by R E Gauthier
Aisling’s eyes settled on Kelsey, and she smiled slowly.
Kelsey smiled back. She saw the hesitation in her cousin’s demeanor. It would take time for them to get over their mistrust and awkwardness for one another.
Aisling said something briskly and appeared angry before hanging up the phone. “Sorry, I didn’t know you were there. I didn’t want you to think I was rude.”
Kelsey shook her head and held her hands behind her back. “You weren't rude; I was the rude one. I didn’t knock, and you didn’t hear me open the door because I did so in a manner as not to disturb you. I didn’t understand a word you were saying, so I’m not intruding. I only need to speak to you, and no one was around to help me find you. I suppose if I wanted to be polite, I should have waited until I heard you’d finish your call.” Kelsey knew she was rambling, but couldn’t stop herself.
Aisling stood and stretched. “I wish you had interrupted sooner. That windbag was yammering on like an old…sorry you said you needed to speak to me. What is it?”
Kelsey smiled. She wished with her whole being that she and Aisling could get past everything that happened to drive them apart so that they could heal, and Aisling would trust Kelsey to help her. “First, I was hoping you have a gym somewhere close by. I wouldn’t even mind the constant bodyguard following me around if I could punch a bag, lift some weights, anything, but sitting around another moment.”
Aisling came around the desk. “I should have mentioned to you earlier, but my mind has been preoccupied. We have a wonderfully outfitted gym here in the basement. It was one of the first things done when the house was renovated years ago. Come with me; I’ll show you around.”
Kelsey and Aisling walked around the large farmhouse, stopping briefly when Aisling described a specific change or an attribute, she was particularly proud of. Kelsey took it all in but chomped with the need to get to the gym.
“I’m sorry, I thought you might want a tour around the house, but it’s the gym you’re looking forward to. It’s down this way.” Aisling led Kelsey down a hallway and then down a set of steps.
Kelsey followed behind her cousin and remembered she would need to censor her thoughts better if she wanted to keep somethings private from Aisling. Until Kelsey knew her cousin trusted her, and Kelsey knew she could trust Aisling, Kelsey would need to be careful what she thought about in her cousin’s presence. “I require some physical activity. Maybe you can join me. Do you spar? I can shadow-box, or use a punching bag, but it’s not the same as having a good sparring partner.”
Aisling nodded and smiled. “I do, but I have to warn you I’m good at it.”
Kelsey chuckled. “So am I, and it has been a long time since I have had a partner who can go toe-to-toe with me. Do you think you have what it takes?”
“Let me go change, and I’ll be back here, and we can see if I do.” Aisling turned to leave and then shouted over her shoulder. “You’ve been itching to punch me in the face for days; you’re finally going to get your chance, but only if you’re as good as you say you are. I usually don’t let many people touch me. I hope for your sake you don’t regret your boastful airs.”
Kelsey whispered. “I won’t, but you will.”
***
Sweat dripped into her eyes as Kelsey watched Aisling bob and weave in front of her. The height difference did afford Kelsey the advantage of seeing the smaller woman moving in to take a punch, but it also allowed Aisling the ability to move in to get a few punches and then get away before Kelsey could return the favor. Not having an opponent that could predict her moves before made Kelsey cocky in the beginning, but now with very few of her punches getting through Aisling’s defenses, Kelsey rethought her earlier assumption she would be the victor. Kelsey tried to assure herself it had to do with being rusty, or maybe Aisling was reading her mind and anticipating every punch. The real reason was Aisling was more than a good boxer; Kelsey’s cousin was an excellent practitioner of the sport.
“Do you yield?” Aisling asked while her head bobbed and deflected another of Kelsey’s attempts at punching the smiling smaller woman in the face.
Kelsey felt her desperation turn to anger, and then she saw an opening. Aisling must be getting tired because she let her guard down, and Kelsey saw a tell in her movements. She smiled and said, “no, I won’t yield.” Drawing her left arm back, she feigned a right jab, and when Aisling bobbed to the left to avoid what she thought was a jab, Kelsey’s left glove made a direct hit to Aisling’s face.
Aisling went down hard when the blow struck. She hit the large soft floor mats and didn’t move.
