Echoes from the Mist

by Advocate

  Liv padded over to Kayla wrapped her in a big hug, lingering there long enough to whisper something in her ear. Glen watched dazedly as Kayla nodded, whispered something back to Liv and returned the embrace. A few heartbeats then Kayla pulled away, but not before tenderly kissing Liv’s cheek.

  With a gentle pat to Kayla’s side, Liv shifted her focus to Glen and slowly crossed the room.

  Glen was still shaky and confused, trying to process what had happened, when Liv crouched down in front of her and waited until frightened eyes lifted to hers and held her steely gaze. She spoke in a gentle but firm voice. "Your briefcase is in the study next door and I think you owe Kayla an apology."

  Glen’s mouth dropped open.

  Liv leaned a little closer and whispered, "Kayla cared about you, and your little scheme really hurt her." She let the words sink in for a moment before the Southerner in her took over and her light Virginia accent unconsciously intensified, becoming nearly as pronounced as Kayla’s. "You should really thank her after you apologize." She felt a rush of protectiveness for her lover and she narrowed her eyes at Glen, barely resisting lashing out at her for hurting Kayla. "It was because of her that I went to all this trouble." Then Liv’s expression cleared and her lips curled into a deceptively sweet smile. She put her hand on her knees and pushed to her feet, holding her hand out to Glen. "I would have just kicked your lyin’ ass."

  * * *

  Kayla sat up in bed, her back against the headboard, as she watched Liv getting ready for bed. As a little girl she’d seen her mother go through the same routine and she smiled, wondering idly why it wasn’t one she shared.

  Liv was sitting on the stool in front of the mirror, wearing a pair of flannel pajama bottoms and an old t-shirt. She’d bought the pajama pants here in Edinburgh, declaring it too cold to be running around in shorts, her usual sleep attire, or her birthday suit, which was fast becoming the norm with Kayla. She ran the brush through her hair for the final time and set it down on the small table in front of her. By rote she removed the studs from her ears and unclasped a small gold chain she wore around her wrist. Then she picked up a tube of fragrant lotion and liberally applied it to her cheeks and neck, softly rubbing it in until it disappeared against smooth skin. She repeated the process with her elbows and hands, finally catching a glimpse of a smiling Kayla in the mirror. Liv smiled back. "What?"

  "Nothing."

  "Uh huh. It doesn’t look like nothing. It looks like you were thinking about something pretty hard."

  "I wasn’t." Kayla shrugged one shoulder. "I was just watching you is all."

  "Oh," Liv replied, suddenly a little shy. "I like watching you too." She set the lotion down on the table and clicked off the small tiffany lamp below the mirror, casting the room in long shadow. The storm had moved out over the sea and the sky was only occasionally lit with a flash of lightning and the gentle rumble of far off thunder. She slipped into bed alongside Kayla, joining her against the headboard and pulling the sheet and comforter up to her waist.

  "Mmm." Kayla sighed. "You smell like flowers and sunshine."

  Liv laughed delightedly. "I didn’t know sunshine had a smell."

  "Oh, it does," Kayla drawled emphatically, leaning closer to Liv and kissing the top of her head. "Because I said so."

  Liv wrapped her fingers around Kayla’s hand and cradled it in her lap. "Can you believe the timing of that storm tonight?" She shook her head. "Perfect. It was perfect. I think it’s the only time in my life I was happy to see one."

  "Mmm… Hmm… Nothing like a little thunder, lightning, and a torrential downpour to make a place look spooky."

  "True." Liv scooted down the bed and adjusted her pillow so that she was lying flat and it was cushioning her head as Kayla did the same thing next to her. "I heard you, you know."

  Kayla let her eyelids drift shut. "Heard me?" she murmured.

  "Telling me that everything would be okay, during the storm."

  Kayla’s eyebrows jumped but somehow her eyes remained closed. "Wow. All the way upstairs?"

  "Yeah." She giggled quietly. "Having you pop into my head when I wasn’t expecting it nearly caused me to wet my pants."

  The brunette chuckled softly and rolled onto her side so she could see her partner’s face. She traced Liv’s cheek with her fingertips. "I’m sorry."

  "Don’t be." Liv smiled at her fondly. "It helped. That thunder was starting to freak me out again."

