by Allison Shaw
“You called me a whore!” she yelled. “I was a virgin, Euan, and you knew that! You strung me along, made me fall in love with you, and when I told you I was pregnant you bailed out! Don’t you give me that bullshit that you came to your senses and came to apologize! After four fucking years?! Do you think I’m still that naïve?!”
“I ken hoo it looks, Callie,” Euan countered. “I canna change wha’ I did but I want t’ make things right wi’ ye…”
Callie got past Jim and hurtled toward Euan, striking him a solid blow that would have knocked him into the fireplace had John not caught him. She began punching him and called him everything but a human being.
Jim grabbed her and locked her into a submission hold while John placed himself in front of Euan, who was trying to reach out to Callie. Callie fought with all of her might, crying and cussing at all of them. After several minutes her strength and rage were spent and she sagged in Jim’s arms with great sobs racking her small frame. He held her close and spoke soothingly to her.
Euan held his bruised ribs but wished he was the one holding Callie and consoling away the hurt he’d caused. Dear God, what had he done to her? Inwardly he cursed himself for having been such a bastard.
Darlene came back into the room asking, “What the hell’s going on out here?”
When she saw Callie crying, she strode over to stand in front of Euan, hands on hips, and demanded, “What did you do to her?”
Jim spoke up. “Callie had a meltdown. All those years of holding this stuff inside, and the dam busted wide open. Where’s the kids? They don’t need to see her like this.”
“Out back with Nancy Jo collecting eggs from the hen house,” Darlene answered. Her eyes narrowed as she looked Euan over. “I see she landed a few on you. Good! You deserved every one of ‘em!”
Euan didn’t argue. This was definitely where Callie got her temperament and one arse-kicking for the day was enough. Even John took a step away from Darlene.
Eyeing the two of them up and down with enough fire in her glare to scorch rock, Darlene warned, “I’m a mother and that’s my baby. Do the math and see if you boys can’t figure out what I’ll do if you hurt her again.”
Both men mumbled, “Yes ma’am,” and tried to shrink into themselves for a moment. Later John would swear that was the closest that he’d ever come to being unmanned. “If I get oot o’ here wi’ m’ balls intact I’ll be fit braw” he whispered to Euan as Darlene turned and went to Callie. “These wimmen here can cut ‘em off wi’oot e’en a knife.”
Jim and Darlene held Callie between them and started towards the back. “You two stay here,” Jim ordered. “We have some unfinished business.”
Chapter 4:
Fangs And Roses
An hour later Jim and Darlene sat at the kitchen table with Euan and John, listening as Euan recounted his and Callie’s relationship and his shameful treatment of her at the end of it. He spared himself nothing but laid it all bare before them. He admitted that it had been John who had seen Callie with the children at the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games in Linville that summer and who had convinced him to come to Tennessee to settle things in regards to his children.
Darlene had sent Nancy Jo home as there were no guests expected for a couple of days and because she didn’t want the woman overhearing things that were none of her business. Nancy Jo was a terrible gossip and it was bad enough that she knew that Callie’s ex had shown up to solve the mystery of who the children’s father was.
Euan studied Jim and Darlene. He had known that Jim was not Callie’s biological sire but the man was definitely her father. It was obvious that he loved her as his own and was fiercely protective of her. His jet black hair had a few silver strands and there were a few creases about his eyes but the man was by no means showing his fifty-some-odd years. Strength of character radiated from him despite the low-key persona and quiet voice. Keen intelligence gleamed in the almond-shaped obsidian eyes right along with fierce determination. He was as rugged as the mountains and as immovable when standing his ground. This was a man who didn’t allow anyone to mess with him or his family.
Darlene was a strong-willed woman who was as protective of her family as a mother bear. Her questions to Euan were rather terse and delivered in a tone of voice that let him know right away that no foolishness or dishonesty would be tolerated. Her black hair and dark eyes gave her a more exotic appearance than Callie but their facial features were nearly identical. Likewise the fiery temperament and sharp intellect.
Euan realized he was looking at what Callie would be like a couple of decades down the road and thought any man would be mightily blessed to have such a woman by his side.
