“And that’s probably exactly the way you presented it to him. You’re no fool, MacDuff.” Jane grinned. “There was no way you were going to come back without what you went there to get if you believed there was a chance.”
“Aye, I’ve waited long enough.” His blue eyes were suddenly twinkling. “Let those airlines get to the back of the line.”
“Not as if that’s not your philosophy anyway,” Jock said. “Everything has to stop for the pleasure of the laird.” He turned to Jane. “See, I told you that we have to keep him under control.”
“Jane has no trouble embracing that mantra. She’s possibly the most stubborn woman on the planet,” MacDuff said drily. “And I’ll thank you not to encourage her to defy me, Jock. I’ve had a hard enough time keeping her here at the lake these past months while I was experimenting.”
“I wonder why,” Jane said. “I should be absolutely wild about camping out in a tent in the middle of the Highlands, ignoring my career while you try to pull rabbits out of your hat.”
“Nonsense. You didn’t ignore your career. An artist can work anywhere, and you turned out some damn fine landscapes. And you’re just as obsessed as I am about finding Cira’s gold. Perhaps not for the same reason, but she called you and you came.” He smiled. “True?”
“I guess you might say it’s true, in a way.” She smiled back at him. “Now you only have to address camping out in the middle of the wilds.”
“Who wouldn’t want to be surrounded by all this beauty?” He gestured expansively at the lake and the mountains. “And didn’t I have a fine shower house built for the camp? What else could you want?”
“I can’t imagine,” she said gravely. It was true that he had made the tent camp as comfortable as possible for them. Since Gaelkar Castle, the original home established by Cira and her family, was some distance away and in ruins, there had been no real choice. Not that MacDuff would have been inclined to let them go too far away from this lake anyway. “But I’ll think about it and let you know.”
“You’ve had a long flight,” Jock said. “Go to your tent and rest and I’ll bring your cases down.” He turned to MacDuff. “Come to the car and help me. Let her get her breath before you start inundating her with all your plans and that overpowering enthusiasm.”
“Enthusiasm is contagious,” MacDuff said. “And healthy.”
“Not when it’s mixed with jet lag.” He nodded at Jane. “I’ll see you at supper.”
MacDuff hesitated and then followed Jock. “I’m not doing this because you’re right, Jock. I just need the exercise.”
“Of course that’s the reason,” Jock said. “Everyone knows that you’re never wrong, MacDuff.”
“Bastard,” MacDuff muttered.
Jane smiled as she watched the two of them walk back up the incline. It warmed the heart to see a friendship that close. So different and yet forged of experiences and self-sacrifices that had almost melded them into one entity. She had known them both for years and considered them her friends, as well. And she had never lost her appreciation for who they were, both apart and together.
But she was glad that Jock had given her this short time apart from them. It was always a little overwhelming to come back here to Gaelkar after being away.
She turned and started back down toward the camp, her gaze on the deep blue lake. As usual, it took her breath away and drew her toward it. Loch Gaelkar was surrounded by rugged green mountains that plunged down to meet the glittering water on three sides. But the north bank was always blanketed by a heavy mist that swirled and shifted but never revealed what lay beyond.
It was the stuff of which legends were woven. The locals, who had lived with the lake all their lives, said that it was the place where creation either began or would be destroyed. Anyone who saw it found it mysterious and fascinating and even a little frightening. Jane could see why Cira had settled in this part of the Highlands when she had fled from Herculaneum. It had been a wild, challenging country where the strong could carve out an empire. Cira had never hesitated facing any challenge. She had been born a slave and fought her way from poverty to become a successful actress at the theater in Herculaneum. She’d been tough, sometimes ruthless, but honest when she could be. Life had been hard for her, but she’d kept her humanity when everyone around her had tried to use her. It was no surprise that she’d managed to triumph even over the devastation of the exploding volcano. The treasure chest with which she’d escaped after the eruption had been filled with gold and silver coins and one very special coin said to be the payment Judas was given to betray Christ. It would be worth billions in today’s market.
But there had been no record of what happened to the treasure chest after Cira had arrived in Scotland.
Jane had reached the bank and dropped to the ground and linked her arms about her knees as she gazed out at the mist.
Is your treasure really out there, Cira? If it’s not, why did I have that damn dream that hinted that it was? MacDuff is banking that you were trying to tell me something that could save the family you founded all those centuries ago. I’m not so sure. You were passionate about family, but you saw nothing shameful about struggle.
The sharp wind was blowing over the lake, stirring the mist, as it probably had when Cira had walked these banks. Sometimes Jane felt as if Cira was just beyond that mist and, if she stared hard enough, she would be able to catch a glimpse of her.
Crazy.
But most people would say that her dreams of Cira had been crazy from the beginning and this was no different.
Screw them.
She had her own doubts, but no one had a right to impose their opinions on her. If she didn’t find the treasure, then perhaps it would prove that she was a bit off-kilter. If the treasure was somewhere in that mist, then maybe the years of dreams and research had some kind of meaning.
