His arms slowly lifted out from his sides, his palms facing the spectators.
"I'll no' be long, Beth," he murmured poignantly.
A second passed. Two. Three. The silence of the people was thick, oppressive. No one moved. Anticipation crackled in the air.
A cramp in his hands made Winston realize that he had his fingers tightly crossed. Grateful his pockets concealed what he considered a childish superstition, he breathed deeply through his nostrils and watched the two ghosts with deepening curiosity.
Then it began.
The artificial media lights inexplicably went dark.
Gasps and murmurs rose up among the crowd.
From the spot where Lachlan and Agnes stood, a ground-hugging mist, embedded with countless pulses of miniature lights, slowly began to sweep out in all directions. Cries rang out, but still no one moved.
The mist swept beneath the boys' feet, prompting them to jump up and down and revel in its uncanny warmth. Lovingly embracing one another, Roan and Laura stared down at it, their faces beaming their sheer delight. Then the mist rolled past Winston, throwing his psychic awareness into consternation.
Angelic voices sang within his skull. He felt as if his person and his soul were being caressed by caring hands, soothing away his fears, his secreted darkness, his helplessness. He turned to watch the mist roll toward the rhododendron hedge. Everyone the substance touched became enraptured. The crowd moved closer across the lawn, while the collective media stood frozen in awe.
When every part of Baird land was covered with the mist, the substance brightened. Its soft yet brilliant glow bathed the property in ethereal light.
The snow and ice melted and rapidly seeped into the ground. Almost immediately, buds formed on the various plants throughout the property. Leaves opened on the trees. Flowers blossomed.
Spring awakened in full glory.
Winston watched the spectators remove their winter gear, most draping their coats over their shoulders or arms, others dropping them to the ground. The people divided again and again, some migrating to the east gardens, some toward the back of the house, and others hovering by the hedges and the south gardens.
Winston's attention became riveted on the rose garden, the vibrantly colored petals beckoning him. His feet seeming to possess a mind of their own, he ambled to the spectacular display. He found it impossible to breathe as he plucked a purple rose from its stem and placed it on a leveled palm. A crystalline substance coated the edge of the petals, the sparkle mesmerizing him. He felt as if he was soaring in the heavens, completely unburdened in mind and spirit.
A 'gift' the laird had promised. The word was utterly unworthy of such a ferlie, a wonderment.
Tearing his gaze from the mysterious winter rose, he observed the others around him. Such joy permeated the air he had to strongly resist a compulsion to tap into every nuance of it. Others came to the rose beds and plucked the blooms. He found it curious that the men and boys seemed content to merely stare at the petals in their hands, while the women and girls held them to their breasts and cheeks. Needing to set himself aside from those of his gender, he lifted the rose and brushed the soft petals against his lips.
An image swept across his mindscreen.
Rose laughing and dancing amid the flower beds, her light brown hair shining beneath a sunlit sky.
Rose. Named after Montrose, where she'd been found near-dead, in a deep grave.
Here was her salvation, and his one true hope of capturing the Phantom.
Here was the gateway to the future, a gateway promising an end to his relentless pursuit of the killer.
Blanketed in euphoria, he turned and made his way back toward the house.
Roan, Laura and the boys were with Agnes and Lachlan, exchanging goodbyes. For a moment, Winston thought himself an intruder. He glanced down at the rose then looked up to find the laird's dark eyes seemingly staring into his soul.
"Bring her here," Lachlan said softly, reaching behind him and resting a palm to the glass of the greenhouse.
Winston couldn't respond. Dumbfounded, he could only stare at the laird. He was vaguely conscious of Laura and Roan watching him, vaguely conscious of the questions in their minds trying to invade his awareness.
"Tis time," Lachlan said to Roan.
Seconds passed. Somewhere in the night church bells chimed the midnight hour.
Roan swallowed hard past the lump in his throat. He took a step back then abruptly lunged forward and embraced the laird. It was brief, Lachlan gripping Roan's arms and giving him a push away. But Roan reached out for Agnes, and hugged her dearly before he could bring himself to release her.
Tears welled in Winston's eyes. He couldn't remember the last time he'd even come close to having a good weep. It took all of his willpower now not to succumb. He backed away along with the boys, Roan and Laura, his gaze never wavering from the laird's peaceful expression.
Something more was coming, but for the life of him, he couldn't imagine anything more breathtaking than what had already occurred.
Bring her here.
The laird knew about Rose. Perhaps he even knew the identity of the killer!
Unexpectedly, the image of Lachlan Baird became lost within a wide shaft of light—light so brilliant it should have blinded an onlooker but didn't.
The phenomena remained poised for an indefinite time. Agnes faded into the house. Gradually, the visitors began to gather on the lawns. Watching. Waiting. Floral mementos clutched in their hands.
"Goodbye you...." Roan's voice cracked. A tear escaped his control and trickled down his face. "...old fool," he completed through a smile laced with piercing sadness.
