Sworn to a Highland Laird

by Sky Purington

  This wasn’t a dream, and she was not a child.

  Yet as she walked to the center of the attic and spun slowly, she started doubting herself less and less. Whatever was happening was real, and she was not here out of pure chance. Somehow, some way, this was meant to be.

  She belonged here.

  “Mr. St. Paul?” she called out as she headed downstairs. “I think I might be interested in buying after all.”

  Unfortunately, he was nowhere to be found. By the time she got downstairs, his car was gone. There was a note on the counter saying he had to meet with another client and for her to lock up. He even left the key code for the lockbox on the front door. An extremely unorthodox and illegal thing for a real estate agent to do.

  Milly called the number on his card only to be connected directly to his agency. Though tempted, she didn’t mention his odd behavior and simply pursued purchasing the property.

  “You did what?” Jim asked hours later as he walked in the front door of her apartment.

  She proceeded to tell him everything.

  “So it was the attic from your dreams?” He poured himself a drink and plunked down on her couch. “Are you sure?”

  “Positive.” She sat next to him and started sifting through pictures. “Everything was so familiar, Jim. It was crazy.” Milly pointed out various images. “All of these rooms, every last one.” She shook her head. “I’ve been in all of them. I just know it.”

  “Sure, okay.” He looked them over then snatched up Phillip’s business card. “He’s something, eh?”

  “Something?” She frowned and kept eying the pictures.

  “Yeah.” He tapped the photo on the business card. “Don’t suppose you noticed his looks?”

  “His looks?” She shrugged, still enthralled by the pictures. “Sure, I guess.”

  “You guess?” Jim sighed, took a sip then handed her his drink. “Milly, you’ve gotta start looking.”

  “Looking?” she said absently.

  “Yeah, looking.”

  When he nudged her, she glanced at him. “What?”

  “This. Him.” He pointed at Phillip’s card. “Was he single? Did you even ask?”

  “God, no.” She frowned. “Why would I?”

  “Because you’ve been single for far too long.” He squeezed her shoulder and shook his head. “And a guy that looks like this should’ve reminded you of that.”

  Milly kept frowning as she glanced at the picture and recalled Phillip. Without the dark glasses, she could admit he was pretty damn good looking.

  “Too tall,” she muttered.

  “Too tall?” Jim sniggered. “I’ve never heard you complain about tall men before.”

  “That’s because you’re six foot two and he was freakishly six foot five’ish. Maybe a little taller.”

  “Freakishly?” Again, with the amusement in his voice. “Damn him.”

  “Yup,” she whispered. The truth was her mind was a million miles away. All she could focus on was the man with the brogue. Had it all been some sort of hoax? If so, why and by whom?

  She supposed, in the end, it didn’t matter because she wanted the house. Ironically, her initial bid was accepted, and her closing unbelievably quick. Within a few short weeks, Jim and Christina were grunting and groaning as they helped her move in.

  “Couldn’t the moving company have taken this, Milly?” Christina bitched as she grabbed a box of books out of Jim's truck.

  “And doesn’t it take time to get a loan?” Jim muttered. “Like thirty days to close or something like that?”

  Normally, yes, but this had fallen into her lap. Almost like it was meant to be.

  “So you got this place just like that, eh, Mil?” Christina commented as she passed. “Came pretty damn easy, didn’t it? I’ve got a saying about things that come too easy...”

  She didn’t hear the rest of Christina’s statement because she vanished into the house, but Milly had a pretty good idea what was coming. The cold hard truth. Born and raised in Virginia and recently moved to southern Maine, Christina rarely held back. Especially when she smelled bullshit. Though this whole thing had happened a little too smoothly, there was no foul play at work. The house was in great shape, and Milly got it for a steal, so she hadn’t been swindled. At least she hoped not. Buying a house was always a risk.

  Milly was about to grab a box when Lindsay texted, “You’re moving? I’m on my way to help.”

  Hell, no. She loved Lindsay but now wasn’t the time. So she texted back. “All’s well. Got moving under control. Stay focused on your next part. Xo.”