She had to smile as she realized how defiant she was feeling at this moment. It reminded her of the defiance she’d portrayed in Lisa’s face in those sketches she’d done of her. It could be Joe was wrong about her not being as belligerent as that girl. Apparently, it only took the right subject to bring it to the forefront.
Two of a kind, Lisa?
She got to her feet and stood there looking out at the lake. “It’s good to be back,” she murmured. “I’ve missed you, Cira. Now please be cooperative with MacDuff about his lights. You’re driving him crazy with this darned mist.” She turned toward the tent area. “But I should tell you I’ve learned a greater appreciation for you after dealing with this Lisa who’s been plaguing me lately. I don’t know how she hijacked me, but if you have any influence, you could help her to clarify a bit.”
Of course there was no answer but the sound of the water lapping against the bank. She was just lucky Jock or MacDuff hadn’t heard that one-sided discourse with Cira, she thought ruefully. Jock would have teased her unmercifully and MacDuff would have used it to convince her that she was even more on board with this treasure hunt than she admitted.
Okay, she’d greeted Cira and this strange world of Gaelkar and now she was ready to go to work. For some reason, she always felt as if Cira was waiting for her to return when she left this place. Maybe MacDuff was right about her having a family connection with Cira. Not that she’d admit that to him. Eve and Joe were the only family she wanted or needed. Even thinking about them gave her a sense that all was right with her world. She turned and headed for her tent. Which reminded her that she had to call Eve after she took a shower and tell her she’d settled in again.…
CHAPTER
3
“Joe showed me the photo of that last sketch,” Eve said soberly when Jane connected with her a couple hours later. “Not good. He said that you were pretty upset.”
“Understatement. I don’t like feeling this helpless. Messages written in blood scare me. It’s like something from a horror movie.” She paused. “And I’m almost afraid of going to sleep and finding out what else Lisa has in store for me. B
ut I’m more afraid of not knowing and then not being able to stop it.”
“I can see it. You certainly never had that kind of pressure when you were dreaming about Cira.”
“No.” She hesitated. “I believe Lisa may be trying to reach me in a way outside the sketches. When I was on the plane, I was thinking something akin to that comment you just made. I received a bolt of very impatient and uncomplimentary feedback regarding my comparing her to Cira.”
“Really? Intriguing.”
“Bizarre,” Jane substituted. “But I’ll take it if it means that I can get to the bottom of this any faster. I need to get her safe and take my life back.”
“Or at least your nights.”
It felt like more than that to Jane. She was noticing that every subject that came to her mind seemed to drift, swirl, like that mist on the lake, until it had some connection to Lisa. “Whatever. She’s definitely a distraction.” She changed the subject. “And speaking of distractions, how is Michael? After supper, I’m going to try to finish his sketch. It will be a relief to concentrate on something that has nothing to do with anything but hope and youth.”
“He’s fine. Are you going to give me that sketch?”
“I think you’ve lost out. I’m going to do it in oil. This time next year, you’ll get it.”
“Okay. You’ll probably do a dozen sketches of him between now and then anyway.” Eve paused. “I’ve been thinking I’d like to have one of him beside Cira’s lake.”
“What?”
“Just a thought. I spent so much time beside that lake when I was pregnant with Michael, and you were helping me to hide Cara away from the people who were hunting her down. I feel as if that lake is part of both of us.” She added quickly, “Never mind. As I said, just a thought. You said you’re going to start putting up those lights tomorrow?”
“So MacDuff said. It’s kind of a complicated installation and may take a while. He can hardly wait to dive into that mist again.”
“He’s had so many trial and errors that he should have it down to a science by now. I can remember MacDuff, Jock, and Caleb working to put in those light poles on that north bank. MacDuff was so disappointed when the infrared lights didn’t work.” She paused. “Is Caleb going to be there to help?”
“Probably. I believe MacDuff called and asked him to come.” She kept her tone casual. “You know how MacDuff dislikes any strangers around when they’re working on the north bank. He doesn’t mind his sentries guarding the perimeter of the property, but he doesn’t want any of them near the actual hunt area.”
“But he trusts Caleb,” Eve murmured. “I’m sure you have trouble understanding that.”
“So did you for a long time,” she said. “For God’s sake, you saw him kill a man before your eyes.”
“That man was a serial killer. And Caleb was never charged. He didn’t touch him.”
“He didn’t have to touch him. You told me Caleb was able to send a rush of blood to his organs that caused him to bleed to death and finished off with a massive heart attack.” Jane added impatiently, “At the time, you didn’t want me anywhere near him.”
“But Caleb wanted to be near you,” Eve said ruefully. “And he’s a law unto himself. We couldn’t seem to stop it, so we had to trust you to use your own judgment. You seemed to be able to hold your own with him.”
And sometimes it had been like dancing on hot coals. For years he had moved in and out of her life, and every encounter had been disturbing and electric and filled with an overpowering sexual tension. “Of course I held my own. I’m an adult. I didn’t expect you to treat me like a child who needed to be protected. I was always wary of him.” She paused. “It’s just that everything got complicated when I realized I was in love with Trevor. He was everything that I wanted in a man, loving, gentle, intelligent.…” She swallowed. “Everything that I wanted, Eve.”
