* * * *
Mary Fraser crouched behind a bush in the shadow of the school building and waited. She waited as everyone else drove off. Penn and the American never made an appearance. She waited until Liam returned and climbed aboard the bus again. Then she waited some more.
When Penn finally stepped off the bus, she started to rise and go to him, intending to invite him home with her. Before she could move around the bush, he turned and lifted the American off the bus.
Mary muttered a dark curse on the woman as Penn lowered her, brushing her down the front of his body before he kissed her. In the middle of the school parking lot. In the middle of the afternoon. What kind of spell had this bitch woven around her man that he would make such a display?
Dropping to her knees, Mary rocked back and forth, fighting the urge to howl out her anger. She clenched her fists so tight that blood dripped from the wounds her razor sharp fingernails cut into her palms. The love she’d carried for Penn since she was eighteen and he twenty welled up in her, but it wasn’t the same love she’d felt then. I.
As she watched Liam join them and close the door, she decided she had to get rid of the bitch before the Vernal Ball. Then Penn would be free to fall in love with her. Her thoughts turned inward, trying to figure a way to destroy the American bitch while making sure that Mother Nature got her shawl.
When she looked up, frustrated that she could come up with no answers, she swore softly. They were leaving, driving away without a thought to her, the woman who would be the end of Catherine’s descendency and the Dream Weaver.
* * * *
Somewhat refreshed from her nap, and excited to be nearing the end of their journey, Suz tried to look everywhere at once. They left Ullapool behind, began to wind their way through and over the craggy mountains around it until they topped one last peak, and began down the other side.
Liam stopped the SUV halfway down. “Welcome ta the keep of the McKenzie clan, lass.”
A valley lay before them of green and brown patchwork fields dotted with small cottages. In the center of the valley rose a small hill topped by a huge, stone castle.
“It’s beautiful. How could you leave all this to come live in an old farmhouse in New Bern?” She blinked back unexpected tears at what she’d caused them to give up.
“Nay, lass. We left this behind to claim our Dream Weaver. We love that old house in New Bern, and when we get back and the renovations are finished, it will be our home. Maybe someday we’ll move back here, but only if ye and the loom come as well. For now we’ll visit and sightsee and take care of company business and do our bit ta keep the world turning at the ball next week.” Liam patted her thigh before turning his attention back to driving again.
He started forward slowly, startling a nearby flock of sheep that decided to swarm around the SUV. Once the sheep cleared their path, he drove forward until he pulled through a tall, stone fence that encircled the foot of the hill. He parked the SUV, and they all climbed out.
Suz remained wide eyed as the brothers gave her the tour of the grounds outside the castle. They introduced her again to a distant cousin, the elderly groundskeeper, who in turn introduced his three assistants. Then the old man began to share stories of games played and mischief the twins had gotten into, causing the two men to turn red.
After a good visit, they guided Suz up the walk to the entrance to the castle. The big double wooden doors were closed, but Liam didn’t bother to knock. He just opened the door and walked right in.
Suz jaw dropped when she followed and found herself in a large entry way that looked like it came out of last month’s Architectural Digest. From here, it didn’t look anything like the ancient castle as it did on the outside.
“Are all castles as deceptive as this one?” she asked when Penn took one hand and Liam took the other to pull out away from the front door.
“No. Grandda did most of this and Da finished the job of renovating the interior, so their wives would live here year round.” Penn said.
“Hello? We’re here,” Liam shouted as they headed down a hallway that led under a wide staircase.
A head full of silver-white hair appeared out of a doorway at the far end of the hallway. “Has no one e’er taught ye no’ ta carry on so in the house?” The woman hurried forward, throwing herself at Liam.
“Nope. The wolves didn’t care how much I carried on.” Liam grinned as he dropped Suz’s hand, grabbed up the woman, and twirled her once before setting her down for a proper hug and kiss. She only came up to the middle of his chest, but it was clear that he was in awe of her.
