“In that case, care to tell me what happened?”
“Last night…the dogs,” she hesitated, her voice barely more than a whisper. “I woke up because they were growling and barking, as if…as if someone was in the house. I couldn’t hear anyone moving around, so I came down to investigate. When I switched on the lights nothing happened.”
Luke crossed the room and flicked the switch. The overhead fitting bathed the kitchen in light.
“It seems okay now. Maybe there was a minor power outage.”
“I don’t think so,” Anna replied, her confidence slowly returning. “The cable is buried. My grandparents insisted on that because of the bad weather in winter. It only surfaces again when it reaches the pole by the cowshed. Even in the worst winter storm, the croft rarely loses power. If the power fails, the generator should cut in automatically. Last night it didn’t.”
“I’ll take a look at it shortly, and check with the power company next time we go to the village. Keep talking to me about what happened last night.”
“Ensay and Rhona were frantic. I couldn’t see anything wrong. Someone pounded on the front door, and then there was this almighty boom. It sounded like a cannon. I came in here for the poker and the carving knife, and sat on the stairs. Then I saw…I saw the door handle start to turn…”
Luke swore heartily. “What did I say about living out here on your own?”
Anna lifted her chin and boldly met his gaze, refusing to be drawn into an argument. “When I saw the door handle turn, I pushed a chair under it, and waited. Nothing happened. After that, there was just silence.”
“It’s obvious you can’t stay here. You’ll have to move into the village, at least until the police check things out.”
“But this is my home!”
“Anna, sweetheart, be reasonable,” he said, kneeling down in front of her and taking her hands in his. “Someone tried to break in last night.”
“They tried, but they didn’t get in, did they?”
“A mere technicality.” Something in her expression made him ask, “This isn’t the first time this has happened, is it?”
She looked away.
“Anna? Tell me the truth.”
“No…yes. I don’t know. I’ve woken a couple of times with the feeling that something is wrong. I assumed it’s because I’m not used to the peace and quiet. Edinburgh is a noisy city.”
He stood up and pushed his hands into his pockets. “But surely the dogs—”
“This is the first time the dogs have reacted in any way.”
“You must realize that somebody made a conscious decision to come all the way out here. So ask yourself why. And while you’re at it, ask yourself if he might not just come back!”
She jumped to her feet. The quilt fell to the floor. “I’m perfectly capable of looking after myself.”
“Really? Look at you. You’re half naked, and you’re a mess. You just got through telling me you slept on the couch because you were too darned scared to go upstairs. Ghosts have more colour than you do.”
Suddenly conscious of her state of undress, she snatched up the quilt and wrapped it around her shoulders. “The dogs protected me.”
“This time. What happens if whoever it was comes back with a knife or a shotgun? The dogs won’t be much protection then.”
Anna gasped at Luke’s words, and as much as she tried to deny it, he was right. “I’ll…I’ll ask for police protection.”
Luke raised an eyebrow. “Get real, Anna. What’s the local Barney Fife going to do? Camp out on your front lawn, waiting for the bad guys to show up? The police aren’t going to bother about you. They’ve got enough on their hands dealing with crime in cities to be concerned with a woman who’s stupid enough to live in the sticks.”
“I’m not stupid—” She jumped to her feet.
“Oh, yeah? Prove it. Move to the village until this mystery gets solved.”
Anna hesitated. If she agreed to Luke’s suggestion, she would lose her independence, yet part of her wanted to get as far away from the croft as possible. Only pride prevented her from giving in.
“I can’t,” she said finally.
Luke watched her collapse back into the chair. She pulled the quilt tightly around her shoulders and rested her head in her hands. He briefly contemplated picking her up, slinging her over his shoulder and taking her to the yacht, and keeping her there until he could find out who was terrorizing her. The slam of a car door stopped him.
“Stay where you are. I’ll see who it is.” He ran into the hallway.
A tall, thin, brown-haired woman met him at the door.
“Oh, hello. I was wondering if herself was about, only she didn’t turn up for work this morning.”
