by L. L. Muir
Liam shuddered. “Dinnae worry, I willnae.”
She giggled. “I can see I’m going to have a lot to answer for. Just send me your therapy bills.”
He didn’t respond.
She was really starting to feel guilty. “You should know that even though sharks are scary and have roamed the seas for millions of years, and though tons of people get in the oceans to swim, there are probably only a few attacks a year. For the most part, sharks let humans be.”
“I’ll not be gettin’ in the ocean to find out.”
She snuggled into her blankets. “So you don’t want to take scuba lessons, so you can get in the shark tank?”
“Nae, but I wouldn’t mind takin’ a look at them from a safe distance.”
“We will. So, if no one in Scotland talks about sharks, what do men in Scotland fear?”
“The usual.”
“Such as?”
“Brownies, changelings, we’ve heard tales of the Loch Ness monster. Selkies, fairy rings, and of course we used to be afraid of witches and ghosts, but generally are not any longer. Then of course there are the Baobhan Sith, the spunkies, the church grim. Worst of all, the banshee.”
Amber was drowsy, and enjoying his deep lulling voice. Enjoying the fact he was in the room with her. “We don’t have any of those monsters.”
“Ye’ve the sharks, and the piranhas, but what else do ye have?”
She yawned. “Well, there’s the Bogeyman. Over in Utah they have the Bear Lake Monster. There’s the Jersey Devil out of New Jersey. The Mothman in West Virginia. The Chupacabra in the Southwest. The Windego in the north. The Sasquatch, but he’s mainly in the Pacific Northwest. Other than the aliens, we don’t really have anything that scary here in Nevada. There might be some Indian monsters lurking about, but if so, I don’t know what they’re called. Other than that it’s just the general things most kids are afraid of like Monsters in the Closet or Monsters Under the Bed.”
Liam erupted in a flurry of motion as he jumped off the floor and landed on her bed. “Monsters Under the Bed?”
Amber laughed out loud. “I didn’t say there are necessarily monsters under this bed.”
“But there could be?”
“I sincerely doubt it.”
He let out a breath. “Just in case, could I stay here? We could put a pillow between us if ye dinnae trust me.”
She grabbed a pillow and placed it between them. “All right, can we go to sleep now?”
He released another breath and settled down. He pulled his quilt over himself. “Aye. I think I’ll be able to sleep now.”
A moment later he searched for her hand and found it.
Her heart melted just a little bit.
What was she going to do with this guy? Clutching his hand she snuggled down into her own pillow. She’d worry about that later. For now, she was going to enjoy holding his hand as she drifted off to sleep.
~~~
The next day Liam woke to find himself in bed alone. That didn’t sit well with him as it meant that first, he was alone, and second, Amber had apparently left the bed without him noticing.
Some guard he was turning out to be.
He quickly rose, went to the other bedroom, and dressed.
He could hear Amber in the other room and headed into the kitchen where she was making breakfast. “Good morning,” she smiled at him.
He finally relaxed. “Good morrow to ye, lass.” He found he liked waking up to her and was glad for the opportunity to do so. She was bright, cheerful, and fun to be around.
“Are you ready for another day, a new adventure?”
He leaned against the counter. “What do ye have planned?”
“It’s cleaning day!”
“We’re to clean?” He didn’t like that at all. He wished to do something fun with her again. “I dinnae wish to do that. I wish to do something fun.”
“Work first, play later.”
Not when Soni could show up at any time and whisk him away. Mayhap he could charm the girl into doing as he wished. He deliberately pushed his lower lip out, something that used to appeal to the ladies. “Perhaps just this once, we might play rather than clean?”
She laughed. “Oh, I’ve got your number. We’ll do the work first, and play after.”
“We could find Roger and ask him for more entertainments. We might even go see the shark tank. And Roger told me about a roller coaster, and a place with horses and jousting. I’m anxious to see all.”
She stopped wiping down the counter and looked over her shoulder. “Entertainments, you say? Okay, I’ll entertain you. Let’s play truth or dare while we get the work done.”
Liam perked up. “I’ve not played this game. Will ye teach me the rules.”
“I’ll teach you as we go. I’ll start. Truth or dare, Liam.”
“Dare.”
“Now how did I know you were going to choose that.”
He grinned at her. “Do ye see ye’re already getting to know me, lass.”
“I suppose I am. All right, I dare you to sweep the front steps and the attached deck. You’ll need to move the chairs out of the way first.”
Liam’s lips parted. “That is not much of a dare.”
“My games, my rules.”
She handed him a broom and Liam reluctantly took it. “’Tis not a very fun game.”
“You just need to learn to play.”
“’Tis my turn next?”
“It is.”
He took the broom, went outside, and set the chairs into the dirt. He excelled at games and he’d try and win this one too. He quickly swept as she instructed, put the chairs back, and eagerly went back inside. “Truth or dare, Amber.”
“Truth.”
He hadn’t thought that far ahead, assuming she would choose a dare and he could dare her to go and play games with him. She’d surprised him and he didn’t have anything ready. “Weel now, lass.” He tried to think. “Have ye, what I mean to say is,” he lifted his head as he thought of something to ask her. “Who was the man who courted ye last.”
“Derek Gaines. Okay, now it’s my turn.”
“Wait! That didnae answer my question at all.”
Her eyes gleamed. “What you mean? I answered your question exactly as it was asked.”
“But I wished to hear the details. Did ye love him? Was he good to ye? Why is he nae longer with ye?”
“Sorry, one question per turn and it’s my turn now. Truth or dare?”
