A Highlander's Obsession

by Vonnie Davis

  Dark eyes stared at her.

  You’re awake. How long had she been asleep? She glanced at Fiona, who was snoring, her head dropped against her shoulder. Paisley’s attention returned to Creighton and she pressed fingertips to his neck to check his pulse.

  His eyes narrowed. Hear me words, lassie. I might put up with Rivers and maybe Mossie, but no way in feckin’ hell will me bairns be called Rainbow or Mudpie.

  She checked his bandages. How nice to see a spark of his Scottish temper. You know, if you don’t concentrate on getting well, you won’t be able to make any babies.

  A low growl crawled from his throat.

  You’ll be too weak to get it on … or get it up.

  Ye will pay for this.

  She pressed her forehead against his. You will follow my orders so you get well, because I’m marrying you in three weeks.

  I want bairns right away.

  A shiver of awareness danced through her. She wanted children too. Lots of them. Then you must rest. Next year at this time, we’ll be holding our first child.

  Aye, leannan. His eyes closed and his breathing deepened.

  No doubt this was one of the few times her Scot would listen to her.

  * * *

  The next time Creighton woke, he lay on a mattress on the floor of his office. How had he gotten here? His head was too muzzy to think clearly. He licked his lips, needing water. Jean-clad knees dropped beside his shoulder and his gaze took in his beloved.

  “Need some water?”

  He nodded and reached with his good paw for the bottle she held. She stood and moved toward the bar. The microwave whirled to life and then dinged. The aroma of oatmeal and honey drifted toward his nose. By the time he’d guzzled all the water, she was back with a bowl.

  “Think you can eat?” Paisley held a spoonful in front of his lips and he opened his mouth.

  Needs more honey.

  Paisley went for the jar and returned with it to spoon more into the mixture.

  How did I get here?

  “Your brothers and Kendric brought you home two days ago on some weird contraption they made. A gurney wasn’t strong enough to carry your massive weight.”

  I don’t remember.

  She smiled and fed him another mouthful. “I drugged you. In fact, I’ve kept you under sedation until a few hours ago when I removed the IV.”

  Someone knocked on the door and she moved to answer it.

  Creighton picked up the container of honey and poured it into his mouth.

  Paisley opened the door a few inches and stepped into the hallway. “Hello, Alex.”

  The bear’s ears twitched so he could understand the conversation drifting through the closed door. Her ex-fiancé was here and, dammit to fukin’ hell, Creighton was stuck in his bear’s body until he’d healed enough to shift. Bloody hell!

  “What kind of God-forsaken place is this? I was supposed to have transportation waiting for me at the airport. My ride was twelve hours late.”

  “We’ve had an emergency situation here. I’m sorry you’ve had to make do.”

  “Make do? I’ve been damned inconvenienced, Paisley! I’ve been put on the fourth floor, in an attic room, and the elevator has an Out of Order sign on it.”

  Oh, what a feckin’ whiner this American is. A bampot. A numpty.

  “Alex, no one asked you to come. I certainly didn’t.”

  “I came to carry you back to the States. I was able to postpone your TV interview.”

  Creighton tensed and tried to raise his head from the pillow. Like hell will I or anyone in me clan allow him to steal her from us.

  “Go away, Alex. You and I are through. I’m engaged.”

  Fukin’ A, buddy. She is me beloved. Mine.

  “Engaged? You stupid bitch. Have you lost your ever-lovin’ mind? And what’s with the odor. My God, you smell like a wild animal.”

  “Mr. Bristol,” Bryce’s voice rose in annoyance and caution. “Ye are a guest in our home. That does not give ye the right to yell insults at our sister. In Scotland, we cherish what is ours.”

  Bryce, knock him arsehole over tin cup.

  “Sister? This conversation is between Paisley and me. Butt out.”

  A scuffle started and a fist pounded skin. Something heavy hit the floor.

  “Thanks, Bryce. Drag his unwelcome butt into the great room. Oh, your brother’s awake. He’s had some nourishment and his vital signs are good.”

  “Thank God. I’ll tell Mum and the guys.”

  The door opened and Paisley stepped in, locking it behind her. “I suppose you heard all that complaining with your acute bear’s hearing?” She lay next to him and snuggled.

