by L. L. Muir
And he was leaving. Today or tomorrow, according to him.
Why did she always want what she couldn’t have?
Her computer dinged to let her know she’d received an email. She opened it to see Mr. Ian MacGregor had responded.
You say you’re in Inverdeem? And you have a MacGregor with you? I’m only thirty minutes away. Can we meet? Today? Come over and we’ll have some refreshments and a chat, what say you? If he is related to me through Brecken and Victoria MacGregor, he’s definitely part of my clan, and I’ll insist on meeting him.
There was a phone number listed.
Part of his clan?
Lissa suddenly felt overwhelmingly possessive of the other man claiming Gareth. Because she was starting to consider him hers?
She looked out the windshield to see if she could spot Gareth. What if he’d simply disappeared? Melted to mist, and was forever out of her reach.
The thought made her stomach hurt.
She quickly responded to the email. I’ll have to find my companion as he’s wandered off for a bit. I’ll get back to you.
She turned on her phone, ignored incoming text messages, and quickly input Ian MacGregor’s phone number. She stepped out of the car and went looking for her ghost.
~~~
When she finally found him, he was sitting beside a waterfall, big, strong, and forlorn. Emotions overwhelmed her—tenderness, gratitude, and relief—and sympathetic tears flooded her eyes. She just stood for a moment and watched him.
Finally, she hurried forward. “Gareth.” She placed a hand on his chilled shoulder. “I was so worried about you. I thought you’d left.”
He looked up and she noted his red eyes. More tears sprang to her own and she dropped her gaze so he wouldn’t see. Instead, she slid onto his lap and wrapped her arms around him, half expecting to be rejected and pushed away.
Instead, his arms engulfed her, he held her tight, and pressed his face into her neck. They stayed that way for a long while, the connection between them seeming to grow stronger with every passing moment. On her part at least.
Was this her answer? Was she actually falling in love with him? Or was this just some sort of temporary insanity? Finally, she took a breath. “I found someone who might have more information about your family. I wrote to him, and he wrote me back.”
“Wrote to him?” Gareth’s eyes flashed confusion.
“Over the computer.”
He nodded. “Ye live in a fast world. What did the man say?”
“He doesn’t live far from here and wants to meet you. His name is Ian MacGregor and he seems to believe you might be related to him. Be a part of his clan.”
He canted his head to the side and grief flickered in his red-rimmed eyes. “I thought they were all dead. Every last one of them.”
She shrugged. “I kept searching. It’s what I do.” She gave him a soft smile. “It may be nothing, but he might have some information the priest and his records aren’t privy to. I think it’s worth going to meet him, don’t you?”
He looked at her intently, grasped her face between his palms, brushed his thumbs along her cheekbones, and swiftly bent to kiss her. His mouth was soft on hers, seeking, but her reaction was anything but gentle. The shock of that light touch ran through her as a sizzle flashed along her skin. Hard muscles bunched under her hands where she clung to his shoulders.
One of his hands slid to tighten in her hair and his other, hot against her back, bent her slightly, leaving her unbalanced, clinging, as she hoped the kiss would never end. She felt a neediness in him she wholehearted responded to with a yearning of her own. She never wanted to leave his embrace.
A moment later he broke the kiss and strong muscular arms banded around her as, hearts pounding, they both gasped for air. After a moment, he brought his hand up to cup her cheek again and pressed his forehead to hers, breathing with her, his warm, clean breath mingling with her own.
“All right, lass. Let’s go meet this man.”
~~~
As they drove down the road, not really speaking, Lissa was relieved when the phone rang so she wouldn’t have to be with her thoughts anymore. If he could make her feel this way so soon, how was she supposed to maintain an emotional distance from him? The guy would be gone within hours. She needed to protect her heart. She needed to remember this was just a road trip, a short break in the daily routine, and not a lifetime commitment. She picked up her phone and glanced at it as she drove.
“Who is it?”
“I don’t recognize the number.”
He took it from her and pushed the talk button.
