A Christmas Spirit

by Cindy Miles

  INTERMIX BOOKS

  Published by the Penguin Group

  Penguin Group (USA) LLC

  375 Hudson Street, New York, New York 10014, USA

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  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

  A CHRISTMAS SPIRIT

  An InterMix Book / published by arrangement with the author

  PUBLISHING HISTORY

  “A Christmas Spirit” appeared in the anthology A Highlander Christmas.

  Signet Eclipse edition / November 2009

  InterMix eBook edition / December 2013

  Copyright © 2009 by Cindy Homberger.

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  375 Hudson Street, New York, New York 10014.

  eBook ISBN: 978-0-698-14156-8

  INTERMIX

  InterMix Books are published by The Berkley Publishing Group

  and New American Library, divisions of Penguin Group (USA) LLC,

  375 Hudson Street, New York, New York 10014.

  INTERMIX and the “IM” design are trademarks of Penguin Group (USA) LLC

  Version_1

  Table of Contents

  Cover

  Copyright Page

  Chapter One - DECEMBER, PRESENT DAY NORTH WEST HIGHLANDS SOMEWHERE NEAR INVERNESS

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  About the Author

  A Christmas Spirit

  Cindy Miles

  INTERMIX BOOKS, NEW YORK

  Chapter One

  DECEMBER, PRESENT DAY NORTH WEST HIGHLANDS SOMEWHERE NEAR INVERNESS

  “Please don’t die, please don’t die, puh-leeze don’t die,” crooned Paige MacDonald. Gripping the steering wheel so tightly her knuckles turned white, she stared through the swirling snow ahead and held her breath. The little standard-shift rental car sputtered, lurched, but thankfully, kept going.

  Paige let out a gusty sigh. “Thank you,” she whispered, and shifted into third gear. She knew she was lost. She’d missed the turnoff that led back to Inverness. But she needed to get somewhere fast, before the car broke down and she got stranded in this snow. She inched along, searching for any indication of a town, a house, a gas station—anything. Several more miles passed. Nothing.

  All at once, she spotted a narrow path. It turned sharp left from the track she was on and then disappeared through a dense forest. A small red sign marked GORLOCH B&B stood at the base of the path. Without another thought, Paige steered the car onto the graveled lane. Maybe she could call and cancel her lodgings in Inverness and stay at Gorloch for the night? She hoped they had a vacancy. She’d worry about the car in the morning.

  A few minutes passed as Paige crept her way up the snowy lane, and then her heart soared. Up ahead, a single light twinkled through the trees. A little farther and she’d be there.

  Suddenly, the car coughed and lurched, and the engine died. With a heavy sigh, Paige shifted into neutral, coasted to the edge of the lane, and let the car roll to a stop. She yanked up the emergency brake and stared out into the blinding white downfall of snow. The wind whipped furiously, causing the rental car to sway. For as far as she could see, there was nothing but white. Unfolding the map she’d thrown on the passenger seat, she studied the small, threadlike marking that was supposed to be the road to her bed-a nd-breakfast. No signs, nothing—not even a sign for Gorloch. She frowned. Lost and her car had officially bit the big one. Great.

  Glancing at her watch, she silently said a naughty word, then leaned her head back and closed her eyes.

  Perhaps a self-driving tour of the North West Highlands in December hadn’t been the most thought-through plan she’d ever had. But she’d been desperate to get out of the city, away from her job, her cramped apartment. So she was lost. And her car had croaked. And there was one heck of a storm outside.

  At least she wasn’t spending another Christmas home alone.

  Grabbing her overnight pack, Paige tugged her hat down over her ears, tightened her scarf, and buttoned her wool coat. Pulling on her gloves, she gave a hefty sigh and a bit of silent encouragement, then opened the door and jumped out into the cold.

  The gray wintry skies had begun to turn shadowy, and before long, night would fall. She certainly didn’t want to be stranded in the woods after dark. She began to move quickly.

  Trudging up the snowy lane, Paige made her way to Gorloch’s. With the biting cold and wall of flurry, it seemed to take forever. Not a sound in the air except the crunch of ice beneath her boots and the wind rushing through the branches. It felt dreamlike yet calming at the same time. It looked like a true winter wonderland. The path wound around a copse of trees, and when it straightened, Paige stopped and gasped. Her breath slowly puffed out in front of her like white, billowy smoke.

  The lone twinkling light hadn’t come from a regular bed-a nd-breakfast, or from a stone cottage, or even a Highland croft.

  It came from a dark, looming castle.

  Paige stood still, staring. An ancient stone fortress rose from the frosty mist, uninviting and ominous. Apprehension gripped her, yet her lips were numb and snowflakes caked her eyelashes. She had no choice now but to continue on. Shifting her pack, Paige shoved her hands deep into her pockets and made for the castle doors.

  As she neared the entrance, she noticed two things. One, the main castle tower was enormous. Two, unless there was a garage somewhere around back, it didn’t look like a soul was home. With a deep breath, she took the remaining walk to the double doors, lifted her hand, grasped a large, tarnished brass ring, and knocked. She stepped back and waited.

