by Diane Darcy
He removed the contents and growled. The thumbs were in his pocket! Lewis had been the one to steal them from the backpack earlier today.
Giving the man a hard slap to the back of his head, Ronan stood and went in search of Ashley.
He saw two people ahead of him who seemed to know where they were going, followed after, and was soon out the other side to find Ashley waiting for him.
“I was getting worried about you,” she said.
He searched her beautiful face, her dark eyes, and relaxed a bit when she didn’t seem angry with him anymore.
“I’ve just battled with Lewis. If ye could call it such.”
“The bus driver?”
“Aye, he stuck a needle in my arm, and then tried to take yer backpack. Look what I found in his pocket.” Ronan held out the thumb drives.
She gasped, her hand going to her chest. “Lewis?”
“Yes.”
“Are you all right?” Her gaze went up and down, searching him, and she suddenly cupped his cheeks, and he was so glad of the contact, he bent his head and rubbed his face against her palms.
“I’m fine, lass.”
She still gaped at him. “Where is he now?”
Suddenly uncomfortable, Ronan straightened, and immediately regretted the loss of her hands on him. He blew out a breath, and then rubbed the back of his neck. “I might have clouted him a bit too hard on the head. He’s slumped on the ground up yonder.”
“He tried to drug you!” Her disbelief was as strong as his own.
“Aye, Lassie. I know it sounds strange, but that’s what happened.”
“You’re sure you’re all right? How do you feel?”
He shrugged. “I’m all right.”
“I think we need to find Logan and let him take care of this.”
He nodded. “That sounds fine.”
And if the other man was in on it too? Well, he’d soon feel the hardness of Ronan’s fists as well.
They found Logan herding people onto the bus, and Ashley pulled him aside and told him what had happened, leaving out anything to do with her backpack.
Looking alarmed, he drew them a few feet away.
He looked at Ronan, his face pale. “He tried to drug you? Are you sure about this? That just doesn’t sound like Lewis. Can you show me where he is?”
Ashley was suddenly filled with misgivings. If Lewis was trying to steal her app, couldn’t Logan be in on it as well?
Something in her expression must’ve given her away because Logan said, “What?”
Ronan placed a hand around her shoulder and drew her close. To Logan, he said sharply, “Come, I’ll show you.”
They went back the way they’d come, and to the exit of the maze. Ronan led them directly to the fallen man.
She’d half-expected him to be gone, that, like a scene from a nefarious mystery movie, the body would have disappeared, but no, there he was, the needle still beside him.
An older couple stood over him, the man talking into the phone.
“What’s going on?”
The tourists both shook their heads, looking disgusted. “Looks like drugs to me,” said the white-haired man, his accent English.
His wife, short-haired and slightly chubby seemed to agree, “I checked him, and his heart is beating and he’s still breathing. But do you see the syringe?”
The syringe that had been emptied into Ronan’s arm. Ashley put her hand on Ronan’s wrist, gripped him protectively and looked into his eyes for signs of blown pupils, but he looked fine.
“We called,” the man said. “And they’re to send an ambulance from Nairn County.”
Logan looked torn as he explained to the couple that he was in charge of a tour bus, and Lewis was his driver. “I know this is asking a lot, but I’m in charge and it’s almost over. Is there any way you can wait until the ambulance comes, and then I’ll go see him after I drop everyone off?”
The couple agreed, and Logan, looking shaken, waved his arm to indicate they should follow.
As they walked out of the maze, and toward the tour bus, Logan was shaking his head. “Honestly, I just can’t believe this. In all the time I’ve known Lewis, I had no idea he was into drugs.”
He looked and sounded sincere, but a cynical part of her wondered if Logan was acting, and actually his partner in crime. “Maybe it’s a new thing?” Ashley said soothingly. She was just glad Ronan wasn’t in any trouble for hitting the man.
And thank goodness Ronan was with her. If she’d had the pack on in that maze, she might not have fared as well.