  Ye are mine.

  “Yes, I’m yours and you’re mine.” She smiled. “You should be pleased. Bryce gave Alex a special Highland welcome.” She rose on her elbow and kissed him between the eyes. “Rest now.” Her gaze snagged on something and her eyebrows rose. Reaching across him she picked up the empty honey jar. She looked at it and then aimed a scowl at him.

  Honey increases sperm count.

  “Oh, you’re so full of it. There’s no scientific evidence to support that ridiculous statement.”

  It’s an auld Scottish belief.

  She tucked the covers around his neck, the corners of her mouth quirking. “Go to sleep, big guy. When you wake up again, I’ll check your wounds and change the bandages.”

  Will ye stay with me?

  She pressed her forehead against his and scratched behind his ears. “I’ll kill anyone who tries to take me from you.”

  Beloved.

  True to her word, she was lying beside him when he woke. She had her glasses off and held a book close to her eyes.

  He winced as he shifted onto his side. What are ye reading?

  “Poetry. Robert Louis Stephenson.” Her hand went to his face. “How are you feeling? You slept for nearly four hours. Hungry?”

  Like a bear.

  “Let me change your bandages first. Then I’ll have Cook bring you some salmon.”

  And honey?

  “You’re pushing it.” She closed the book and rose to a sitting position. “We need to talk.”

  About what? Did this have something to do with her ex-fiancé?

  “Anesthesia often clouds a patient’s memory. When you were still in the cave, I told you we were getting married in three weeks. I need to know you’re okay with that.”

  Aye, I’m okay with it. Will ye come to miss a big wedding with all the finery?

  “Ending this curse is more important than fancy centerpieces or a champagne fountain. I’ve already contacted Gram’s lawyer in the States for the documentation I’ll need. According to him, the papers should be here in a day or two.”

  Someone knocked and she unlocked the door and opened it. Ronan, Bryce, and Kendric entered. Ronan slung his arm across her shoulders. “How’s he doing?”

  “He’s awake and alert. Could you stay with him while I take a quick shower and have Cook make him some salmon?”

  Ronan kissed her forehead. “Go ahead. We’ll take care of the patient.”

  His brothers and cousin sat on the floor, at one side of his mattress.

  Ye have news for me.

  Kendric nodded. “A lot, actually. We’ve learned much since ye’ve been shot. Malcolm’s in deep with a gambling ring for a lot of money. To work off the debt, he had to sell and deliver large quantities of drugs. First to the larger cities and then here in Mathe Bay.”

  And the bas’ had no compunction about bringing drugs into me clan?

  “Evidently not, Laird. Ye ken he always resented not being able to shift. I dinna ken if he ever felt a part of us.”

  Bryce scratched his beard. “As if it were our fault his da married a French woman with stronger genes than his.”

  Creighton looked at Kendric. So, he’s in jail?

  “Aye. He and his partner, who was more forthcoming with information than Malcolm.”

  Why did he ta
ke me beloved’s grandmother?

  “ ’Twas as Hamish suggested. Malcolm planned to kill Effie so he could inherit all of Angus’s estate. His partner said they were going to overdose her and, once she was dead, plant her body in the woods behind the high school. Make it look like she just wandered off and died of exposure.”

  Two bloody men ruined by greed and drugs. So, all the times Malcolm bitched to me about Effie selling the estate to American oil companies, that was just to throw me attentions off his illegal activities and onto an innocent woman. The feckin’ bastard.

  Kendric nodded. “Aye, ye are right, Laird. Malcolm was behind it all. It was him and his partner who attacked Earnan and rendered him unconscious with an ether-soaked rag. They carried Duncan out on a stretcher and took him to the cave. Duncan knew too much about their operations. They feared he’d divulge everything. The gambling ring, the drugs, and the animal sacrificing rituals.”

  “That’s the part I dinna get.” Ronan leaned forward to glance at Kendric. “Why kill the sheep?”

  “It all stems back to Malcolm. Seems he’s also into the animal-sacrificing part of witchcraft.” Kendric shrugged. “I think, in his sick way, he felt he was getting back at us by hurting animals.”

  The feckin’ bloody fool. Listen, when any of you see Earnan, thank him for saving me life.

