Time Everlastin' Book 5

by Mickee Madden

  "Men," she grumbled, and shifted her gaze to the creature's ill-planed face. His color was better—as far as his norm went—and she noted the dryness of his skin was gradually improving.

  Without warning, the barbarian's eyes dominated her mindscreen. Attempts to will the image away, failed, and she released a long sigh of exasperation.

  What would he look like without all that facial hair?

  He had sensual dark eyes, similar to Lachlan's, so dark, the pupils were invisible.

  "Lachlan," she whispered, and choked back a sob when tears sprang anew in her eyes. "Don't do this," she chided herself, refusing to release the moisture.

  Damn you, Lachlan.

  The dam broke and she buried her face in her arms.

  How could she love a man she'd known so briefly? A man utterly devoted to another?

  Yes, she wanted out of this realm. But...down here, the pain of Lachlan's rejection hurt far less.

  "You fool," she wept quietly. "You have a life in the States. Sleep with the barbarian. Pretend he's Lachlan, and move on."

  Lifting her head, she swiped the back of an arm under her moist nostrils. "Damn you, Lachlan. What is it about you that has me so confused? Love?" She released a soft, bitter laugh. "Love. It's just a four-lettered word. Never had, desired, or needed it."

  She drew in a fortifying breath and stared resentfully at the gargoyle. "A girl has to do what a girl has to do," she murmured, stood, and left the room.

  Before she was out of sight, Karok opened his eyes and smiled knowingly.

  Chapter 8

  An oppressive silence cloaked the Victorian mansion. Sitting on the carpeted landing between the first and second floor, Laura Bennett braced her elbows on her thighs and lowered her chin into upturned palms. She was bone tired and yet couldn't sleep. Her mind was fuzzy with fatigue, her eyelids gritty and heavy. For the sake of her unborn child, she repeatedly told herself she had to get past her insomnia.

  To no avail.

  As soon as her head reclined, her mind kicked into overdrive, rehashing every event that had taken place in Baird House since her arrival.

  Granted, she missed Roan. Although she'd known him for less than a year, his absence left a terrible void. A bed without his presence was intolerable. She'd tried sleeping in other rooms and on the sofa in the library. Without Roan's arms around her, though, sleep was an elusive companion.

  Her nephews didn't help the long days pass any quicker. At breakfast, lunch and dinner, amidst their play and while she readied them for bed, they hounded her with questions of when their Uncle Roan would return. If only she knew. The last phone call was four days ago. Roan, Lachlan and Reith were on the Isle of Lewis. No one was sure when the battery in Winston's cellular phone had died. They'd only discovered it this morning. Soon, she hoped, electricity and a phone line would get installed at the manor.

  Laura's eyes watered with a yawn. She stretched the small of her back, her bleary gaze semi-focused on the landing below.

  Again, the depth of the silence weighed heavily on her shoulders. It was an unnatural ambiance in Baird House, more unsettling than the restless spirits that had inhabited the estate not so long ago. Even more distressing than Eilionoir and Dugan Ingliss' visit had been.

  Thought of Roan's parents caused a moan to rattle in her mind. Not only had they arrived uninvited, but Eilionoir had pushed everyone's patience beyond endurance. The only good that had come of having a killer's ghost plague the estate, was that he had driven the obnoxious woman away. With Dugan at her heels.

  Laura wasn't sure if Lachlan had deliberately waited to escort the spirits of reporter Stephan Miles and the serial killer Wade Cuttstone—a.k.a The Phantom—to the afterworld, or if the glorious absence of the elder Inglisses had inspired him. Less than fifteen hours after Roan's parents had taken off for Edinburgh, Baird house was purged of its last ghosts.

  "Little wonder I can't sleep," Laura murmured, and glanced up the staircase to her right. She could check in on the boys again. No. They were fast asleep, otherwise they would be huddled around her asking about Roan.

  A weary smile played across her mouth.

  They loved Roan as much as she did. She couldn't imagine what her life would be like if she hadn't happened across Baird House—actually, wrecked the car she was driving on its grounds.

  That seemed so...so long ago.

