Calum

by Diane Darcy

  Peter stood up, throwing his magazine to the ground. “What do you think you’re playing at?”

  Red started to laugh.

  Connie and Barbara, on either side of Mandy, placed comforting hands on her, rubbing her back, before turning to glare at Calum.

  He should’ve kept his mouth shut and ignored the ghost.

  “I’m sorry, but this is hilarious!” Red said, shoving at Pete to no effect. “Tell him about the time we found the coin in the fish’s belly!”

  Calum didn’t want to say anything.

  “Tell him!”

  Calum shut his eyes for a moment, and then finally opened them and said, “He says I’m tae tell ye about the coin ye found in the fish’s belly.”

  Now Frank stood. “Now, son, I don’t think this is such a good idea —”

  “Tell him about the time he kissed Maria Rodriguez behind the bleachers on the junior high football field!”

  Calum clammed up. He wasn’t saying another word.

  “Tell him!” Calum just shook his head, looking at Mandy, hoping he hadn’t given her a disgust of him.

  “Oh, forget it, you’re no fun. If you really want to yank his chain, what you should say is—”

  Red was suddenly yanked across the floor and through the doors before he’d even finished the sentence.

  Calum turned back to see everyone staring at him, expressions ranging from confusion to anger.

  “He’s gone,” Calum felt compelled to say. “He slid back through the doors without so much as a fare-thee-well.”

  Mandy stood and crossed the distance. She took his hand and pulled him toward the hallway, obviously looking for privacy. When they rounded another corner, she yanked her hand away and glared up at him. “What was that about?”

  He looked down, very afraid he’d lost her, that she’d shun him and expel him from her life.

  After the way she’d looked at him as a hero, his chest clenched up in pain at her angry expression.

  He would think that he’d be able to take it, as he’d been trained from childhood to endure slights and slurs and whispers about his very existence. But a look of condemnation from her was like a thousand knives in his chest, slashing and tearing until he couldn’t take the pain of it. “Lass … please …” He finally found his voice. “I promised ye honesty. Yer grandfather was there, and he was speaking tae me, plain as day.”

  He met her gaze again and was relieved to see that along with a hefty dose of disbelief, there was also a healthy portion of compassion. “Maybe this day has been too much for you. Everyone responds to stress differently.” She said the words slowly, as if filtering through her thoughts until she came up with a believable explanation.

  She sucked in a breath, let it out, and took his hand once more. “We’ll get through this.”

  She sounded unsure, but he nodded, grasped her hand in both of his, hoping that was the truth.

  He wanted her to know who he was, who he’d been, but was starting to realize that might never happen.

  To keep her, he might have to learn to keep his mouth shut.

  He looked into her brown eyes, studying him so carefully, and nodded. “Aye, lass, I’m sure ye’re right.”

  He’d hide who he was forever if it meant keeping her.

  What. The. Heck. Mandy turned away, a sick feeling in her chest. She was overwhelmed, lightheaded, sad. This wasn’t going to work, was it? Marry in haste, repent at leisure, or so the story went.

  She started to head back toward the waiting room, but didn’t want everyone fussing over her if they realized something was wrong, so she turned in the other direction to walk down the long hallway.

  Calum was at her side. “Lass, are ye well?”

  She lifted a hand and waved him off. “I’m fine, I just need a minute, please.”

  Arms suddenly wrapped around her back, and under her knees, and she was lifted off the ground even as he kept striding in the direction she’d been going.

  And she’d thought she was breathless before? “Calum, what are you doing?”

  He looked as confused as she felt. “Ye need a moment, and there’s nowhere tae sit, so …” he tapered off.

  “You can’t carry me. I’m as large as a house.”

  A flicker of amusement broke through his worry and after a moment, he chuckled. “Ye’re as light has a newborn lamb. I could carry ye forever.”

  Why his conviction made her heart trip in response, she didn’t know. “But —”

  “Hush now.”

  They reached a wall of wide windows that overlooked the front of the hospital and beyond. The Salt Lake Valley was lit up in front of them, headlights from the long stream of I-15 drivers snaking in the distance.

  There were a couple of chairs nearby, and she said, “You can put me down now.”

  “I’ll no’.” Naked emotion clouded his face, and he swallowed loudly. He looked away from the window and down at her and breathed in so deeply she rose slightly on his chest. “Lass. I know I’ve confused ye and ye’re feeling unsure of me now. But I swear ye needn’t be. All will work itself out, I promise. The vows I made tae ye before man and God are unbreakable and I’ll honor them, and ye, until my dying day.”

  A small sob escaped her throat at his declaration. He stood there, holding her as if she weighed nothing, and looking at her as if she meant everything.

  She opened her mouth, closed it again, and then finally spoke as her heart twisted and twisted. “I’ll admit you concerned me in there. I didn’t understand what was happening.” Emotion continued to well within her as she looked into his sky-blue eyes. She reached up to cup his face in the way he often did to her, running her thumb across his high cheek bone.

  He meant every word he said. She was the one full of doubts and trust issues. She’d never shake the feeling that something that happened so fast wouldn’t be able to last.

