by L. L. Muir
Mr. DeLuca chuckled. “Go on, take the cash as well.”
Liam scooped up the money, wasn’t sure it would fit in the sporran with the rest he’d already accumulated, and so he tucked it in the pocket of his shirt.
Amber let out a sound of exasperation. “Come on. I don’t know why we even came here.”
Victor came back at that moment, gave DeLuca a slight shrug and a shake of his head, and offered them a ride.
Liam could see Amber didn’t wish to accept, but she nodded once. “Fine.”
As soon as they were in the car, Liam ran a hand over the smooth seat and glanced around, excited by the difference from the cab to this car. It was luxurious, sleek, smelled good, and had all the leg room Liam could have wished for and more. He wanted one.
“Anywhere specific you want to go this time, Miss Smith?” Victor’s manner was insolent.
Liam glared at the back of the man’s head. “Ye’ll not take that tone with the lady, else ye’ll answer to me,” he said with force.
Victor’s blond head turned. “Oh, really? No you listen here—”
“Just take us back to The Strip.” Amber quickly rolled up a dark window between the seats that blocked Victor.
He truly wanted one of these cars.
Liam tried to take Amber’s hand once more, but she wouldn’t let him. He found he missed the warmth and delicacy of her touch and considered ways to return to her good graces. She might not want him with her, but he’d been charged with her care. He didn’t want to leave her anyway. Mayhap he would grow on her.
They were soon back on The Strip, and Victor dropped them at a walkway and immediately took off.
“Good riddance.” Amber blew out a breath, then held out her hand, and, when he took it in both of his, she studied him with a watchful air. “This is where we part ways then, isn’t it?”
The girl thought to escape him? He smiled. “I’ll not be so easy to evade. I’ve been known to track for days, if need be. Though I suppose I could simply make my way back to your father for direction to your dwelling.”
“If this is because my father gave you money, then keep it.”
“Nae. ’Tis because I’ll not let any harm befall ye.”
With a sound of frustration, she jerked her hand away and turned and walked into the crowd.
He was right behind her.
~~~
As they made their way through a third casino, Amber was pretty sure no one could have followed her this time. Well, other than the Neanderthal at her heels.
She didn’t speak to Liam for a long while, but it was sort of sweet the way he touched her lower back to direct her, moved people out of her way if he felt they came too close, and constantly searched the crowd as if anticipating danger. She had to admit he did make her feel safe.
Once her temper cooled she actually felt nothing but gratitude for the man. He’d saved her, and who knows what might have happened if he hadn’t. She didn’t want to dwell on it.
Yes, he’d taken the job her father offered, but she actually believed it was more for her benefit, than for payment. He already had that large wad of cash he’d been flashing around. And the fact that he didn’t seem to understand the value of money softened her further.
She finally stopped, and he halted behind her, his gaze wary.
She glanced around the busy casino. “I don’t know anything about you. Where do you live? If you’re determined to follow me back to my place, do you have clothes you want to pick up?”
Liam spread his arms wide. “This is all I have.”
“So what? Your like a Scottish Jack Reacher? You only buy one outfit at a time, and chuck it when you need another? I hate to break it to you, but there aren’t any kilt shops around here.”
He shrugged, looking bewildered and uncomfortable.
She sighed. Maybe there was a language barrier. “Come on. Let’s go spend some of the money my father gave you and get you some new clothes. You stand out like a sore thumb.”
He glanced down at his clothing and ran a hand over his plaid, then looked around at the crowd. “I suppose my clothes are of note.”
“You think? You’re making me a walking target. After running around and dodging in and out of casinos like mad people, we don’t want to go outside and have someone recognize us based on your appearance, now do we?”
He nodded, then pointed at a man in the distance. “Can I purchase something similar to what that man is wearing?”
She tried to follow his gaze but there were so many people she wasn’t sure who he was referring to. “The man in the gray suit?”
Liam nodded, an eager smile lighting his face.
She laughed. “You don’t want to wear shorts and a T-shirt? It would be a lot cooler outside.”
Liam shook his head. “Nae, I wish for that garment.”
Still chuckling she held out her hand and he quickly took it, his eagerness doing strange things to her heartbeat. She dragged him out of the casino and toward the indoor mall on the other side of the building.
If Liam wanted to look like James Bond, who was she to stop him?
CHAPTER FIVE
Liam stared in the mirror and seemed a bit awestruck as he turned from one side to the other. She didn’t blame him. She was feeling a bit breathless herself.
“I wish my brothers could see me now.”
She lounged back in the chair. “Let me guess. You make that look good?”
He grinned. “I do, indeed.”
She couldn’t help but laugh. “Well, I won’t say it hasn’t been fun finding you something that fits. You’re lucky they have a big and tall section here. And, yes, that does look good on you. But did I mention I live in a trailer park? I’m just not sure where you’re planning to wear the suit.”
They’d gone to three stores, Liam keeping a constant vigil. As no one looked suspicious, and truth to tell, she was having fun and was in no hurry for the night to end, it had been a good time all around.
Big, tanned, and handsome as the devil, Liam looked wonderful in everything he tried on. “You’re sure you don’t want any shorts?”