  Getting to her feet, she descended the stairs. Her intention to go to the kitchen was diverted when she glanced down the hall to the front door. There wouldn't be many fall nights to enjoy. Winter was closing in already.

  Taryn had been gone over five months.

  How many treks would the men make before they gave up the search?

  Laura passed through the inner double doors, and beyond the small glass plant house to the exterior doors. The instant she stepped into the cool night air, she filled her lungs and felt the edge of her restlessness ebb. It crossed her mind to return inside and fetch a bathrobe. Walking outside in nothing but one of Roan's T-shirt's and her panties would not have been acceptable in Chicago, but the Baird estate was relatively isolated on its hill overlooking Loch Ken and the town of Crossmichael. The gardens and rhododendron hedges provided privacy from the roads bordering two sides.

  Still, she was a little self-conscious as she roamed the grounds and imbibed the fact that it was also too quiet here. Even the peafowl, who usually shrieked when anyone passed them by.

  After a time, she left the south garden and headed for the house. She wasn't sure what drew her attention to the gazebo. In the meager light of the crescent moon, she couldn't make out anything but the structure, yet she felt a tug on her awareness that refused to be ignored.

  Laura climbed the three steps and onto the planked floor. Although the roof blocked out the sparse moonlight, she spied a figure sitting on the opposite steps.

  "Blue?"

  The head turned slightly then a hand lifted and gestured Laura to approach. Laura sat alongside the Faerie queen and tugged the hemline of the T-shirt over her knees.

  "Can't sleep again?" Blue asked, her gaze remaining fixed on something straight ahead.

  "No. What about you?"

  Blue's small shoulders lifted in a half-hearted shrug. "They're on their way back," she said in a barely audible tone.

  "Really?" Laura exclaimed, but sobered when Blue's sadness permeated her elation. "What's wrong?"

  "He isn't with them."

  Dread squeezed Laura's heart. "Roan?"

  With a start, Blue looked into Laura's eyes. "Forgive me. I meant...."

  "Reith."

  Braussaw strutted from a low hedge and perched between the women's feet. Laura stoked his sleek neck before she lifted her gaze to study Blue's profile.

  "You still can't say his name," she said, and folded her arms against her midriff. "Why do you suppose he's not with Roan and Lachlan again?"

  "I only know he's not with them."

  Long seconds passed in silence until Laura heaved a ponderous sigh. Although Blue's face was shadowed, Laura felt the bright blue eyes searching her face.

  "Last night I told my mother I was the reincarnation of the woman who murdered Lachlan." Laura chuckled softly. "She took the news pretty well."

  "Why did you tell her?"

  Again Laura chuckled. "We were sitting in the parlor, enjoying a cup of tea, and I blurted it out."

  A soft laugh escaped Blue. "Your parents are good people. Roan's now...."

  "Hmm," Laura said, the sound laden with dry humor. "I keep thinking about Taryn, Blue. Roan is convinced her childhood was fraught with disappointments. I guess she did have it rough. I don't imagine Eilionoir was a loving mother."

  "Taryn had choices, as we all have."

  "Sure...but...." Laura fell silent for a time. "My parents adored my brother. He could do no wrong. Now, me, on the other hand, couldn't do anything right. I may have lived to a ripe old age blaming my parents for my faults. Being here and seeing them now, I realize th
e problem was me."

  "What with Tessa Aiken wrapped around your soul, little wonder," Blue said.

  "Funny thing is, Blue, I'm grateful to her." When a small gasp came from the Faerie queen, Laura rushed to explain, "Discovering her part of me has made me open my eyes. I've been an introvert most of my life. Had a few affairs that meant nothing and went nowhere. My world consisted of designing perfume bottles and watching the world go by on a television."

  Braussaw angled his head, inviting Laura to scratch his throat.

  "You see," Laura went on, obliging the peacock, "I know now that my parents loved me as much as my brother. They didn't neglect me. I neglected them. Until the boys and Roan came into my life, I didn't have a clue about love. Didn't have a clue about a lot of things. And...if not for Tessa popping out and compelling me to return here, I would have returned to the States with the boys and made a miserable guardian."

  "Choices," Blue murmured.