  No one answered.

  Teeth chattering and her body shivering uncontrollably, Paige knocked again. Loudly. Seconds turned into minutes as she waited. Oh, gosh—I ’m going to freeze to death—

  “No vacancy. Go away.”

  Paige jumped at the sound of the deep voice and looked around. “Um, c-could I j-just use your phone to c-call a cab? My c-car’s dead,” she said, teeth chattering.

  Moments passed, and Paige sighed and turned to leave.

  “Come in, but be quick about it.”

  Paige looked about, but still saw no one. Should she go in? Why didn’t he open the door himself? Her b
ody quaked with uncontrolled shivers, and she stomped her feet and rubbed her arms vigorously.

  “Come in before you bloody freeze to death.”

  With hesitancy, Paige turned the handle, pushed the massive door open, and stepped inside. The wind caught the heavy oak, pulled it from her fingers, and slammed it shut behind her. She jumped, and looked around. She saw no one. A small table and chair in the foyer contained an open ledger and a pen. A lamp burned low and cast shadows across the narrow space. Paige’s gaze moved slowly and peered into the dim room beyond. “Hello?”

  “Jus’ sign in, lass, and sit. I’ll be wi’ you in a moment.”

  “So, you do have vacancy?” she asked, thinking she’d heard wrong the first time.

  A moment passed; then that deep voice mumbled, “Aye.” “Err, great. Thanks,” said Paige. The throaty brogue was so thick, she barely understood the man. Grasping the pen, she steadied her shaking hand and signed in.

  In the great hall, Gabriel Munro shoved a hand through his hair and paced. He stopped, glanced at the girl, pushed his thumb and forefinger into his eye sockets, and cursed. Then he rested his hand on his hips and paced a bit more.

  What, by the devil’s cloven hooves, was he to do with her? Damn the Craigmires’ arses for leaving him here alone. The old fool and his wife had sworn the weather would keep tourists away.

  Gabriel glanced at the girl still shivering in the foyer. Her gaze shifted first left, then right. Then, she sat down.

  It had kept all away, save that one. What was she doin’ out in such a storm? And alone, as well?

  He’d have let her leave, had she no’ admitted to being stranded. He damn well couldna let her stay out in the snow and freeze. And freeze she surely would, in such a wee, thin coat and scarf. Even the hat she had pulled nearly to her eyes looked paltry. ’Twas apparent she was no’ from the Highlands. Her accent had been the proof o’ that.

  Now he was stuck wi’ her. Alone.

  Christ.

  He had no choice but to handle things until the girl left. With a final silent curse, Gabriel took a deep breath, readied himself, and stepped into the foyer.

  The girl sprang to her feet the moment Gabriel appeared. Her eyes widened as she took in the sight of him, and he prayed mightily that he’d dressed appropriately. Still, she said nothing. She all but gaped.

  “You’re wantin’ a room, aye?” said Gabriel.

  She nodded, and her cheeks flushed. “I do.”

  He gave a curt nod at the desk. “Chamber thirteen. Grab your key from yon drawer and follow me.”

  The girl’s eyes darted to the desk, and a gloved hand slowly pulled out the drawer. Finding the key, she picked it up, shouldered her pack, and looked at him. “Okay,” she said quietly. Her voice, smooth and feminine, quavered just a bit. From fear or the chill, he didna know which.

  Gabriel strode across the great hall toward the staircase, the light tread of the girl’s boots just behind him, hurrying along. He’d settle her in for the night, then retreat to his own chamber. Hopefully by morn, the weather would clear and she’d leave.

  At the staircase, Gabriel glanced over his shoulder. “This way.”

  “Thanks,” she said quietly.

  Gabriel made his way to the third floor then strode to the end of the corridor. At the last door, he stopped and inclined his head. “Thirteen.”

  The girl nodded, then slowly looked up to meet Gabriel’s gaze. “My name is Paige MacDonald. Thank you for the room,” she said. “I didn’t know what else to do.”

  Paige MacDonald. He found himself suddenly speechless. He’d not seen the lass full-on until now. Her beauty nearly knocked the breath from him.

  At least, that was what it felt like.

  A wee thing, the top of her head came no higher than his chest, and her skin was the smoothest he’d ever seen. A small nose that fit her face, full lips, and he imagined her hair to be the color of straw. Only a small portion poked out from beneath her funny hat. He guessed the rest must be stuffed under it.

  ’Twas her eyes that caught him off guard, though. No’ just the shocking color of blue, or how the width narrowed and turned up at the outer corners and gave them the most unusual of shapes. ’Twas one reason he knew her no’ to be from those MacDonalds. The other reason? He’d killed them all before his own demise. ’Twas obvious she descended from another clan.

  All of those things struck him, in truth. But ’twas the sadness Gabriel saw in the blue depths that struck him the most.

  It made him mightily uncomfortable.

  Just then, a growling noise interrupted his thoughts.

  The girl blushed furiously, and pressed a hand against her belly. “Sorry. I haven’t eaten in quite a while.”