“Perhaps some of those.” He pointed to a pair of jeans in the large display window.
She arched a brow. “You do like to dress well.” She stood. “I’ll check and see if they have your size.”
When the gentleman who’d been helping returned with the requested shoes, she asked about the jeans. In short order, they’d purchased the suit, jeans, and a couple of shirts. Two pair of shoes, and some underwear because apparently the rumor about what Scots wore under their kilts was true.
They also bought a leather satchel for his clothes and money and, when he transferred the cash from his sporran to the much larger bag, the sales clerk widened his eyes.
“Are you sure I can’t get you anything else?”
“Thank you, but that will be all for now.” She led Liam out of the store before he could continue shopping.
He took her hand once more and attraction surged like electricity between them. On her part, anyway.
She sighed. She was attracted to the big guy, and wasn’t sure how she felt about it. That hadn’t happened in a long while. Since college, in fact, and never to this extent.
She’d considered ditching him, but Liam had made her come inside the dressing room to keep her safe. She could have protested, run away, but knew he’d eventually find her again anyway. Plus, there was a sort of lost quality about him that called to her. She’d feel bad if she left him. So she’d simply turned her back, let the man dress, and even instructed him when he’d claimed he didn’t know how to use a zipper.
He’d been so serious, she still wasn’t sure if he’d been awkwardly flirting with her or not.
They walked to the side of the crowd. “So, do you want to pay for a cab, or do you want to take the bus back to my place?”
“I’ve seen buses in Scotland, but I’ve never been on one.”
“You’ve never been on a bus?”
He shook his head. “Am I in for a treat?”
She smiled. “I guess we’ll see, won’t we?”
~~~
About an hour later, they stepped off the bus.
“When can we ride again?” Liam said the words just to make her laugh.
She didn’t disappoint and giggled once more. His reactions to the passengers amused her so he’d exaggerated his responses. He enjoyed entertaining her.
He’d seen some strange sights in his time at Culloden Moor. Life had changed dramatically over the years as he and the others had remained unchanged. Clothes, attitudes, hairstyles, speech. And in the last fifty years or so the changes had been dramatic. All of it interested him.
On the bus, there was certainly a mix of different kinds of individuals. Some well-dressed, others wearing animal prints, leathers, and the like. Some prosperous-looking, others pierced, tattooed, and wearing next to naught. And a variety in between. An older lady hid a kitten in her purse. Watching others get on and off left him in anticipation of who could arrive next.
He truly liked the bus.
They walked through a neighborhood unlike the one they’d left with all of the flashing lights, brilliant colors, and loud noises.
Here, it was dark, quiet, and didn’t seem the sort of area he would wish Amber walking alone in.
As he was there, it was fine for the moment, but he did not think he’d like her staying here after he was gone.
“Where are we?”
“I think you could safely call this the outskirts of town.”
They headed toward what looked to be rows of rectangular structures. “What is this place?”
“Twin palms.”
“Palms?”
“A type of tree. Like the ones in Hawaii or California.”
“Where are these trees?”
“Apparently, they died years ago. My friend Roger is trying to collect money to replant them, but as no one has much spare change so it’s sort of a no go. But, palm trees or not, the name has stuck.”
As they walked past stone pillars they veered toward the right because in the center was a rounded area with a big plant of some kind the likes of which Liam had never seen. He reached out to touch it and was poked for his trouble. “Ow.”
Amber laughed. “Why would you touch a cactus?”
He shrugged and stuck the offended digit in his mouth, but after a few seconds it didn’t hurt anymore. He tried to look for damage, but it was too dark to see anything, regardless of lamps lit at various locations throughout the place, and the soft glow of lights coming from most of the conveyances. “What are these buildings?”
“Trailers. This is a trailer park.”
“Ah.” He nodded as though he understood, but he’d never seen the like.
She led him to one of the darkened structures, up a few steps onto a platform, retrieved a key from her purse and opened the door. She flipped on the outside light to reveal a pretty area with a table, chairs, and various types of potted plants.
“Come inside.”
He moved forward and stood looking around. “This place is tiny.”
She chuckled. “I’ll admit, it does seem bigger without you in it.”
He stood in a living area with a couch, a chair, and a television. He recognized the box from the displays at Culloden Moor’s visitor center.
He’d even watched shows before with his fellow ghosts, when the night guards would occasionally bring their own small entertainment devices.
He glanced at the kitchen area, and beyond at a hallway. He didn’t wish for any surprises and gestured to the corridor. “May I?”
She nodded once, and he walked past her kitchen and flipped on a light. The first doorway revealed a bathroom, the next a closet, then a small bedroom. After that, a slightly larger one with fluffy bedding and pillows. He looked around with interest at the pretty paintings, framed pictures of people on the wall, and frilly green curtains. That was the whole of it. How did she live in such a place? It felt cramped, crowded, and barely better than a tent.
He went back down the hallway to find her filling a pot with water. “Can I offer you something to drink? I have water, tea, coffee, juice. Does any of that sound good?”
“I’ll have some water.”
“Ice?”
He shook his head and she stuck a glass inside a small cavity in the refrigerate and water poured into the glass.