  "Actually, Tessa made the choice for me. Looking back, I think she mistook guilt for hatred of Lachlan. Or maybe I'm trying to make excuses for her behavior. I don't know."

  "You know her better than anyone," Blue said kindly, and squeezed Laura's hand. "And now you know yourself."

  "I hope so," Laura chortled. She sighed. "All I want is to make Roan and the boys happy."

  "You have doubts?"

  "Not so much anymore."

  "Ahhh."

  "What?"

  Blue smoothed her hands over the white gown covering the top of her thighs. "I sense insecurity in you, Laura."

  "No. No, I'm not...well, maybe a little."

  "Why?"

  Laura released a breath through pursed lips. "Roan's a lot of man."

  "As you are a woman. He loves you, Laura. Surely, you don't doubt that."

  "No, I don't. He has the most incredible way of looking at me." She grinned shyly. "I just...just want us to hold onto the magic we have."

  Blue laughed outright. "I think I know a wee about magic!"

  Laura's face grew warm with a blush. "You know what I mean."

  "I do," Blue said merrily. Her hand lit upon Laura's rounding stomach. She closed her eyes momentarily, a look of rapture softening her features. "She's so tiny," she murmured, and lifted her eyelids to regard the grin youthening Laura's features. "Have you felt movement yet?"

  "Oh, yes. She likes to kick me in the ribs."

  "What's it like, Laura? Carrying life inside you."

  Laura released a low chuckle. "Both scary and exciting." When Blue's hand slipped away, Laura cupped her own over her abdomen. "I want so much to be a good parent, Blue."

  "The boys are proof of your ability."

  Laura made a rueful face. "I've made plenty of mistakes with them."

  "You love them."

  Laura nodded. "That I do."

  "What you and Roan, Deliah and Winston, and Lachlan and Beth have is real. There is no greater magic, Laura. For three hundred years I've tried to analyze how love works."

  "Have you come to any conclusions?"

  Blue shrugged. "Only that it's the greatest mystery of life. What the heart wants, the soul craves." Her voice dropped low and husky. "Neither pain nor disillusionment can dissolve the chemistry between destined lovers."

  "However we try to resist?" Laura asked softly.

  Again the aqua-blue eyes penetrated the semi-darkness. "We were only destined in the sense MoNae created me for him."

  "Are you saying Mother Nature erred?"

  "It happens. She created weeds, didn't she?"

  Laura laughed. "True, but—"

  "Don't say it, please."

  "I know you love him."

  A choked sound escaped Blue's control.

  "Blue, if it hurts so much to deny your love for him, shouldn't you reconsider?"

  "There is no going back."

  "I'm talking about going forward."

  "I'm a three-hundred-year-old virgin, Laura. My legs are useless, and my heart...." She sighed emotively. "The wants of my heart are not my own. The needs of my soul must first be for my people."

  "Blue—"

  "I know you all love...him...but I can't get past the bitterness, Laura. He nearly destroyed my kingdom."

  "How?"

  "I can't talk about it."

  "Okay, but I think you hurt more for what he did to you."

  "That, too," Blue said, her tone throbbing with tears. "I worshiped him from the dawn of my existence."

  "You-umm...." Laura blinked back tears. "You aren't being fair to either of you."

  "What is fair? Forgiveness?" she asked bitterly. "I cannot forgive myself for defending him back then...before that night."

  "I'm sorry I've upset you," Laura murmured.

  "You're a good friend, Laura. Your curiosity is understandable."

  "I'm worried about you!"

  "No need to be. Mind if I ride your shoulder?"

  "What?"

  "They're coming up the drive."

  Laura shot to her feet. "Sure. I see the headlights!"

  Within seconds, two bright beams came around the rhododendron hedge and bypassed the gazebo.

  "Hold on," Laura said excitedly when she felt the now four-inch fairy queen light on her shoulder. She darted toward the house, the plush grass cushioning her bare feet.

  By the time Laura reached the car parked in front of the carriage house, Lachlan stood beside the driver's door stretching kinks in his back, and Roan was unfolding from the passenger side, muttering beneath his breath. He no sooner straightened up, Laura released a squeal and flung her arms around his neck. His grunt of surprise turned into a joyous whoop, and his arms enfolded her shoulders.

