Selma rubbed her eyes, trying to picture the Amber Helen was describing. “Violent?”
“Yeah…”
“How is she now?”
“It’s hard to describe. Not harsh…just assertive.”
“Is that bad?”
“No, just…not her.”
Selma couldn’t help but wonder if any of them knew who Amber really was. “She’s been stuck in her own head, her own world for a long time. She’s bound to have some growing pains. And didn’t you say she and Kincaid were naked when you guys found Amber in the attic?”
“Yeah. Do you think that they—”
“They might have,” Selma interrupted Helen. “And I don’t know about you, but that’s a big deal, and it’s not like Amber has had an opportunity for a private conversation with another woman since Kincaid showed up. I hate to think she bonded with him because she had her first man-induced orgasm.”
“You think that’s why she did it?”
“Might be. The only way we will know anything is if we chat with her. Not that it matters, I guess. What’s done is done. You can’t undo a bonding.”
“You’re scaring me.”
“Yeah? Well, none of us really knows Kincaid. Will he want her to go to his time? Will she want to return to hers? Who are Kincaid’s parents…his gene pool?” One thing was certain. Selma had more questions than answers. “Tell you what, I have to drop something off at Jake’s house, and then I’ll come over. Maybe we can finally have some girl time with Amber. See where her head is.”
“That would be great. I don’t want to ask sex questions without some back up. And I don’t think Simon wants to know, and he’d make lousy back up if he was trying to pummel Kincaid.”
Selma swung her legs off the coffee table and walked into her office to gather her purse. “Not sure why he’d punch the guy. If he did take advantage of her, he married her.” Selma paused. “Wow. Amber and Kincaid are married, and they hardly know each other. That has to be freaking her out.”
“I’ll chill some wine for you and Amber. Just get here.”
Selma laughed. “You had me at wine.”
Chapter Eighteen
Raine stood with her arms crossed over her chest, her dark hair pulled back in a slick rope down her back.
Mouse spread images on the digital screen, one at a time, and told her his observations.
The image of a blonde woman standing within the embrace of a man worthy of the Highlands. “Her name is Helen. From what I can tell, she and this man are married,”
“Bonded?”
“I can’t say. They spoke aloud to each other without skipping sentences, so I don’t think they’re bonded. They’re both Druid. Of that, I have no doubt.”
“What’s his name?”
“She didn’t say it, but he did have a Scottish accent.” Another picture made it on the screen, this time an old woman.
“Mrs. Dawson, I assume.”
“I would have to assume that as well. She didn’t leave the house.”
Mouse scrolled the picture in closer until the image of another man came into view behind her. “I don’t have a name for this one. I think he is someone who knew Kincaid before he arrived in this century.”
Raine didn’t want Mouse to think…just to relay the facts. “What did the man say to make you assume this?”
“While the others were watching Amber, he was most concerned with Kincaid.”
She amassed the players in her head, attempted to place them in the manor. “Who else?”
“Only one other woman visited the house.” He placed an image of a woman with unruly red curls and pale skin on the display. “Her name is Selma Mayfair.”
Now that name Raine knew. “Of course.” The descendent of Liz and Fin. “She doesn’t live in the manor?”
“No.”
Raine paced the room while Mouse continued. “I managed to enter the house without detection.”
“How?”
“They were distracted, all of them. By the time I could hear the conversations, I learned Kincaid had bonded to Amber.”
Raine turned toward Mouse. “Only him to her?”
Mouse shook his head. “I don’t know the details, only that he bonded to her and they both fell into a deep sleep. Seems Kincaid was close to death when Amber woke and she bonded to him. It was in that moment I penetrated the manor. She wielded Kincaid’s power as if it were her own. That’s when I left to report here to you.”
Laughter sat on the tip of Raine’s tongue. “Kincaid bonded to Amber MacCoinnich? Oh, how unexpectedly delightful is that?”
Confusion marred Mouse’s face.
