by Diane Darcy
She gasped when he released her, and then he was walking away, the warmth of his hands and mouth fading, leaving her cold and confused.
Pressing her fingers to her lips she watched him cross the grass and head toward the girl. Did he think that was it? Did he think that was the end of the line, and without so much as a by-your-leave, he was out of her life as quickly as he’d entered?
She followed, stepping onto the grass and running to catch up. “Ronan? What are you doing?”
At that, he stopped, and turned around to look at her. “I’m sorry, lass. I wasnae thinking straight.”
He was right about that!
He lifted her pack from off his shoulder, and she realized he thought she was chasing him down to get the backpack.
With a sigh of frustration, she took it from him and placed a hand on his arm. “Thank you, but what I was trying to say was —”
She glanced at the girl, now standing in a crowd of men, and forgot what she was going to say.
She realized she was gaping, and closed her mouth. “Where in the world —”
It suddenly occurred to her that while the witch looked solid, flesh and blood, the men behind her did … not.
There must’ve been at least 40 of them, some clearly outlined to the point that she could see they were dressed in full Highland Regalia, others were so wispy that they seemed to fade in and out of existence.
She was gaping again, as chills raced up her spine. “Ronan … do you see them?”
He glanced over at the girl, at the ghosts, and nodded. “Aye, lass, my brothers-in-arms, as I told ye.”
“But … but …”
“Come.” He took her hand and pulled her forward, a relief, because she didn’t think she’d be able to move on her own.
Soni beckoned them. “Doonae be shy, come close.”
Ashley gasped in air. Those were ghosts, those were actual ghosts.
For a moment, sanity returned, and she tried to figure out how they were doing this, because surely it must be a trick, a laser show, or … something.
But in a flash, she knew that everything Ronan had told her about himself was true.
When he’d talked about the moor, he’d meant Culloden Moor. He’d said they’d been out here for hundreds of years. Trapped, unable to leave. The witch had sent him to her. The thought of him here, in such a state, wrenched at her heart and she clung to his hand with both of hers.
They quickly reached the girl. She was beautiful, dressed in a black dress and cape, the green from around her skirt gone. But it wasn’t the girl who kept her attention, it was the men behind her.
As she stared at them, they stared back at her, looking between her and Ronan, an assortment of expressions on their faces, some of them amazed, others sad, still others suspicious.
The girl chuckled, the sound charming and infectious as she turned to the men behind her. “Off with ye now then, laddies.” She made shooing motions with her hands. “I’ve some business to conduct with the lady.”
Ashley heard them grumbling, as determined, they walked across the moor, disappearing one by one, until they were all gone.
She finally turned her attention to the girl. “What just happened?”
“Just a bit of excitement about Ronan walking up with a lady. Twas to be expected.” The girl clasped her hands in front of her. “Well, how did he do?”
Ashley’s thoughts raced. Maybe they were special-effects. The visitors center had seemed well-thought-out, with all the newest bells and whistles in terms of the movie theater, and explanations of the weapons, and… oh, who was she kidding! She’d come on this ghost tour, hoping to see a ghost, and she had, she’d seen a lot of them, fallen in love with one, and that was her story and she was sticking to it!
“Lass? Did he keep ye safe?”
“Who? Ronan?” The question finally broke her out of her trance. “Yes, he did keep me safe.” She thought of the thief who’d stolen her purse with a knife, her ransacked room, about the syringe that had been stuck in his arm. If she’d been without him, she knew much worse could have happened. “Yes, he definitely kept me safe, and at great risk to himself. There is no one I’d rather have at my side. He’s wonderful, brave, strong, loyal, and fun. I’d trust him with my life. You sent him?”
“O’ course I did.”
“Thank you, Soni, is it?”
“Soni Muir, at your service.” The girl held out a hand, and Ashley slowly, hesitantly, reached forward to shake it.
She was relieved to find flesh and blood at the other end of the handshake. “I’m Ashley Martinez.”
She glanced up at Ronan, whose expression remained impassive as he seemed to look into the distance where the men, or rather, the ghosts had disappeared. Wanting to join them?
“About Ronan. If he works for you, maybe we could work out a deal? Say, I could hire him for an undetermined amount of time? Like forever?”
“Oh, no, lass. I’m sorry, but I promised him that if he did well, and he did, there’d be a prize awaiting him at the end of it. Perhaps ye’d like to hire one of the others?”
Another ghost? Ashley glanced at Ronan, to see his reaction to that suggestion. His fist opened and closed, his lips pressed tight together, his color heightened.
“I’m sorry, I’m afraid that just wouldn’t work for me. It has to be Ronan.”
She watched as his fist relaxed, but then he was staring at the ground, and he looked so sad that she thought for sure he wanted to stay with her. “Ronan, are you okay with this?”
“Lass?”
“Look, whatever you were before, you’re flesh and blood now. I’d like you to stay with me. I mean no pressure or anything, but I need you to know that.”
He swallowed. “I cannae.”
Hurt speared through her. “Because of your prize?” She wasn’t worth giving it up for? If that was the case, then he was going to have to say it so she wasn’t left wondering what had happened.
