Laura, who had not realized that Beth had actually materialized from thin air, turned in the direction of the house and uttered, “Please, God. Give me a second chance to do right by them.”
Roan stepped to her side. “Lannie will find him. Have faith, Laura. We must have faith.”
Sobbing, Laura laid one side of her face to Roan's chest. “It all happened so fast!”
“Aye, lass. I know,” Roan soothed, absently planting a kiss on the crown of her head. “Thank God you two made it ou' okay. Kahl? Ye're no' hurt, are you?”
“Where's Kevin?” the five-year-old bitterly demanded.
Roan cast a fearful look in the direction of the house. “Comin', laddie. Lannie will save him. I feel it in ma bones.” Dear God, make it true. For us all, make it true!
Tongues of fire lapped at the night through the ravaged portals of what had been the windows. A chimney on the west side of the house began to crumble. Flames reached high into the midnight sky from several of the rooftops.
“Lannie,” Roan said in a prayerlike whisper. “I'll promise you anythin' if you just bring Kevin to us, alive and unharmed.”
Fed by the broken gas lines, the flames grew until the manor's stonework exterior could barely be seen. Not a murmur stirred among the spectators. All eyes were riveted on the destructive element consuming the region's most famous house.
Amidst the blaze, an image was spied slowly emerging.
“Lachlan!” Beth cried joyously, her diaphanous form approaching him as he lumbered toward Roan and Laura. They, as well as everyone else, remained frozen in shock when Lachlan and Beth came to stand in front of the anxious couple. In Lachlan's arms was a wide-eyed Kevin, who, for the first time in his life, was absolutely speechless.
“The saints be wi' us,” Ben muttered, hastily blessing himself as he stared wondrously into Lachlan's taut face.
Joy overcoming him, Roan released a sob and sank to his knees. He hugged Alby tightly with his good arm, then with a kiss to the boy's cheek, set him on his feet. Lachlan placed Kevin down, his gaze never wavering from Roan's ravaged features. Kevin endured hugs and kisses from his aunt then turned to stare for a long moment into Roan's tear-filled eyes.
Although Roan suspected Kevin had started the fire, he reached out with his left arm and drew the boy against him. “Thank God,” he repeated, over and over, until Kevin stepped back and pointed up to Lachlan.
The crowd inched closer. No longer was the manor the center of their attention. It was the man who'd walked through the flames, unscathed, carrying a boy in his arms who also appeared untouched by the wrath of the blazing inferno.
Beth proudly peered at Lachlan's profile. She could feel the pull of the grayness tugging on her, but she clung to this world, relishing the rise of emotions emanating from Lachlan.
A portly woman came through the crowd and beelined for the children, gathering them into her arms and holding them to her sagging bosom. “The bairns are cold. I'll take them to ma car to warm them up.”
Laura was too rattled to object. She'd seen the master of Baird House walk through the flames with Kevin, but her mind refused to accept it as reality. In an absent gesture, she helped Roan to his feet, and stood close to his side as he and the laird stared intensely into each other's faces.
“Thank you,” Roan said in a barely audible voice to Lachlan, and made a helpless gesture with his good arm. In the next second, Lachlan was embracing him.
Another hush fell over the crowd.
Lachlan held Roan out at arm's length and looked deeply into his eyes. The laird was beginning to lose his physical integrity, fluctuating between the two worlds.
“Dusk before dawn, laddie,” he said with a crooked smile. Then stepping back, he drew Beth's fading form into his arms, and together they vanished into the night.
Laura fainted.
* * *
It was a week later before Roan returned to the remains of the manor. The seven days which had passed were but a blur to him. His casted arm rested in a sling about his neck. He'd lost weight. His rugged features bespoke of the trials he'd endured that terrible night of the fire. He'd grown quiet and remote, a man existing under a cloud of hopelessness, especially since Laura and the boys had left for Edinburgh three days prior.
He stood at the front of the cottage, staring at the blackened exterior of the main house. Very little life was visible in his usually expressive eyes.
“Lannie? Beth?”
He didn't expect them to answer. Since that night seven days ago, he hadn't seen or heard from them. The manor was destroyed, and its lord and mistress had completely vanished. Not too long ago, he'd plotted to rid his clan of the laird. And yet, the idea now of never seeing Lachlan or Beth again left him a void that was almost unbearable.