  No response. She sighed and shook her head as she pocketed her phone then got a box out of the truck.

  “Linds is on her way, isn’t she?” Christina rolled her eyes but grinned as they passed again. “Why doesn’t that surprise me?”

  Unfortunately, when Lindsay offered to help it likely meant she would spend more time auditioning for them then actually laboring. On top of that and no doubt an occupational hazard, Lindsay could be a little self-centered...and high maintenance.

  “Her heart’s in the right place,” Jim said, right behind her. As a rule, he got a kick out of Lindsay and didn’t mind looking at her either. “Did she mention what time she’s flying in?”

  Though Lindsay’s main address was in California, she now had a second apartment in New York City. As it turned out, she was in New York right now.

  “Nope.” Milly gave him a pointed look over her shoulder as they entered the front door. “Any chance you know how she found out I was moving? I was going to wait and surprise her after I settled in.”

  “No idea.” He offered a lopsided and very guilty grin. The sort that made his darkly lashed green eyes stand out.

  “You’re setting yourself up for heartache with that one, sweetie,” she reminded. “Linds isn’t in the market for a man. Right now her focus is elsewhere.”

  Mostly on herself.

  “I know.” He kept grinning. “Don’t worry about me.”

  “Well, somebody’s gotta,” Christina said as she set a box of wine down and began exploring its contents. “Because Linds so isn’t the girl for you, Jim.”

  “Yeah, yeah.” He grabbed a beer out of the refrigerator, cracked it and took a deep swig before he said, “Time will tell.”

  The truth was Milly didn’t think Jim was really all that interested in Lindsay anyway. Sure, he liked to flirt with her, but the way he eyed Christina when she wasn’t looking, told another story all together. No surprise really. Christina was just as beautiful as Lindsay but in a different way. With sun-washed light brown hair, unique grayish green eyes, a warm skin tone, and a sultry southern accent, she possessed plenty of charm. When she turned it on that is. Because she could be equally sassy in a heartbeat.

  “Any word from Jessie?” Christina pulled out her phone and frowned. “I worry when she gets real quiet.”

  “I know.” Milly tossed Christina a corkscrew. “I’m sure she’s fine, but I’ll give her a buzz in a bit and check on her.”

  Jessica—AKA Jessie—was different than most people. She lived in upstate Maine nearly on the Canadian border and was pretty much a recluse. Gifted with herbs and other things born of nature, she had a small cabin deep in the woods and made a living providing people natural medicines, soaps and what not. She was gifted in other ways too. Overly insightful and so intuitive is was spooky. Add the fact that she never, ever showed emotion, most people tended to be just fine with her steering clear of humanity. But not Milly, Lindsay, and Christina. They loved her no matter what and tried to get up to visit her whenever they could.

  “We’ll have to send her a video once you have everything set up,” Christina mentioned as she unwrapped and rinsed two wine glasses.

  Milly nodded. They would never get Jessie here, so that was the next best thing.

  “I think I’ll head out and get some wood...” Jim started but trailed off when he looked out the kitchen window. “Uh, ladies...”
>
  “What?” Christina’s eyes widened too. “Well, I’ll be damned.”

  Milly joined them, just as shocked by what she saw. Looks like she didn’t know her friend as well as she thought. Of all people, Jessie stood out front, perfectly still as she gazed up at the old oak. Even more alarming? Tears poured down her cheeks.

  The three of them were outside in seconds.

  “Jessie? Milly cocked her head and tried to meet Jessica’s eyes. “Sweetheart, are you all right?”

  Nothing. No response. It almost seemed like she was in some sort of trance. Frightened for her, Milly did something she knew Jessie would not like. She put a comforting hand on her shoulder. That, it seemed, was just the thing to do because Jessie’s startled eyes shot to her face and she shied away.

  “I’m sorry,” Milly said softly. “You were really scaring us. Are you okay?” She looked around and frowned. “How did you get here?”