  Ronan exhaled a bark of laughter. “Better thank yer intended. She’s the one who operated on ye. Worked until her arms trembled and her knees bled from the sharp stones she had to kneel on fer hours while she worked to save ye. Auld Earnan was there, but he couldna get down on his knees, so he told her what she needed to do.” He shook his head slowly. “One of the bullets was next to yer heart. When she tried to remove it, yer heart stopped.” His voice held a measure of reverence. “She went pale as a full moon. She looked over at Effie, who started praying or chanting or something. The two nodded at each other as if to exchange a message. Then Paisley massaged yer heart with her finger to get it working again.”

  I had no clue. So me beloved saved me.

  “Mum says ye’re getting married in three weeks. Says Paisley’s insisting on it to break the curse as soon as she can.”

  Creighton expelled a long sigh. Aye, Bryce. ’Tis true. I plan to make her one verra happy woman. Need ye to bring me robe and baffies in here so I can have something to wear when I shift. Me strength is returning, and I have an American numpty to send on his way.

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Paisley, fresh from her shower, sat on the edge of the bed to apply clean bandages to her knees. Gram shuffled into her bedroom. Her silver eyebrows furrowed as she bent over to inspect Paisley’s cuts. “They’re healing nicely, sweet pea.”

  She nodded. “Those sharp rocks right where I needed to kneel to operate on Creighton nearly did me in. I tried shifting to a smoother part of the cave’s floor, but then I couldn’t see what my fingers were doing, especially when I operated so near his heart. The cuts and bruises are minor, really, when you consider what he’s been through.” The tears she’d fought to keep at bay found release. “Oh, Gram, I nearly lost him.” Her hands covered her eyes as sobs racked her body.

  The bed dipped slightly when Gram sat and enveloped Paisley in her arms. “There, there, sweet pea. Let it out. You’ve been through a lot, worrying about me and then working so hard to save the man you love. No one else could have done any better.” She rocked Paisley back and forth as she crooned to her. Gram’s baby-powder scent brought back memories of so many comforting moments with this woman.

  “His … his life was in my hands, Gram. No one should have that pressure put on them. I’ll … I’ll never forget when his heart stopped.” She had to expel all her emotions now. Exorcise all her fears before she returned to Creighton. She didn’t want him to know how close he’d come to death, that he’d actually stepped a foot into another realm. “If you hadn’t been there to help me.”

  Gram waved her hand. “Oh, pahhh. You’re the one who operated on him.”

  “And you’re the one who provided a dose of magic.”

  Gram kissed both of her cheeks. “We won’t talk of it. For now, you cry. God knows you deserve a good crying jag.” She turned and pulled some tissues from the box on the nightstand. “Blow now and I’ll fill you in on some things I’ve been up to while you’ve been with your bear. I’ve been in contact with a couple ladies at the church back home. I was going to hire a company to pack up our house, but then I thought why not ask Jessie and Carol Ann and the rest of the ladies’ guild to do it. I’ll pay them each something and give a nice donation to the church. Better to pay them than to pay strangers, don’t you think?”

  Paisley nodded, calmed by the sound of Gram’s prattling.

  “All I want shipped here are my clothes and family pictures. My furniture I’ll sell. We’ve got more than enough stuff at Iverson Hall. Might as well sell the cars too. There’s one at Iverson and we can always buy a second one so we both have wheels. Is there anything you want beyond your clothes and the things in your office? I’m thinking you’ll need all your books.”

  Paisley reached for more tissues and blew her nose. “That sounds fine, Gram. I don’t know how much work I’ll be doing for a while. Not with the wedding in three weeks. And Creighton wants to start a family right away.”

  Gram peered into Paisley’s eyes. “And this pleases you? Having a baby right away?”

  A smile spread and her heart expanded with all the love she had for this man and his family. “Yes. Yes, it does. How will you like being a great-grandmother when the time comes?”

  “Darlin’, if you’re happy, I’m happy.”

  She stood and opened a dresser drawer. “I’m very happy.” She whirled on Gram. “I know this makes me a horrible person, but I was also very happy when Bryce coldcocked Alex.”

