by Cindy Miles
Allie grabbed his hand. “No, tell me. Please. I may be able to help.”
Chapter 20
Allie could see the hesitancy in Sean’s eyes, and she immediately felt bad for pressuring. But if Gabe was still dealing with issues—not only horrible dreams but, according to Sean, seeing Kait’s spirit—then he needed help. Kait, apparently, needed help, too. Desperately.
Allie’s help, if Allie had anything to do with it.
She gave Sean’s hand a squeeze, then turned loose. “How bad are the dreams?” she asked.
Sean scratched a place beneath his eye, stared at Allie, then sighed. “I suppose if he’s to trust anyone, it should be you. Your friend Dauber told me just this morning you have a way with spirits and such. Maybe you can help me brother, since he’s so lack-witted he’d rather suffer than ask for anythin’.” Leaning forward, legs spread in total guy fashion, he rested his elbows on his knees and looked at the spot of gravel between his boots. “The only reason any of us ever learned anythin’ is that wee Jake told me mum once whilst spendin’ the night at her house one weekend. Och, ’twas about six months ago now.” He rubbed his jaw. “The lad wakes up to Gabe shoutin’ sometimes, wavin’ his arms about and swearin’, with a terrified, wild look in his eye, Jake says.” He shook his head. “I’ve never seen it myself, though. I’ve been away at university for nearly four years now, and if he was havin’ those dreams before that, he didna tell me about it.”
Allie looked out over the loch. Gulls screamed overhead, and large gray clouds rolled in like smoke from a chimney. She rubbed her arms. “I think he’s still having them,” she said, recalling the night of their first kiss. “I ran into him downstairs about one in the morning and he was certainly not himself. And a few other times he’s been awake, in his workshop, at . . .”
Sean turned to her. “Aye?”
Allie slowly looked at Gabe’s brother. “One a.m. He goes to bed but always seems to be awake at one a.m.” She stood, and Sean did the same. As the wind blew, she pushed her hair behind her ear. “I’m not one to hide things from people. I like the truth. I’m in favor of the truth.” She grasped his forearm and squeezed. “But in this case, I want to try something.”
In unison, they turned back up the walk and started toward Odin’s. “What?” asked Sean.
“Find out if Gabe is having nightmares, or actually having experiences with Kait’s soul.”
Sean looked at her. “Seriously? Do you think she’s haunting me brother?”
Allie shrugged. “Well, if it is Kait’s soul, hopefully I can help.” She smiled. “It’s what I do—deal with ghostly souls in need of settling. I can only imagine poor Kait died having serious issues at hand. Her soul is probably tormented by her past. But if it’s truly nightmares, then . . . I don’t know. We’ll see.”
Together they hurried up the walk, past the Royal Post, past Leona’s, and past Willy the Fishmonger’s. As they neared Odin’s, Sean pulled Allie to a stop and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek. “A finer lass couldna have come along at a better time in Gabe’s life. Thank you for helpin’ me brother. He’s a lucky man.”
Allie smiled. “I’m lucky, too, and I hope I can help.”
Sean’s grin touched his eyes. “You already have, lass.” He inclined his head. “Now hurry. We’ve a hauntin’ to accomplish.”
Gabe looked in the mirror, ran his fingers over his hair, and straightened his tie. ’Twas almost a joke, getting all set up for a potential sale only to purposely thwart it.
He was a fool for ever signing such a contract.
And an even bigger fool for ever wanting to sell Odin’s and leave Sealladh na Mara. He’d been fearful that Jake would suffer from his nightmares—from his own mother’s soul. But mayhap Allie could help. Once he finally told her . . .
He looked at his reflection. It only took the wily planning of a wee witch with a headful of blond curls to change his mind.
Change his life.
Downstairs, his auntie, Leona, his da and mum, his brother, and Allie Morgan took their places amongst six scheming, cunning, lovable spirits trying to save their home. Had Jake not been at school, he’d be in the midst of it, as well.
After today, they had six more appointments to thwart and the contract to sell Odin’s would be null and void.
Never to be placed on the market again.