“I know,” Eve said gently. “And Caleb wasn’t the white knight; he was the black prince. Anyone could see that he was about to explode whenever he was around the two of you.”
“Trevor actually liked Caleb, or maybe he just understood him. Caleb can be … persuasive. It’s one of his talents.” She took a deep breath. “But there’s no use talking about Caleb. He is what he is. And I told you I barely talked to him the last time he was here.”
“But you didn’t tell me why he’s pissed off with you,” Eve said. “And since it’s obvious you don’t want to do it, let’s drop it. Hey, it’s time I gave Michael his dinner. Let me know how MacDuff’s lights work out.”
“I will. Give Michael a hug for me. Bye.” She hit the disconnect button.
She sat there for a moment. As usual, she felt a reluctance to break the tie with Eve and Joe. Even when the conversation was charged or conflicted, it was a comfort to share it with the people she loved.
And talking about Seth Caleb was always charged and disturbing. Put the thought of him behind her. She’d face him when she had to do it.
She rose to her feet and headed toward MacDuff’s tent, where they usually gathered for their meals.
* * *
“So you enjoyed your time with Eve and Joe Quinn?” MacDuff asked as he was walking her back to her tent after supper. “I’m always afraid that you’re going to insist on staying with them when you head for Lake Cottage. Eve is a magnet for you.”
“Can’t deny it.” She smiled. “But that’s love, MacDuff. You ought to try it sometime.”
“Someday. Too busy right now.” His gaze went to the lake. “We’re going to find Cira’s gold this time, Jane. I feel it.”
“And that’s why you were so anxious about my coming back here? Why? I’m not really that important to this hunt now.”
“The hell you’re not. I’ve been looking for Cira’s treasure for most of my life, but I never really had much hope until you came on the scene.”
“With my crazy dreams about her? Or was it my passion to prove to myself that I wasn’t as crazy as I suspected I was?” she asked wryly. “You must have been pretty desperate to believe that I could be of any help at all. No proof, MacDuff.”
“But there may be such a thing as racial or ancestral memory. The portrait in my gallery of my ancestor Fiona could be your double.”
“Coincidence.”
“Really? And yet that last dream you had about Cira led us to this lake.”
“And if I’ve led you here, you don’t need me any longer.”
“Yes, I do. Cira must have wanted you here. I’m just an invited guest. I’m not going to risk that you might wander off and spoil everything.” He added lightly, “All the stars must be aligned.”
She chuckled. “When we get deep into the mists, we won’t even be able to see our hands before us, much less the stars.”
“But my new lights are going to take care of that.” He stopped in front of her tent. “Have faith, Jane.”
“You have faith. I have hope.” She looked up at him. “And that dream was far from specific, MacDuff. It just seems logical Cira would choose to hide the treasure in one of the caves in that mist.”
“Then we’ll go with that unspecific but entirely hopeful dream.” He gazed at her inquiringly. “Unless you’ve had a more recent one to update us?”
She shook her head. “No dreams of Cira.”
His gaze narrowed on her face. “You hesitated.”
She had no intention of telling MacDuff about Lisa. He wouldn’t be able to help and he was totally focused on Cira anyway. She repeated, “No dreams of Cira. You know I can’t dream on demand. Sorry, MacDuff.”
“Oh well, maybe once we get through the mist.”
“Maybe.” She impulsively took a step closer and kissed his cheek. “I want this for you, MacDuff. And I’ll keep coming back here until we find out if we’re right or wrong about the mists.” She grinned. “Though I may have to take an occasional break to go back and see Eve’s baby, Michael, now and then. They change too quickly at this age and I want to catch every pha
se.”
“Deal,” he said gruffly, and gave her a quick hug. “But you may not have to take any breaks after this week. The lights are going to work and we’re going find that treasure chest.” He turned on his heel. “Now get to sleep. I’ll see you at breakfast.”
Jane watched him walk away. MacDuff was always so full of vitality that it was impossible not to be caught up in whatever project he was embracing. And when it came to his obsession for finding Cira’s treasure, there was no question that she would be swept in the center of the torrent.
She started to turn to go into her tent. Then she stopped. It was all very well for MacDuff to tell her to get to sleep, but that wasn’t going to happen for a while. She was on edge about what was going to happen in those mists tomorrow.
And she was dreading going to sleep and facing what might have been happening to Lisa over these past hours.
And admittedly, she didn’t want to lie there and think about seeing Caleb again.
So she decided to give herself time to relax and unwind. She turned and moved down along the bank toward the point where the mist started to form on the lake. She stopped as everything around her began to disappear and shift into the mists. Better not go any farther. She was not afraid. Somehow she had always felt comfortable here in the midst of the fog. But one false step and she could end up in the lake and have a cold swim back to shore.
She dropped down under a tree a few yards from the lake.
Dampness.
Darkness.
Mist.
You could become disoriented in only a short time in conditions like this.
That was all right. She liked the sensation of being in another world.
Cira’s world.
Mind Game Page 4