“Wheesh, yer a bad one, Liam McKenzie.” The woman slapped his arm as soon as he released her. After an equally enthusiastic greeting from Penn she turned her attention to Suz. “And who do we have here?”
“If ye’d come ta the airport ye’d know,” Liam teased.
“Suz Bowen Black, this is Mattie McKenzie. She runs the house and had a fair hand in raising us. Mattie, Suz is the new Dream Weaver.
“Aye, I heard abou’ Ruth’s passin’. I’m so sorry lassie. For that and that I couldna make these great bruts into better gentlemen for ye.”
Suz smiled and nodded. “I think you did a wonderful job with them, Mattie. Thank you.”
Mattie stepped up and hugged her before Suz knew what was happening. It was a tight hug that left Suz wide eyed and gasping for breath. As the woman stepped back, Suz was amazed at how much she reminded her of sweet, dear Jubilee who ran the house and the three of them like a drill sergeant.
“Yer too kind, lassie. Come have a wee snack and then I’ll show ye to yer room.” Mattie looped her arm around Suz and led her down the hall.
“Hey, what about us?” Liam snarked.
“Ye need ta go and wash first, else ye’ll get nothin’ from my kitchen.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Chapter 6
The twins disappeared down the hall while Mattie pulled Suz into the dining room. Kendrick and Catherine were already seated at the table. Their expressions were welcoming but almost serious.
Suz’s stomach clenched as she sat down opposite them. She focused on laying her napkin in her lap just so. She then spent a full minute smoothing it. Knowing she could put it off no longer, she twisted her fingers together in her lap and lifted her gaze. First she met Kendrick’s eyes briefly then flicked a glance toward Catherine. Then she dropped her focus to the center of table. Where were her men?
Just then they appeared in the doorway, drawing everyone’s attention. They were stopped as they tried to come through the door together. After shoving back and forth for room, Penn entered followed with Liam on his heels.
The men settled into chairs on either side of her, their exuberant exclamation over the “wee snack” Mattie had prepared dissipating the tense silence.
Suz chose a berry filled scone and then spent the next ten minutes picking at it, reducing it to a pile of crumbs while eating very little. She drank two cups of tea though she still felt thirsty and wondered where she could find a large glass of water.
When Penn ran a hand up the inside of her thigh, she pushed it away. His parents were sitting across the table from them, for heaven’s sake. She couldn’t indulge in sex games now. She was having a hard enough time following the conversation as it was without the further distraction of Penn’s fingers in her panties.
Finally Kendrick laid his napkin on the table and rose, signaling the end of this meal. He then excused himself to answer some pressing phone calls while Catherine offered a tour of the keep.
“We could do that, Ma,” Liam pointed out.
“Why don’t ye go and fetch some wood for the gathering room. I’ve a feeling we’ll be needin’ it later.” Catherine gave the order gently. She knew the boys would never deny her request, even if it did mean leaving the two women alone.
The men nodded but grumbled as they left the room.
Suz jumped when Catherine took her arm. “Now that it’s jes’ the two of us,
we can relax. I ken yer scared and nervous, but ye dunna need ta be. I’ve known all yer life that ye and me boyos were meant ta be together. But ye hafta tell me, how do ye deal with the snorin’?”
Suz giggled in response. So, her men weren’t the only ones. “Tickle them till they roll over or wake them up and love them. Then I’m so tired I don’t hear them.”
Catherine smiled. “That’s always worked with their father, too. Aye, lassie, ye’ll do jes’ fine. Now come on, I promised ye a tour.
Suz walked through the keep wide eyed, impressed with the renovations. The public rooms open to visitors and tourists remained historically accurate with stone walls and floors, wall sconces for light and huge fireplaces for heat. The handful of rooms where the family actually resided appeared to be right out of a design magazine with insulated walls, carpets, and beautiful furnishings.
