Ghosts of Culloden Moor 09 - Aiden

by L. L. Muir

  He gripped the edge of the bus stop shelter. “I think we should go to yer home, lass. I dinnae believe we’ll be able to find ye a man before I leave. Ye need to be within the protection of home and family.”

  Well that was pretty clear. How many times did he have to say he was leaving before she heard him?

  On the other hand, he’d sounded quite fascinated by her village, as he called it. Maybe she should take him there. The place felt almost magical at times. Maybe it could work a bit of magic on his heart. Suddenly it seemed imperative she return home. With him. “Okay. I’m willing to go.”

  His face relaxed. “It will be much easier to see strangers comin’.”

  “I’ll go, as long as you go with me.”

  He scowled. “O’ course I’m goin’. Ye get the strangest ideas. Do ye think I’d leave ye alone with a madman runnin’ about?”

  The madman part she wasn’t so sure about. But if it motivated Aiden to go with her, to spend more time in her company, she was all for it.

  She stood as the bus came into view. “You’re right. We’d better get out of here before the madman finds me.”

  He nodded, decisive. “We’ll collect yer kitties and leave at first light.”

  Worked for her.

  ~~~

  “Just let me do it!”

  “No! You’re not allowed.”

  The cats joined the conversation by yowling from their cage in the backseat.

  Aiden never thought of himself as the pouting type, but even he had to admit he might be pouting a wee bit. “It appears an easy enough task.”

  “It’s against the law.”

  Aiden sat back and tugged on his seatbelt irritably. Zoey didn’t own a car, but she’d been able to rent one. The owners had promised to have someone pick it up tomorrow.

  Handy that.

  But she was so delicate, and driving such a large piece of machinery. It didn’t sit well with him, though he had to admit, she did seem competent.

  He looked out the window at the passing pine trees, the sunshine and white clouds. ’Twas just that he itched to drive the car himself.

  He asked about a hundred questions, and she patiently answered them all. He was now positive he would be proficient at driving the thing. No doubt better at the task than Zoey. He was a man after all. But she wouldn’t let him.

  Apparently you had to have a license of some sort, or you could be arrested by the police.

  She had one, but he didn’t.

  Ridiculous!

  The car, as Zoey called it, was simplicity itself. It might be a large and powerful piece of equipment, and Zoey had told him it had the equivalent of many horses underneath the bright red hood, but he knew he could drive it with no problem whatsoever.

  He was dying to get a look at those horses. Zoey had promised him she’d open the hood when they next stopped.

  The speed of the vehicle was exhilarating. Flying down the smooth road, watching the trees blur past, was an amazing experience. When he thought of how long it used to take him and his brothers to journey anywhere, this was simply fantastic.

  He wanted a car.

  He saw now why so many crowded the city. With cars available, why wouldn’t you want one? What male could resist?

  And the convenience of it all.

  Even a lady could drive down the road unmolested, with no fear of ruffians, assault, or robbery.

  “I must get myself one of these.”

  The cats yowled in response.

  Zoey giggled.

  It would never happen though, would it? He’d move on, possibly mere hours from now. He glanced at Zoey, and the thought of never seeing her again made him feel he had rocks in his stomach.

  Mayhap the speed with which they moved would confuse the witch? Mayhap she’d have a difficult time finding him, and he’d have a few more days with Zoey. He liked that idea just fine.

  More yowling.

  “For the love of Saint Christopher, quiet down back there.” He threw the words over his shoulder.

  The cats quieted.

  “They just want your attention. Will you be so impatient with our children?”

  She teased him, of course, her wide blue eyes twinkling, her smile impish before she looked at the road once more.

  But the thought of her, round with his babe, slayed him into silence.

  He reached back and stuck his fingers in the cage and the cats fought to rub against him.

  An ache grew inside him and he forced himself to turn away. Why couldn’t she belong to him? He wasn’t usually a bitter man and he found the emotion quite useless. He’d watched his brother Gareth eaten by the emotion, much good it had done him. He’d simply been angry and miserable. If anything had the power to turn Aiden into a resentful being this inability to keep Zoey certainly could.