“I think it’s time for Amber to find out who she has bound herself to.” Raine ran her hand over the screen, found the image she wanted and pulled it on screen. “This book is in Dawson’s library. Probably high, unreachable. Make sure it’s seen.”
Mouse swallowed with a nod.
“And follow Selma. If she is out of the house, she’s the link inside. I need to know her weakness…those around her. Think chaos, Mouse. When needed, we need to have mass confusion.” That way no one from the future or the past would find their way to her. Not until she could fight them all. “If anyone shifts in time, return immediately so I can trace them.”
When Raine turned, Mouse was still standing there. “What are you waiting for?”
“Sorry.”
She blinked, and he disappeared.
“Amber MacCoinnich and Kincaid.” She laughed now, deep, rich and thought of how easy it was going to be to eliminate them both.
****
Jake wasn’t home so Selma let herself in, in the way only she could. She placed two small gift bags on his kitchen counter for the girls. The small card she left for the twins told them that in order for her to tell them apart, she gave them different colored necklaces. Hopefully, that would be all she needed to say to have them wear the protection crystals and keep them from harm.
She was walking out of the kitchen when she heard the front door open and one of Jake’s girls call out, “Daddy?”
Kelsey, or maybe it was Sophie, ran around the corner and into the kitchen. “Oh, hi, Selma.”
“Hey, sweetie. Your…a…dad’s not home.”
The girl threw her arms around Selma’s waist in a hug, and she heard the front door shut.
“He’s always late on Wednesdays.”
Oh, that’s right. He has the girls every Wednesday night. “I’m sure he’ll be home soon.”
The other twin walked into the kitchen, smiled, and hugged her as well. Selma was about to quiz them on coming alone when a tall, stunning brunette walked in behind them. Must be Jake’s ex.
“Kelsey,” the woman scolded. “Let her breathe.”
“It’s okay, Mom.”
Kelsey peeled off Selma’s side anyway.
“You must be Lindsey,” Selma said as she extended her hand.
“And you must be the woman the girls have been talking about all week.”
The woman? And was that a bite in Lindsey’s voice? Could she be jealous? Lindsey shook Selma’s hand with the wimpiest shake anyone had every placed in her palm and then stepped back.
“This is Selma, Mom. Dad’s new girlfriend.”
Lindsey ran her eyes over Selma’s frame and pressed her lips together. Her expression wasn’t toxic, but it wasn’t all that happy either.
“I understand congratulations are in order.”
Lindsey glanced at the ring on her left hand and gave a half a smile. “Yes, ah, thanks.” Lindsey set her purse on the counter next to Selma’s and looked around the kitchen. “Where’s Jake?”
“Running a little late,” Selma told her…which obviously wasn’t a lie since he wasn’t there and was clearly expected to be.
Lindsey glanced at her watch with a sigh. “Figures. The man can never do anything on time.”
Selma wasn’t sure she liked Lindsey’s tone in front of the girls. Yeah, maybe Jake couldn’t punc
h off the clock like her paper-pushing fiancé, but that didn’t make him a bad guy. “The nature of his job isn’t always predictable.”
Lindsey dismissed Selma’s comment with a wave of her hand. “I was married to the man. You don’t have to make excuses for him. He should have called me.”
Ah, the you-don’t-know-him-like-I-do comment from the ex. “He didn’t think he needed to. I told him I’d be here in case he got hung up again.”
“He expects me to just leave the girls with a stranger?” Oh, yeah…there was definitely some vinegar in her voice.
“She’s not a stranger, Mom,” Sophie corrected her.
“It’s okay, hon. Your Mom doesn’t know me. But I’m sure that will change.”
Kelsey noticed the gift bags on the counter and her name attached to one. “Are these for us?”
Thankful for the distraction, Selma said, “Yeah. So I can tell the two of you apart.”
Sophie pushed in and took the bag from her sister’s hand. They both removed the necklaces at the same time with tiny squeals.