She scowled. “I wasn’t going to answer while driving,” she said in an undertone. “Anyway, how did you even know how to do that?”
He shrugged. “People at the visitors center carry them about like the most precious of jewels, talkin’ to them, tappin’ at them. I’ve seen hundreds.”
“Well, then you know what to do. Say hello.”
He lifted the phone cautiously to his ear. “Hello, then.”
“Who is this?” In the quiet of the car, Lissa could hear Mason’s indignant voice coming from the phone.
“I am Gareth Alexander Sutherland MacGregor.” Gareth grinned at Lissa, plainly enjoying the new experience. “And who might you be?”
“I’m Lissa’s boyfriend, Mason Baldwin.”
Gareth lowered the phone and scowled at it.
“Here, let me have it.” She took the phone. “Mason?”
“Lissa! Where are you? I have been trying to track you down all day.”
She refused to feel guilty. His coming to Scotland wasn’t her fault. “Mason, I told you I wasn’t coming. I’m very busy doing research and, as you heard, I already have someone with me.”
Gareth arched a brow and she was grateful for his presence. Would she have caved if he weren’t with her?
“Are you ditching my calls? I borrowed a phone so I’d be calling from another number. Only then did I get hold of you!”
“I just barely turned it back on.”
“Just tell me where you are, babe.”
“I’m sorry you came all this way, but that’s not my fault.”
“Lissa, come on. The plane tickets were expensive and I thought we’d be sharing a room on Perry’s dime.”
“Really? You did, huh?” At his assumption, all sympathy fled. “You should have called to ask me if I was okay with that plan. I’ll talk to you later.” She hung up and placed the phone back in the cup holder.
Out of the corner of her eye, she could see Gareth studying her. “What?”
“Boyfriend?”
Her text beeped and she ignored it. “No.”
After a moment, Gareth looked out the window at the passing scenery. A few minutes later, she glanced at him. She didn’t like that he looked so unhappy. “Are you all right?”
The phone rang again. She picked it up, expecting Mason, so was surprised to see Perry calling. “Hello?”
“Hey, Lissa, how’s it going so far? Where are you?” Was it her imagination or was the man’s tone less demanding than usual?
“I’ve just been doing some research at a church house in Inverdeem and am now headed to talk with a man who might have more information.”
“What kind of information?” Again, Perry didn’t sound as insistent as usual. Gareth’s influence? Or coincidence?
“I really don’t want to go into detail yet in case it doesn’t pan out.” She wasn’t exactly lying. She was picking up all sorts of facts from Gareth as they walked, taking pictures, and the man they were on their way to see just might end up a good resource as he was into genealogy. None of this was wasted as far as her job was concerned.
“Okay, okay, I hear you. But it’s good stuff, right?”
“Definitely.” Since when did he trust her to do anything without his input? This was so weird, but she was appreciative of the fact he wasn’t grilling her. “I’ll keep you updated.”
“All right. Soun
ds good. Talk to you later.”
Lissa set the phone in a cup holder and gripped the steering wheel with both hands.
All right? Perry was definitely acting strange.
“That was yer boss?”
“Yes, he treated me better than he normally does.”
His lips curled into a satisfied smile. “People treat ye the way ye allow them to.”
She couldn’t say he was wrong, but his masculine smugness grated. Still, that was better than the sadness she’s glimpsed earlier. “So, you good?”
“Good?”
“Happy? Enjoying our trip? Looking forward to seeing another MacGregor?”
He blew out a breath. “I suppose. Still, I am wonderin’ what it’s all for?”
“What do you mean?”
“Life. What is it for? What is the meanin’?”
She blew out a breath. “That’s a pretty big question, but I’ll take a stab at it. Life is for living. No matter who you are, what you are, we all have one thing in common. We are put here to live, to love, to experience.”
“And then what? Ye live in a softer world than I did, lass.”
“We all have trials, Gareth. Granted, few of us will ever fight in battles the way you did, though that’s still going on today for a lot of men in the military.”