Concerned, Kelsey went down on her knees and checked on her cousin’s condition. “Aisling, are you alright?”
Opening one eye, and coming up on one elbow, Aisling asked, “do you feel better now?”
Rocking back on her heels, Kelsey scowled. “You let me punch you. I hated it when you did it when we were kids. You loved to pretend I had beaten you to make me feel better. You’re doing it again today. I didn’t want to want to punch you in the face, although a few times I did want to wipe that smug look off of your face.”
Aisling lay back down and chuckled. “It was the only way I was going to get you to stop. If I had of let you, you would have kept at it until you dropped.”
“I was sorry I punched you as soon as my glove hit your face, but now I wish I had hit you harder.”
Aisling laughed harder.
Kelsey punched her cousin’s stomach.
Aisling punched Kelsey back, her glove connecting with Kelsey’s midriff.
Kelsey smiled and then laughed. She could never stay angry at Aisling for long. Like when they were children, Kelsey found herself joining in on her cousin’s laughter. “I’ve missed you, Ais’.”
“I’ve missed you too. Kels, please know I would have come to you if I could. I wanted to. We’re together now, and we have a lifetime to get to know one another again. I’ve been through so much, and you have too, but it’s the future we have to look forward to, not the past.”
Kelsey chuckled louder and stood. “Now, that sounds like something Nanna would say.” Reaching forward, she offered a gloved hand to help her cousin up.
Aisling accepted the offer and pulled herself up to standing. “You’ve been lucky to have her growing up; does she still make those oatcakes?”
Kelsey closed her eyes, smiled, and said, “does she ever. She makes them all the time, but she says they’re not the same as the ones she would make when she could get her hands on raw clotted cream.”
“How about her lamb pies?” Aisling licked her lips.
Kelsey nodded. “She still cooks quite a bit. Although over a month ago, she gave me a scare.”
Aisling cocked her head. “What sort of scare? Was she sick?”
“No, she told Miranda she wasn’t feeling well and wanted her to call me. Miranda called an ambulance instead. It turned out she faked a panic attack to get me to stop investigating the night you left us. Nanna garnered a lot of worries until I figured out her motives. I’m sure Nanna will be around for many years.”
Aisling smiled and nodded. “I’m sure you’re right. Tell me about her, what’s Miranda like?”
Kelsey closed her eyes, smiled broadly, and took a deep breath. “She’s been sent from heaven. Nanna says she’s my Anam Charaid, and I must agree. I have only felt closer to one other person in my life, and that person is you.”
“How did you meet?”
“That’s a long story.”
“Do you have something to do or somewhere to be? I have all the time in the world to hear this story.”
Kelsey smiled. “You asked for it.”
Chapter Thirty-One
Nanna’s house, Canonsburg, May 5, 2012
Miranda met Willow when Nikki brought her here to meet, she and Nanna, but something about the woman didn’t sit well with her. Nanna seemed quite taken with her, though, and it was Nanna’s home after all. Miranda tried to be polite with the woma
n’s constant questions and chatter, but she found it quite difficult. Nanna had invited the petite brunette over for a visit today, and Miranda attempted, without success, to at least look cordial. I don’t know what’s gotten into me, but I don’t like her.
Nanna’s voice interrupted Miranda’s musings. “Miranda is a writer; she may know the answer. Do you, Miranda?”
Smiling, Miranda tried to look like she had heard the question but knew she failed miserably when Nanna frowned. It had been the third time that Miranda had not been listening to the two women’s conversation, but try as she may, Miranda had no interest in their discussions. “I’m sorry, Nanna I didn’t sleep well last night.” Miranda shrugged. Kelsey didn’t come to her in her dreams, and she woke up feeling bereft. She didn’t want to discuss that in front of Willow, so she lied. “I think it’s wedding jitters.”
Nanna raised an eyebrow, and her frown deepened. “You’ll have to excuse my soon-to-be Granddaughter-in-law, her head has been on her upcoming nuptials.”
Willow smiled and said, “Nikki told me about that; you must be so excited.”