And bloody well cursed to have her for an enemy.
As Darlene poured them all some tea, Euan apologized to his hosts for the havoc his appearance had caused. “I dinna mean for it tae go this way,” he explained. “But I couldna go oon wi’oot trying tae make amends with Callie and at least seeing m’ bairns.”
Darlene sat down in her chair. “Well, that’s all well and good, Euan,” she said, “but about four years too late. You knew where Callie was from and God knows all you had to do was ask anyone where she lived. Everyone knows everyone else in these parts.”
Euan looked down in his cup. “I was a coward, ma’am. Instead o’ bein’ a mon aboot it, I blamed her for everything. Twas nae right t’ do her tha’ way an’ I’ve nae excuse for it.”
“Except ye were a pig-headed fool, Euan,” John added. “An’ doona think ye fooled anyone for a minute. We a’ kenned ye were stone in love wi’ the lass an’ wha’ ye were doin’ after she left ye, but ye wouldna hae ta’en anyone’s advice, ye stubborn bastard.” John looked over at Darlene. “Beggin’ yer pardon, ma’am.”
She inclined her head and nodded. “No offense taken. I’m sure he’s been called worse long before this day.”
Jim started to speak but his eyes flew to the doorway and everyone turned to see what he was looking at.
Red Wolf and Mountain Rose stood there, holding each other’s hands. Their faces were filled with shy curiosity and a bit of fear. “Can we come in?” Mountain Rose asked quietly.
Darlene motioned for them to come and they walked slowly past Euan and John, staring at them. Jim got up and placed their booster seats for them while Darlene asked if they wanted anything to eat or drink.
“Could I have a glass of orange juice?” asked Red Wolf.
“Me, too,” said Mountain Rose.
As their grandmother fixed their juice, the twins and Euan studied one another. Finally Red Wolf stated, “You’re our daddy.”
Euan nodded. “Aye, son, I’m yer da.”
The boy’s eyes searched Euan’s face as he pondered for a moment. Then he asked, “Where were you, Daddy? Didn’t you want us?”
Euan couldn’t help the tear that escaped from his eye nor did he wipe it away as it ran down his cheek. What the hell could he say in response? That he’d been a stupid bastard? That was the truth of it, though. Anything else would be a lie, so he thought how he might word it in a way that was appropriate for children to hear. With a sigh he replied, “Grownups do some verra stupid things and I was verra, verra stupid, lad.”
“Oh,” Red Wolf said, still studying Euan’s face. “You talk funny.”
“I’m a Scotsman, lad. This is hoo we a’ talk o’er there.”
There was an awkward silence for a moment or two before Jim spoke. “I guess we’ve forgotten our manners in all the doings today. Mountain Rose, Red Wolf, this is Mr. Euan Wallace and Mr. John MacQueen. Mr. Wallace, Mr. MacQueen, these are our grandchildren, Mountain Rose and Red Wolf Hawken.”
John reached his long arm across the table and shook hands with each child. “I’m verra pleased t’ meet ye,” he said with a broad, friendly grin.
The children smiled shyly and Mountain Rose giggled. “Your arms are furry,” she noted. “Are you part bear?”
Darlene started to scold her but John la
ughed and said, “Och, aye, m’ wee lassie tha’ I am but ye’ve nae need t’ be afeart o’ me!”
Euan gave John an irritated look and said, “I’ll thank ye t’ nae be tellin’ m’ daughter such nonsense, MacQueen.”
“And I’ll thank ye t’ nae be such an auld mon aboot havin’ a wee bit o’ fun,” John retorted. “Christ, Euan, hae ye ne’er used a bit o’ imagination?”
Euan uttered a Gaelic profanity imparting his opinion as to the contents of John’s cranium and John shook his head and took a sip of his tea. “Before ye insult my brains perhaps ye should remember who’s in this mess for lack o’ usin’ his ain,” he retorted.
Jim cleared his throat to bring the two men back to the matter at hand. Euan looked at him before returning his gaze to his children. He took in every detail of their features and noticed that they were studying him just as raptly.