When the twins joined them, Catherine was in the middle of a history lesson on the clan. A moment later, a young, thin woman who looked about eighteen entered the room. She approached and handed her a piece of paper then retreated again. “Thank you, Devon.” Catherine opened the paper and read its contents quickly. “If ye’ll excuse me, Suz, it seems there’s a great debate concerning tomorrow night’s seating that I need ta tend ta. I’m sure the boys will take good care of ye.”
“We’ll be fine, Ma.” Liam took Suz hand and lifted it so he could kiss the back of her hand.
Once Catherine had left the room, the men each claimed one of her hands and led her out of the large formal room and up the main staircase. Instead of stopping on the second floor, they continued to lead her to the third floor.
“Are you sure it’s okay we’re all up here alone?” she whispered, as if afraid the morality police would pop out from behind a curtain or a suit of armor and attack her.
The twins studied her and smiled. Then they began to chuckle.
“Aye, lass, it’s a’right. Ma and Da know we’ve claimed both ye and the loom. We’re meant ta be together, no matter what Mary Fraser says. Now come on, we want ta show you somethin’ special,” Penn said moved ahead, pulling her along in his wake.
At the top of the staircase they came to a thick, wooden door. Penn pushed the door open then walked in. Liam guided Suz ahead of him. He kept one hand wrapped around her waist as if he were afraid she might bolt.
Three steps into the room, Suz stopped suddenly, causing Liam to walk into her. Before she could fall, he wrapped his free arm around her waist and pulled her tight against his front. “Careful, lass. We canna have ye falling. Ye might hurt the babe.”
She felt his cock, long and thick, press against the cheeks of her ass. Instead of the hunger as she normally felt when in such an embrace, a shaft of jealousy stabbed at her. Was that all she was now, a baby factory? Pulling out of his embrace, she crossed to the far side of the room. Which turned out to be quite a walk. This single room encompassed the entire third floor.
One wall held several large armoires which served as closet space. She found the bathroom concealed behind a large screen covered in the blue and green tartan of the McKenzie clan. Looking at the claw foot tub, she absently wondered how soon she could strip off and climb into a hot bath.
“Would ye like ta try that, lass?” Liam stepped in close behind her. “We could take a bath and then lay down for a wee nap though I’m not sure ye’ll get much rest if we do.”
“No, thank you.” Suz stepped around him and walked away to explore the rest of the room.
* * * *
Liam frowned as she walked away. Something was wrong. She’d been pulling away from him, from them, since they’d stepped off the plane in Inverness. Was she having second thoughts? Didn’t she want to love them?
He looked at Penn who met his gaze, shook his head then shrugged. So, he didn’t know what was going on either.
“Are ye feelin’ a’right, lass?” Liam asked as he slowly followed her across the room. He heard the hurt and confusion in his voice but couldn’t help himself. Where Suz was concerned, his emotions lay too close to the surface to deny or hide.
“I’m fine. Tired, but I’m afraid to rest. This is a really nice room. Have you always lived up here?”
She walked past the table they’d used as a desk with the chairs at each end and their old Webster’s dictionary and thesaurus piled with some books in the center.
“Da moved us up here when we were about eight years old. Told us this was the only place in the keep he thought would survive our fighting all the time,” Penn answered.
Liam grinned at the memory. Their father didn’t so much move them up here as carry them with Penn slung over one shoulder and Liam under his opposite arm like a barrel. After dumping them in a pile on the floor, he put his hands on his hips and glared down at them. “From here on out, this is yer room. Ye’ll no’ be able to destroy it as ye have yer old rooms. When yer mother thinks ye deserve it, we’ll bring up some furniture. Until then, sleep where ye will.”
It had taken more than a week before beds appeared in the room while they were at school and a month for the rest of the furniture. By then the boys had come to the realization that sleeping on cold, hard stone floors was not a hell of a lot of fun.
Suz turned from looking at the huge bed that filled another corner of the room. It was even bigger than the king-sized bed they slept in at home. “And did you two always share a bed?”