His head hung again. “I’m needed elsewhere.”
She was fighting for her future here and she knew it. Ronan was hers now. She felt it. “Maybe I need you too. Maybe you’re needed here.”
The young girl looked between them as the twilight turned to darkness, not adding anything, and giving Ashely hope that it was possible to keep him.
Pain was working its way through her, though she tried to hide it. Gulping, she nodded her head, tightened her backpack, and asked, “So, are you coming over to the B&B?”
“Nae, lass. I’m to stay here.”
Tears burned the back of her eyes, and she looked at the ground and nodded once more. “All right. All right.” She took a deep breath. “I guess I’ll just head into the visitors center and go find Monica and Garth.”
He wasn’t even looking at her when he said, “That would be for the best.”
She glared at him as her heart twisted and twisted, willing him to give her something to hope for. She swallowed, turned and walked a few feet away, then stopped.
She hadn’t wanted to chase him, had wanted the opposite, but something was off here. She could feel he wanted her. She just had to get him to admit it. Maybe if she told him how she felt first…
She turned around. “Ronan. There is something between us, it feels like it, at least to me. I … I know this is crazy, but I feel like I love you. And you’re tearing my heart out. If you don’t feel the same, then fine. I’m leaving. But I hope you know, this choice you’re making, could turn out to be one you regret forever. Maybe what we have could be worth more than the prize you value so much.”
She held her ground and watched to see what his reaction to her words would be.
The big lug just stood there, his head bowed, and he didn’t even look at her or give her the courtesy of saying anything in return.
“Did you know that it only takes 4 minutes to decide whether you like someone or not?” Without another word, she turned and walked away. She used to think that love didn’t last, but she was very a
fraid that wasn’t the case after all. Afraid this man was in her heart permanently and she’d never get over him.
Tears blinded her as she walked across the fragrant grass, spilling over before she’d even reached the path.
He hadn’t even asked for her phone number.
But then, she supposed, ghosts probably didn’t own phones.
Ronan’s insides clenched, an invisible fist tightening, twisting, making him crazed.
He didn’t watch her walk away. Couldn’t. He’d never forget the sight or feel of her and didn’t want her departure to be his last memory. It took everything in him not to turn and stride after her, to grab her up, hold her against his chest, and take back the pain he’d caused.
He tilted his head to look at familiar stars. It was that or scan for her in the distance, hoping for a last look as his heart shredded in his chest.
“Are ye all right?” Soni sounded genuinely concerned. The question struck him as absurd as he’d just hurt the most precious thing in his world. Soni was the one who’d placed Ashley in his path, thereby causing all of this destruction to her heart. To his. And yet she asked him such a question? “I will never be all right again.”
He knew he wouldn’t be.
“Oh.” She took a breath. “Well,” she said brightly. “On a positive note, Ashley thought ye did a great job, so now ye get your chance at Prince Charlie.”
The ghosts, back again, made approving noises; congratulating him, expressing admiration and respect.
Ronan nodded, keeping his teeth clenched so he wouldn’t denounce the plan that he’d wanted, that he’d agreed to, before he’d met Ashley.
But meeting her, having her with him, even for the short time they’d been together, had completely extinguished his desire for revenge against his nemesis.
It was insane. He’d nursed anger for centuries. He’d known Ashley but two days, yet all his fury, his desire for vengeance, had been pushed aside and replaced with her.
Only her.
He knew his duty, though it crushed him. He couldn’t let the men down, but in his heart he knew he’d change it if he could. But what use would she have for a man who did not keep his word?
But what if his brothers, the ones gone before, had already exacted all the retribution needed?
What if he found it was all for naught?
“What if I give it up?” Ronan said roughly through clenched teeth, feeling shame at the asking, but also hope in equal measure.
“What’s that? I didnae hear ye.”
“What if I choose not to take vengeance on Prince Charlie? Could I … spend more time instead with Ashley?” Because another minute, hour, day with her, would mean far more than the long-awaited revenge.
The men murmured amongst themselves, but surprisingly, did not malign him as a coward.
“The poor lass seemed fond of him.”
“Looked heartbroken, she did.”
“Twas a sad goodbye, indeed.”
“And for him to have found love at this late date — perhaps a bit more time wouldnae come amiss?”
“Aye, there’s plenty among us to exact revenge. If ye could see it in yer heart, lass? Twould be a fine thing for a fellow friend.”
The fist was back to clenching his stomach and he bowed his head to hide the tears wetting his eyes. He’d have expected their condemnation and derision, not help and concern.
He bit the inside of one cheek, striving for a semblance of control. Aye, they were a fine lot of lads, as braw and brave as a man could have as companions. He should have expected such aid.
“I’m sorry, laddie,” Soni’s voice filled with concern. “If ye’d saved her, and she ye, then perhaps …?”
Ronan’s head shot up, his entire attention focused upon Soni. “I did save her, and she me.”
“What do ye mean?”
“A man tried to rob her, perhaps kill her,” his words picked up speed, “and if not for me, she might be cold and lifeless now, moved on to her eternal reward.”