  It took Jessie a moment to gather herself before she wiped her cheeks and shook her head. Though she might have been overly emotional seconds before, her expression resumed its smooth mask, and her voice was as level and soft as ever. “I’m not sure.” She glanced from the tree to the house before she started walking down the dirt road, murmuring, “I’m sorry. I have to go home.”

  Concerned, Milly, Christina, and Jim glanced at each other before they followed her. As far as she could tell Jessie was physically okay. Lovely as ever, she wore a long, flowing skirt and a turtleneck sweater. Petite, she was the shortest of them with almost exotic looks. Perhaps a gypsy heritage mixed with Native American. Most considered her jet black hair and equally dark eyes striking. If Jessie ever allowed men near, they would likely fall all over her.

  They didn’t walk far before part of the mystery was solved. Jessie’s old Volkswagen Beetle had been abandoned halfway down the road with the door open and the engine still running. So she had driven here yet it almost seemed like she did not remember.

  “Oh no you don’t,” Milly exclaimed and blocked her path when she realized Jessie had every intention of getting in and driving home. “It’s almost nighttime, and it’s a long drive back, honey. You’re spending the night.”

  “I cannot do that.” Jessie’s eyes met hers. “You know I cannot, Milly.”

  “Of course you can.” Milly steered her back toward the house. “There’s just the four of us here, and you know everyone.”

  “Not Jim.” Jessie didn’t look in his direction. “I don’t know Jim, and that’s not good.”

  “But you’ve heard lots about him so in a way you do.” She kept steering Jessie along. Thankfully, she didn’t put up a fight, but then very few were as non-confrontational as Jessie. As Christina hopped in her car and drove it to the house, Milly made introductions. “Jessie this is Jim.” She motioned between them. “Jim, Jessie.”

  Jim started to hold out his hand to shake but stopped, clearly remembering Jessie’s aversion to being touched. “Nice to finally meet you, Jessie. I’ve heard a lot of good things.”

  “Nice to meet you as well.” Jessie’s eyes met and held his for a moment before she whispered, “I thought so,” then kept walking.

  When Jim frowned at Milly in question, all she could offer was a shrug. This was Jessie and bizarre was the norm. Things only got stranger when Jessie stopped short in the driveway, and her eyes turned to Milly. “So you met him then? How did it go?”

  Milly frowned. “Met who?”

  She was shocked when Jessie’s brows boldly inched up a fraction in what had to be surprise before she did the unthinkable and touched Milly.

  “Oh, I see,” Jessie said softly. “He likes to play games.”

  “I’m not following, sweetie.” Milly shook her head. “What are you talking about?”

  “You met him right here in this very spot.” Jessie’s eyes stayed with hers. “You’ve met your Scotsman, Milly.”

  Chapter Two

  AFTER THEY settled Jessie in front of the fire with a cup of tea, Jim helped Milly and Christina with the last few boxes then headed home. Though he wanted to stay and learn more, he understood Jessie needed her girls right now. Thankfully, Milly had a comfortable couch and two beds upstairs, so there was plenty of sleeping space. That, however, was the least of her worries as they joined Jessie.

  “You mean to tell me the real estate agent that was here was actually the man with the brogue? But he was British.” Milly frowned at Jessie. “So, what makes you think that?” Because she seemed absolutely positive. While that might seem strange, Jessie had a knack for things like this. A gift. So Milly showed Jessie his business card. “This is him.” She frowned. “But he definitely didn’t have a brogue.”

  Yet as she curled her legs beneath her on the couch next to Jessie and sipped her wine, she got to thinking about Phillip’s voice. The rich timbre. One that she had not paid much attention to at the time because it wasn’t the right accent.

  “I cannot say if that’s him by looking at a picture.” Jessie shook her head. “All I know is that he stood in this driveway and you met him.”

  “How do you know that though, sweetpea?” Christina’s brows shot up when she looked at the card. “And how the hell did you not notice this guy, Milly? Hot damn. Just look at those eyes.”