  Sometime later, they pulled into her village. It was much as she’d described, both sides of the road flanked by shops. Much of the village was made of wood, unlike most of the buildings in the big city.

  He liked the simplicity of the place.

  Signs hanging from buildings announced a grocery, a fortuneteller, an art store, a bakery, and more.

  Zoey stopped the car in front of the fortuneteller’s shop. She jumped out, and, not waiting for him, ran up the wooden stairs and through the door.

  He followed at a much slower pace. His first order of business would be to talk to her father. They needed to discuss Zoey’s protection. And perhaps look under the hood of the car.

  When Zoey came outside again, she held hands with another woman. Her mother? The woman appeared slightly odd. She wore a bright orange dress, overlarge necklaces, bracelets, and earrings. Black lined her eyes. She was striking, pretty, and she looked merry as she laughed and clutched at Zoey.

  “Come on, I want you to meet someone.” They came down the stairs and Zoey held out her hand toward Aiden. “Aunt Thea, this is Aiden MacGregor.”

  “Oh my.” The woman peered at him from the top of his head down to his Nike running shoes. “Is he the one?”

  Zoey shrugged. “We’ll talk about it later.”

  People started coming out of stores, and a barefoot woman in a multicolored dress ran up the street. “Zoey! Zoey I can’t believe you’re here!”

  Zoey was engulfed in the woman’s arms. This, then, was her mother, that much was obvious. A beautiful woman, with copper-colored hair and delicate features such as her daughters.

  She grasped Zoey’s face between her hands. “Why didn’t you tell us you were coming?”

  Zoey half-cried, half-laughed. “We just decided to come last night. It’s so good to see you!” She hugged her mother once more.

  Others came forward to welcome her home.

  ’Twas so much like his village his throat tightened at the thought of his own mother, his brothers, the other MacGregors. A sharp wave of homesickness rolled through him.

  He hadn’t felt that in years.

  And why would he? He’d been a ghost, a wraith, one of the dead. He and the others had died far too young with wishes unfulfilled their lives snuffed out. Possibilities and families and futures gone forever.

  He’d not let that happen to Zoey.

  This was where she belonged. He could feel it.

  Before he left, he’d make sure she was safe, cared for, and out of danger.

  He needed to talk to her father.

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  Preston drove to Harmony Falls at speed, pushing the van, trying to get more power from it.

  Did she really believe she could escape him so easily?

  He’d watched as they’d left early that morning. He knew of Zoey’s predilection toward going to the park first thing, and decided to intercept her.

  It was time they were together.

  He hadn’t known that overgrown, screaming banshee lived with her!

  Rage tightened his grip on the steering wheel. She’d never even let him cross her threshold, let alone live with her. At the time, he’d tho
ught her shy and innocent act charming. Later, the novelty waned and he’d lost interest.

  But that hadn’t been his fault, had it? If Zoey had tried harder, attempted to please him, he might have stayed. But, it all worked out for the best in the end, hadn’t it? Now he had money, and he’d soon have Zoey too.

  He’d be the complete focus of all of her sweet attentions. When she accepted they were fated to be together, he’d have all her adoration as well.

  Between the two of them, they’d figure this out. He glanced at the bag on the front floor passenger seat. If not, zip ties, duck tape, and a .38 should convince her.

  If only he’d known she’d rented a car, he could have stopped her from leaving before it was too late. He’d have slashed the tires as they packed.

  Now he had to drive out to hicksville in the middle of nowhere?

  She’d pay for that.

  She’d especially pay for the fact she had that guy with her.

  He knew she had a brother, and wished he could fool himself into believing the man was related. But he was too possessive, too protective, always watching. No brother behaved like that.

  If it wasn’t for her companion, Preston would have Zoey by now. Zoey never watched out for anything. She seemed to flow through life, cheerful and elusive. If he could just get her on her own, she’d be easy to take.

  And then she’d never get away from him again.