“What man?”
“A thief in Edinburgh. He cut her purse away and destroyed her room. As he didn’t get what he’d wanted, I believe he’d have attacked again but for my presence.”
He took another breath anxious to convince her. “Another man tried to drug or poison me as I carried her pack. Twould have been her if I’d not been there, that wrath turned in her direction.” He thought of the man who’d been in her home and his fists tightened, hardened. “She may be in danger still.”
The ghosts around him murmured their disgust and anger.
“And the poor lass left unprotected?”
“Such a tiny thing. What chance against a villain?”
“Och, aye, tisn’t right. She must have protection.”
Gratitude toward his brothers rose once more as Soni looked thoughtful, considering.
“Hmm,” she tapped a finger against her lips. “What of her? Ye say she saved ye as well?”
“She calmed my anger. She took it and drained it away as if it’d never been, filling my heart with herself instead. The way she talks, her laughter, the brilliance of her mind. Her silliness, her joy at being scared, the way she clings. All of it.”
As he spoke, he saw his brothers had gathered closer, yearning, awe, and wonder in their gazes.
Soni sighed, the sound sad. “I’m sorry, laddie. Yer time is up, and I commend ye for serving well. Tis time to go to yer reward.”
Hope fizzled as he heard the bus honk twice, and knew she was already aboard, soon to leave him forever.
He sank to his knees, bowed his head, and waited. He’d yearned for this moment for centuries, and yet instead of the joy he’d thought it would bring him, all he felt was devastation.
“Send me on my way then, if that’s to be the way of it. But I’ll bypass Prince Charlie if it’s all the same to ye. I’ve not the heart for it, and my brothers can do the job well.”
Aye, he’d go, his thoughts now filled with waiting for Ashley. When it was her time, would he see her again? Would she even remember him after a long life filled with living?
For himself, he’d memorized every feature, every quirk of personality. She was the most achingly beautiful, intelligent, talented female ever born. Her sweetness, the teasing tone when she spoke to him, the way she fit in his arms; all were branded into his memory.
A loud roaring noise had him gasping and he jerked his head up, glanced around frantically, his hands covering his ears as he took in the long white building before him, the cars and people milling about.
This was heaven?
Understanding quickly dawned.
Ah, so, it twas to be the other, then. His chance with Ashley truly lost forever.
Chapter 15
Her heart was breaking.
Logan stood at the front of the bus after the headcount. “It looks like we’re missing,” his gaze ran over the crowd, and landed on Ashley. “Ronan.”
“He met up with a friend, and so he won’t be joining us.” Ashley was quite proud of the way her voice didn’t crack, and how she didn’t break down in tears.
She was trying to come to grips with the fact that the man she’d spent the last two days with on her ghost tour was a ghost himself, and so could never be hers.
Either that, or she was being scammed by a con artist, which was entirely possible considering the fact that someone was, well, actually trying to scam her.
But she didn’t believe that. She’d seen the ghosts, vivid and real, with her own eyes. Besides, at any point in their journey, Ronan could have stolen her backpack and taken off with it. In fact, this trip would have turned out very differently indeed, had Ronan not been her companion.
And why had he been? Why had he shown up exactly when she’d needed him? And why couldn’t he stay?
Perhaps he was more of a guardian angel.
And what? Supposedly, she didn’t need him anymore? What about the man who’d broken into her house, and threatened her? What about the man
in Edinburgh who had cut her purse from her with a knife? She didn’t feel safe from him. Without Ronan she didn’t feel safe anymore at all. Without him she didn’t feel … anything.
She was in so much trouble, because she was never going to get over him, was she?
Monica turned around in her seat, her arm over the back, elbow bent, as she looked at Ashley. “He just took off? Is he coming back?”
“It didn’t sound like it.”
“Oh, hon.” Her face filled with sympathy. “Are you okay?”
She nodded, holding back tears again. She’d feel like an idiot, or rather, would feel like she looked like one to everyone around her if she started to cry over a man they all knew she’d just met, so she tried to rein in her emotions.
“Oh, Ashley, I’m so sorry. I know you like him. Did you give him your phone number?”
Misery seeped in to her numbness, parts of her shattering as she shook her head.
“Well, he can always look you up online.”
As the man was a ghost, that was doubtful. But maybe she could figure out a way to get him to haunt her? She looked out the window, couldn’t see much, and her heart was aching with how badly she wanted to hold his hand once more, or lay on his shoulder.
They stopped about five minutes later. Literally, they were still within walking distance of Culloden Moor.
Much good it would do her.
They got off the bus, and Logan thanked them all profusely for attending his tour. “Please, don’t forget to leave reviews. This tour was the first of its kind, an experiment to see if there would be any interest in this type of long-distance ghost hunt. I hope, with your support, it might become a regular excursion.”
Logan opened the doors. “I’m going to unload your luggage. The bed-and-breakfast is waiting for ye to arrive, and don’t forget to check which you’re staying at. So, this will be goodbye until next time.”
By the time Ashley and her friends exited the bus, Logan already had at least half of the luggage unloaded.