“I love it,” Kelsey said first as she fiddled with the clasp and placed the pendent around her neck.
Sophie put hers down to help her sister. “Did Daddy tell you our favorite colors?”
“He must have, honey.” Lindsey watched her daughters and then shifted her gaze back to Selma.
“My room is green and Sophie’s is purple,” Kelsey told her.
“That was very nice of you,” Lindsey managed.
“Completely selfish, I’m afraid. The girls look so much alike. I’m sure the better I know them, the more their personalities will shine, but until then these will help.”
The sound of a car door shutting caught all their attention.
“Guess Jake’s not too late after all.” Selma pushed around them to head Jake off at the door.
He walked in voicing an apology before he realized she was there. “It’s okay, darling, I told Lindsey you had me here in case you were late again.”
Jake assessed the situation quickly as Selma walked up and slid an arm around his waist. She whispered in his ear. “Smile, buddy, I’m saving your ass… again.”
His hand squeezed her close, and he flashed a smile at his ex. “I see you two have met.”
“Seems we have, Jake. But you should have known I wouldn’t leave the girls with a stranger.”
“Of course not. Kelsey and Sophie will vouch for Selma.”
Kelsey ran forward, her hand around the necklace. “We did. Mom didn’t listen. Look what Selma gave us.”
Sophie moved beside her sister and offered her dad the same sweet smile.
“Your favorite colors.”
“So I can tell the two of them apart,” Selma told him.
He narrowed his eyes, but didn’t comment.
“Jake?” Lindsey caught his attention. “I’d like to talk to you about…” she paused, glanced at Selma. “something.”
That’s my queue to leave. “Right.” Selma offered Lindsey a fake smile before turning toward Jake. “I have to go—”
“You don’t have to.”
I don’t? Since when?
“Whatever you have to say, you can say in front of Selma.”
As much as she’d like to stick around for the ex fight… “Remember, hon, I have a girl’s night with Helen and Amber.”
“Oh, ah, right. Is Amber feeling better?”
“Much. But I should go.” Selma smiled at the ex. “Lindsey, a pleasure.”
“Do you have to go?” Sophie asked.
“Yeah. Maybe we can hang next Wednesday?”
Selma noted Lindsey rolling her eyes as she turned away.
The girls hugged her again and Jake walked her out the front door. Once they were out of hearing range, he whispered, “Thanks. Lindsey’s been crapping on me about coming late on Wednesdays.”
“You could have told me. It’s not a big deal for me to come by.”
Jake let a rare smile through his stoic exterior. When she started to smile back at him, and her stomach did a weird-ass flip, Selma paused and took a tiny step back.
“Why are you here anyway? Not that I’m complaining.”
“I was dropping off the necklaces for the girls.”
“So you can tell them apart?”
She blinked. “Right.”
His eyes narrowed.
She looked down, toward the inside of the house, and noticed Lindsey watching out of the corner of her eye.
“You need to work on your lying, Matilda. You suck at it.”
Her eyes snapped to his. “Who’s lying? Sophie loves purple. Kelsey loves green. You have cute kids, Mr. Personality, and I have a hard time remembering who is who. That happens sometimes with twins.”
He was silent for a moment, and she fidgeted.
The brat saw through her.
“So you let yourself in.”
She grinned. “No need for an extra set of keys for your girlfriend.”
“Did you know your cheeks turn pink when you’re flustered?” He tapped her nose. “And the freckles on your nose stand out even more.”
Her hand touched her warm cheek. “Since when do you notice my freckles?”
Jake actually laughed. “I don’t know.”
“Well don’t. Okay? It’s weird!” And her stomach was flipping around and making her uneasy. “I’ve got to go.” She turned away and he caught her arm. “What?”
“Is that the way to say goodbye to your boyfriend?”
Before she could process his question, he pulled her closer and lowered his lips to hers.