  ~~~

  Zoey sat at the huge oak table with her mother and aunt. With loaves of bread dough covered to rise, all three gazed out the kitchen window, through tinkling bells and hummingbird feeders to watch the discussion. Aiden, her father, brother, and uncle stood in a circle, faces serious as Aiden spoke.

  It was good to be home. She hadn’t realized how much she’d missed everyone, or how much she’d missed this white framed house with its dormer windows and large front porch. Set in the woods, the boxy house, with its two-and-a-half stories, arched entries, and built-in-cabinetry represented home, love, and laughter.

  And as always the kitchen smelled wonderful, a combination of fresh baked bread, potpourri, and herbs growing in pots on the windowsill.

  Aunt Thea tapped a long nail on the time-worn table. “Whatever they’re talking about, it looks serious.”

  Like Zoey didn’t already know what they discussed.

  Her mother’s expression set into stern lines. “What is going on? I know something is, so don’t try to tell me it’s not.”

  Zoey shrugged. “I was walking home, and I was grabbed and pulled into an alley. Aiden saved me, and hasn’t left my side since.” She glanced at the older women. “He was wearing a kilt at the time.”

  Her mother and her aunt wore shocked expressions. “Why didn’t you tell us?”

  Zoey shrugged again. “What was to tell? I wasn’t hurt, and I didn’t want to worry you.”

  Finally, her mother said, “In a kilt?”

  Aunt Thea started to laugh.

  “I almost get kidnapped, and you want to know about the kilt?” Zoey’s tone was dry.

  Her mother’s gazed dropped. “Well, of course we’re concerned, dear. But as you said, you’re obviously all right. And it’s not a bad way to meet a man.”

  Her aunt grinned and knocked on the table twice. “So… you know we have to ask…”

  Her mother smiled too. “Inquiring minds want to know.”

  Zoey rolled her eyes. “Yes, I bought him underwear.”

  All three women giggled.

  “He might be a little rough around the edges, but he’s a good guy.”

  Aunt Thea’s brow arched. “The question is, is he a good guy for you?”

  Zoey’s face crumpled. She nodded. “He is. I felt it the first time I saw him. He’s my fate. My fated one.”

  “Oh.” Mom put a hand to her mouth as tears filled her eyes.

  Her aunt reached forward to pat Zoey’s hand. “Congratulations, dear, that’s wonderful.”

  Both women broke out in smiles.

  Zoey burst into tears.

  “What’s the matter?”

  “What’s happened?”

  Zoey, her head on top of her folded arms, shook her head. “He doesn’t want me.”

  Both women laughed again.

  Zoey lifted her head and slammed her hand on the table.

  The older women stopped laughing and exchanged glances.

  “I’m serious. He’s been trying to set me up with other men. He made me go on three dates with three different men yesterday. He’s trying to find someone for me, a protector, he says. I don’t know, maybe he feels sorry for me. He claims he’s trying to protect me. He thinks the man from the alley is still a threat, and I just think he doesn’t want me and doesn’t know how to say so.”

  Her mother leaned forward and handed her a tissue. “Dearest, I promise you. That man wants you. Have you seen how many times he’s glanced toward the house since you’ve been inside?”

  Her aunt nodded, satisfaction filling her face. “Oh, he wants you all right. But apparently he just doesn’t know it yet.”

  Zoey glanced between both of them hopefully. “Do you really think so?”

  “I do.” Her mother smiled.

  Aunt Thea drew herself up. “You do know what this calls for, don’t you?”

  Her mother nodded. “A love potion.”

