Bound by Fire

by Tracey Jane Jackson

  Pepper laughed and nodded. “You’re happy, it would seem.”

  “I’m thrilled. Let me see.” Sam pulled Pepper’s hand closer. “Did he know?”

  Pepper shook her head. “I thought you told him.”

  She’d humored Sam when they were young by drawing her dream wedding ring, although she’d drawn the line at designing a dress.

  Sam raised her hands in surrender. “Not a word.” She studied the ring again. “Wow, he even added a pomegranate on each side.”

  “I know,” Pepper said. “It’s like he took my dream ring and made it even better.”

  Sam grinned. “It’s perfect.”

  “He’s perfect.”

  “Told you,” Sam quipped.

  “Yes you did, oh wise and noble one.”

  Margaret offered Sam wine, giving Pepper a moment to herself.

  How’s Jonesy? she asked Connall.

  He’s asleep.

  Pepper smiled. Is Max going to join us?

  Connall didn’t answer, but the door opened and he and Kade came back into the cabin.

  “Max is also asleep,” Connall said with a grin as he took his seat.

  Kade took his seat next to Sam and kissed her quickly.

  Connall wrapped his hand around Pepper’s and she shivered, pulling away. “Why are your hands so cold?”

  He rubbed his palms over his jeans. “Sorry, I just washed them. Plus it’s cold in the back. I put another blanket on Jonesy.”

  “Thank you.”

  Once he’d warmed up, he linked his fingers with hers. “Better?”

  “Much.”

  “May I see the ring?” Kade asked.

  Pepper grinned and slid her hand over the table. You told him?

  How do you think I got your ring done so quickly? Connall admitted.

  “Seriously?” she asked.

  “What?” Sam asked.

  “Kade used his influence with Mr. Ferguson to get the ring done quickly,” Connall said.

  “Oh, that,” Sam said with a grin.

  “You knew as well?”

  “Not really.” Sam smiled. “Just that Kade called Mr. Ferguson.”

  Did he pull the king card on the poor man?

  Connall shook his head. Mr. Ferguson’s human, love. Our family shops exclusively at his store and the storeowner is simply grateful.

  “Wow,” Pepper said. “Thank you, Kade. It’s stunning.”

  Kade shook his head. “I can’t take any credit. All I did was make a phone call. Con sent the design and the jeweler did the rest.” He smiled at Pepper. “And I for one am delighted to welcome you to the family.”

  Pepper blushed. “Thank you.”

  Just as dinner concluded, Max joined the group and Pepper took a few minutes to check on Jonesy before spending the rest of the evening in a game of Pictionary. Due to their abilities to speak telepathically, the couples were separated and Pepper, Sam, and Max were on one team, while Connall and Kade were on the other.

  Pepper honestly couldn’t think of a time she’d laughed harder, watching Sam’s pathetic attempts to draw a thermometer that looked strangely like a volcano. Lucky for them, Max was somewhat of an artist, so they managed to win by two points.

  Dessert and drinks were served and the game safely stowed away as the evening wound down. Pepper was having a difficult time keeping her eyes open and a quick check of her watch indicated it was well past her bedtime in Savannah, which explained why she was so tired.

  “I’m starting to fade,” Sam said.

  “Me too,” Pepper admitted.

  Connall smiled. “You should go to bed, sweetheart. Your overnight bag’s in the closet.”

  She nodded and stood. Am I sleeping alone?

  Not if you don’t want to.

  I don’t want to. Give me ten minutes.

  He grinned and nodded. “I’ll check on Jonesy again.”

  * * *

  Pepper headed to the bedroom and Connall turned to Sam, hesitating to ask the question he knew he didn’t really want an answer to.

  “Just ask me, Con,” Sam said.

  “How painful was the change?”

  Kade stiffened and Sam laid her hand on his leg. “Kade, stop.”

  Connall dropped his face in his hands. “Shite.”

  “What you both seem to forget is that it’s worth it,” Sam pointed out.

  “How bad, Sam?” Connall asked again. “Be honest.”