Shock registered first, then the strange and completely unwelcome feeling of peace when she realized he wasn’t giving her a peck of a kiss, but seemed to be moving into her so there was no doubt of whose lips were touching hers. She offered only a small protest before his hand moved to the side of her face and held her closer.
The wet quest of his tongue against her lips brought her back to earth. She ended what he began and opened her eyes to see him staring at her with the same look of awe she felt deep inside her bones.
She touched her swollen lip and sucked it between her teeth.
Jake watched the movement with a strange look of hunger.
For her?
Oh, no. Not Jake.
Water and oil had more in common.
Inside the house, she heard Lindsey clear her throat.
Funny, the noise reminded her of their ploy of boyfriend and girlfriend. Of course! Jake kissed her because Lindsey was watching.
“Very convincing, Jake. I’m sure she gets the picture now,” she whispered.
His brows drew together as she pulled away and jumped in her car.
Jake stood in his driveway and watched her drive away.
Chapter Nineteen
Amber slipped into a dress after her shower, sat at the foot of the bed, and watched Gavin sleep. She felt him coming back to her…slowly.
I’m bonded. A wife.
She might not have been forced to bond, but she couldn’t let him die after he’d given himself to her. In her head, Amber told herself she was raised with devotion to family, to duty and honor.
But somewhere deeper, she knew it was more than that. The vow she spoke embedded into her soul.
“You’re the man my mother told me about.” The words, spoken aloud, solidified them. What would her father’s impression of this man be?
Fierce and protective.
“He likes those qualities in a man.” She thought of Liz. “And women.”
Amber?
Gavin’s voice sounded in her head. She moved her gaze to his still form on the bed.
I’m here.
Alive?
She smiled. Aye.
And me?
Alive. Just sleep…let your body heal.
His chest rose and fell in a deep sigh. You’re safe?
Completely.
Good. That’s good.
Silence met her then, and he slept.
An hour later, a knock on the door startled her. “Amber?”
Helen’s voice shocked her. When was the last time anyone could sneak up on her? She couldn’t remember. “Aye?”
The door opened slowly, Helen peeked through. “Hey?”
A strange feeling of tears welled behind her eyes. “Hey.”
“Uhm, Selma’s here. Is he awake?” She opened the door a little wider.
“Not yet. By morning, I think.”
Helen’s brows pinched. “Well, we, ah…Giles wants to sit with him for a while and give you a break.”
“I’m okay.”
Helen frowned. “Okay, Selma and I wanted to chat with you. Won’t take long.”
From the doorway, Giles poked his head in. “Hey?”
Part of her wanted to join Helen, part of her wanted to stay.
Gavin?
Go. I’ll sleep. The comfort of him in her head should have felt awkward, but it didn’t.
Amber followed Helen down the hall and smelled the wood in the walls, heard the squeak of a mouse far off in the distance. When was the last time that had happened? The weight of her gift simply wasn’t overbearing every sense in her system and all the nuances of the home sat ready to explore.
Helen paused, placed an arm on Amber’s shoulder.
She flinched and Helen pulled away. “Nay, you didn’t hurt me.”
“But you expected it to?”
“Aye.”
Helen had tears behind her eyes. “Can I hug you?”
Amber slowly opened her arms.
The other woman’s embrace brought joyful tears to her eyes. Such a simple pleasure she’d lost most of her life.
Helen’s fist moved to her shoulder in a playful punch. “Don’t ever, ever scare us like that again.”
Before Amber could respond, Selma moved into the hall. “Hey? Can I get on the hug-fest?”
By the time Selma pulled away, all three of them were holding back tears. Selma grasped Amber’s hand and walked toward the library. There, she noticed a bottle of wine and two glasses already filled. “I thought you might enjoy a glass.”
Once they were all comfortable, Selma started in with questions.
“I really do feel fine,” Amber told them. “My head is clear, well, except for Gavin’s voice.”
Helen leaned forward. “You can hear him?”
Highland Protector (MacCoinnich Time Travels Book Five) Page 16