  This time, all three women laughed hysterically.

  ~~~

  “So do ye see the seriousness of the situation?”

  In talking with Ethan, Zoey’s father, Aiden tried not to feel disappointed. But the man wasn’t quite what he expected.

  He was not a warrior.

  Neither was her uncle. The man had left in the middle of the conversation to take a call.

  No matter. River, Zoey’s brother looked capable of the task. He watched the entire exchange, his expression serious. The man was young, probably no more than nineteen, but had sturdy muscles packed on his shoulders and arms, and appeared used to hard work.

  Ethan waved his hand in a dismissive gesture. “Yes, yes. Someone tried to kidnap her. Just horrible. Except you stepped in, didn’t you? It was like it was meant to be.”

  Aiden tried to hide his frustration. “We have to be vigilant. Ye have to be vigilant.”

  Ethan frowned, doubtful. “Now, Aiden, you don’t really think she was targeted specifically, do you? I mean, it is a big city. All sorts of bad things happen there. She was probably in the wrong place at the wrong time. At least you were there to save her.”

  Aiden tried to keep his expression neutral. He didn’t wish to anger Zoey’s father, but the man didn’t seem possessed of any common sense. “I don’t believe ye ken the serious nature of the situation.”

  Again with the wave of the hand. “It’s all good. Come on, I bought a new horse yesterday, would you like to see her? Are you coming, River?”

  The young man shook his head. “I’ve got things to do. I’ll catch up with you later.”

  Aiden didn’t want to move away from the house, but didn’t want to offend the man either. He’d had the care and protection of his family for a long while, and it seemed as though he’d done a credible job. Zoey hadn’t mentioned anyone disappearing or dying on his watch.

  He glanced at the house for a long moment. It was isolated. Set back from the town and in the trees. But there were other homes nearby, as well. Zoey was indoors, with her female relatives, and should be safe. He nodded. “All right, I’d love to see the horse.”

  They walked around to the back to a corral with four beautiful animals inside.

  “Do you know horses?” Ethan asked.

  “I’ve always been around them, yes.” His mouth quirked. “They were the only option for transportation besides our feet.”

  Ethan grinned. “Good man. We rent these horses to tourists, so they’re quite tame. My brother-in-law and I own the hotel at the edge of town. So people come to stay then go horseback riding. It’s probably the most popular activity other than the zip line on
the other end of town. The Andersons own that.”

  Aiden didn’t know what a zip line was, but decided he wouldn’t be here long enough for it to matter, so didn’t comment. But the rest was impressive. “It looks as if ye’ve some steady businesses.”

  Ethan nodded. “There are the shops, the trails, and the Jorgensons have four wheelers they rent out. We look out for each other and try to keep steady income for everyone. People come from miles for fresh eggs and milk. We have goats’ milk too, and some specialty cheeses.”

  Aiden glanced at the outbuildings, and was impressed. “Ye do good work here.”

  Ethan smiled, pleased. “We all pull together, and help each other out.”

  When they reached the corral, the horses approached. Aiden could see Ethan took good care of the animals. Love shone on his face, and the animals seemed to adore him in return.

  The man pulled out some apple slices.

  Aiden chuckled and patted the roan, nearly ten hands high. Small wonder they loved him.

  Ethan shared the apples between the horses. “Here’s my new girl, Ginger. She’s a quarter horse and very good on trails.” He fed her an apple slice and rubbed her nose. “I got her from Spokane. She’s a beauty, and a gentle little thing. I think she’ll be a good addition.”

  The horse leaned against the older man’s hand as he patted her. Ethan appeared to have a way with animals.

  They climbed into the corral, and, out of habit, Aiden lifted the hoof of one horse. “She needs new shoes.”

  “Yes, she does. Do you know blacksmithing?”

  “Oh, aye. I did quite a bit back home. As well as trimming hooves and what-have-you.”

  “We have a farrier that comes out once in a while. Old Joplin used to do it, but he passed away.”

  Aiden glanced around and saw chickens, a couple of cats, a dog lying on the back porch. It looked to be a good place to raise a family. “Have ye lived here long? Was Zoey raised here?”

  “Oh, yes. We were some of the first to arrive back in the 80’s, so Zoey and River were born here.”

  Again, a wave of homesickness washed over Aiden. Halfway across the world, over two hundred years later, and he appreciated some things stayed the same. He was glad Zoey had been raised in such a wonderful place. Much like his own. With caring people and community.