“Ye misunderstand me.” His voice was laced with sadness. “If ye’ve naught left at the end of it, no family to live beyond ye, then why bother with the lot of it? Where’s the sense in it?”
She frowned. She could tell him there were many in the world who, by choice or circumstance, never had families or children, but he was talking about his own experience, not someone else’s. She didn’t have answers for him. She stared out at the road and exhaled slowly. She wished he could have the chance to have what so obviously mattered to him. A family.
She simply placed her hand over his where it rested on his knee and he immediately entwined their fingers.
Her chest ached. Please, God, let the man they were about to see have the type of answers Gareth needed to hear.
~~~
The GPS navigation system directed them onto a long, tree-covered driveway where they passed through open, wrought-iron gates. Tall shrubbery on either side lent the place a wild, untamed appearance at odds with the pristine lawn. They finally stopped in front of a mansion that evoked Old-World elegance and charm. It wasn’t quite a castle, but several turrets and balconies, plus the stone front, lent the house the flavor of one. Iron benches sat near a small pond, and whimsical lawn ornaments added a magical touch. With all the trees and bushes surrounding the place, it looked charming, elegant, and somehow homey.
Lissa leaned forward to get a better look through the windshield. “It’s beautiful.”
“Aye. I’ve not seen anythin’ quite like it. I still dinnae see how the man could possibly be related to me.”
Lissa didn’t see how either. “You never know. We might find out something interesting. Research is like that. One piece of information can lead to another, which can lead to another. I haven’t done a lot of genealogy before, so perhaps I missed something. It’s certainly worth a shot.” She undid her seatbelt. “Come on, let’s go.”
“Mmmphm.” Gareth made a low Scottish noise deep in his throat.
Amused, she bent to glance in the car. “And that means?”
He shook his head, exited the car, and followed.
“The roses smell good.”
When he didn’t respond, she glanced over to see him rubbing the back of his neck and looking slightly nervous.
“I’ll do all the talking, all right?”
He nodded once.
Before they reached the door, it opened, and a large, dark-haired man stood studying Gareth, vivid green eyes slightly narrowed with suspicion. He wore jeans and a button-down shirt with rolled up sleeves. Tall, with a cleft chin, he was extraordinarily handsome, but looked dangerous, more than capable of defending hearth and home.
He did remember he’d invited them, didn’t he?
The man suddenly smiled, wariness replaced with satisfaction. “Welcome.” He gestured them forward. “Come in, come in.” After a quick glance at Lissa, he couldn’t seem to take his gaze off Gareth. “Welcome, both of ye.”
They moved past him into a foyer with a tall ceiling that rose to the second floor, arched doorways leading to other rooms, stained glass windows, and sconces in the walls. A staircase went up the side of one wall and wood floors, plush carpeting, and rugs completed the luxurious effect.
“You have a beautiful home.”
“Thank ye. I’m glad ye made it so quickly.” He led the way and took them into a large, ornately decorated room and gestured them toward a leather couch. “Have a seat, will ye?”
They did, and he sat on the other side of a low table, directly across from them.
Lissa couldn’t help glancing around at all of the finery. There were more medieval touches, including weapons on the walls, heavy drapes over the windows, and a coat of arms. A giant stone fireplace covered an entire wall, a wood shelf displaying modern decorations including candles, decorative frames, and a vase filled with lavender. The room was a clever mix of modern and medieval.
The man leaned forward and clasped his hands between spread knees. “I am Ian MacGregor.”
Gareth didn’t say anything but continued to stare at the man, his expression suspicious.
Lissa sat forward. “I’m Lissa Stuart, and this is Gareth MacGregor. We were doing a bit of genealogical research earlier, and I found it interesting the two of you have ancestors in common, but I can’t find anything from the early 1800s forward. Can you tell me how you made the connection?”
“Of course. I was born in the year 1231. In the year 1260, when I was laird of Clan MacGregor, I traveled across time with my wife who was born in this era and went to fetch me.” He rubbed his hands together. “Now, tell me about yerself Gareth MacGregor. Who, exactly, are yer people? I’d like to discover just exactly how we’re related.”