“If by ‘herself’ you mean Anna, she’s freaking out in the kitchen.”
Morag’s eyes widened. “I’ve been worried about her. Now I know why. I need to see her.”
He stepped aside. “Be my guest. While I’m walking the dogs and checking the generator, try talking some sense into her. Anna, there’s a woman here to see you.”
“Morag? Is that you? I’m so pleased to see you!” Anna said, holding the quilt more tightly to avoid tripping over it.
Morag gave her a hug, clicked her tongue and shook her head. “Well, lass, it’s a fine state you’re in. I think you’d better tell me what’s happened and why that American is here.”
“It’s not what you think.”
Morag frowned. “You have no idea what I’m thinking, lass. I’ll put the kettle on and we’ll have a wee cup of tea. Then you can explain.”
Anna groaned. “Would you mind if I got dressed first?”
“No, my dear. You go and put some clothes on. You must be fair chilled.”
“Thanks, Morag,” Anna replied and kissed her friend’s cheek. “Would you make me a piece of toast? I haven’t eaten since yesterday.”
“No breakfast? Tut-tut, it’s no wonder you’re so pale, lass. I’m just surprised you haven’t fainted clean away. Off you go. By the time you come downstairs there’ll be a bowl of porridge waiting for you. Toast indeed! That’s no breakfast for a young woman.”
Twenty minutes later, Anna had showered and dressed, and eaten under Morag’s watchful eye. Morag’s frown deepened, as she recounted the events of the previous night.
“Wasn’t I only telling you the other day there was danger around you?”
“Oh, for goodness sake, Morag!” Anna snapped. “I’ve had just about as much as I can take. I’ve already had a lecture from Luke. I don’t need another one from you. There’s probably a perfectly reasonable explanation for what happened.”
“And what might that be?”
Anna thought quickly. “A hillwalker…a hillwalker could easily have become disorientated or been injured, and seeing the croft, thought it was a bothy where he could shelter.”
“In the wee hours of the morning? I don’t think so, lass. Besides, if he’d come from the hill, he would have seen your Land Rover and realized the croft was occupied.”
“Nor does it explain why two of your tyres are slashed,” Luke added from the doorway.
“What?” Anna gasped in surprise.
“I said—”
“I heard you the first time. Slashed, as in cut with a knife? Are you sure they’re not flat?”
“Trust me. I know the difference. The generator’s been tampered with, too. I’m guessing someone contaminated the fuel, probably with a bag of sugar. It would be easy enough to do, even in the dark. Now, will you take my advice and go stay with a friend?”
“I’ve told you, I can’t!”
He slammed his palm on the doorframe. “Wake up, girl! You’re going way overboard with this independence thing. It’s a cover and you know it. You won’t accept help when it’s offered. You should learn to trust people more.”
“Now, lass, the man’s right,” Morag interrupted, “you shouldn’t be staying here on your own, not when there are such dangerous peopl
e about.” She smiled at Luke, and said, “Anna seems to have forgotten her manners. I’m Morag McInnes.”
“Luke Tallantyre,” he said, holding out his hand.
“Pleased to meet you, Luke. It’s a terrible thing that’s happened. I don’t know what the world is coming to, when a body isn’t safe in its own home, I really don’t. It’s obvious Anna shouldn’t be left alone.”
“Stop right there! Stop discussing me as if I have no more sense than a child!”
Luke’s eyes narrowed. “Haven’t you been acting like one?”
“My grandmother lived in this house on her own, and so can I.”
“Yes,” Morag said, “but times have changed, lass. It’s no longer safe to leave your house unlocked. Why even Mrs. McPherson locks and bolts her door at night. What about your parents? Could you no go and stay with them?”
“No, I can’t. You know they’re in Beijing and not due home for another year. Besides, my father went to a great deal of trouble arranging for the house to be opened up temporarily so I could store my furniture in the basement. He’ll be very annoyed if I said I wanted to move back into my old room.”
“But it’s your home, lass.”
“Morag, you of all people know that’s not true. My parents lost interest in me the day I started boarding school. That’s why they sent me here for the holidays. We haven’t seen each other in years, but all that’s beside the point.”