  "Laura-lass!" he exclaimed, and planted a quick but meaningful kiss on her lips. "Are you a sight for ma tired eyes!" He gently ran a palm over her stomach. "And how are both ma ladies?"

  Laura framed his stubbled face with her hands and kissed him back, her joy at his return vibrating through her touch.

  "We've missed you!"

  Roan's arms slid down her back and pressed her flush against him. "And me, you. Damn me, you feel good."

  "You look exhausted."

  Roan passed Lachlan a peeved look. "Frazzled. His nibs demanded he drive back from Ayr. Never again!"

  "Wha' was wrong wi' ma drivin'?" Lachlan asked haughtily. "Ye're in one piece, aye?"

  "Ma liver's on a roadside ou'side Ayr," Roan grumbled.

  Laura released a gurgle of laughter and gestured to the house. "Hungry?"

  "For you," Roan said, playfully nestling his face at the side of her neck.

  "Fegs, mon," Lachlan blustered, "control yer willie."

  When Roan straightened and leveled a cocked eyebrow at Lachlan, Laura asked, "Your what?"

  "Don't ask," Roan said, and swept Laura up into his arms.

  "Hey!" she giggled.

  "Mind yer feet, lass," he chided, and headed for the house.

  Lachlan followed in their wake, his hard-soled boots crunching on gravel more loudly than Roan's rubber-soled shoes. Five feet from reaching the doors, he jogged ahead and opened the left side, then bowed gallantly and gestured for them to enter the small greenhouse of various houseplants and herbs. Laura winked at him as she and Roan passed, but stopped short of the inner bird's eye maple double doors.

  "What happened to Blue?" she asked.

  "Blue?" asked Lachlan, closing the outer doors.

  "She was with me at the gazebo." Laura frowned. "It's not like her to leave without saying goodbye."

  "I'm here," said a tinkling voice, nearly inaudible.

  The hair touching Lachlan's right shoulder parted, and Blue's tiny head popped out between the strands.

  "Weel, Yer Majesty," said Lachlan airily, "make yerself comfortable."

  "I always do," she said, and disappeared behind the curtain of dark auburn hair.

  The foursome entered the elongated hall. They passed an antique settee of polished cherry wood, combined with a hat rack, umbrell
a stand, and a tall mirror against the left wall, the library's sliding mahogany doors to their right.

  At the end of this wall was a wide, easy ascent staircase with an Oriental runner carpet of an identical pattern to that on the floor, held in place by a series of metal rods at the back of each step.

  Passing a tiled fireplace ornated with artifacts made of animal bones, wood and copper from days long by, they entered the parlor. At the far end of the room was enormously tall windows set in a bay with mahogany window seats. Three pink and gold sofas were carefully arranged on an enormous red and blue Persian rug. Half of the wall across their position was wainscoted to a height of five feet, then tinted rose up to the twenty-foot-high vaulted ceiling. Built within the center of the wall was an immense, intricately carved wall unit with countless shelves and cubbyholes displaying souvenirs and mementos of centuries gone. To each side of the unit, ancient swords, their points meeting in a tight center, formed circular patterns.

  "Home," Lachlan crooned, and stepped in front of the fireplace. He rubbed his hands briskly before the dwindling flames and released a moan of pleasure.

  Roan sat on the sofa with Laura atop his lap, their fingers entwined. Roan planted a lingering kiss on her lips then sighed with contentment.

  "Longest three weeks o' ma life," he told her. He lifted her left hand, turned it over, and kissed the soft palm. "Longer than the trip before."

  "Did you find out anything about Taryn?" Laura asked.

  Roan's response was delayed when Blue flew from Lachlan's shoulder, settled on the chair across from him and Laura, and morphed into her human-size. She shifted on the embroidered seat and peered worriedly at Lachlan.

  "Why didn't he return with you?" she asked, as if it galled her to ask.

  Lachlan slipped his thumbs into the waistband of his black, snug-fitting pants, walked to the settee, and sat.

  "And what about Taryn?" Laura persisted, directing the question now to Lachlan.

  "Is Beth and the babes asleep?" he asked.

  "Yes. Do you want me to wake Beth?"