  Kayla was silent for so long that Liv wondered if she’d fallen asleep. "Kayla," she whispered. "Are you okay?"

  The tall woman had to swallow a few times before answering. This was the first time in her entire life her ability had helped someone she loved. She’d helped the scientists in college who’d treated her like a lab rat with their own research. Unwittingly, she’d allowed her ability to feed Glen’s greed. She’d even helped total strangers a time or two. But this made her heart hurt with pleasure. She was truly speechless. "Yeah," she finally croaked softly, deciding not to try and explain her feelings right now. "I’m fantastic."

  Liv blinked. "Well, okay," she answered slowly, not sure why Kayla was suddenly so chipper. "I’m glad you’re happy."

  Kayla chuckled softly. "God, that horrible voice calling Glen’s name was awesome."

  "That was me sneaking around in my socks, using my hangover voice."

  "Remind me not to let you drink too much."

  "I will."

  "The locked door?"

  "Brody standing out in the pouring rain. I knew she’d bolt eventually."

  "Mmm."

  Liv yawned. "But you slamming those doors, one after the other. That was the best. That scared me. I wasn’t expecting it at all. How did you manage to get behind Glen in the hallway?" she asked interestedly.

  Oh, boy. "I didn’t, Liv."

  "Kayla?"

  "Yeah?"

  "Don’t say shit like that." Liv began smacking the darker woman, who burst out laughing.

  "Ouch! Ouch!" She tried to defend herself against Liv’s vicious attack with little success.

  "I mean it!" Smack. Smack. "That’s creepy!"

  "Okay, okay. I was just joking, I did manage to get around behind her." Not.

  Liv’s hands stilled. "You’re lying aren’t you?"

  "Yes."

  "Well, don’t start telling the truth now!" She began hitting her again.

  Kayla tried to grab Liv’s flying hands but they were too quick. "All right, I’m not lying!" She dissolved into laughter again.

  "Thank you. Jeeze, keep your freakin’ stories straight. How can I believe you when you’re lying for my own good if you confess immediately?"

  "You won’t?"

  "Exactly."

  "Liv?"

  "Don’t talk about it."

  "Bu—"

  "Not a damn word, Kayla."

  "Fine," Kayla groused.

  A light rain still pelted the window but its rhythm was soothing and constant and both women felt their eyelids growing heavier as the gentle patter cast a lethargic spell over them.

  "I’m sorry I couldn’t get Mr. Keith to let you continue researching the house." Liv’s voice was so hushed Kayla almost missed it. "I tried my best."

  Kayla lazily slid her hand beneath Liv’s t-shirt and let it rest against the warm soft skin just below her partner’s ribs. "Your best was more than good enough. He was a lot nicer about the whole thing than I would have been. I don’t know how you managed it, but somehow I think everything is going to work out."

  After a long very private conversation with Liv, where Glen and Mary’s actions had been explained to the old Scot, Robert Keith had agreed not to file charges against Kayla or go to the press about what had happened. But no amount of cajoling could convince the man to let Kayla continue studying the house. He’d informed the women blithely that whatever restless spirit dwelled there now had likely been there for hundreds of years, and as long as he, she, or it wasn’t the cause of the blood on the wall, his guests coul
d live with getting an unexpected chill every now and again. This was, after all, Edinburgh.

  Refusing any payment, Brody had agreed to watch Glen until morning when he and Mr. Keith could accompany her to the First Bank of Scotland where she would execute an intrabank transfer of every red cent she had. Mr. Keith would be refunded Kayla’s fee plus interest, and the remaining funds would be deposited into a new account in Kayla’s name where they would stay until Glen’s books could be fully audited. Not that it mattered. Kayla had already decided to simply refund every client she’d had in the past two years out of that account.

  When Kayla had told Glen what was going to happen, the Japanese woman had nearly had a stroke. Liv had come to the rescue again, gleefully explaining that, if Glen didn’t agree to the money transfer, Mr. Keith would be more than happy to contact the authorities, and not only would she end up penniless but she would also be afraid to bend over and pick up a bar of soap for the next three to five years.

  Kayla had burst out laughing, but Glen had had no earthly idea what Liv was talking about and the blonde woman had taken great pleasure explaining it. In detail. Twice. Kayla smiled just remembering it. God, even Brody blushed!