Miranda smiled weakly and nodded at Nanna. Inwardly, she thanked Nanna for playing along even though she clearly could tell Miranda lied about why she couldn’t sleep. “I am excited, time is flying by so quickly, and there is still so much to be done.” Again, Miranda lied, because she and Nanna had done almost all of the planning, and the only thing that needed to be done was to make sure Kelsey got home in time for the ceremony.
Willow’s smile grew. “I could help you with those plans if you’d like. I’m an excellent organizer, and planned my entire wedding for three hundred people.”
Of course, you did. Miranda’s face began to hurt from trying so hard to smile. It wasn’t like her to dislike someone this acutely without even knowing the person. “That’s very nice of you, isn’t it, Nanna? But we have all of the preliminary planning done; we only need to finalize everything.”
Nanna nodded. “Miranda is right; we have done most of the early stages of the planning. I’m sure it’s just Miranda’s jitters making her feel anxious. It is nice of you to offer to help, though. You’re helping a lot already by helping Nikki bring Kelsey home.”
Miranda knew she should be more gracious with the woman, but even though she knew Willow helped Nikki, she still found it hard to warm up to the woman. The day she arrived here with Nikki, the hair on her neck stood up the entire time. Miranda felt as if she wanted to run away. The smiling, friendly brunette woman seemed too sweet as if the woman played a part, and Miranda didn’t think Willow was a good actress at all. Seeing through the façade, Willow plastered over the real person inside, Miranda didn’t trust her. “Nanna is right; we’re grateful for all you’re doing. How is it going? Nikki hasn’t called in a few days. Do you think she’ll be bringing Kelsey home soon? Have you and she made any headway in locating Nanna’s other granddaughter, daughter, and son-in-law?”
Willow smiled, shrugged, and looked away.
Miranda could see through the smile and saw the deceptive tactics. Many of her lying Ex’s were good at them, but she saw through them immediately. Wanting to show the woman up for the fraud she was, Miranda went further with her questioning. “What sort of help are you providing for Nikki? Kelsey told me no one can compare to Nikki’s computer skills; maybe you’re helping in some other way?”
Willow looked back and in place of the earlier smile was a tight, pinched mouth. The look in Willow’s eyes was no longer friendly or open. She crossed her arms on her chest.
Miranda smiled brightly. Willow was showing her true nature. “Nanna, I think the oatcakes must be about ready to come out of the oven.”
Nanna looked from one woman to the other and nodded. “I’ll be right back. Would you like some tea, Willow?”
Willow nodded and smiled.
Miranda added, even though Nanna knew what she wanted. “I’d like some chamomile, Nanna, with honey, please.”
“Certainly, I’ll only be a moment.”
Miranda watched Nanna leave the room, and when the door closed behind her, she spun around to face Willow. “What sort of game are you playing?”
Willow played the part of the surprised woman well. Her hand flew to her chest, and she feigned a small gasp.
Miranda’s temperature rose as adrenaline rushed through her limbs. She wanted nothing else but to put this woman in her place. “You can drop the act with me. I’m not sure how you’re pulling the wool over Nanna’s eyes. She’s usually a great judge of character, and you don’t have any.”
Willow’s jaw clenched. “I don’t know what your problem is with me; must be all those wedding jitters. They’re clouding your mind and making you paranoid.”
“I’m not paranoid. You’re up to something, and I’m going to find out what it is. I know you’re a liar. I’ve seen my fill through the years, and you may be a good one, but not good enough.”
Nanna called from the kitchen, “I’ll be a few more moments, I forgot I have to call Lynn about something.”
Miranda shouted back, “take your time; Willow and I are just getting to know one another better.”
Willow pressed her lips together and pushed up the sleeves of her sweater. Leaning back in the chair, she whispered, “look who is lying now.”
“I’m not lying; I am letting you know who I am and that I know who you are.”
“And who am I?”
“You’re a fraud,” Miranda hissed.
Willow’s nostrils flared, her hands balled into fists, and she leaned forward. “You’re right; you are letting me know who you are. You’re a frustrated, unhappy woman who may never see the love-of-their life again. I was trying not to hurt Nanna, but the situation is dire, and Kelsey could be in danger as well as Nikki. It is possible they both won’t come back home. I didn’t want to say anything, but Nikki hasn’t checked in with me for two days. The last I heard, she checked out of the hotel after an altercation with a man on the street.” Willow smirked as she rubbed her hands on her jeans.