They climbed back on the bus, and Logan stood in the front until they were seated and he had everyone’s attention.
“Unfortunately, our bus driver, Lewis, has taken ill, and he’s got to go to the hospital. But never fear, I am a decent driver myself, and licensed to drive this bus. It will only take about 12 minutes until we reach our final destination, after which, it’s just a short drive down the road to drop you all at the two B&Bs you’re staying at tonight. They’re right across the street from each other. Everybody ready?”
“Ready!” Most everyone in the crowd responded.
Logan started up the bus, and after grinding a few gears, managed to get them moving.
She noticed he hadn’t told anyone more than they needed to know, and decided to keep quiet herself. She looked up at Ronan and shook her head, her eyes widening. “Can you believe this?”
Ronan, lips set in a grim line, shook his head. “I think tis for the best that the tour is almost over.”
She nodded. “Actually, I think so too.”
In their customary position once again, her arms wrapped around Ronan's, and her head lying on his shoulder, they traveled down the road as the sun sank lower in the sky.
She wanted to ask if he was to stay at the B&B tonight, but was worried his answer would be no, so after several moments, decided not to say anything.
She still wanted him to make the first move.
Logan, true to his word, pulled into the next destination a short time later. Which meant the bed-and-breakfast was nearby, which was great, as she had to admit she was getting worn out.
She noticed immediately when Ronan stiffened up.
She lifted her head. “What’s the matter?”
“We are back upon the moor.”
“What? Have we already been here?”
“Nae, lass. Ye have not been here, but I have.”
His voice sounded so empty, that she grew worried. “Are you feeling all right?”
He looked down at her, and his eyes were filled with pain.
“That shot he gave you,” Ashley fumbled for her phone and turned on the flashlight. “Look at me.”
Both her friends turned around in their seats. “What’s going on?” Monica asked.
“Ronan isn’t feeling that well.”
She flashed the light into his eyes, but his pupils retracted naturally, and he didn’t look ill, just upset. She slowly put the light down, and then pressed a hand to his forehead, his cheek, but he felt normal. “What is it?”
“Remember the witch I told you of?”
“Soni?”
He flinched, and shushed her. “She’ll be here. She’ll be here waiting for me. She’d told me I would come to her.”
“Okay.” Nerves had her licking her lips. “You said she was a young girl, and nice?”
"Aye, she is.”
“What’s the problem?” Her stomach suddenly sank. “Are you involved with her?”
He shook his head. “Nae, lassie, not how ye mean.”
With Monica and Garth watching them both, wondering about the conversation, Ashley subsided back in her seat.
The bus came to a stop, turned off, and Logan opened the door and stood. “Here we are, at Culloden Moor. I’ve got to get the bus squared away, so everyone head inside the visitors center and we’ll get together just inside the doors.” He glanced at his watch. “And don’t forget, we meet back here in exactly one
hour.”
Logan moved outside as people stood and shuffled forward.
Garth and Monica stopped in the aisle. “Are you guys coming?”
Ashley looked at Ronan again. “We’ll be right there. Give us just a minute.”
Monica threw her a look of concern as they headed off, and she turned to Ronan once again. “What’s wrong?”
He looked upset as he took one of her hands in his. “Lass, we’ve had fun together, have we not?”
“Yes, we’ve had a lot of fun together.” She nodded as dismay rushed through her. This wasn’t goodbye was it?
“I’ve kept ye safe, have I not?”
“Yes. Very safe. After everything that’s happened, thieves, attacks, well … who knows what else might have happened if you hadn’t been at my side. Ronan, you probably saved my life. I don’t know what I would have done without you.”
And she didn’t want to find out.
Looking relieved, he took a breath, let it out, and nodded.
Logan called out to them. “Come on, slowpokes. With Lewis gone, I’m going to have to lock the bus.”