Sobbing, Laura buried her face against Roan's shoulders. The boys clung to their guardians' legs, their tear-filled eyes watching what had been the laird.
"For you, Roan and Laura," came Lachlan's voice in a loud whisper. "Yer dawn has at last come."
The shaft of light broadened in width and height, expanding until nothing could be seen of the house. Seconds passed before the light began to pulse in a bright white heartbeat. Too soon for the spectators, the effulgence swept into the original shaft, and sailed upward, soared upward until, high in the night sky, it burst into a tiny star and vanished.
Winston fell to his knees. The euphoria had too suddenly deserted him, leaving him feeling unbearably empty.
Lachlan Baird was gone.
Vanished.
He'd sensed a brief opening of something beyond the heavens and, for a split second, had sensed Beth Staples appearing in the portal.
Lachlan Baird had returned to her. Winston knew he should feel immense happiness for the spirits, but he couldn't deliver himself out of the depths of his own sense of loss.
"Are you all right, mon?"
He bewilderingly peered into Roan's eyes, the concern in them snapping him from his stupor. He unsteadily got to his feet. After a moment to compose himself, he offered the couple a stilted nod.
"Bring who here?"
Winston was spared answering Roan's question when a cry of glee razored the air.
"Aunt Laura!" Kevin gasped, pointing to the house.
Compliments of the glowing mist, everyone was able to view Baird House, restored in all its former glory, prior to the fires. One by one, interior lights came on in all the rooms. Seconds after the attic was lit, Agnes stepped through the greenhouse door. Elation beamed on her face as she gestured widely for everyone to enter.
Roan took the lead, Laura, the boys, and Winston following closely behind. Gradually, the others began to file in, their fears and superstitions temporarily relegated to a plane of lesser importance.
The mist remained during the tours into the wee hours of the morning. Every room was visited. Cameras flashed. Videotapes were filled. Agnes remained out of sight the entire time, patiently waiting until all who remained were Roan, Laura and the boys. They found her in the parlor, sitting primly on one of the settees, her hands folded atop her lap. A fi
re roared in the hearth, casting the room in golden-orange light.
Roan walked to the coffee table and trenched his fingers through his unruly hair.
"It’s all here," he said incredulously. "Everythin'! Everythin' Lannie owned has been restored!"
"Did you really believe he'd leave the place ravaged as it was?" Agnes grinned. "The mon had class, ma lad. Real class."
Alby scampered onto the settee next to Agnes. A dreamy smile glowing on his face, he laid his head upon her lap. Agnes stroked his temple with her fingertips, looked up at Laura, and sighed contentedly.
"The lads must be exhausted. I believe their room is waitin' on them. Mind if I tuck them in?"
Kahl wound his arms around his aunt's leg. "I'm not tired," he pouted and spoiled the declaration by yawning.
Kevin yawned and stretched out his arms. "I am. I'm pooped. C'mon, Kahl. Alby."
Sitting up, Alby tilted his head and searched Agnes' face for a long moment. "Are you gonna stay with us?"
"For a verra long time," she smiled.
"Are you our grandma, now?"
"If you wish."
Alby grinned tiredly. "I wish...and wish...and wish."
Before her emotions could get the better of her, Agnes stood and held out her hand. Alby wasted no time. He slid off the settee, and eagerly clasped her fingers.
"I love you, Grandma Aggie," he murmured sleepily.
Agnes lifted him into her arms and lovingly kissed him on the cheek. "And I love you." She looked at the other boys, her eyes misted with tears of happiness. "I love all ma laddies, wi' all ma heart."
"You still got one of those?" Kevin asked in earnest.
Roan laughed outright. Laura smiled and shook her head.
"Aye," Agnes chirped. "Now come along." Collecting the older brothers, she herded them toward the hall. "In a few days, when all has settled down, we'll have to decide which rooms you'll want."
"You mean our own rooms?" Kahl asked through a yawn.
"Yer verra, verra own."
Laura stepped to Roan's side, and snuggled against him when his arm draped across her shoulders. They watched Agnes and the boys ascend the staircase. No sooner were they out of sight, Laura turned into Roan's arms and laid her brow against his collarbone.
"If this is a dream, I don't want to wake up."
Wearily smiling, Roan tightened his embrace, molding her against him. "It’s scary to feel this good."
"I know what you mean." Her fingers kneading his back, she languidly rubbed her brow against the blue plaid flannel of his shirt. "My brain and body can't tell whether they're exhausted or exhilarated."
Roan chuckled then kissed the crown of her head.
"I just thought of something." Grinning crookedly, she stared into his eyes. One of his eyebrows arched in anticipation of her next words. "The boys totally forgot that it's Christmas morning."
"Ah." Lifting a hand, Roan lazily brushed the back of his fingers across her cheek. "So did I."
"Wha' say you and I go back to Aggie's for the tree, fixin's, and the presents? It shouldn't take but a couple o' hours to set everthin' up here."
Resting her forearms atop his shoulders, she linked her fingers at his nape. "I'm ready for anything," she grinned wickedly.