CHAPTER NINE
“What a load of pish.”
Gareth stood and reached for the anger so familiar to him. “Come, Lissa. I’ll not waste my time speakin’ to a liar and a fraud.” He glanced pointedly at the lying fraud and his lips curled in a sneer. “In any century.”
He headed toward the doorway, then stopped to wait, his hand, palm upward, outstretched toward Lissa. He now had what? The rest of the day? Mayhap until tomorrow morning until the witch showed? He did not need this havering knapdarloch wasting his time.
Eyes wide, Lissa stood, her mouth slightly parted. She looked at their host, then at Gareth. She seemed about to speak, then shrugged, shook her head, and hurried forward to clasp Gareth’s hand.
Gratified by her quick acceptance, by the way she clung, he led the way out of the room.
“Áit bhfuil tú dul?” Ian stood as he asked where Gareth was going.
Gareth stopped to respond in kind. “Níl Tá mé ag am chun éisteacht leis an prattle na fools.”
Ian laughed. “Prattle of fools, is it? I’ve not heard Gaelic spoken in such a way since the 13th century.”
Gareth stopped. “I’m from the 18th.”
Ian’s brows rose. “Be that as it may, yer speech is closer to mine than those who speak Gaelic in this time.”
Gareth waved a hand in dismissal and swung to leave again.
“Ye claim to have lived 300 years ago, yet ye cannae believe I lived 800?”
Gareth could feel the man’s penetrating gaze and turned to look at him once more. “I lived 270 years ago.”
Ian’s brows rose. “Culloden Moor, was it?”
Gareth nodded once.
Ian whistled softly. “That’s a barrel of worms, is it not? How did ye end up here and now?”
Gareth hesitated as a thought occurred to him, one that gave him hope in light of the man’s claims. “Were ye brought back to life by a witch? Did she leave ye here?”
“Nae, by my wife and
a doctor. I was gut shot with an arrow by a Campbell. My wife brought me to a surgeon who possessed the skill to heal me.”
Sliding an arm around Lissa, Gareth slowly walked back into the room. He hesitated, then sank onto the couch and, tugging Lissa against his side, wrapped an arm tight about her.
“All right, let’s hear the whole of it, then.”
~~~
A gratified expression on his face, Ian sank into the cushions at his back. “I’ve told ye how I arrived here. I’d love to hear yer story if ye’re willin’ to share.”
Gareth stood and paced to the fireplace. He rubbed the back of his neck as he stared unseeing at the unlit wood. “As ye guessed, I died at Culloden Moor. I’ve been there ever since with 78 of my brothers—shades, wraiths, unfeeling, and benumbed. A witch offered us an opportunity.”
Ian, not commenting, listened closely as Gareth told him about everything that had happened. “So, as ye can see, a chance at Charles Stuart is an opportunity not to be denied.”
Ian blew out a breath. “I’ve read everythin’ I can about Scottish history. Everything I missed. But Culloden Moor…” He shook his head. “It was a tragedy. And the ramifications are still in effect to this verra day. Charles Stuart was an idiot. The entire fiasco was a tactical disaster at best, but at the heart of it, a criminal matter. It was unforgivable.”
“Aye.” An unexpected release of tension rushed through Gareth, and he expelled a harsh breath. “The opportunity to repay him was irresistible.”
“As I imagine was the second chance at livin’. I know I jumped at it when it happened to me.”
Gareth had to laugh at the fact that while he’d not believed Ian, the man had no problem believing him. He glanced at Lissa to see her gripping her hands, white faced and confused.
Ian continued. “The battle should have been fought in London. Ye would have won. It would have changed everything if Lord Murray hadn’t listened to that spy Dudley Bradstreet.”
The man understood. “Aye. We were so certain as we marched. When ordered to turn around, it greatly discouraged us. And to find later that London was in a panic, unprotected, the French ready to battle…” Gareth shook his head as he stared into the distance, remembering.
