Hope Everlastin' Book 4

by Mickee Madden

  "If I think o' maself as old as dirt," Lachlan said humorously, "then you are as old as the heavens."

  The bird released a guttural sound then cast off the tower and glided to the ground below, where he searched for breakfast amidst the greenery. The others followed in a flurry of colorful motion, their wings flapping and loosed feathers gently dotting the air in a slower descent to the earth.

  Lachlan braced his forearms on the wall and absently watched the birds for a time before shifting his gaze to the sun inching its way into the sky. It was going to be a hot day, he decided. He told himself to make sure the grounds were watered more than usual, then corrected the mental notation when he remembered Reith would better know the grounds' needs.

  "Aye, Reith is the better groundsmon," he said, unaware that he was speaking aloud and not mulling over his feelings in his mind. "Roan is the better laird, and Winston by far the best for the security o' this place. You've ou'stayed yer usefulness, old mon. Tis time to move on."

  He placed a hand over his racing heart, and willed back the pressure behind his eyes. Before the rest of the household awakened, he needed to rid himself of his melancholy, break the emotional chains tying him to his property.

  A shifting of the air to his right jerked him around. At the sight of Beth standing within arm's reach he smiled, but it faded when it registered that her face was damp with tears. They shimmered in her eyes, brightening the blueness of her irises. She looked small and vulnerable in her pale yellow, linen nightgown, one of the thin straps about to slip over the curve of her shoulder.

  She swallowed hard enough for him to hear then forced a little smile. "I woke up and you were gone."

  Lachlan pulled her into his arms and brushed his jawline across the soft curls covering her temple. He wasn't sure why she was upset, but somehow knew it was connected to him. "Bad dreams, love?"

  He felt her mouth form a smile against the sensitized skin of his collarbone. Her arms wound about him, her fingers kneading his lower back. "No. I had to go to the bathroom."

  Lachlan chuckled. "Then I willna ask if you were dreamin’ o' me."

  Tilting back her head, she searched the depths of his eyes. "I can't do this to you," she said, then shook her head as fresh tears brimmed her eyes. "Lachlan, I can't take you away from your home."

  "Hush, darlin’," he said softly, and rubbed the tip of his nose to hers. "Ye're no' forcin’ me to do anythin’."

  He turned her to face the east and, standing behind her, slipped his arms beneath hers and linked his fingers against her middle. Resting the back of her head against his shoulder, she covered his hands with her own.

  She released a shuddering breath and said, "It's so beautiful here. You're part of the house and the land, Lachlan. We'll figure out a way to stay."

  His heart flip-flopped, and his face glowed with elation. But reality was quick to reassert itself. "I do love it here. Sometimes, lass, I canna imagine bein’ anywhere else. This land and I share a bond I dinna understand, and never questioned afore. Perhaps, tis o' ma own makin’. Ma own imagination."

  "I don't think so," she said miserably, and added in a lighter tone, "There are times I believe the house is a living entity."

  "For a long time, these walls were ma only family and friend."

  "What about Braussaw?"

  He frowned at the question, his face clearing when she explained, "I heard you say he was as old as the heavens. How long has he been here?"

  "Afore me."

  "Are the other peafowl as old?"

  "No. Only Braussaw. He has a wee magic o' his own, and aye, I should have included him as ma family and friend afore you came along."

  "You fell asleep before me last night, and I was thinking."

  "Uh-oh," he chuckled, and kissed her cheek. "Am I in trouble again?"

  "No. I was thinking how we could stay here."

  "Tis no' practical."

  She nodded. "I could cut and color my hair, and wear plain lens glasses. A new identity would solve our—" She caught her breath when Lachlan spun her around to face him. She regarded his frown with amusement. "I could use an overhaul."

  "Over ma twice dead body."

  "Aren't we overbearing this morning...Horatio?"

  Lachlan threw back his head and laughed. When he again met her gaze, mischief sparkled in his dark eyes. "I'll no' stand for you changin’ anythin’ abou' you, lass."

  "No? What if I want a drastic change?"

  When he shook his head adamantly, she sobered and trailed her fingertips along the side of his face. Before she reached his chin he took the hand and planted a kiss on the smooth palm and pressed it over his heart. For a long moment she stared at the placement of her hand, as if expecting his heart to leap into her grasp.

  "Beth-lass," he said softly, and smiled adoringly when she looked up. "I may grumble and...weel, panic at times when I think o' leavin’, but I swear on ma honor I'll be happy wherever I go as long as I'm wi' you and our children."

  Compressing her lips into a fine line, her eyes tearing again, she gave a shake of her head. "I've been such a bitch."

  "Och! Beth, since our return, you've had mair'n yer fair share o' emotions to juggle. Like me and ma no' copin’ when you needed me maist, and tha' Cuttstone character usin’ you."

  "Using me? What are you talking about?"

  His eyebrows arched in surprise. "Twas no' you hittin’ and jabbin’ me wi' the poker."

  Beth jiggled her head in confusion. "I was there, remember? And I was in such a foul mood, I seriously considered running you through with that poker. Don't make excuses for my temper."

  "Twas no' yer temper," Lachlan laughed. "When you took the poker to me, I saw a ghostly mask o' Cuttstone appear in front o' yer face. Beth, he was in yer head compellin’ you to hurt me. Tha' you didna succeed proves you were stronger than he."