Morag glanced at Luke. “You’d be welcome to stay with me as Lachlan is away, but my hens don’t get on well with yon dogs. And ever since Mrs. McPherson’s Jack Russell terrier chased my cat Jasper up a tree—”
“What about the hotel?” Luke interrupted. “Doesn’t it have a place where staff can stay? An apartment or something?”
“Aye, it does,” replied Morag. “But Ewan let the new chef have it for the season. He’d never agree to have the dogs. Besides, all the guest rooms are booked for the foreseeable future. Well, lass, I don’t see what’s to be done, unless….”
“Unless what?” Luke asked.
“No, it’s a silly idea.” Morag looked pointedly at Luke where he lounged casually against the doorframe. When he appeared to ignore her, Morag stared at him. “Unless you move in with Anna, of course.”
Anna and Luke both shouted at once. “No! No way.”
“Now, you’re both being silly,” said Morag.
For the space of several breaths Luke’s gaze held Anna’s in silent question. He tried not to think about how much he wanted her, how sharing a house with her would test his resolve to the limit. His conscience wouldn’t—couldn’t allow him to let her stay on her own.
“Okay,” he said holding up his hands. “I give in. I’ll stay here. But just for a few days, until we’re sure this was just an isolated incident.”
Anna was too stunned to say anything.
Morag smiled knowingly. “Good. That’s settled then. I daresay yon wee boat must feel a bit cramped, especially if you’ve sailed all the way from America. Anna’s a great cook, so you’ll enjoy some home-cooked food for a change. You won’t get under each other’s feet during the day as Anna has her work, and no doubt you have things to do, so you’ll only be spending the evenings together. There’s ample room as there are two bedrooms. Don’t you see? It’s the perfect solution for both of you.” Morag picked up her keys and handbag and headed out the door. “Now, you’ll be needing a lift to the garage to get those tyres replaced.”
Luke jumped in the truck bed of Morag’s four-by-four. Anna climbed into the passenger seat, her previously threatening headache now a fact. She gave her friend a sidelong glance.
“Morag, you had no right asking Luke to stay at the croft.”
“It was his decision.”
“Perhaps, but I’ve no doubt it was you who planted the idea in his mind.”
“How could I do that? I’m not a hypnotist. As it is, he can’t very well stay on the boat and turn a blind eye to what’s happening under his nose, now can he?”
“If I didn’t know you better, Morag McInnes, I’d say you were a witch.”
Morag smiled. “Not all who have the Sight are witches. Do you see any warts?”
“No—yes—oh, I don’t know!” Anna held her aching head. “No one can fight with you; you don’t fight fair.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment. Sorry about your headache, my dear, but someone has to take charge of the situation. As fate brought the man back there sailing into the loch, it seemed logical to put his appearance to good use. It’s as plain as day that you can’t stay on your own, and you know it. But you’re too stubborn and proud to admit it, so there’s no other option but to have him move into the croft.”
“But—”
“There is no but. He’s a gentleman, so he won’t do anything improper, either.”
Anna’s cheeks coloured. “Morag! For goodness sake, keep your voice down. Luke might hear you.”
“Now, lass, don’t fret. I understand why you’re staying at the croft, but you have to agree that having that fine figure of a man around is no bad thing!”
Chapter Fifteen
Anna was too wrapped up thinking about the events of the previous evening, to talk to Morag on the return journey. As if she didn’t have enough problems, the new tyres had taken a huge chunk out of her meagre savings. If she wasn’t careful, she might have to ask Ewan if she could work extra hours to make up the loss. The closer she got to home, the more agitated Anna became. She was frightened of staying in the croft on her own, but the thought of Luke staying there too disturbed her even more, but for totally different reasons. He was too attractive, too virile, and all too male for his own good—correction—for her own good, and it would be too easy to fall for his charms.
The pickup came to a halt in front of the croft. Morag yanked on the handbrake. “Here we are, lass.”