“Nay, lass,” Liam approached but not too close. He didn’t want to drive her further away by pressuring her, even though he was tempted to push her into a corner and not let her out until she told him what they’d done wrong. “That’s new since our last visit. We used to have double beds on opposite sides of the room. For a couple years when we were teenagers, we even had tape on the floor dividing the room in half. It worked for about half a day until Penn had ta go ta the loo, and I got hungry and couldna get ta the door. We made amends, but the tape stayed down as a reminder that we couldna cut ourselves off from one another.”
* * * *
Suz listened to the stories and knew these two men had been raised to think and act together, to love each other first and then to love others. Her fears remained mostly unnamed and hidden in the shadows of her thought, but Suz found she needed their assurances that they would love her forever and that the baby she carried wouldn’t come between them. Before she could form any of the questions she carried in her heart, a knock sounded from the open doorway.
“Miss? The McKenzie sent me ta bring ye down to the main hall,” A young woman stood in the open doorway. She’d dropped her head until her chin touched her chest. Her hands were clasped behind her back. Was she afraid of looking at them? Or what she might see with the three of them up here alone?
“Thank ye, Devon. Tell him we’ll bring her down in two hours.” Liam dismissed her.
Suz heard a thread of steel in Liam’s voice and glanced at him. “Liam?”
“We need ta talk before we join the others.” Liam strode to the door, closing it firmly in Devon’s wide-eyed face.
“What’s wrong?” Suz took a step back when she saw a shadow cross both men’s expressions. Still wearing their kilts, they looked like they’d stepped off the cover of a historical romance novel. A shiver of want shot through her, and she felt her nipples tighten. But she couldn’t have sex with them here. Not now when her presence was being requested downstairs.
“That’s what we’re wonderin’,” Liam said.
“What do you mean?” Suz frowned as they stopped in front of her. They stood shoulder to shoulder an arm’s length away.
“The only way this relationship of ours can survive is through communication. What’s wrong, luv? Somethin’s been botherin’ ye since we got off the plane.” Penn took a baby step forward and then cupped her cheek with his palm.
A second later Liam shifted closer, and his palm covered her other cheek. “Talk to us, lass. Tell us what’s wrong so we can fix it.”
Chapter 7
Suz looked from one
to the other though they grew blurry through her tears. Blinking, she raised her hands to cup their cheeks as well. “I’m scared.”
“Scared about what, lass?”
Knowing she had their full attention, the words she hadn’t been able to form just a moment before spilled forth. “We’re here in your parents’ home, and you’re coming on to me like we’re back at Dreamer’s Dell alone. I want your parents to like me and not think I’m some kind of slut. I’m scared that I might lose the baby whether or not I take care not to fall.” Her hand automatically went to cover her belly where the baby lay safe and secure. “I’m scared that by the end of this visit you’ll realize you’ve made a mistake and won’t love me anymore. I’m scared that I’m not good enough.”
With that, the tears she fought to hold in pushed hard and then she was sobbing. Dropping her hands from their faces, she turned away in the hopes that she could escape. Only there was no place to escape to.
She took a single step before walking into the wall that was Penn’s chest. When she looked up, she saw through her tears that he wasn’t angry. He was smiling at her. Before she could process what that smile meant, Liam moved in behind her, finishing the McKenzie sandwich.
“Och, luv, ye really should tell us before these worries build up such a head of steam in ye.” With gentle fingers he wiped away her tears. Leaning down, he kissed her forehead then the tip of her nose before gently settling his lips over her mouth.
Behind her, Liam’s hands gently massaged the knots from her shoulders before tracing his way down her body. “Lass, we are yers, now and always. We’re never gonna let ye go. Not until we draw our last breaths, which won’t be for many, many, many years, God willing.”
Penn took up the assurances. “We didna mean ta make ye uncomfortable. Ma and Da know we’re all together, and while I’m sure they hoped we didna have sex in the gathering room in front of the clan, they understand that we’re young and in love. Besides, we’re Scots and that means we love sex, especially with our woman.”
Marrying Their Dream Weaver Page 4