  As for Mary MacPherson, Mr. Keith assured Kayla that simply telling her mother would be more than enough punishment. The old man had literally shivered at the prospect of what his former maid would do to her wayward daughter. Kayla suspected that he had just enough of a soft spot for Mary not to want to see her in jail, but not so much that he was going to let her off the hook completely, which was fine by her. Kayla found herself wanting to go home to Virginia in the worst way. She could visit her sister Marcy again and she knew Liv would love to spend more time with Doug. She could also give the history they’d found on Cobb Island the study it deserved, but mostly she needed to regroup.

  "Liv, I know we talked about this already, but—"

  A sigh. Not again.

  "But don’t you think it’s wrong that Glen won’t be punished." Mary was one thing, but Glen had been the brains behind the whole thing.

  "Yes and no." Liv rolled to over face Kayla. She propped herself up on one elbow and rested her head on her hand. "If she gets exposed your career could be over."

  Kayla’s brow furrowed. "But—" Her speech was cut off as two fingers landed on her lips, and stayed there.

  "It’s not worth it, Kayla. People will get their money back and you won’t get hurt." Even in the shadows she could see Kayla’s eyes flash. "Please," she said quickly. God, we’ve been over this a hundred times already. She tried another tack. "If not for you, how about for me? I just started down this particular path with you. I’m not ready to get off it quickly."

  Kayla let out an explosive breath and Liv knew she’d won. She removed her fingers from Kayla’s soft lips and replaced them with her mouth.

  The kiss went on for long, charged moments, neither woman wanting to stop. Finally, breathing raggedly, Liv pulled away just enough to glance down at herself. Kayla had slid one hand inside her pajama pants and it was firmly kneading her bottom, while Kayla’s other hand was under her shirt caressing a very grateful breast. No wonder I’m having so much fun. "God, wouldn’t this be better without all these clothes?" Liv said thickly, already working her way out of her t-shirt.

  "Well, yes," Kayla, who was blissfully nude, agreed, "but you’re the one who—"

  "What do I know?" Liv’s pajamas sailed across the room.

  "You do get cold in the mor—"

  Liv pushed Kayla onto her back and laid fully atop her, their legs easily tangling together.

  The younger woman moaned softly at the sensual contact, her previous thoughts whisked away by the erotic onslaught of soft breasts pressing snugly against hers. Moist golden curls tickled her lower abdomen, and the musky scent of Liv’s arousal called to her with a song so powerful it put the Sirens to shame.

  Liv looked down into Kayla’s eyes and innocently asked, "Do you think you’ll have trouble keeping me warm? Do you think you can handle that, ghostbuster? Do you?" she taunted with nearly diabolical glee.

  A low rumbling growl was her answer and she half-gasped, half-squealed as Kayla picked up the gauntlet and their positions were reversed before she could blink.

  "I can handle it, Olivia." Kayla’s husky voice sent a thrill through Liv and her mouth went as dry as cotton candy. "The question is…" A flash of white teeth. "Can you?"

  Liv’s heart hammered in her chest. "I-I’m not sure, Kayla," she answered honestly, seeing the passionate glint in her lover’s eyes. She smiled. "But I’m willing to die trying."

  The sheets and blankets lay cold and forgotten for most of the night.

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  THE MORNING FOUND Kayla and Liv resting lazily in bed and hoping to spend some more time with Badger before heading back to the States. Kayla was able to book a plane out of Edinburgh the next day so this looked like it would be their last chance. Though she usually ended up doing some work in this city at least once or twice a year.

  "So call him and see if he’s around today." Liv stifled a yawn with the back of her hand.

  Kayla lifted her disheveled head from the bare belly it was resting on. "He said we didn’t need to call. Just to come by."

  "Okay." Liv closed her eyes and sighed. "It’s early, right? We don’t have to get up yet." She felt Kayla chuckle against her stomach.

  An eyelid opened and a blue eyeball rolled sideways to get a good look at the clock. She blinked tiredly, trying to focus on the numbers. "We missed breakfast."

  "What a surprise," Liv mumbled wryly. She laid her hand on the warm skin between Kayla’s shoulder blades. "You okay this morning?"

  "You mean am I sorry about what we did to Glen?"