  Gram’s face lit up. “He didn’t! Oh, I’d have paid big bucks to have seen that. You know, I ran into Alex on the stairway earlier today. Poor schmuck was complaining because of a little ol’ sign on the elevator.” She winked.

  “Gram! You didn’t!”

  “I patted his paunch and told him stair climbing would be good for his middle-aged spread.” She glanced at her pink fingernail polish. “Poor fellow seemed to take offense.” Her grin grew wider. “You better get dressed so you can return to your patient. Give him a kiss for me, sweet pea. What a hero. He never thought twice about it. He stood and took three bullets meant for me. Why? Because I am his future wife’s grandmother.” She heaved a sigh. “What a man.”

  A few minutes later, Paisley hurried down the steps, eager to return to Creighton.

  Alex stepped out of the great room, his bruised face composed. “Paisley, might I have a word with you?”

  The man never gave up. “Only if the word is good-bye. You’re not welcome here. We are through. My life is in Mathe Bay now.”

  “But your calling, your gift. I’ve got projects lined up. I’ve given up a lot of my time to further your career.”

  She wrapped her fingers around the heart necklace Creighton gave her. “Those were things I never asked you to do. In fact, I asked you not to interfere with my career. I never needed a manager, Alex. I needed a man who loved me for me.”

  Alex grabbed her arm and shoved her against the wall. “You just don’t get it, do you? We stand to make a lot of money off of your abilities. Books, TV appearances, speaking engagements, and the prices we can charge for your services?” He laughed. “We’ll be rich. I’ll never have to shove a thermometer up a cat’s ass again. I’m not leaving Scotland without you.”

  “Aye, ye are. Ye will leave Scotland and me fiancée will remain here, with me and me clan.”

  Paisley’s head swiveled toward the deep, angry voice. “What are you doing out of bed?” When had he shifted?

  Creighton, dressed in a robe, leaned against the doorframe to his office. His posture belied his weakened state.

  Alex sauntered over to him. “Who in the hell are you?”

&n
bsp; He straightened slowly, no doubt hurting fiercely from his injuries. “Laird Creighton Matheson. I am Paisley’s future husband. If ye touch her again … if ye speak to her … hell, if ye so much as fukin’ look at her, I’ll tear ye limb from limb. Do ye ken what I’m saying?” His eyes glowed golden and a low growl rumbled.

  “You can’t threaten me like that. I’ll call the law.”

  Creighton laughed, his booming voice ricocheting off the castle walls. “Hell, ye bampot, here in Mathe Bay, I am the law. Now pack yer bags, and me brother will drive ye to the airport. Don’t ever come back.”

  Paisley moved to stand beside Creighton, her arm sliding around his narrow waist. “Good-bye, Alex.” She looked up at her fiancé and smiled. “Now, love, I think you need to rest. We have a wedding to plan.” They walked through the doorway and she closed and locked the door behind them.

  Creighton pulled her into his arms. “I love ye for ye are the beat of me heart.”

  She snuggled against him and smiled into his chest. “And I love you.”

  “Beloved.”

  To Calvin, my forever-hero, who holds my hand and says, “You’re going to make it, Angel.”

  Acknowledgments

  Thank you to the four loving and talented authors who held my hand when I was in the throes of writer’s panic or corrected me when I got things wrong in the mystical realm of grammar and storytelling—AJ Nuest, LaVerne Clark, Mackenzie Crowne, and Paisley Kirkpatrick, heroines of my heart.

  To my fabulous Street Team, Vonnie’s Vixens, a top-notch, supportive group of devoted romance readers and awesome authors, thanks for all the encouragement, laughter, pictures (’nuff said there), and all you do to pimp my books. I love you all for being you; don’t ever change.

  To Sue Grimshaw, my insightful and supportive editor at Loveswept, a special hug of gratitude.

  PHOTO: MIKE SHUBERT

  VONNIE DAVIS, award-winning international author, studied English and Business Administration at Penn State. She likens herself to a croissant: warm, crusty, wrinkled, flaky—and best served with strong coffee. After retiring as a technical writer, she’s enjoying a second career playing fairy godmother to her characters, giving them their happily-ever-afters. Six fantastic kids call her Grandma and brighten her world in so many ways. She lives in Southern Virginia with her husband, author Calvin Davis.