  She was the one who could see giving up, and feeling regret when things became hard or uncomfortable. It was a lesson she’d learned well.

  But his expression, the underlying steel of determination that nothing could come between them now that they were wed, it actually gave her a secure place to land.

  So what if he had issues? Everyone did. They could work it out.

  He thought he could see ghosts?

  The other two men she’d been romantically involved with saw other women.

  She’d take Calum and his problems, along with his devotion, any day of the week.

  “I’m sorry, Calum, you’re right. I don’t know what was going through my head, but those vows I gave to you before God and witnesses? I meant them too,” she said with a rush of feeling.

  And she did.

  She wasn’t going to doubt him again, their relationship, or their ability to overcome anything together.

  Whatever he saw in her face had relief flaring in him before he leaned in and kissed her senseless, sealing the deal.

  When he finally pulled back, she was breathing hard and clinging to his neck.

  He pressed his forehead to hers, continuing to hold her close, as if he’d lost her, found her again, and couldn’t bear to let her go.

  She meant what she’d said. She was throwing all in with this man, and in giving him her trust, she could feel that she’d also given him her heart.

  Forever.

  Chapter 17

  About an hour later, the doors finally opened and a doctor came out.

  Mandy let go of Calum’s hand and immediately jumped to her feet.

  “I’m looking for Red Calhoun’s family.”

  “That’s us, I mean me, I’m his granddaughter,” Mandy said.

  The doctor nodded and crossed to her and he suddenly smiled. “He’s a tough old bird. We lost him for a while, but we managed to get him back. He’s stable now, and we placed a few stents, and will be fitting him with a pacemaker before he leaves the hospital. I’d say the prognosis is a good one.”

  Chills raced up her spine, even as everyone c
heered. “You lost him for a while? What does that mean?”

  “He coded and it took a few minutes to get him back, but we did.”

  The doctor looked very pleased with himself, and she didn’t blame him. She thought he was amazing!

  “Thank you, Doctor. Thank you.” She shook his hand, and even as he turned away, the relief she felt was tempered by a growing feeling of amazement.

  He’d died?

  For about three minutes?

  That was about the period of time that Calum claimed to have been speaking with him.

  She turned to look at him, to study his face, and he returned her look with a wary one of his own. “I’m glad for ye, lass.”

  “Me too,” she said, and finally dropped her gaze and moved forward to hug him, pressing her cheek against his chest.

  She’d been very quick to dismiss Calum’s claim as a nervous breakdown or something.

  But what if it had been something more?

  What if her Scottish husband could actually see ghosts?

  They weren’t allowed to see Red until the next day, so they all decided to get a hotel room in town, and wait until morning.

  Calum was worried about Mandy. She looked exhausted, and needed to sleep.

  When they finally got to their rooms, he took her inside, made sure they were locked up for the night, and waited while she used the bathroom, washed her face, and brushed her teeth with supplies provided by the hotel. When she was finished, she was wilting and he helped her to undress to her chemise.

  She didn’t protest, and he laid her yellow silk dress across a chair, set her shoes underneath it, and then pulled the covers back and checked the bed to see that it was clean before helping her under the covers.

  He was quick with his own ablutions, and then shucked his clothes, turned off the lights, and climbed into bed beside her. He pulled her close and closed his eyes. “Are ye well?”

  “Yes, fine. You’re so warm,” she said, and when he placed an arm around her, she burrowed back against him, even closer.

  Exhausted, they both fell asleep, with him curled around her, keeping her safe, protected, exactly as he was meant to.

  Mandy woke first the next day, glanced at the clock, and saw it was after ten in the morning.

  It was light in the room, the white curtains doing little to block the morning glow.

  She moved her head to see Calum on his back beside her, one arm over his head, the other cushioning her head.

  They needed to get to the hospital, but she didn’t move as she studied his profile. His nose, a little on the large side, his lips, full and sensual looking, made to be kissed.

  He had long eyelashes, light brown in color, and long enough to make a girl weep with envy.

  Tanned skin, high cheekbones, a strong jaw line, and a dimple in his chin.

  The man was stunningly attractive.

  Pair that with his height and muscular body, and his long shoulder length hair.

  Yum. Who knew she liked long hair on a man?

  He had a couple of braids on one side, partially hidden in the thickness of his hair.

  The red color was gorgeous. Something a hair company might want to steal and replicate, the different colors of dark red, blonde, and ruby tones, stunningly attractive.

  She remembered how the night before he’d asked her if he was the father of her baby.

  How she wished he was.

  She couldn’t regret her child, but wondered why she couldn’t have met Calum a year sooner?

  Met him, fallen in love, and had a child in the usual way.

  It didn’t matter, that would come.

  She almost couldn’t believe she was here with him now, lying in bed. It had all happened so fast.

  Calum suddenly opened his eyes, and the sky-blue color was once again a pleasant shock.

  There wasn’t anything she didn’t like about this man.

  His gaze shifted from the ceiling to her, and when he saw she was awake, he smiled. “Good morrow.”

  “Good morning.”

  She knew she shouldn’t start anything, but she lifted herself up on an elbow, and then leaned down to press a kiss to his lips.

