Seven Moons Back to the Highlands

by Deborah R Stigall

  “Can I help you?”

  “I really hate to bother you but I was wondering if I could use your phone? My car’s stalled and my stupid cell phone can’t seem to get a signal out here my provider must not have any towers nearby.”

  The dark haired man leaned casually against the porch post, his arms crossed easily over his massive chest. His white teeth seemed to flash against his tanned skin and when he smiled, the cleft in his chin deepened to match the dimple in his right cheek.

  “If you’d rather not let me in the house, I understand completely. If you’ve got a portable phone that you could pass to me out here or I could write the number down for the car rental place and you could call it for me either way I’d really appreciate it if you’d help me get out of this fix.”

  His voice was like honey and the entire time he spoke it was though he was trying to hypnotize Rachel, like a snake stalking a bird.

  Something about the dark haired stranger nagged at the back of Rachel’s brain. For some reason, she felt she should know who he was but she couldn’t quite put her finger on it. All of her instinctive warning bells were sounding that danger was near.

  Opening the screen door wider, she smiled politely as she waved the man inside. “No that’s okay come right in and use the phone. It’s right over there on the counter.”

  Chortling evilly to herself, Rachel knew she was perfectly safe with the massive Scotsman standing in her kitchen.

  His eyebrows raising in surprise, the man grinned as he quickly stepped through the door. “Well, in that case, let me introduce myself my name is Jayden Smith and you are?”

  “I’m Rachel Rachel Hawkins and this is my friend Caelan MacKay.”

  Grinning mischievously, Rachel put her hands behind her back as she watched the two men slowly begin sizing each other up like two tomcats preparing for a territorial battle.

  Extending his hand, his smile visibly downgraded to a purely civilized polite level, Jayden lightly clenched his teeth a he spoke.

  “Jayden Smith pleased to make your acquaintance.”

  Eyes narrowing, Caelan allowed Jayden to stand with his hand extended for what seemed like an eternity. The cruel reflection of the dark haired man’s face in the pond was now standing in front of him expecting him to welcome him into Rachel’s kitchen.

  Finally deciding it would be a better battle plan to keep his enemy as close as possible, Caelan grasped Jayden’s hand and nodded curtly.

  “Aye so ye say ye’re having a bit of car trouble?”

  “Yes it’s a rental, so, there’s no telling what’s wrong with it.” His eyes wandering around the room, Jayden sniffed appreciatively at the aroma of the chicken pie filling the air.

  “Something really smells great. I always enjoy my trips to the country for the down home type cooking I always find.”

  “I can’t take credit for this down home cooking.” Rachel grinned as she noticed Caelan’s scowl growing even darker.

  Cracking the oven door to check on the bubbling pie, she forced a totally innocent look upon her face as she turned to face the men.

  “The chicken pie is really huge, I’m sure there’s enough for three. Would you like to stay for dinner?”

  That should throw a wrench neatly in Caelan’s plans and get her off the hook at least for tonight she wasn’t ready to face all of the reeling emotions Caelan’s words or his body were creating.

  “I’m sure Mr. Smith will be a wantin’ to be on his way as soon as his car can be seen about.” Caelan glared at Rachel positive she knew how he felt about the stranger staying for dinner.

  “Actually I’d love to stay it’ll take the rental place forever to get all the way out here.” Jayden quickly pulled out a kitchen chair and stretched out his long muscular legs.

  Nodding to Caelan, he barely narrowed his nearly blue black eyes as though accepting the silent challenge. “So where do you live Mr. MacKay since from your accent you don’t sound as though you’ve been in this area very long.”

  Clenching his teeth until his jaw muscles rippled, Caelan’s hand unconsciously flexed with desire for his ancient claymore usually clapped to his side. Back in his time, they would’ve battled like men not danced around each other with mere words.

  “My Uncle and I rent the apartment above the garage, we’re here as consultants on the construction of the dam.”