His only fear now was that one of those potential buyers liked the idea of a haunted pub and inn. Sealladh na Mara in fact had a reputation throughout the Highlands, but most of the folks in search of a B and B or pub to purchase were those no’ from the area. While the idea of a haunted pub appealed to them, usually, a truly haunted pub did no’.
He could only hope.
Through the mirror, a shadow darted across the floor. Gabe glanced over his shoulder, only to find nothing. Just his bed.
He turned around, and when he did, his blood ran cold.
Staring at him through the mirror, seemingly directly over his left shoulder, was Kait.
With an intake of air, Gabe turned around. Nothing.
This time when he looked back to the mirror, there was also nothing. He gripped either side of the dresser with his hands, squeezed, and hung his head down. He stared at the floor between his feet as he spoke. “Damn it, Kait, what do you want with me?” He took in a long breath. He wasna scared of her, but it unnerved him to see his dead wife—especially in the form she presented herself in. The way she’d used Jake to frighten him, too, angered him. For two solid nights he’d not dreamt of her, nor had she come to him.
She was here now.
Either that or he was in fact goin’ crazy.
“What do you want?” He lifted his head. Again, she stared back at him, and his gaze didna waver from hers. ’Twas the first time she’d done it in broad daylight, and she looked horrid, with hair missing in patches, what was there woven with seaweed, and her eye sockets a dark cavern of black. He frowned, anger building. “I want you to go, Kait. You dunna belong here anymore,” he said between clenched teeth. “Go, and leave us alone!”
Kait simply stared, before that wide, dark mouth opened. No lips to form words, no tongue, just a big, gaping hole. Still, her voice came through.
She looked straight at him. “Make her leave.”
Just then, someone knocked at the door.
Gabe blinked, and Kait’s image in the mirror disappeared.
With a heavy sigh, he took one long, deep breath and let it slowly out. “Aye, ’tis open.”
The door cracked open and his brother poked his head in. “Och, you look gorgeous, bro. Now stop curlin’ your hair and paintin’ your toes and come on, aye?”
Gabe shook his head.
Mostly to rid his thoughts of what had just happened.
What continued to happen.
As he punched Sean in the shoulder and they left, Gabe couldn’t help wondering if the dreams would ever end.
And if Kait would ever leave him.
The two MacGowans walked down the corridor side by side. Sean glanced at him. “I had breakfast with your wee lass this morn. She eats like a rugby player.”
Gabe chuckled, the tension already easing away. “I fancy that about her.”
Sean laughed. “Aye, ’tis a fetchin’ trait.” He scratched his head. “I wonder if all American lasses are like Allie Morgan? Are you sure you want her, lad? Because if you dunna, I’ll gladly have her myself.”
“I want her.”
Sean laughed. “Well, ’tis good to hear it, then. Besides.” He winked as they took the stairs. “She’s got sisters.” He held up fingers. “Three of them.”
They both hit the landing and Gabe stopped short.
His mother and da sat together at a small table in one of the alcoves. Leona sat at the bar. Wee Mary had taken a position at a table close to the front door—probably for the best view—and Allie was behind the bar as though serving.
She smiled at him and shrugged.
He thought her adorable.
And whoever came to look at the place had no bloody idea just what sort of morning they were in for.
With a grin, he shook his head. “Right. Let’s get this done, aye?”
A round of ayes rose from his accomplices.
It nearly cleared his mind of the incident with Kait.
Sean took another bar stool, and with a resigned sigh, Gabe took his place at the front door.
Minutes later, a dark blue midsized car pulled up to the curb. A tall, slender man stepped out, closed the door, and shielded his eyes as he glanced out at the loch. Gabe watched as he stood there for a moment, probably taking in the spectacular view.
Gabe went through the door and walked out to greet the man. He felt bad for what Wee Mary called shenanigans, but ’twas the only way to keep the pub without losing loads of pounds from the Realtor.
“Right. Mr. MacGowan? I’m Stanley Mann.” He stuck out his hand and Gabe shook it. “Jolly nice village. Lovely view.”
“Aye,” Gabe said. He inclined his head. “Right this way, then.”
Stanley Mann took in a deep breath, patted his chest, and exhaled. “Fabulous air. Fabulous.”
Gabe held the door and Stanley Mann walked through.