  Och, damn. “Right. Err, you settle yourself in and come downstairs to the larder. I’ll show you where everythin’ is. Aye?”

  “Okay, thanks.” She turned, stuck her key in the lock, and opened the door. Stepping inside, she glanced at him and gave the slightest of smiles. “I didn’t catch your name.”

  He met her gaze and held it. “Munro. Gabriel Munro.”

  The hesitant smile on Paige’s face didn’t reach her eyes. “Thank you again, Gabriel Munro.”

  And with that she shut and locked the door.

  Gabriel stood and stared. He pinched the bridge of his nose, shoved his fingers through his hair, scrubbed the back of his neck, and sighed.

  What in bloody hell was he to do with a beautiful, melancholy lass? If she only knew what he was, she’d never have asked to stay. At least she wasna one of those MacDonalds. Snow or no, he wouldna have even let her through the door.

  As he disappeared down the corridor, he frowned and prayed mightily that the storm would pass and Paige would leave come the morn.

  Chapter Two

  Paige leaned against the door, rested her head back and closed her eyes. How she loathed her silly reaction around men. Especially gorgeous men.

  Men like Gabriel Munro.

  Impossibly tall and broad, muscular, with long dark hair pulled back at the nape, the Gorloch bed-a nd-breakfast owner certainly wasn’t anything she’d expected. The others had been older, warm, and friendly. Gabriel Munro, with his piercing green eyes, worn jeans, cream-colored fisherman’s sweater, and brown hiking boots sort of intimidated her.

  He was the most beautiful man she’d ever laid eyes on.

  And quite possibly the most aloof, as well. He certainly kept his distance from her, too. Wouldn’t even get the darn key for the room. Whatever . . .

  With a sigh, Paige pushed off the door, took off her hat, gloves, and coat, and inspected her surroundings. Darkly decorated in Victorian-era reds and golds, the room contained a large, four-poster made of mahogany, with deep green drapery and plush pillows. A matching claw-f oot chair sat in one corner, and a tallboy stood in the other. A fireplace sat cold and empty against the far wall. All in all, pretty gorgeous, and any other time she’d be thrilled with a place such as Gorloch. Right now, she was hungry, tired, and irritated that her car had croaked.

  Across the room was an inviting alcove, and Paige hurried toward it. Kneeling on the window seat cushions, she pulled back the heavy tapestry drapes and watched the swirling snow outside. Wind groaned through the cracks and crevices of the old stone, making a low-pitched moaning sound, and Paige shivered.

  It reminded her of a horror movie. And she was the brainless female victim who’d run straight into the chain-saw-wielding lunatic. Screaming.

  Fantastic.

  Just then, her stomach growled again, louder this time, demanding food. It’d been hours since she’d had anything to eat, and she was starved. Lunatics and grumpy proprietors be damned, she had to have sustenance. Hastily, she put her bag in the corner, freshened up, and left the room.

  A cold, ancient air clung to the stone walls and passageway, sinking deep into Paige’s skin. Low lamp lights emanated from tarnished wall sconces jammed into the rock, illuminating the way to the main staircas
e. More than once she glanced over her shoulder, a feeling of someone watching her making the hairs rise on the back of her neck. She rubbed her arms vigorously and hurried her pace.

  Just as Paige stepped into the great hall, every light in the room extinguished, leaving her in pitch-black. She froze, and her heart thumped heavy beneath her rib cage as the darkness swallowed her up. She waited several moments, hoping that her host would just show up, know exactly where she was, and that she was stranded in the dark. Finally, she grew impatient, cleared her throat, and drew a deep breath. “Hello?” she said, and her voice cracked. “Err, Mr. Munro?”

  Gabriel stood mere yards from the girl. He could sense her urgency, yet he found himself unable to answer her calls. ’Twas as if his bloody tongue was tied. While she couldn’t see in the darkness, he could, and verra clear. While the blackness covered him, he boldly studied the quiet lass from America.

  A wee thing, she came no higher than his chest. Hair the color of straw was shorn at a sharp angle and swung at her jaw. No wonder he’d no’ seen it earlier, when she’d worn her hat. Wide blue eyes stood in stark comparison to her fair skin and pixielike features. White, straight teeth worried her full bottom lip, and those large eyes shifted left, then right, trying to see in the dark. She wrapped her slender arms about herself, slowly spun in a circle, and heaved a sigh.

  Then, she stopped, faced him, and sucked in a startled breath. Her eyes, which appeared to be locked with his, widened to a frightening width, and she swore.

  Only then did Gabriel realize the bloody lights had come back on.

  She probably thought he was a lunatic.

  Slowly, she began to back away from him. “Um, I was calling for you,” she said, a slight quiver in her voice. Her eyes traveled the length of him, and then she glanced behind her, taking a few more hesitant steps.

  “Aye, I heard,” he stammered. Damnation, he hadn’t meant for her to catch him looking at her so closely. He cocked his head as she continued to walk backward, seemingly toward the front entranceway.