  “It wasn’t pleasant. But it didn’t last forever. I guess it would be like childbirth without an epidural.”

  “Oh, that makes me feel so much better,” he grumbled.

  Sam patted his knee. “It doesn’t last long, Connall. Honestly, she can handle it.”

  “Thanks.” Connall stood. “I’ll see you in the morning.”

  He joined Pepper, who was already asleep. Pulling her close, he closed his eyes and tried not to dream of her in pain.

  * * *

  Connall woke Pepper in time to freshen up before the plane landed. Once the plane was on the ground, she followed Connall down the stairs, joining Max where Jonesy’s drop point was. Two cars waited on the tarmac and the plan was for Connall, Pepper, and Max to follow the trailer to the Gunnach Stables, while Kade took Sam home. Everyone would meet the next night for dinner at the family home.

  Max offered to go with Jonesy, so Connall opened the door to the awaiting car and waited for Pepper to climb inside. She pulled her coat closer to her body as she took her seat. She honestly wasn’t prepared for the cold of Scotland. She was sure her lips must be varying shades of blue. When Connall sat beside her and closed the door, she sighed in relief as he wrapped his coat around her.

  “Thank you,” she said.

  He buckled up but still managed to pull her close to his body heat, and she snuggled against him. He rubbed her arm and kissed her temple. “I should have warned you about the cold.”

  “I guess it’s not something you’d notice, is it?”

  “Not really.” He turned the heat on and sat back.

  “Won’t that hurt you?” Pepper asked in concern.

  “I set it to sixty-seven.”

  “Oh.” She sighed and closed her eyes. “Thank you.”

  He lowered the privacy glass. “Tavish, we’ll go straight back to the stables first and then on to the house.”

  “Aye sir,” the driver said and Connall raised the glass again.

  They didn’t have to wait long before the small convoy drove out of the airport and through the glorious scenery that was Inverness, Scotland. Despite the jetlag, Pepper was energized as the drive revealed more and more green pasture.

  “It’s stunning,” she said.

  White fencing came into view and Connall leaned over her to point out the window. “This is where our property starts. Kade and Sam will continue straight, you and I will take a left. If we wanted to visit Brodie, we’d make a right just up here.”

  “So you all live close?”

  “Sort of.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Kade lives in town most of the year,” he said. “I live here and go into town once or twice a year. Brodie tends to travel back and forth. When there’s a council meeting or a family gathering, it’s usually at the castle.”

  “Castle?” Pepper swallowed. “Like a real castle?”

  “Yes.” He tweaked her nose. “A real castle.”

  “You don’t live in a castle too, do you?”

  He chuckled. “No. I live in a much smaller house.”

  She relaxed until the so-called “smaller house” came into view. A large white mansion appeared on their right and Pepper felt like she’d been transported back in time to some English manor house. She groaned and flopped back against the seat. “That is not a small house, Con.”

  He chuckled. “I didn’t say it was a small house, love. Just that it’s smaller than the castle.”

  The car continued past the house, following the truck and trailer hauling Jonesy, and veer
ed to the left. Pepper caught sight of a smaller building and pointed. “Ooh, what’s that?”

  “The main guest house,” he said.

  “The main guest house? There are others?”

  “A few,” he said evasively.

  Pepper chose not to press. She’d find out in time anyway. “It looks like a miniature of the big house. It’s gorgeous.”

  Connall smiled. “Thank you.”

  “Do you own all this land?”

  “Aye. It will be yours as well.”

  “Way to ease me in.”

  He chuckled. “The question is whether or not you want to stay in the guest house or in the big house.”

  “Guest,” she said without hesitation.

  “Sam knows you well.”

  “Is that okay?” she asked.

  “Of course it is.” He grinned. “I had the staff get it ready for us.”

  “Us?”

  “Aye. For tonight at least.” He raised an eyebrow. “If you don’t object, of course.”

  She pursed her lips. “Hmm. I don’t know.”

  “I just figured we’ve been sleeping in the same bed pretty much since we met, and we will when we’re bound, so…”

  “That is true,” she conceded with a cheeky grin. “I just wouldn’t want the neighbors to think I’m a hussy.”