Ronan slowly got to his feet, and she could just about see the dread in him. She stood and quickly followed. He was walking steadily, so that was a good sign, but something was wrong. Something was very wrong.
As they went down the steps, Logan gave them a solemn nod, “Everything all right?”
“Yes, fine,” Ashley faked a smile.
Logan shut and locked the door. “Look, I’m truly sorry about what happened.” He sighed. “This is the first tour of its kind, you know, going up the country the way we have. I was hoping to make it into a regular thing, hoping for good reviews and the like. But after what happened …” He shook his head.
“Oh, Logan, it’s been a wonderful tour,” she was quick to assure him. “We don’t blame you for Lewis, and of course we’ll leave good reviews.”
Relief filled his face. “Thank ye. Truly. Again, I’m so sorry about what happened.” Looking happier, he threw his keys in the air and caught them. “I’d better get over to the visitors center as I’m in charge.” He hurried across the parking lot.
Ronan, tense, wary, was looking out onto the grass, and Ashley didn’t know what to do, so she just waited, a sick feeling of dread weighing her down. Was he supposed to meet up with his friend here? Get a ride? Could she talk him into staying with her? Did he even want to? Why wouldn’t he ask?
He took a few steps toward the lawn, and at the last moment changed his mind, took her hand, and headed after Logan.
Again, she thought to question him, but finally decided to just go along with it. Maybe because she didn’t want the answers he might give?
Whatever was going on in his head, surely, he’d tell her soon enough.
Chapter 14
Ronan stood at the edge of the grass for a long moment and when no one came for him, decided to spend what was left of his time with Ashley, inside.
He took her soft hand in his rough one, his guts clenching at the realization that this might be the last time he’d be able to do such a thing, and headed into the doors of the visitors center.
It was familiar, yet not.
He’d never walked this space before with a flesh and blood body; it felt different, as if the time before were a remembered dream.
As usual, Logan had gathered everyone around. “Now, I know ye’ve seen a lot in the last two days, but we’ve certainly saved the best for last. Culloden Moor is the site of the last ever battle on British soil. The battle of Culloden occurred here on April 16, 1746 and ended in a bloodied slaughter of the Jacobite rebellion, those who wanted to set the Stuarts back on the throne. The entire battle lasted all of forty minutes, and between 1,500 and 2,000 men died that day.”
Ronan bent his head.
“As to the ghosts here, on the anniversary of the battle every year, it is said that the anniversary ghosts, spectral soldiers who appear from thin air, are the fallen soldiers, said to rise again, and the cries of the wounded and the clinking of steel weapons can be heard.”
Regardless of the heavy weight in his stomach, Ronan snorted, a sound of derision. As if they even kept track of the days, let alone performed for the locals.
“There have also been reports of a tall man, his features drawn and weary, he wears a tartan and can be seen roaming the area. Whenever he is approached people have heard him murmuring the word defeated over and over again.”
Ronan scoffed and shook his head.
“There is also a tale of a woman who once lifted a plaid from off one of the grave mounds, and saw a wounded soldier underneath, dying and gasping his last.”
Ronan sighed. People truly believed such things?
“There are many people who have claimed to have felt cold spots, and drafts, and if you feel such a thing, know that you are in the presence of those who lived and died here all those years ago.
“Mmmphm.” That one might be true.
“Feel free to wander around, there is plenty to see, interactive videos, displays, and a 360-degree audio visual experience of the chaos of the battle. We’ll be getting back on the bus in an hour heading to the bed-and-breakfast.”
“As it is getting dark outside, you might want to head out that way so you can visit the battlefield, and perhaps get a feel for what a poor choice of ground Bonnie Prince Charlie chose for this last battle. After all, how were they to make use of the infamous Highland Charge with large patches of boggy swampland in the middle?”
Exactly!
“Take a look at the clan stones, the cairn. There’s a cottage, flags, and information markers giving you an idea of the placement of each force.”
