnap Zach and Tina because I thought you were a trained therapist!”

  “Still, we did help, did we no’?”

  “You told me you were a therapist!”

  “When? When did I say such?”

  “When I first met you! I called you Dr. Salazar.”

  “And I corrected ye, and informed ye my name was Niall.”

  So he did, and she could not argue the point.

  “Why did you show up outside my house? Why did you come in and …” She turned away, words failing her. “What is going on here?”

  “Lass?”

  “I don’t … I mean what … how did this happen?” She turned to Niall again. “Did someone set you up to do this?”

  “Aye, lass, the wee witch did. She sent me tae help.”

  “The witch? What?” She pulled her hair away from her face and looked at him like he’d lost his mind.

  “I was at Culloden Moor, a ghost. I was to have this chance to do my best.” He held a hand toward her and she flinched away.

  His brows drew together and he dropped it to his side again.

  She almost couldn’t bear that Niall had turned out to be a liar. And now he was making up some fantasy as well? She’d sworn this would never happen to her again. And here, for the first time, she’d really laid herself out there, and this happened.

  Hurt speared through her as she thought of the feelings she had for Niall, and in such a short time. She looked at his gorgeous face once again, and something within her recoiled.

  She should’ve known that someone who looked like him would never want her.

  “Just get out of here.”

  Niall stood, and held out his hand. “Jenny—”

  “Get out! Get out of here!”

  Chapter 16

  Niall was sick to his stomach.

  “Jenny, please … hear me out.”

  She crossed her arms and turned away from him, barely holding herself together. “Please, just get out of here. You’re just like everyone else.”

  An invisible force seemed to slug him in the stomach, like a fist, and he couldn’t breathe. “Nae, lass, I’m not.” Jenny had lost faith in him. Trust. And to lump him in with the others who’d hurt her?

  It was like a stab to his heart.

  He wasn’t even sure what had happened.

  She thought him to be someone else? She’d called him Dr. Salazar when they’d first met, but they’d straightened it out soon enough.

  He never thought anything more of it.

  She ne
eded his help, and he had been there to be helpful.

  He hadn’t planned on opening his heart to her, and he certainly hadn’t planned on hurting her.

  Niall walked toward the door, then glanced back over his shoulder to see Jenny’s profile. Her face looked pinched and hurt.

  He desperately wanted to go to her and pull her into his arms, but didn’t dare.

  He loved her with all his heart, but he never could have deserved her.

  Perhaps it was for the best that he just left before he caused her more damage.

  Jenny watched him go.

  She’d told him to leave, and he had, but when the front door clicked closed, she immediately wanted him back.

  That didn’t make any sense, though; she didn’t even know who he was. Some stranger, apparently, and the only thing on her mind was that she’d never worked up the guts to tell him how she felt about him.

  She took two steps to go after him and stopped, glancing toward the front door again as she tried to decide what to do.

  Feeling foolish, but also, hopeful, she ran the conversation back through her head. She’d heard the yearning and the devastation in his voice.

  That wasn’t a man who didn’t want her.

  Maybe he just had some problems he needed to work out.

  That stuff about Culloden Moor? She knew if anyone else said such things to her, she’d run the other direction.

  But it was Niall. She felt a connection to him unlike anything she’d ever felt before with anyone.

  Was she just going to let him go?

  No. No she was not.

  Her phone rang again—it was her grandmother. Now was not the time.

  She left her phone on the table and turned toward the door, but hesitated; what if she had news for Niall?

  Growling, she hurried back to the counter and snatched up her phone. “Hello?”

  “Jenny? It’s your grandmother. Is Niall there?” She sounded excited. “I have news about Fiona!”

  Niall didn’t go far.

  He found a log and sat on it. There was no way he’d leave Jenny out here, alone and unprotected.

  He swallowed. He really hated that Jenny was mad at him. He hadn’t even realized that she mistook him for someone else. Should he have? Had he been deliberately obtuse?