  “Consultants…I see.” Jayden stroked his chin as he stored the information away, his tone slightly condescending. Reaching for the phone Rachel had placed on the kitchen table, he excused himself politely as he dialed the number on the card he pulled from his pocket.

  “Be nice,” Rachel whispered as her shoulders brushed against Caelan’s as they pulled dishes from the cupboards.

  “Ye don’t know anything about this man why should I be nice to him?” Caelan hissed as he glanced at Jayden still talking on the phone, oblivious to the couple discussing him.

  “I don’t know very much about you either but I’m nice to you.” Rachel nudged Caelan out of the way with her hip so she could open the silverware drawer.

  “I don’t understand it but I canna believe ye canna feel the negativity surrounding the man. Can ye not tell a bit of difference between the two of us?” Caelan struggled to choose his words, unsure just how deeply to delve into the world of mysticism with Rachel.

  During his research before he’d come forward in time, he’d seen where there were those who still believed and followed in the old ways but he’d also seen a great turning away and a great deal of mockery of anything to do with the energies and the magic of the realms.

  Frowning, Rachel glanced up from the silverware drawer, her hands full of mismatched spoons and forks. She had to admit, she’d felt a strange affinity with Caelan ever since he’d shown up on her doorstep that she couldn’t quite explain. She shivered as she remembered her erotic dream of him and how he had appeared into her life the very next day.

  “I don’t feel anything about the man. For heaven’s sake, he just showed up at the door ten minutes ago. And as for you,” She swallowed hard as she elbowed him out of her way. “I haven’t quite decided what I feel about you just yet!”

  “Hmmmpff,” Caelan snorted as he followed Rachel to the table with the plates and bowls, grudgingly admiring her backside as she leaned across the table to set the silverware in its places.

  “All set!” Jayden clicked the phone off with a flourish and tossed it onto the counter.

  “The rental company should be out here in about an hour, giving us just enough time for dinner and a good visit to get to know one another.”

  “Speaking of which,” Rachel took the plates from the glowering Caelan and sighed as she nudged him out of the way again. “What exactly brings you to this area? I take it that since you’re in a rental car and you mentioned trips to the country that you’re not exactly from around here.”

  “Business actually. A client had some financial matters that required my personal attention.” Jayden accepted the glass of iced tea Rachel proffered with a smile, not missing Caelan’s scowling face over her shoulder.

  “Personal attention? That makes you sound like some kind of hit man for the mob or something though I have to admit you really don’t look the part.”

  Rachel ladled out a generous portion of the steaming chicken pie onto the plate, her mouth watering as the delectable aroma wafted up from the dish.

  “Nothing nearly as exciting as that more like corporate accounting stuff financial paperwork and such.”

  Jayden’s eyes narrowed as he watched Caelan’s knuckles whiten as his fists slowly tightened on the edge of the table. This man might only be renting the apartment over the garage but he was definitely trying to expand his territory to inside the house.

  “Caelan this is absolutely delicious.” Rachel closed her eyes in ecstasy as the rich buttery pastry melted in her mouth. “You can cook for me any time you want.”

  One corner of his mouth upturned slightly, Caelan nodded slow
ly. “I’ve been tellin’ ye, I’m a man of many talents, Rachel. All ye have to do is allow me to show ye.”

  Nearly choking on the bite of chicken she’d just popped into her mouth, Rachel quickly turned to Jayden. “So if its business that’s brought you to our area this time where exactly is home base?”

  “For now, it’s Chicago. I’m able to keep on top of everything pretty much from there. It’s rarely that I have to travel outside of the city when I have to it’s usually because I’ve chosen to not because it’s been an absolutely have to case.”

  Jayden winked a conspiratorial blue eye at Rachel as he scraped the last of the casserole off his plate.

  “And your company still pays for it? You’d think they’d shut off the funds if they found out that you were traveling when you really didn’t have to.” Rachel rose from the table and began gathering the dishes to stack them in the sink.

  There was just something about Jayden’s story that wasn’t setting quite right with her. She didn’t know if it was the fact that it didn’t seem to bother him that he was sticking it to the company he worked for or if it was Caelan’s obvious dislike for the man that was tainting her judgment. Whatever it was there was definitely something negative buzzing in the air.