  She pulled back, once again gazing into his eyes. “Thank you for being with me last night. I’m so glad you were there.”

  “I’ll always be there for ye, lass. Ye can count upon that.”

  She was starting to accept that was the case. “Come on, we better get going.”

  She climbed out of bed, and grabbed her dress on the way to the bathroom. She hurried and made herself as presentable as possible before opening the door. Calum was dressed again, and while he took his turn in the bathroom, she texted Pete and Frank to let them know they were going to the hospital.

  It was just before eleven when they arrived, and were quickly escorted back to see her grandfather.

  Red was sitting up in bed, eating a breakfast of oatmeal and fruit, but when he saw them come in, his face lit with a smile. “Where have you been? I’ve been up for hours, and I just saw the craziest thing on the television. Did you know that there is a treasure to be found in the Rocky Mountains? Some crazy rich art dealer has people out looking for it, and some have died in the wilderness trying to get rich! The old coot won’t tell anyone where it is, and it’s probably because he forgot.”

  Mandy was so relieved she couldn’t stop grinning. “Is that so? Maybe when we get you out of here, we’ll have to take us a trip and go collect that money.”

  Red snorted. “You won’t catch me traipsing around the woods on someone else’s say so.”

  Calum eased her into a chair and she took her grandfather’s hand. She couldn’t help it, tears started to flow as she realized how close she’d come to losing him.

  “Now, now, none of that. If you’re going to start crying, then I’m leaving.”

  She laughed through her tears, and squeezed his hands tightly. “I’m just glad you’re okay.”

  “I am too.” He glanced at Calum, standing behind her. “It was touch and go there for a minute though, wasn’t it? I can’t believe you didn’t tell Frank in front of his wife about him kissing Maria behind the bleachers. That would have been hilarious! She still doesn’t know about it, and with me being dead, it wasn’t like Frank could have taken me to task over it, could he, now?”

  Mandy straightened in her chair, her mouth gaping.

  “Grandpa, what are you saying?”

  “Last night, I was floating around like a ghost, talking to Calum here. It was hilarious!”

  She sat frozen in her chair, unable to respond for a moment. Slowly, she turned and looked up at Calum. “I thought you were having a nervous breakdown.”

  Grandpa laughed at that. “Oh, no, he saw me clear as day. He must have the gift, being Scottish and all. Not that I’ve ever seen anything like that, mind you, but, Calum here, he’s the real deal.”

  She was glad she was sitting, because it felt like the blood had drained out of her face, leaving her faint.

  “You said that you saw him, but I didn’t believe you.”

  “Aye, lass, I didnae expect ye tae.”

  She glanced at her grandfather again, who grinned like the biggest joke in the world had just been revealed, and he loved that he’d been in on it. “Don’t you worry,” he patted her with his free hand. “Having a husband with a talent like that isn’t a bad thing, it’s a good one. Think about it. We can hire Calum out if people want to know if their houses are haunted, and then Frank can go with him and perform an exorcism! We’ll make a bundle!”

  Calum snorted. “I think I’d rather hunt for money in the wilderness.”

  Red laughed. “You’re probably right. This is probably one of those things we should keep to ourselves. A family secret, those are always fun to have too.”

  Mandy was feeling more herself again, but before she could ask questions, Frank, Pete, and their wives showed up in a flurry of excitement over Red’s return from the dead.

  Red di
dn’t mention the ghost thing again, for which she was grateful, though she knew he’d eventually tell his friends.

  In the meantime, Calum stood beside her and held her hand as she sat in the chair and let the conversation flow over her.

  Her new husband had some explaining to do, and this time she was going to listen.

  Chapter 18

  “You were born in 1722?”

  She could feel a bubble of hysteria rising within her. Threatening to make her laugh.

  He was looking at her warily. “Aye, lass. That is the way of it.”

  They hadn’t had a chance at conversation until they made it back to their hotel. Mandy had led him to the outdoor pool area, which they had to themselves. Sitting across from him, their hands clasped across the iron table, she was glad of the connection and determined to believe her husband, crazy story or not.

  “I guess I’m not older than you, after all, am I?” she tried to lighten the mood.

  She realized how tense he was when he relaxed slightly, and shot her a gentle, hopeful smile. “I suppose no’.”

  She released a breath and then nodded. “I’m ready to hear more.”

  “I told ye I was pressed into the army?”

  “Yes.”

  “It wasnae much of an army in the beginning, but it grew as we convinced others that Bonnie Prince Charlie’s father, The Old Pretender, was the rightful king of England, Scotland and Ireland.”

  “You sound a little disgusted.”

  “The upstart deserted us when we needed his leadership most. We’d agreed to back him, but he left us to freeze, starve, and be slaughtered, whilst he ran away.”

  She winced. “Ouch.”

  “Aye, twas painful indeed.”

  Queasiness turned her stomach as she threw all in and simply believed him. “Did you fight in many battles? Before the last one?” She was suddenly reluctant to hear about the one that he’d died in, loathe to picture her handsome Highlander butchered on a cold field.

  “Aye. I’d grown-up fighting, feuding, reiving cattle and sheep. But it in no way prepared me for the battles we faced against those loyal to the English king.”