He might even have squealed.
“Perfect!” he said, and clapped his hands once. “Lovely interior. Did you decorate it yourself?”
Gabe wished Stanley would just keep quiet and look round. “Aye.”
“Fabulous.”
He also wished Stanley Mann would stop saying fabulous.
“Oh, hello,” he said, waving to Allie, who gave him a wide smile and waved back.
Thankfully, she kept quiet. No doubt if Stanley Mann heard her adorable American accent, they’d never get him to leave.
The lanky man ran from corner to corner, inspecting details in the wood, the furniture, the lamps. One thing Gabe had to say for Stanley Mann—he had great taste in pubs.
Finally, blessedly, the Odin’s lot came out of hiding.
First, the lights began to blink. Stanley Mann noticed immediately. “Oh dear. A glitch in the wiring, mayhap?” he said, glancing at the lamps.
Next, Lords Ramsey and Killigrew sifted through the hearth, swearing and charging the other with threats of a duel. They began to circle Stanley Mann, whose eyes had grown so wide Gabe could see the whites completely round the color.
The other patrons, of course, carried on conversation, drank, and laughed amongst one another. Pretending not to see a thing.
Only when Stanley Mann began to wail did they all look up. “My good sir!” he shouted, his voice cracking. “What is this witchery?”
Witchery?
Gabe put his hand over his mouth to pinch it shut before he laughed out loud.
He cleared his throat. “What’s wrong, Mr. Mann?”
Just then the two lords placed a frantic Mann between them, turned, and walked eight paces.
Stanley Mann turned his head first at Killigrew, then at Ramsey. “What are you doing? What’s going on?” he cried.
Just before the two devilish lords stopped, turned, and aimed their pistols.
Stanley Mann didna wait for them to fire—even though ’twould have been a fake firing of pistols anyway.
He ran. No good-bye, no threats of a solicitor, nothing.
Just . . . ran.
The lords, of course, along with Sean, roared with laughter. Justin, the friar, Mademoiselle, and Dauber emerged from thin air, shaking their heads.
Allie scooted from behind the bar and came to stand beside Gabe. She leaned into him. “Poor guy. I feel sorry for him.”
“Aye.” Gabe looked down at her, just as she looked up.
She grinned. “One down. When’s the next appointment?”
“No’ until next week. Then three, back-to-back.”
A wicked gleam shot through her eyes, and Gabe tapped her nose. “That look frightens me, lass.”
She smiled and wiggled her brows. “It’s high time you had a couple of days off, Gabe MacGowan.”
Gabe thought there was nothing more he wanted than a day off with Allie Morgan. “With both Wee Mary and Katey out of work, I just canna, lass,” he said. “I’m sorry.”
“Oh yes, you can, lad,” said Mary, who trotted right up. “I’m no’ an invalid and I’m goin’ stir-crazy just sittin’ on me porch all day. Sean here said he’d help me, as did your mum and da.”
Gabe locked his gaze on Allie’s. “I canna leave Jake, lass,” he said.
“Jake has his own plans, lad,” said Sean. “I’m home for a week, so we’re goin’ off for the whole of Saturday, if it’s okay with you, so you two can have a day of it alone.”
“Go on, boy,” said Gerald, pulling his wife close. “I’ve no’ seen you take time off in years, so go. We can handle Odin’s whilst you’re away.”
Gabe slid a quick glance at Allie, who lifted one fine brow.
“It seems as though I’m the one bein’ conspired against now, aye?” he said.
Everyone chuckled.
He pulled Allie close. “Right. A day off it’ll be, then.” He whispered, “Are you ready for my Scotland?”
Chapter 21
Two nights later, Friar Drew Digby paced before the hearth in Odin’s lobby, hands clasped behind his back, cowl down, teeth worrying his lip.
He had the most adorable friar-bowl haircut Allie had ever seen. Reddish blond, it was soft and swung as he walked.
So did his long woolen cloak.
“I just don’t know,” he muttered, and not for the first time. “ ’Tisn’t proper. ’Tisn’t proper at all.”
Gabe, Allie, and Sean sat at the center table. Allie slipped a glance at Gabe. He was pinching the bridge of his nose. Sean had a wicked grin on his face and he kept pinching his mouth shut with two fingers to keep from chuckling out loud.