  “I do a good job and because of the job I do the company turns one helluva profit we have shall we say an understanding.”

  Jayden followed Rachel to the sink, deftly sidestepping the chair Caelan suddenly scooted into his path.

  “Hmm, I don’t know I’ve seen employee’s who’ll find ways to justify any type of behavior saying that the company owes them or the company doesn’t treat them right or pay them enough money. But I’ve always felt that if the company doesn’t treat you right or pay you enough money than go somewhere else. Don’t use that as an excuse to steal from them or sink to their immoral level.”

  Scraping the dishes into a plastic bucket on the counter, Rachel waived the ladle at Jayden to punctuate her words.

  Leaning against the counter as he crossed his arms over his chest, Jayden pointedly ignored Caelan as he stood at the kitchen door staring pointedly at the clock on the wall.

  “You’re a company’s dream come true. They don’t make many employees like you. Where exactly do you work for a living or do you stay here and run the farm?”

  “I work at the steel mill in town and I run this place.”

  Rachel began running the dishes under the hot water in the sink as the suds slowly began building. “I’ve been a crane operator for about five years now I’m not crazy about shift work but it pays the bills.”

  “Ahem.” Caelan cleared his throat, unable to remain silent any longer. “’Tis been well over an hour since ye spoke with the wee rental agency. Shall I give ye a lift to your car to see if they’ve shown up yet?”

  Casting a narrow-eyed glance at his own watch, Jayden shrugged his shoulders as he slowly straightened from the counter.

  “I’m afraid that would be stretching your hospitality too far.” Jayden’s wide smile did little to hide the sarcasm in his voice. “I told the people at the rental agency to swing by here to pick me up when they came to tow the car.”

  Caelan stood even straighter at his self-ordained post by the kitchen door, squaring off his shoulders as if preparing for battle.

  “Perhaps, ye’d like to step outside for a wee breath of fresh air the house sits a ways back off the road and they might miss it if ye don’t watch for them.”

  Holding the door open, he raised his chin in unspoken challenge, his right hand once again flexing for the haft of his missing sword.

  Jayden’s smile slowly left his face, quickly replaced by a predatorial glare. Nodding imperceptibly as though coming to a private decision, he turned on his heel toward Rachel.

  “I think Caelan’s right. I believe I will have a bit of a walk and watch for the tow truck it should be along almost any time now. I really appreciate the use of your phone and the wonderful dinner not everyone would’ve been so kind.” Extending his hand, he patiently waited, a charismatic smile tickling his lips.

  Pulling her hands from the dishwater, Rachel quickly dried them on the towel as she shot Caelan a frown for his rude behavior. Grasping his hand warmly, she expected a friendly good-bye handshake but was quite taken aback by Jayden’s next gesture.

  Purposely taking one step closer but angling his body to be sure that Caelan had a perfect view, Jayden slowly raised Rachel’s warm damp hand to his lips where he pressed his slightly opened mouth to the back of her hand and barely tasted her with the tip of his tongue. He held her hand there until he heard her catch her breath, than glanced at her through his dark lashes with a heated blue gaze.

  “Get Out!” Caelan spun Jayden around by the shoulder, shoving him toward the kitchen door.

  Cocking his head to one side, Jayden nodded toward Rachel as he stood in the doorway with his hands on his hips. “What? Along with renting from her are you her watchdog as well?”

  “Caelan. No!” Rachel started toward the enraged Scot with both hands raised but it was too late to avert the battle.

  Caelan hit Jayden with such force that both men tore through the doorway, taking the shattered remains of the dilapidated screen door with them down the steps into the yard. Rolling as soon as they hit the ground, Jayden drew back to gut punch Caelan as soon as they’d reached their feet.

  Barely appearing to notice the fact that he’d just been hit, Caelan retaliated with a well-placed shot to Jayden’s jaw. The ensuing cracking sound and the splattering of blood upon the sidewalk, gave Caelan more satisfaction than he could remember feeling since he’d arrived here in this gutless century.