“Thanks for the lift, Morag. I don’t know how I would have managed without your help.”
“It’s not just me you ought to be thanking, but that man, too. Now don’t go fretting over last night. Get some rest, and I’ll see you at work tomorrow.”
Anna shook her head in disbelief. That was typical of Morag, always organizing folk. With a wave of her hand, Morag sent the pickup hurtling back down the potholed track, leaving Anna covered in dust.
Luke rolled the tyres toward the Land Rover. “I’ll put these on for you. By the way, I bought this.” He handed her a sturdy padlock. “I thought if we cleared out the cowshed, you could use it as a garage.”
“Thank you. But what’s this ‘we’ business?”
Luke stopped in front of her. “I know you’re tired. Even if you weren’t, you’re not capable of moving all those boxes, not to mention the rusty ironwork on your own. If you were, you’d have done it already.”
“I suppose you’re right.” She watched, fascinated, as Luke stripped off his T-shirt and set about lifting the first of the heavy wheels onto the axle. His broad, suntanned chest was lightly covered in crisp dark hair.
Subconsciously she moistened her lips. “Er…I’ll go and sort something out for dinner first.” Without waiting for him to respond, she scooted off in the direction of the kitchen, his laughter ringing in her ears.
Twenty minutes later, Anna recoiled in horror at the number of cobwebs hanging from the rafters in the cowshed. They were the reason she’d avoided going inside.
“Are you going to stand there all day admiring my body, or are you going to give me a hand clearing out this place?”
“In a minute,” Anna replied. She bent down and tucked the legs of her jeans into her socks. She covered her hair with a scarf and pulled on a pair of rubber gloves. There was no way she was going anywhere near those gossamer threads, and if she saw as much as one big, hairy spider, she’d be out of there faster than she could say ‘Ben Nevis.’
Luke’s mouth quirked with humour. “Is this the latest fashion?”
“I hope a tarantula crawls into your shorts,” she mutte
red.
“What?”
She suppressed a giggle. “I said, when it comes to spiders, out here you see all sorts.”
His dark eyebrows arched in confusion. “Huh?”
“Forget it. It’s just my weird Scottish sense of humour.”
Between the two of them, they half-carried, half-dragged an assortment of rusting farm implements out of the way and stacked the boxes on one side. Anna decided to sort through their contents when she was less tired. When they finished, they were both hot and covered in dust and grime, but the Land Rover was now safely locked inside the cowshed.
“Okay,” said Luke. “I’ll go back to the yacht, get cleaned up and pack a bag. I’ll be back within the hour. I doubt anyone will return in daylight. If they do, scream blue murder. The sound will carry across the loch, and I’ll hear you.”
Anna pulled off her scarf with a grubby hand. “Look, it’s very kind of you to do all this, but you really don’t have to stay. Morag was just being over-anxious as usual. I’ll be perfectly all right on my own.”
Luke offered her a sudden, arresting smile that had all her objections floating away on the air. “Concerned that my intentions maybe less than honourable?”
She coloured fiercely. “Of course not.” As soon as the words left her lips she realized that she would have no objection if they were. She stared wordlessly at her rescuer. There was no point yearning for something that was doomed before it started.
“Then let’s not get into that argument again. I volunteered to stay, and that’s all there is to it. Now, please go take a shower and make up the spare bed, okay? I’ll be back as soon as I can.” He planted a kiss on her dirty cheek and was gone.
Anna brushed ineffectively at the dust on her jeans, dumping them along with her T-shirt into the washing machine before climbing the stairs to the small bathroom in her underwear. She turned on the taps and added some of her favourite scented oil to the water in the bath. Three minutes later, she lowered her tired body into the steaming tub, closed her eyes and allowed her mind to drift. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t think of one reason why anyone would want to harm her. If it had been a hillwalker seeking shelter, why did he slash the tyres and sabotage the generator? It just didn’t add up. The more she thought about it, the more confused she became. If only Morag hadn’t interfered, Anna would have convinced Luke that she would be all right on her own. As it was, it was all such a mess!
The House on the Shore Page 12