  “No problem with that. We’ve already established that you’re my hussy, so it’s something they’ll just have to get over.”

  “Good point.” She giggled. “Sam told you I hate to live alone, huh?”

  “She did mention that fact, right before she insisted you move into her flat in town.”

  “Is it not a good plan?” she asked.

  “It’s a workable plan when you start your term, provided you still want to go to MGA.”

  She sighed. “I think I do. I don’t know.”

  “Well, whatever you decide is fine, but for now, it’s better to be here. If you do decide to go to Edinburgh, I’ll need to make some arrangements here so I can be with you.”

  Pepper smiled. “We have a little time before sessions start, so we’ll have plenty of time to figure things out.”

  The car pulled up to a giant building with “Gunnach Stables” written on the outside and Pepper watched as Max led Jonesy calmly from the trailer. She unbuckled her seatbelt, dropping Connall’s coat on the seat, and jumped from the car, ignoring his suggestion to proceed slowly. She wasn’t quite prepared for the wall of ice that hit her. Lucky for her, Connall was right behind her and slid his coat back over her shoulders.

  “It’s cold, love.”

  “Ya think?” She shivered as she slipped her arms into the sleeves. “Thank you. I forgot about the tundra. This is beyond cold, Con. I think my bones might be frozen.”

  “There’s a large claw-foot tub at the guest house. You can have a soak before bed.”

  She sighed. “Sounds like heaven.”

  Jonesy’s whinny forced her to pull away from Connall and his warmth. She unwrapped a peppermint and handed it to her horse. “I don’t know how Jonesy’s going to handle this cold, babe.”

  Connall chuckled. “The barn’s temperature controlled. We’ll tuck him in and he’ll be nice and toasty.” Connall turned to Max. “We can take it from here, brother. Thanks for everything.”

  Pepper smiled and nodded. “Yes, Max. Thank you so much for all your help. I would have been a wreck without you and so would Jonesy.”

  “It’s my pleasure, Pepper,” Max said. “I’ll probably see you both in a few days. Definitely before the tour starts.”

  “Sounds good,” Connall said, and nodded toward the car. “Tavish will drop our things at the house and then see you home, if you like.”

  “No need,” Max said. “I left my car in your garage. He can just drop me there.”

  “Perfect,” Connall said. He leaned into the car and spoke briefly with Tavish and then made his way back to Pepper.

  “I’ll see you later,” Max said, and climbed into the car.

  Pepper watched them drive away before following Connall and Jonesy into the warmth of the barn.

  “Welcome home, sir,” an older gentleman said as he stepped out of a stall.

  “Thank you, Ahearn.” Connall paused and waited for Pepper to catch up. “I’d like to you to meet Pepper. This is her horse, Jonesy.”

  Ahearn was a fatherly-looking man who first shook her hand and then spent a good deal of time fawning over Jonesy and exclaiming what a fine specimen of equine flesh he was. Pepper adored him instantly.

  “I’ll take great care of him, m’lady,” Ahearn promised, and then turned to Connall. “I’ll call up to the house if anything comes up.”

  “We’ll be at the guest house, Ahearn. But call my cell if you need me,” Connall said.

  “Aye sir. Do you need a lift?”

  “No. Tavish is waiting.”

  “I thought he left,” Pepper whispered.

  Connall smiled. “I told him to return once he dropped Max off,” he whispered back. Then aloud to Ahearn, “Very good.” Ahearn took Jonesy’s lead and led him into a large stall.

  Pepper gave Jonesy one last peppermint and then slipped her hand into Connall’s. He led her out to the awaiting car and opened the door for her.

  She slipped inside and once Connall was buckled, Tavish drove them to the guest house.

  * * *

  When they arrived at the guest cottage, Tavish turned off the car and climbed out. Connall gave Pepper’s knee a gentle squeeze. “Ready?”

  Pepper nodded. “Definitely.”

  She followed Connall from the car, waited while he gave Tavish some last-minute instructions, and then let Connall lead her into the house.