“Laura and the boys have returned to the States.” He sighed, ignoring the ache that remained in his lungs. “Tha' promise has been carried through, you old corbie.”
Emotional pain became deeply etched in his features. “It shouldn’t have ended like this. Yer home, mon.” Tears welled in his eyes. “Aggie says good riddance. She doesn't understand. You and yer damn grandfaither's scotch, aye? We bonded all right. You took a piece o' me wi' you, you bloody pain-in-the-arse.”
Jabbing at the air with his left index finger, he went on bitterly, “It was simpler when I hated you, Lannie. Damn you, mon, you filled ma head wi' dreams no mon like me has a right to hold dear to his heart!”
Picking up a rock, he walked to within five yards of the front of the house. Angrily, he flung it at the wall, and from his effort to release his anguish, his feet slid out from under him. He slammed onto the icy, graveled yard, and released a stream of Scottish invectives.
“Breakin' yer arse winna accomplish a thing,” said a grave voice, as hands hooked beneath Roan's coated armpits and hauled him up onto his feet.
Astonished, Roan turned to find himself staring into Lachlan's brooding eyes. Just beyond the laird's shoulder, Beth tipped her head and smiled at Roan.
“Where the hell have you two been?” Roan said in an inordinately high-pitched tone.
“Gatherin' up our energy,” the laird said matter-of-factly.
Beth stepped to Lachlan's side. “How's your arm?”
“Fine,” Roan grumbled.
“Laura and the laddies have left, aye?”
Roan gave a negligent shrug. “She couldn't get away fast enough.”
“I'm sorry,” Beth said gently.
“For me?” Roan released a scoffing laugh. “She was an impossible womon. I'll miss the boys.”
Lachlan and Beth exchanged a dubious glance.
“You'll miss her, too,” the laird said gruffly. “Ye're a fool to have let her go.”
“Don't stick yer nose into ma love life, Baird.”
“Would if you had one,” Lachlan grinned, then his gaze shifted and he soberly scanned what remained of his house. “Tis so bleak.”
Roan couldn't bring himself to look upon it again. “Aye. I'm sorry. I know how much this damn place meant to you.”
“Aye,” Lachlan sighed.
Beth silently observed the two men, a slim eyebrow arched. Lachlan had surprisingly accepted the destruction of his treasures, his home, although Beth had been aware of a void within him that he did his best to camouflage. And Roan. He was so easy to read. He was lost and bewildered. For too short a time, Laura and the boys, and the responsibility of becoming laird to the manor, had given him renewed purpose. He believed it all lost to him now, as it had been when he'd lost his wife, son, and home to a fire three years prior.
These two men, who Beth loved so very dearly in different ways, seemed incapable at the moment of realizing just what the future held for them. So it was upon her, she felt, to enlighten them. But to succeed, she knew she was going to have to resort to something stronger than a mere suggestion.
“You promised Lachlan anything if he saved Kevin, didn't you?” she presented to Roan, who arched a questioning br
ow at her.
“Aye, but—”
“You’re a man who keeps his promises,” she added in an airy, cheerful manner, ignoring Lachlan's frown at her.
“Aye, but—”
“Roan, you're wasting valuable time wallowing in self-pity,” she sighed.
“Wha's goin' through yer mind, darlin'?” Lachlan asked suspiciously.
Beth's sparkling eyes scanned Roan's features. “You're a carpenter. Right?”
Aghast, Roan shot a look at the house behind him. “I'm no' a miracle worker!”
Dawning lit upon Lachlan's face. “Ah.” He smiled broadly then kissed Beth briefly on the lips. “Wha' a devilish mind you have, lass.”
“You can't be serious,” Roan said shakily. “Restore Baird House? I'd need life times—”
Sounds drew their gazes to the private road. Shortly, four cars and two large trucks parked on the graveled area in front of the carriage house. As people began to emerge from the vehicles, Roan recognized Ben and several other men from the pub. Then to his amazement, Agnes stepped from one of the cars and led the small group to the waiting trio.
To Roan's further astonishment, his aunt beamed a smile at the laird, and gave a bob of her head in greeting to Beth.