  Milly’s eyes narrowed on the picture. Was it her imagination or had his image changed ever-so-slightly? While he had been handsome before, now he seemed even more so. Christina was right. He had some killer light blue eyes, didn’t he?

  Her gaze went to Jessie. “We’ve never meddled because we respect your privacy, but I think it might be time you share a bit more about yourself.” She gave her a knowing look. “Because you clearly have...something going on.”

  “No.” Jessie nodded at the picture. “I would say you have something going on.” Her eyes turned to the fire. “At least it’s just you for now.”

  Jessie might be a gentle, non-confrontational person but she had a stubborn side and an inner fire she rarely showed. Yet Milly had just seen it in her eyes and based on her quizzical look, so had Christina.

  “What do you mean just Milly for now?” Christina sat in the chair opposite them and sipped her wine. “Because that almost sounded like you and I might become involved in whatever this great mystery is you’re keeping from us.”

  Though at first, it seemed Jessie wasn’t going to elaborate, she did. More than Milly anticipated.

  “You all know I’m different and have accepted me regardless, so you deserve to learn more about me.” Jessie’s eyes went between them. “I have certain abilities. The strongest of them is the ability to sense other people’s emotions.” Her gaze drifted to the fire, and her voice softened. “I suppose the technical term for it would be empath.” Her eyes returned to Milly’s. “I felt your Scotsman’s emotions out in the driveway. How strongly he feels about you. How long he has been waiting for you.”

  Milly’s mouth went dry at the seriousness in Jessie’s eyes. “I don’t understand.”

  “Not yet but you will.” Her eyes roamed the room before they met Milly’s again. “You have no idea how different you are Milly. How, like all of us, unusual you are.”

  “I’m sorry.” Milly frowned. “Unusual?”

  “And what do you mean by all of us?” Christina kicked in.

  “Don’t tell me you aren’t starting to catch on, Milly,” Jessie said. “Don’t tell me you didn’t feel something the very moment he called you and you saw this house online. I know you sense it.”

  Her heart skipped a beat as she stared into her friend’s eyes. “This house is familiar to you too, isn’t it?”

  “I can’t say.” Jessie shook her head. “What I can say for sure is that you are very much a part of this property, Milly. From the ranch down the road to this colonial. All of it.” Jessie’s hand rested over hers in a display of unexpected physical contact. “You have been here before, my friend.”

  “I don’t understand,” she whispered.

  “Yes, you
do.” Jessie’s hand never left hers. “I can feel you as a child running through this house. I can see you as a young woman working at a factory during World War II. Then there’s love. Him. You. Here and then not.” Tears welled in her eyes. “Then you’re an old woman. He’s old too. Really old.” She shook her head. “Yet you’re both still displaced...” She released a ragged breath as her eyes turned in the direction of the ranch. “Until you’re not.”

  “Wow,” Christina whispered, her eyes wide. “What are you talking about?”

  All Milly could do was stare at Jessie. While one part of her was fairly certain her friend had lost it, another side sensed some truth to her words. A rightness in them.

  “Okay, you know I love you darlin’, but even if what you’re implying is true there’s a flaw in your tale,” Christina said. “If Milly was somehow alive in another life and a young woman during World War II, then grew to be an old woman wouldn’t that mean she would’ve died kind of recently...depending on how old she was that is.”

  Very true.

  “All I can tell you is what I feel,” Jessie said. “As to the logic behind what I sense...” She shook her head. “That’s not always within my grasp.”

  Milly was about to respond when a peppy knock came at the door.

  “Uh oh. That sounds familiar.” Yet Christina flashed a smile as she leapt up and headed for the door.

  Milly stood and followed, having totally forgotten who else had said they were coming. Someone who was clearly already on her way when she texted.

  “Hello, darlings!” Lindsay cried as she sauntered in when Christina opened the door.

  “Hey, babe!” Christina gave her a big hug. “Good to see you, honey.”

  “It always is.” Lindsay flashed her straight white teeth in a smile known to bring men to their knees before she embraced Milly. “Look at you in your quaint little country home.”