“I know my Allie and her word is her bond,” said Dauber. “If she says all will remain proper while she and Gabe leave, then I believe her.”
Justin Catesby snorted. “ ’Tisna your Allie you should worry about,” he said under his breath. “ ’Tis that tadpole there.”
The two men, Justin and Gabe, glared at each other.
“Bleedin’ hell, they sleep under the same roof every night,” said Baden Killigrew. “ ’Tisn’t a bit different.”
Allie smiled at Baden, who blushed.
“I say one of us should follow them,” said Christopher Ramsey. He slid Allie an evil, older-brother grin. “Mayhap two of us.”
Allie frowned and mouthed I’m going to kill you.
Christopher Ramsey barked out a laugh. “ ’Tis a jest, nothing more,” he said. “They’re grown adults, Drew. And it is the twenty-first century, after all. Let them go in peace.”
“Oui,” said Mademoiselle. “I think it’s perfectly romantic they escape away . . . alone.”
Sean yawned and stretched. “I say each of you should take a turn checking on the lovebirds,” he said, that evil mischief gleaming in his eyes. “There is the lass’s reputation to uphold.”
Several ghostly murmurs agreed throughout the room, and Allie laughed. “I’m sure my reputation can hold its own.”
“That’s enough,” said Gabe. He glanced at the friar. “Drew, if you can find us, you may certainly check up on us like the good man of the cloth you are,” he said. Then Gabe’s grin turned wicked, as did his voice. “But dunna interrupt.”
Another round of laughter echoed throughout Odin’s.
All, that is, except Justin Catesby. He got up, walked to Gabe, and leaned close to his ear. Allie could hear every word, even though it was whispered.
“Lad, if you take advantage of that girl there, you will have me to answer to,” Justin said. He and Gabe stared without saying anything more.
Then Justin Catesby strode across the lobby and disappeared through the front door.
Literally.
Allie jumped up. “I’ll be right back.”
Gabe held her arm. “Lass, l
et him go. He’s just worried about you. ’Tis Justin’s way.”
Allie leaned down and kissed Gabe on the nose. “I know. But we need to talk. I’ll be right back.”
As she hurried from the pub, she heard the whistles, ghostly and mortal, of Gabe getting ribbed for receiving a kiss.
Outside, it was warmer than usual, and a westerly wind had begun to drift gently over the loch. For a change, her sweater kept her warm enough. The moon, fuller now, stood behind the hills but shed a silvery glow over Sealladh na Mara.
With her arms crossed over her chest, Allie simply called for the captain. “Justin, I know you can hear me, so please. Walk with me?”
Before the last word left Allie’s mouth, Justin Catesby appeared. Slightly transparent, but dashing still the same, he gave her a low bow. “Certainly, lass, you know I could never say your nay.” He raised and looked down at her. “And why would you leave the warmth of the pub to walk outside in the cold with a spirit?”
Allie shrugged. “It’s not that cold out tonight, really, and”—she glanced at him—“Justin, I just want to talk. We need to clear some things up. I don’t like that you and Gabe are mad at each other because of me.”
He extended a hand, down the walk, indicating for Allie to lead the way. So she did. Justin fell in beside her. “I just want the verra best for you, Allie Morgan,” he said, his voice rich, deep, and a bit scruffy. “You’re an advocate for the ghostly souls of the earthbound world. No’ many like you, I’ll warrant. I fancy you quite a lot.”
Allie smiled up at him. “Thank you. I think.”
Justin chuckled. “Forgive my bluntness. I speak my mind quite freely, in case you havena noticed yet.”
“Oh, I’ve noticed,” she said. “Slightly hard thing to miss.”
He laughed. “So it is.” He looked at her for a long moment. “I make you uncomfortable.”
She shook her head. “Not at all. I do appreciate the kind way you look out for my well-being.” She smiled. “It’s what friends do for each other, you see.”
He grabbed his tricorn, slipped it from his head, and shoved his fingers through his hair. “Och, damn. I’ve been labeled friend.” He winked. “ ’Tis the silent relationship killer.”