  A small but well-lit foyer greeted them with a large cabinet that Connall opened and hung their coats in. He took her hand and led her down a narrow hallway and into a surprisingly spacious great room. An ornate fireplace was the perfect focal point and Pepper hummed in appreciation. “This is glorious, Con. Has this house always been here? I mean, was it here when you got the land?”

  “Sort of. When we split up the land after our father died, I wanted to build a house in the Arts and Crafts style. This building was already on the property, but was in disrepair, so we fixed it up and gave it a similar façade as the big house. The only thing truly original is the fireplace. I didn’t have the heart to change it.”

  “It’s beautiful,” Pepper said as she took in the space. “It certainly doesn’t look old.”

  “We’ve made a few changes in the past five years to modernize things,” Connall said as he turned to face Pepper. “Max loves the American open-concept idea, so he helped with the renovation.”

  There was a well-appointed kitchen with a large granite island, and Pepper noticed French doors that probably opened to the backyard. She planned to investigate in detail tomorrow.

  “There are three bedrooms upstairs. One of them has an en-suite and the other two share a bathroom. Come on. I’ll show you. You must be exhausted.”

  Pepper took his hand and followed him up the stairs. He pushed open a door to a small but cozy room and stood back to let her precede him.

  An iron bed, a little bigger than a double, took up most of the room, with its headboard positioned against the wall between two windows. Her bags sat in the middle of the mattress begging to be unpacked. Two small nightstands flanked the bed and the sliding doors of the closet were on the right.

  Connall opened a door to the left of the bed, which revealed the bathroom housing the promised claw-foot tub along with a pedestal sink and toilet. “The shower here is workable, but the one down the hall is bigger and has a special steam setting, so you may want to use that instead.”

  “This is perfect, Con. Thank you.”

  “Are you hungry?”

  She shook her head, stifling a yawn.

  “Why don’t you grab what you need for tonight and I’ll run the bath?” He gave her a quick kiss. “Then you can go to bed.”
r />   “What about you?” she asked.

  “I have a few things to do, but I’ll be in the room down the hall.”

  “Oh. Okay.” Pepper tried not to look disappointed, but his gentle smile indicated she failed.

  “What’s wrong?” he asked.

  “Nothing’s wrong, I guess.” She shrugged. “I just like sleeping with you.”

  “I’m not sure how long my business will take, love. I don’t want to wake you.” He slipped a lock of hair behind her ear. “But if you’d like me to join you when I’m done, I will.”

  “Yes, please,” she said quickly.

  He chuckled and kissed her cheek. “Your wish is my command.”

  Pepper put a few things away while Connall started the bath and then left her to make his phone calls. Pepper piled her hair on top of her head, undressed, and slipped into the warm water with a contented sigh. This is perfect, baby. Thank you.

  My pleasure, love.

  Pepper smiled and closed her eyes.

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  AN URGENT KNOCK brought Pepper out of a painful dream. Her head was pounding.

  “Pepper?” Connall called through the door.

  “Huh?” she said.

  “Pepper!” Connall pressed as he jiggled the doorknob.

  “I’m here, Con.” She realized the water was cold and she shivered as she stood and grabbed a towel. “What’s wrong?”

  “You haven’t answered me in almost an hour. I thought you were asleep, but you weren’t in bed,” he said.

  “Sorry, babe. I must have fallen asleep. I’ll be right out.”

  She rushed to pull on her pajamas and then stepped into the bedroom.

  Connall stood, typing into his phone. He looked up and smiled. “Hi. Feel better?”

  “Much,” she said. “Are you done with work?”

  “Almost. Just a couple more emails.” He nodded to a glass on one of the nightstands. “I brought you water and was going to leave you something for your headache, but now that I’m here, I can take it away for you.”

  “Yes, please.” She squeezed her eyes shut. “It’s working its way to a nasty migraine.”

  He set his phone down and laid his hands on her head. She sighed as the relief wove its way through her skull. It was almost instantaneous.

  “Where were you all through high school?” she complained.