  “Stop it!” Rachel was screaming from the doorway, her hands clenched to her chest. The longer she watched the two men rolling around in her yard, the more enraged she became. Her eyes finally fell on the garden hose hanging on the side of the house and she nodded to herself as her mouth flattened in grim determination.

  “If they’re going to act like hormone crazed tomcats than I’m gonna treat them like hormone crazed tomcats!” Huffing to herself, Rachel yanked on the hose, unwinding it with one irritated jerk.

  Taking careful aim at the heads of the wrestling men, she locked her elbows as she turned the sprayer on wide open, unleashing a blast of icy cold well water into the faces of the unsuspecting duo.

  Both men immediately shielded their faces with their hands, turning their bodies away from the needle-like spray. Shooting both of them steadily until they were at least several feet apart, Rachel finally shut off the stream.

  “If you two start toward each other, I’ll shoot you again so don’t even think about it. I’ve had enough of this idiocy. Jayden you go to the end of the driveway. Caelan you go to your apartment. I don’t want to hear one more word out of either one of you. Now move it.” Keeping the nozzle raised, Rachel stood ready to shoot, her purple eyes flashing with her rage.

  “But Rachel.” Caelan took one step toward her only to receive a full shot directly in his face.

  “I said not another word now go!”

  Hearing Jayden’s snicker at Caelan’s reminder of her unconditional terms, she gave him another full blast in the face as well. “I’ve got enough water pressure in this thing to shoot your ass down the driveway. Now start walking. I’ve had enough!”

  Coughing, as he wiped the water out of his eyes, Jayden raised his hands in defeat as he turned and started trotting down the driveway. Pausing after traveling just a few yards, he turned as though tempted to speak. Thinking better of it, he turned back to face the road and headed to the end of the driveway at a more leisurely pace.

  Hearing the gravel crunch closely beside her, Rachel turned just in time to shoot Caelan long enough to blind him with water so that she could bolt inside the house and lock the door behind her. Pushing the chair underneath the knob for good measure, she quickly checked the other door to ensure it was well secured against Caelan’s entry as well.

  “R
achel. Lass please let me in so we can talk. I..I can explain.”

  Caelan’s deep voice came softly from beyond the door and she could tell he was sitting on the steps with his back against the house.

  Kicking the door as hard as she could, she grimaced as she grabbed her foot in pain.

  “You’re making me crazy! Go home and leave me alone! I don’t have time for this kind of drama. I don’t need you to screw up my life any more than it already is. Just leave me alone!”

  She hit the door again with her fist and hobbled out of the kitchen.

  His head dropping to his hands as he propped his elbows on his knees, Caelan sighed wearily as he slowly shook his head.

  “I can’t leave ye alone lass. I love ye.”

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  “Hawk this is the bundle but be careful there’s only one set of bands left on this end.”

  The voice on the radio confirmed what Rachel already suspected about the bundle of steel she was preparing to pick up with her crane. Adjusting the spreader beam on the crane, she slowly settled the magnets onto the bundle. Patiently, she waited for the familiar tug letting her know the steel was fully engaged with her magnets so when she lifted her load, the bundle wouldn’t go crashing to the floor.

  “Hey Hawk you got your cell phone up there or not?”

  Her supervisor’s voice squawked at her over the radio, his frazzled nerves evident in the pitch of his cracking voice.

  “Yeah it’s up here. But I’ve got it shut off why?”

  Rachel rolled her eyes as she knew the answer to the question before she’d even asked it. Caelan had been calling her number since early this morning and she’d finally shut the thing off after tiring of listening to it ring.

  Carefully, tapping the joystick with the palm of her hand, Rachel deftly maneuvered the bundle down into the railcar and released it without so much as a thump as the bundle snuggled down onto the awaiting dunnage. She was one of the best crane operators in the mill and had earned the nickname “Hawk” for more than just a shortened version of her last name.