  A shudder coursed through her. "I vaguely remember hearing a voice whispering inside my head."

  "Aye. Twas tha’ bastard, all right."

  "Can he do it again? I mean, can he get inside any one of us now?"

  "No. He's an impotent spirit, more a nuisance than anythin’. He'll no' be here long. His ties to this world weaken by the day."

  "Thank God," she murmured then searched Lachlan's face, her eyes clouded with uncertainty. She ran her palms over the smooth, solid contours of his pectorals and bestowed a reverent kiss between them. His skin was warm and moist from the rising temperature, and as familiar to her touch as was her own.

  "Lachlan, let me do this for you." She met his gaze, her own pleading. "I know you won't be happy in the States."

  "Have you ghosts there?"

  Bewilderment flickered across her features. "I imagine so. Why?"

  "Weel, maybe I'll acquaint myself wi' a few." He laughed at her horrified expression. "Tis a joke." He crossed his heart and lifted the hand above his shoulder. "I promise I've had ma fill o' the dead."

  "Thank God," she repeated, this time grinning ruefully.

  "So put yer mind to rest, love."

  "I can't be that selfish. Dammit, Lachlan, this is your home. You'll be giving up everything you love for...for what? A mistake? You made a mistake letting that photographer take your picture, and for that you should be forced from your home? I don't think so. Not when there are alternatives."

  Lachlan framed her face with his hands and kissed her. When he lowered them to her waist, he pressed his brow to hers.

  "Aye, I love this place, ma Beth, but I love you far mair. I dinna know how many times I have to tell you afore you believe me, but tis no hardship sayin’ so."

  "What if you come to hate your life in the States? Or me for having you there?"

  "Hate you, lass?" he said in a husky, incredulous tone, and lifted his head. "I could no mair ever hate you than regret buildin’ this grand house. Beth, I was lost for a long time, and you found me. I feared darkness, and you came and gave me light. I was hurtin’ and cruel, but you came along and gave me hope."r />
  He dipped back his head and closed his eyes for a moment. When he looked into her questioning eyes, he sighed from the core of his heart of hearts. "I love the way light reflects on yer hair," he went on, smiling as he fingered one of her curls. "And I love every expression in yer beautiful face and eyes." He kissed the tip of her nose and went on. "The feel o' you in ma arms, the way you walk and the way you toss yer hair when ye're in a temper, and every blessed tone o’ yer voice."

  Tears slipped down her cheeks and he caught one on his lips.

  Tasting it, he continued, "Beth, I've been guilty o’ no' usin’ a lick o' sense at times, but never have I doubted ma love, or tha' we belong thegither. I'll never be sorry to live in yer home or learn the ways o' Yanks. Twill be an adventure, one we'll share wi' our children. Now ask me if I canna leave here a whole mon, and begin anew in yer country."

  "Can you?" she choked out.

  "Aye." He looked beyond her shoulder and nodded. "Aye, I can," he said with conviction, then smiled down at her. "I was grateful when Taryn left and talk o’ the search came up, because it meant I would have mair time here, mair time in Scotland. But you've chased away ma blues, lass. We can leave today if you want. I swear on ma honor I'll no' look back."

  "No." She shivered and pressed against him. "Too many plans have been made for the wedding."

  "We dinna have to wait on Taryn. Roan will understand."

  Beth lifted on tiptoe and lightly kissed his lower lip. Needing no further incentive, he fully encompassed her in his arms and kissed her properly from an infinite well of passion, conscious of only the feel, scent, and taste of her. When the kiss ended, Lachlan raked his fingers through his hair and moaned, "I'm o' a mind to have you here and now."

  "With the sky watching us?"

  "Have you no' heard o' a blushin’ sky?"

  "I'm not the exhibitionist you are," she teased.

  Contentedly wrapping his arms about her waist, he asked, "Will you marry me, Beth, and promise to love me always, despite ma flaws?"

  "Will you?" she breathed, her eyes radiating such happiness, love swelled behind his breast.

  "Aye, love."

  "Aye, love," she echoed, and kissed him deeply to seal their vows.

  ***

  On the highest roof line, Braussaw was perched, quietly watching the couple on the tower. Were someone to look very closely, they might see approval in the bird's expression, in its dark eyes, a wisdom that went beyond the capabilities of its species.

  Lachlan and Beth, hand in hand, headed for the exit to the servant quarters.

  When they were out of sight, Braussaw released a sound that resembled a deep sigh of contentment. He glanced at the brilliant sun and puffed himself up.

  The land and he had waited for Lachlan for centuries. With him had come hope, without which no magic could survive.

  Time was on Braussaw's side now.

  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 Fiction Romance

  Haunting Rose — Historical Time-Travel Romance

  Everlasting Book 1 — Supernatural Romance

  Dawns Everlasting Book 2 (formerly Dusk Before Dawn) — Supernatural Romance

  Love Everlasting Book 3 — Supernatural/Fantasy Romance

  Hope Everlasting Book 4 — Supernatural/Fantasy Romance

  * * *

  Coming soon:

  * * *

  Time Everlasting Book 5 — Supernatural/Fantasy Romance

  Dreams Everlasting 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

  C hapter 16

  C hapter 17