Mountain Rose asked, “So you’re really our daddy?”
Euan nodded. “That I am, lass.”
“So are you gonna marry Mama?” she asked. Completely oblivious to the startled reaction of the adults, she looked intently into Euan’s eyes and waited for his response.
“Mountain Rose!” Darlene scolded. “You don’t ask grown people questions like that!”
The child looked at her grandmother and asked, “Why not? Daddies and mamas oughta be together. Maw-Maw said so.”
“Maw-Maw?” Euan repeated with a slightly confused expression.
“My mother,” Darlene said. “Folks around here are a bit old-fashioned in that regard.”
Euan looked at his daughter, thinking of what to say. Finally he replied, “I canna tell ye tha’, lass. I made a lot o’ mistakes wi’ your mathair an’ I hurt her badly.”
Mountain Rose shrugged. “So kiss and make up. That’s what Grandma and Grandpa do.”
Jim and John coughed to hide their laughter as Darlene blushed and Euan sat back in complete surprise.
“Well, Uncle Caleb and Lacie like to kiss,” Mountain Rose continued. “They lick in each other’s mouths.”
A gasp went up around the table followed by more laughter. “You better not let Uncle Caleb know you’ve been spying on them, little girl,” Jim chuckled. “He might get mad at you.”
“But why?” she asked.
“’Cause that’s grown-up stuff,” Red Wolf stated quietly.
Mountain Rose rested her cheek on her wee fist. “You’uns is all bein’ silly,” she huffed. “And I think Mama and Daddy should kiss and make up so we can be a family.”
Darlene said, “It’s just not that simple, baby. Your mama and daddy have a lot of problems between them. It might take a while before they can work things out, and sometimes people just can’t get it together and they have to live apart. They can still be your mama and daddy and love you even if they don’t love each other.”
Red Wolf looked at Euan. “Do you love Mama?” he asked.
Euan choked on his tea. His mind jumped around like a sack of frogs as he sputtered and tried to get his throat clear. His son’s eyes never left his and Euan felt the boy reading him like a book. When he could talk he nodded, “Aye, I love yer mathair, lad. But she doesna love me. Na’ anymore. It’s a cross I’ll hae t’ bear.”
Mountain Rose piped up. “Mama loves you, Daddy. But she’s awful mad at you.”
Euan was floored. These two looked like wee bairns but spoke as if they were nearly grown. He had heard stories of changelings all his life and was beginning to think that there might have been some truth to the old tales of immortal beings switched with mortal bairns. Good lord, what old souls these two were to have so much more sense than their parents!
Callie woke up after having slept for what seemed like hours. Her head hurt and she felt shaky. She had to think of where she was and realized that she was in her parents’ quarters at the lodge, on the sofa. She had cried herself into an exhausted sleep.
Her children! Where were they? Oh dear God, Euan had found her!
She leapt up and stumbled as her equilibrium tried to catch up with her. It was nearly dark outside. She felt her way to the door and stepped out into the hall. The lights were on in the kitchen so she headed down the hall. There were voices - her parents and siblings, her children, and two foreign voices.
Euan and John were still there. With her children! Fear clutched her chest and made her movements jerky as she pushed herself to get to her babies.
When Callie stumbled into the kitchen, she found those assembled, including Layla and Eli, eating supper. The smell of venison stew and cornbread filled the air. Her stomach flipped over and she thought for a moment that she was going to throw up.
“Mama, are you sick?” Mountain Rose asked. “You look awful!” The child had absolutely no tact. Yet more proof that she was indeed Callie’s child.
No one else said anything but they all saw how poorly Callie looked. Her eyelids were swollen and her nose and eyes were red from crying. Her face was pale and pinched and her hair looked as if it hadn’t been combed at all that day. She swayed as she stood, still shaky and a bit dizzy.
She saw Euan and gave him a filthy look. Jim got up, walked over, and gave her a hug. “Feel like eating, baby girl?” he asked.
“I’m your baby girl!” Mountain Rose interjected.
“She was my baby girl first,” Jim replied. “Still is.”
“Then me,” Layla noted. “You’re third in line to the throne, Rosie-Posie.”