A gleam of mischief instantly danced in his eyes. "Anythin'?"
"Ab-so-lute-ly anything."
Roan released a thready breath. "Ookay. Wha' abou' helpin' me to turn this place into a sanctuary—a refuge—for people tryin' to find themselves?"
Laura playfully whacked him on the shoulder. "I love the idea, but that's not what I—"
With a low laugh, he swept her into his arms and captured her mouth in a spine-melting kiss. He kissed her with the all the passion they'd shared in the past and in the present, kissed her like a man possessed to become one with his chosen and destined mate.
The past would never again rise up to haunt them. They were spiritually free to live and love, as no other couple had within the walls of Baird House.
Their time had at long last come full circle.
Reluctantly ending the kiss, Roan regarded the slightly swollen lips angled up at him. His heart skipped a beat. He stared into the emerald pools of her eyes and swallowed past the emotional lump rising in his throat.
"I love you, Laura-lass. Till ma dyin' breath, I swear I'll move heaven and earth to make you happy."
"It's impossible for me to be any happier than I am right now. Roan...welcome home."
With a laugh, he lifted her into the air and spun around. He lowered her to her feet and kissed her deeply once again. As abruptly, he jumped back, took her by the hand, and pulled her toward the door to the hall.
"The faster we get back, the sooner we can settle into our bed!" He stopped short in the hall, spun her around again, and kissed her on the brow the instant he placed her on her feet. "The master bedroom!"
A mask of seriousness slipping over her face, Laura lifted a hand to quiet him. "Actually, Roan, maybe I should save myself until we're married."
His look of shock rapidly melted to one of devilishness. "Over ma dead body," he chuckled. Ignoring her gasp, he swung her over his shoulder and marched toward the door.
Laughing, she managed, "Our coats!"
"Ha! All you need is me to keep you warm."
The instant he carried her into the cold morning air, she gasped again. "Roan!"
"Yes, dear?" he crooned.
"Put me down."
He didn't stop until he'd reached the rental car parked by the carriage house.
Laughingly, she cried, "Did you hear me?"
Silence and his immobility followed.
"Ro—oan!"
He lowered her, a grin splitting his handsome face. "I was only practicin' ma soon-to-be husbandly duty o' ignorin' ma womon."
"Oh, really?"
"Aye."
Laura tugged on his earlobe. "Now listen up, wise-guy. If you ignore me, ever, I promise I'll get even."
He feigned a fierce shudder then laughed and pulled her into his arms.
Somewhere in the distance, multiple cries lanced the early morning peace.
"What the—!" Laura gasped, clinging to him.
Roan laughed. "It’s the return o' the bloody peafowl!" His bright eyes searched Laura's flushed features. "Lannie said they'd come home."
A devilish gleam crept into Laura's eyes. "Maybe we can convince them to leave again."
Roan kissed the tip of her nose. "I don't think so. Do you still want yer coat, love?"
She regarded him for a long pensive moment. "I don't know." Standing on tiptoe, she linked her arms around his neck and inched her mouth toward his. "Ask me again after you kiss my socks off."
"I had somethin' a wee mair personal in mind," he said huskily then swept her into a kiss that promised to heat the marrow of their bones.
At the moment, their lives were consumed with their love for each other and the boys, and the wondrous gift of a second chance that Lachlan had bestowed on them.
They had no way of knowing that in a few months, just when the media was winding down from the "Miracle of Baird House" hype, the manor would begin a new chapter of its own.
Indeed, the walls would become a sanctuary for the living who were lost and desperate, and also for the restless spirits searching for a gateway through which to reenter this world.
In time, the new master and mistress would come to realize that the manor, itself, was alive, and that it longed to possess a soul.
A seemingly impossible undertaking by human standards.
But any house worth its space, knows...everything comes to those who wait.
* * *
THE END
Mickee’s titles available in e-books
* * *
Midnight Sun — Science Fiction
Katiah Trilogy:
One Bright Star — Science Fiction Romance
Written In The Stars — Science Fiction Romance
Nova — Science Fict
ion Romance
Haunting Rose — Historical Time-Travel Romance
Everlastin’ Book 1 — Supernatural Romance
Dawns Everlastin’ Book 2 (formerly Dusk Before Dawn) — Supernatural Romance
* * *
Coming soon:
* * *
Love Everlastin’ Book 3 — Supernatural/Fantasy Romance
Hope Everlastin’ Book 4 — Supernatural/Fantasy Romance
Time Everlastin’ Book 5 — Supernatural/Fantasy Romance
Dreams Everlastin’ Book 6 — Supernatural/Fantasy Romance
Table of Contents
C hapter 1
C hapter 2
C hapter 3
C hapter 4
C hapter 5
C hapter 6
C hapter 7
C hapter 8
C hapter 9
C hapter 10
C hapter 11
C hapter 12
C hapter 13
C hapter 14
C hapter 15
Dawns Everlastin' (former title: Dusk Before Dawn) Book 2 Page 29