“So, you didn’t high-tail off,” she cackled to Lachlan, her high spirits taking years off her age. “Ma worst luck, aye?”
Lachlan smiled then bowed graciously to her. “Good to see you too, you old corbie.”
“Nice way to talk to the lady plannin' to see yer grand house restored,” she huffed humorously.
“Aunt Aggie, wha's goin' on?”
Ben, his gaze remaining riveted on Lachlan, spoke up. “Aggie's come up with a plan. Crossmichael and Castle Douglas are joinin' together to rebuild this place.”
Color returned to Roan's face, and he laughed unsteadily. “Ye're serious?”
“Never mair serious,” Agnes chided.
“The power of the people,” Beth murmured, her eyes misting with tears. When Lachlan's arm went about her shoulders, she pressed closer to him. “Thank you, Agnes.”
The old woman proudly thrust back her shoulders. “Merchants are willin' to supply everythin' we need. Baird House is a landmark. And we Scots are no' 'fraid o' hard work, are we, Roan?”
“Aye,” Roan grinned. “We're strong o' back and spirit.”
“Tis a debt I'll never forget,” Lachlan said to Agnes, his tone thick with emotion.
“It’s one I won’t let you forget!” she exclaimed.
Roan unexpectedly walked away. When he stopped, his back was to the group. With a gesture for the others to remain where they were, Beth went to him and placed a hand on his shoulder.
“Tha' dress does make you look like a spook,” he said unsteadily, unable to look her in the eye.
“She'll be back.”
“Who?”
Beth slapped him on his uninjured arm and stepped directly in front of him. This time he looked into her eyes, although it took all of his willpower to do so.
“You may be able to fool everyone else, but Lachlan and I know you're in love with Laura Bennett. She will return, Roan. And with the boys.”
“Ye're sure o' tha', are you?”
“As sure as I know I was always meant to be here,” she replied softly. “Don't ever forsake love, Roan.”
“She never said good bye.”
“Maybe because she knows she's going to return.”
Roan digested her words then looked up at the charred ruins with an enigmatic light in his eyes. Drawing in a fortifying breath through his nostrils, he searched Beth's lovely face.
“I owe you ma life.”
“Then live it to its fullest.” Placing an arm about his middle, she urged him to walk alongside her toward those waiting patiently for their return. She retained her hold when they stopped, and smiled at Lachlan when he stepped to Roan's other side and draped an arm over the man's shoulders. The scene depicted the trio's strong bond of friendship, and a single tear escaped down Agnes' weathered cheek.
Suddenly it occurred to Roan what Lachlan had meant the night of the fire when he'd said, “Dusk before dawn, laddie.”
One phase of life had to end, before another began anew.
Roan wasn't sure if Laura and the boys would return, but if they did, Baird House, restored in all its glory, would be waiting for them.
In the meantime, he once again had a dream, and family and friends to take the edge off his loneliness.
One thing he was sure about: Beth and Lachlan would remain for a very long time. For as long as he needed them.
Which, in his heart, would be until the dusk of his corporeal life.
* * *
THE END
Mickee’s titles available in e-books
* * *
Midnight Sun — Science Fiction
Katiah Trilogy:
One Bright Star — Science Fiction Romance
Written In The Stars — Science Fiction Romance
Nova — Science Fiction Romance
Haunting Rose — Historical Time-Travel Romance
Everlastin’ Book 1 — Supernatural Romance
* * *
Coming soon:
* * *
Dawns Everlastin’ Book 2 (formerly titled Dusk Before Dawn) — Supernatural Romance
Love Everlastin’ Book 3 — Supernatural/Fantasy Romance
Hope Everlastin’ Book 4 — Supernatural/Fantasy Romance
Time Everlastin’ Book 5 — Supernatural/Fantasy Romance
Dreams Everlastin’ Book 6 — Supernatural/Fantasy Romance
Table of Contents
Glossary
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
C hapter 3
C hapter 4
C hapter 5
C hapter 6
C hapter 7
C hapter 8
C hapter 9
C hapter 10
C hapter 11
C hapter 12
C hapter 13
C hapter 14
C hapter 15
Everlastin' Book 1 Page 29