“I’m Mountain Rose!” the child insisted.
“Rosie-Posie puddin’-n-pie, smacked the boys and made them cry…” chanted Eli and Layla.
“Just stop,” Callie mumbled as Jim guided her to the table to sit by Mountain Rose.
Euan was seated between his children and had been getting acquainted with them. He had learned that Red Wolf had been named by Jim’s aunt, who had dreamed of Callie holding and petting a red wolf the night before the children were born. Mountain Rose had been named for her mother’s favorite flower, which had also been in the dream. They had been born three weeks early, weighing about six pounds each, and Mountain Rose was the elder by a few minutes. They could already read second-grade books, count to one hundred, and add and subtract. Their mama read to them every night, and Maw-Maw sang them old-timey Mountain songs.
They had dogs, cats, horses, goats, cows, and chickens and turkeys too. They had friends among the wild critters and there was an owl that would fly over to perch near their mama in the early evenings before he went hunting. And there were Mama’s wolves that lived up in the woods but spent some of the time at their cabin playing with the dogs and Fugly.
They were delighted to find out that Euan was a farmer just like Papa. “I think he’ll like you, Daddy,” Mountain Rose opined cheerfully. “Papa can look in people’s hearts. Mama says he knows people better’n they know themselves.”
Darlene dished out a small bowl of stew for Callie, serving it with a slice of cornbread. Callie felt queasy and looked it. Mountain Rose put a hand on her mother’s arm and patted it, and then smiled up at Callie when she turned to look at her. “Eat some, Mama,” she said. “You’ll feel all better!”
Callie wasn’t so sure. She felt like death warmed over and her head hurt so bad that she was sure it was going to pop off her shoulders. She picked at her food.
There were a few minutes of awkward silence before Darlene restarted the dinner conversation by asking Euan how long he was planning on staying. He wiped his mouth and replied, “I hae a tourist visa for six months. After tha’, I doona ken wha’ I’ll do.”
Jim took a bite of his cornbread. “Well since you came to get to know your children, you can stay here if you don’t mind working for your keep.”
Callie choked on a spoonful of stew and began coughing violently. Darlene pounded her back and told her to drink some tea. Callie shot Euan a malevolent glare.
Euan looked at Callie, his eyes full of concern, before answering Jim. “I appreciate tha’, sir,” he said. “Will John be w
elcomed as well? He’s fit braw tae do joost aboot anythin’.”
“I think we can arrange something,” Darlene said. “When hunting season ends we won’t get too many guests until spring rolls around, so winter’s when we do most of our repairs and renovations. I’m not sure we can offer y’all much of a wage but I can guarantee room and board.”
John spoke up. “I’m only here for the three weeks. I hae tae return tae m’ job, Euan. Anyhoo,” he said, looking intently at his friend, “ye’re guine tae need a bit o’ privacy an’ I’d just be in the way.”
“Are ye sure?” Euan asked. “Ye ken I’d appreciate yer support?”
“Certain for aye,” John replied. “Besides, ye need a pair o’ eyes back home tae watch o’er yer business and keep track o’ yer parents. God knows ye doona want them muckin’ this up for ye.”
Jim nodded. “That makes sense, Euan,” he said. “You need to concentrate on the reason you came here.”
Callie stood up to leave the table, swayed, and fainted. Mountain Rose screamed, “Mama!” and began to cry.
Euan’s arm shot out to catch Callie before she hit the floor and he held her while Darlene examined her. “Will she be alright?” he asked.
Darlene felt of her forehead and the nape of her neck. “I think today has been too much of a shock for her,” she said. “Let’s get her up to one of the guest rooms. A good night’s sleep should make her feel better.”
Darlene led the way as Euan carried Callie. Jim soothed his grandchildren’s fears by explaining that their mother wasn’t feeling very well and needed some rest. Caleb came in the back door and asked if he’d missed anything. Jim brought him up to date as he, Eli, and Caleb checked on the stock, making sure that the hen house was closed up as well. Darlene settled John and Euan in a couple of rooms, Jim locked up, and everyone turned in for the night.