“Ingenious.”
She handed him the glass. “Yeah. Sure.”
There was a knock on the door. Liam tensed before moving in that direction, a hand on the grip of his dirk. He opened the door to stare down at two harmless-looking people. A young, scruffy man, and a beautiful young woman wearing quite a bit of face paint. Her eyelashes appeared unnaturally long, and her hair inexplicably defied the laws of nature, blonde hair rising above her head in a most unusual way. “Have ye had a fright, lass?”
“Liam!” Amber was by his side. “Hey, Roger, Velma. Come on in.”
Liam moved back so the couple could enter and they stared up at him, wide-eyed as they passed by.
Roger, sneaking peeks at Liam, spoke first. “We didn’t know you had company.”
Amber shrugged, and Liam studied her as well, curious as to what she’d say about him.
“Yeah, he’s just a friend. He might be staying for a few days.”
“Really?” Velma’s eyes widened. “A new boyfriend?”
“Just a friend.”
“Mm, hmm.” Velma sounded disbelieving. “Nice outfit, buy the way.”
“Thank ye, lass.”
Her eyes widened again. “Are you Scottish? Or are you acting Scottish?”
“Aye, lass, I’m from Scotland.”
The girl hit Roger in the chest. “You hear that? The real deal.”
Roger watched him with suspicion.
“Yep,” Amber nodded. “The real deal. Have a seat. I was just heating up water for tea. Do you two want anything?”
They both wanted tea, and both of them sat upon stools at the counter, still shooting Liam the occasional glance.
“So, where you been? Jasper was looking for you today.”
“Who is this Jasper?” Protectiveness flooded Liam.
Roger turned in his chair. “He’s a coyote of the four-legged variety. Amber keeps feeding him, so he keeps coming around. For a while I thought maybe he was an alien, spying on all of us because, you know, coyotes rarely come close to human residences, but I sort of tested him out, and think he’s just a coyote.” Roger darted a nervous glances at Liam. “Have a seat, dude.”
Liam looked cautiously at the smaller man and took the third stool, sitting at the counter with the other two. Aliens?
“Anyway, we missed you today. Mrs. Huddlestone was trying to get a game of bridge going, and we needed one more person.”
Amber smiled. “Yeah, no thanks. She wraps my knuckles with her fan if I don’t play well.”
“She’s just trying to improve your game.” Velma leaned closer to Roger and away from Liam as she said the words.
He didn’t like that she was afraid of him and tried to look as harmless as possible, setting both arms on the counter to show he was weaponless.
As far as he could tell they relaxed not a whit and the darting glances continued.
Amber set out three cups and poured hot water into them. “You’re sure you don’t want any?”
Liam thought it might be best to drink with them. “I’ve changed my mind. A cup will suit me well.”
She retrieved another cup, poured hot water and slid it across to him. Roger and Velma were already soaking packets in the water and, copying their motions, Liam did the same.
“Did you work today?” Amber was looking at Roger.
“No, but a tourist on Bridger Avenue gave us both a dollar, didn’t she, Velma?” He grinned. “I’m putting it into the plant the trees fund.”
She looked at Liam. “Roger can paint the most amazing pictures. On anyth
ing. Canvas, garbage can lids. He does it in under five minutes, and the tourists love it. She pointed to a picture on her wall. “Roger did that one there.”
Liam looked at the painting of what looked to be a vivid tropical scene at night, with an ocean, sand, and a big moon, gleaming over the water. “In five minutes, did ye say?”
Roger nodded, looking at Liam expectantly.
“Ye’ve been blessed with a talent. The painting is exquisite. I’ve not seen the like.”
Roger’s young face relaxed into a smile. “Thank you.”
For the most part, Liam stayed silent while the other three conversed. He understood some things they spoke of, but others not. He sipped his tea and simply enjoyed the moment. The conveyance seemed thin and easily breached, but it smelled wonderful, of something sweet he couldn’t identify. Watching Amber leaning over the counter and laughing with her friends was enjoyable as well. Breathing, feeling the beat of his heart, living again, and having a purpose—all made him feel relaxed and content.
After a while, Roger and Velma said their goodbyes. “Velma picked up a gig at the Gold Nugget serving drinks this weekend, and I’ll be out on Fremont. But we don’t work tomorrow. We could hang out in the morning if you want.”
“Sure. Maybe you guys can help me come up with ideas for an article I want to write.”
“You got it.”
With one last look at Liam, the two left.
“They’re nice.”
Amber nodded. “A breath of fresh air. They’d give you the shirt off their backs.”
“I’ve friends aplenty like that and understand their value.”
She gazed at him a long moment. “Yeah. I like that. The way I grew up, backstabbing and worse were the norm, so when I find true friends, I know their value, too.”
Liam glanced around the conveyance. “It doesn’t seem ye’ve much security here.”
She looked amused. “I have you now, don’t I?” .
“But I’ll not be here forever, will I?”
“Oh really? The way you attached yourself to me, I figured it was you and me from here on out.”
He smiled, liking that idea very much. “Ye’ll not try to distract me. I wish to talk of safety measures.”