Logan gestured into the visitors center. “I’m sorry to say that we don’t have more time here, as there is so much to see. Anyone staying over an extra few days, will definitely want to come back. In the meantime, enjoy! And I’ll see you at the bus in about fifty minutes.”
Ronan stood in stoic silence and, as everyone dispersed, Ashley fidgeted beside him. “Would you like to go and see the outside?”
He stood there, unresponsive for long moments, soaking in the feel of her hand, her presence, already aching at the loss of her, his insides hollow, empty.
For one blistering moment he considered running with her. Snatching her up in his arms and just …
His sanity slowly returned. How did one run from a witch? Anyway, Ashley wasn’t his. He’d simply been her protector for a short while, his time with her a gift, and one he’d cherish forever.
“Ronan?”
He finally drew in a long breath. Taking her pack up over his shoulder, he nodded. Best to just get this over with. “All right, mo chroi´. Lead the way.”
Mo chroi´?
Ashley tried to memorize the phrase, determined to look it up at the first opportunity. It had almost sounded like an endearment, and if so, she wanted to know for sure.
She still didn’t know what Ronan’s plans were after the tour officially ended tonight. He still hadn’t said a word to her and it was driving her crazy.
Which meant, that the time to do nothing had run out, and she needed to have a talk with him.
Maybe more kissing would be involved.
They headed outside to the field, where others were walking around, and even though it was getting darker it was still easy to see the stone markers and flags as they walked down the path.
Ashley stopped at the closest one. “It’s a shame we don’t have more time here. I guess I didn’t really know the story all that well. It’s incredibly sad. All those young men, slaughtered in an instant.”
Ronan’s breathing had escalated, and the hand that wasn’t holding hers clenched and unclenched.
“Are you all right?”
He chuckled at that, the sound humorless. “Aye, lass. Just remembering, that is all.”
Ashley looked around, found they were relatively alone, and considered the best way to ask Ronan to stay.
She should
have done it earlier.
She shouldn’t have waited.
Now, he looked unsettled, anguished, almost as if he was grieving.
Her courage started to fail. Maybe she wanted too much from a man that she’d only met yesterday?
On the other hand, what if her happily-ever-after was right here for the taking, if she just had the guts to reach for it?
Love at first sight? If this wasn’t it, then it had never existed before in the history of the world.
But here, with the markers representing the dead and buried, and Ronan so obviously distressed, it probably wasn’t the best time to discuss a possible future.
They turned and walked for a while, stopping at grave markers as the light slowly diminished behind the mountains.
The fact that Ronan still clung to her hand, gave her hope that whatever this was, it wasn’t about them.
It was getting dark enough, that there wasn’t much to see, and she was about to suggest they turn back, when something flared to life out in the field.
Ashley stopped to stare, and was startled to realize it was a girl, her dark dress shining around the bottom, almost to the point of resembling a green fire.
A costume? So cool!
Excited, she pointed. “Look at that!” Even as she said it, she realized he was already gazing out over the field his expression remote, unsurprised.
He turned to her, reached for her other hand, and held them both in his as he stared down into her eyes. “I am to go now, lass.” He seemed to choke the words out, and then he swallowed with difficulty. “Tis been a pleasure to meet you. More pleasure than I can ever say. I’ll not forget your beauty, humor, or intelligence. Thank ye for letting me keep ye safe. ”
He was saying goodbye to her?
Regardless of the gallant, gentlemanly words, she felt sick, distressed, and shocked.
Someone called out, and she looked at the girl in the field, now beckoning.
“Do you know her?” she choked out the words.
He nodded. “Tis Soni, the witch I told ye of.”
He kissed first one hand, and then the other, and then released her. He stood staring, a dangerous glint in his eyes, breathing with a tautly contained intensity that made it seem like something dreadful was about to happen. He reached out with stunning quickness, grabbed her shoulders, and pulled her in for a quick, hard kiss, his fingers digging into her.