A wave of nausea hit Miranda, and her head began to spin. The vile way Willow spoke made her want to puke. She played with fire, riling Willow up, and now the brunette was showing her true colors. Miranda swallowed hard and leaned forward. “When Nanna comes back, you make up an excuse to leave and don’t come back. I was right about you, and I’m not about to let you keep doing whatever it is you’re doing. The next time I speak to Kelsey, I’m telling her all about you.”
Willow drew back with raised eyebrows.
Miranda had the upper hand again. Willow thought Miranda was totally in the dark, but Willow didn’t know that Kelsey could communicate with her.
Willow smiled. “I underestimated you and your fiancée. You’re both more resourceful than I gave you credit for. Nikki gave me the impression you haven’t spoken the Kelsey since her disappearance.”
“I guess you’re not the only one with secrets.”
Nanna returned then and said, “Miranda, can you help me with tea?”
Miranda stood and looked at Willow. “Nanna, that won’t be necessary. Willow was just saying she had to go; weren’t you?”
Willow nodded. “I’m afraid Miranda is correct; I need to go. There is something I need to take care of, and it’s time-sensitive.”
Nanna frowned. “I was looking forward to you telling me about your travels in the Middle East. Maybe we can plan for another visit one day soon?”
Willow stood and shrugged. “I’m not sure, but we can see if I can swing it. Thank you for inviting me today. I enjoyed our visit.”
Miranda watched as Nanna walked Willow to the front door. Hanging back, she attempted to shake the feeling of unease that lingered from Willow’s presence. Remembering the look in those green eyes, Miranda shuddered. Contempt, hatred, and old-fashioned irritation swam in those green pools. I knew that smiling face was a farce. Behind the mask, Willow wore, was a dark, angry woman. Recalling Willow’s words, Miranda sat and bit down on her
lower lip. In anger, Willow said that Kelsey and Nikki might not come home. What if Willow told the truth? What if Nikki and Kelsey were in danger, and that is why Kelsey didn’t contact her last night?
Nanna returned and asked, “are you going to tell me what that was all about?”
***
Willow’s Car, driving down an undisclosed road, May 5, 2012
Willow slammed on the breaks as another car ran a red light. Swearing, she hit the steering wheel. Her phone rang, recognizing the number, she hit the Bluetooth headset button and barked into the mic. “What? I hope you have some answers for me.”
“I do, and you’re not going to like it. She’s not where you said she would be. They’re getting impatient; you’re the one they’re going to blame, and if you don’t do something fast, I won’t be able to help you this time.”
Waiting for the light to turn green, Willow closed her eyes. “I don’t like to be threatened. I’m doing my best. I’m going to need to be unreachable for a while. There is something I need to do.”
“What the fuck? This isn’t a good time to go off on your own.”
“I know what I’m doing. Tell them I’ll do this and then get back to them as soon as I can. Remind them I have never disappointed them before.” Willow stepped on the gas and sped through the intersection. “I’ll contact you; don’t contact me again, or you’ll mess everything up.”
“I will wait for you to call me; I hope you know what you’re doing.”
“I do.” Willow ended the call and threw the Bluetooth headset onto the passenger seat. Fuck, what am I going to do now?
Chapter Thirty-Two
MacKenzie Estate, Gairloch, May 6, 2012
When Kelsey woke with aching muscles, she should have been miserable, but the feelings of pure happiness prevented that. For the first time since leaving Nanna’s house several weeks ago, Kelsey slept soundly. She planned to reach out to Nikki and check on her progress, but as soon as her head hit the pillow, she went into the deepest sleep. The physical exercise, as well as the toll the emotional conversation with Aisling had exhausted Kelsey. She and Aisling sparred for the better part of the afternoon and then spent the entire evening talking about Miranda, Nanna, and everything Aisling had missed while in hiding. Typically, Kelsey would have spent part of the afternoon inside Miranda’s dream as the woman slept, thousands of miles away. Yesterday, Kelsey missed her usual date with her fiancée, but smiled, remembering how good it felt to reconnect fully with her cousin. Miranda will understand.