  Liv opened her eyes as Kayla sat up. "Yeah, I guess so. And everything that’s happened." I’m worried about you.

  Kayla smiled affectionately at her partner and lifted her hand to cup Liv’s cheek. "You don’t have to worry about me. I’m disappointed in Glen and my business is going to be… well, things are going to be different now. I’ve never had to try to get clients. Glen sort of just said ‘be here’ or ‘go there’, and there would be a ticket for me at the airport and my bank account would get a boost after every job."

  Liv’s eyes widened with alarm.

  "Yeah, I know." Kayla’s gaze dropped from Liv’s. "I made it pretty easy for her to use me."

  "Mmm." Liv agreed wholeheartedly but she didn’t think Kayla needed her to rub it in. "You can always get another agent."

  Kayla just snorted.

  "Or, we could do it ourselves? I can do scheduling and basic accounting," Liv offered. "I think."

  "Really?" Kayla looked up hopefully.

  "Sure." Liv turned her face and kissed Kayla’s palm before she set it on the bed. "How hard can it be? You had a twelve-year-old doing it before," she laughed. "I don’t know how we’ll find clients yet, but we’ll figure it out."

  Kayla gave her partner a brilliant smile. "All right then. It’s a done deal. Come on." She sprang out of bed and ambled over to the dresser where Liv had unpacked her clothes. "Looks like it’s going to be warmer today," she said conversationally as she opened a drawer. She picked up a heavy-weight, long sleeved, white cotton blouse and shook her head slightly. I’ve never even used a dresser when I travel. Always just lived out of my suitcase. From now on things are sure gonna be…. Two warmarms wrapped around her middle and squeezed gently.

  "Will you hand me my blue sweater, hon?"

  Yeah, she sighed inwardly. Things are going to be great.

  They dressed in companionable silence, comfortable in the unknown future that stretched out before them because the most important thing was settled. They were together.

  * * *

  It was such a beautiful, crisp autumn day that Kayla and Liv had the cab driver drop them at the end of the long, winding dirt road that lead to Cobb Manor. Their boots splashed happily through the shallow puddles caused by last night’s
storm and pebbles crunched under their feet. The sky was dotted with white, fluffy clouds that floated amiably on a background of dazzling blue.

  "Huh." Kayla pointed to the quiet booth by the front gate. A sign reading ‘closed’ was neatly taped to the booth’s door. "Brody didn’t mention they wouldn’t be open today. He should have been back from dealing with Glen hours ago." She turned to Liv. "Let’s just knock."

  "Do you think we’re being pests?"

  "Probably. So?" Kayla draped her arm over Liv’s shoulder, admiring the way the sunshine reflected off Liv’s golden hair.

  Liv tilted her head up and brushed her lips against Kayla’s. "You’re so much trouble," she said against Kayla’s soft mouth.

  "Isn’t she though?" Badger boomed loudly appearing from behind the gate and taking a good five years off Liv’s life.

  "Jesus Christ, Badger!" Liv laid her hand on her pounding heart.

  Kayla narrowed her eyes. "You wait until you can do that to us, don’t you?"

  Badger jerked a thumb towards his barrel chest, his light eyes going round and conveying a devastating innocence. "Who me?"

  The gesture was achingly familiar, even to Kayla, who blushed at the man’s dead-on imitation. "Very funny," she grumbled petulantly.

  Liv couldn’t help but join in Badger’s laughter. She liked Badger more every time she saw him and was already feeling a sense of loss over their upcoming departure.

  Badger’s gaze softened as it landed on Liv. I’ll miss you too, lass."We’re closed to the public because we have a large private tour going on today. At this very moment, Sylla is trying to convince twenty-five Norwegian housewives that they are in dire need of pounds and pounds of shortbread."

  "Ooo." Liv’s eyes glazed over with hedonistic desire and Kayla stepped between the smaller woman and Badger before the blonde woman could bankrupt them both by ordering another huge quantity of the tasty dessert.

  "Are you free today?" Kayla inquired, an eyebrow lifting slightly.

  "I just might be." Badger crossed his arms over his chest. "But it would take the right offer to keep me from spending my afternoon sneaking up behind Viking tourists and scaring them as they walk through the halls of Cobb Manor."