He was on to her now. He knew he’d end up cleaning something if he said dare. Which of course wasn’t much of a dare at all. “Truth.”
“I know you’re from the Highlands in Scotland. How…no, why did you end up here?”
“I dinnae know.”
“You have to tell the truth!”
“I’ve lived in Scotland all my life. Just outside Balquhidder. I’m sure I drove my parents mad, but brothers as well, but my sister adored me.”
“It sounds like you loved them a lot.”
He nodded. “I did, I do. I miss them still.”
She smiled. “I envy you that. I was an only child and my mother died young. So it was just me and my dad, and although I know he loves me, his lifestyle isn’t for me. But you haven’t answered my question. Why did you end up here?”
“I suppose I ended up here because this is where the witch wanted me to be. I’ve been charged with yer care.”
“The witch? As in a wicked witch?”
He smiled. “Are ye trying to cheat? One answer per turn.”
She smiled back. “All right. We’ll get to that. Your turn.”
“Truth or dare.”
“Truth.”
His brows lowered. How was he to get her to take him anywhere if she refused to take the dare? On the other hand, he wished to know more of this Derek. “Why did yer courtship with Derek Gains end?”
“Derek and I met at the post office, and he chatted with me for a while and asked me out. He was good-looking and pers
onable, so I said yes. We arranged to meet at a nice restaurant, and he took me out to dinner. It was fun, so we set up another date. That time we decided to do the touristy thing and we went to Circus Circus and played in the arcade. We had a good time, but at the end of the date he wanted to come home with me. When I told him no, it got sort of ugly. He said he’d spent a lot of money on me and had some expectations. I paid him back the money and told him to get lost.”
Liam’s mouth tightened. “Where can I find this man?”
She laughed and finished wiping down the refrigerator. “I don’t know, try the post office.”
He glowered at her for a moment.
“Okay, my turn. Truth or dare?”
“Truth.
“Hmm. Okay, tell me about the witch.”
Liam shifted from one foot to the next. He hadn’t been told he could not tell about the happenings at Culloden Moor, but he wasn’t sure what her reaction would be if he did.
“I can see you’re thinking about lying to me. This is truth or dare, and you have to tell the truth.”
Well if he had to…
“I was killed, along with my brothers and comrades, in the battle of Culloden Moor.” He saw her eyes widened. “After we’d haunted the place for centuries, the young witch Soncerae arrived and after watching her grow from a bairn, she offered us each the opportunity to move on after performing a good deed. Ye are my good deed.”
She was smiling by the time he’d finished. “All right. If you’re not going to tell the truth, then at least you tell a good story. So, to recap, you’re a ghost, you’re here for a few days, you’re to do a good deed?”
He nodded.
“That’s your story and you’re sticking to it?”
He nodded again.
She reached out and pressed her fingers against his shoulder. “All right. But I’m going on record as saying that you’re awfully corporeal for a ghost.”
He could expound, but decided to let matters lie. “Aye. My turn?”
“Yes. But if I get inventive with the truth, it’s no one’s fault but your own.”
He thought to protest as he wished to know her better, but decided to wait and see what she’d say. Should he ask her more questions about the men who’d courted her? He considered why he wanted to know and decided to get straight to the heart of the matter. “Have ye ever loved a man? One who wasnae related to ye?”
She stopped sweeping the kitchen floor and her eyes brightened. “I don’t know. I mean, I guess yesterday I would’ve said no. But today,” she shrugged. “Maybe a little bit?”
His breath stilled. Was she saying what he thought she was saying? He moved a step forward, and as he did, she did as well. His breath caught and before he’d realized his intent, he pulled her into his arms and kissed her.
Sensation exploded between them and her soft mouth was like velvet against his. He shouldn’t be doing this, he knew he shouldn’t, this wasn’t what he’d been sent for. He wasn’t here to fulfill his own wants and desires. But this girl did things to him. After being dead for 270 years, having her in his arms was like a dream come true.
She might be falling for him?
He was falling hard as well.
He was only to be there for another day or so, so did this kiss truly matter? He couldn’t believe she could fall in love with him in so short a period of time, so he didn’t think he could actually hurt Amber. It was just a kiss. Another adventure. A sweet memory to take with him wherever he was to go next. Mayhap he’d leave her with some warm recollections, as well.
He pulled away and gazed down at her soft expression. He barely stopped himself from pulling her close again.
She was growing fond of him and he definitely returned the emotion.
While he was here, for whatever time remained to him, he could protect her as was his charge, but why not court her as well?
CHAPTER NINE
There was a knock on the door and, heart pounding, Amber hurried to answer it. What was she doing flirting with this guy? Implying she was falling in love with him? Was she? She released a breath. That was a question for another day.
She opened the door to find Roger and Velma standing there. “Do you two have any desire to go downtown today?”
“What for?”
Roger, his arm tight about Velma’s shoulder, beamed. “We just might need some witnesses.”
Velma squealed and clapped her hands.
Amber’s eyes widened. “Are you kidding me? You’re getting married today? You’re actually doing it?”
Amber felt Liam come up behind her and she blushed.
Roger gave Velma another squeeze. “We’ve known this has been coming for a long time and last night we sat down to set a date and decided, why wait?” He gave Liam a man-to-man look. “So today it is.”
Amber smiled. “You guys are wild and crazy.”
“Yes, yes we are.” Roger smiled down at Velma.
“Do you want to come inside?”
“We have to finish getting ready.” Velma grinned from ear to ear and wore more makeup than usual and her hair was puffed high and sported purple streaks.
“Where are you getting married?”
“The Graceland Chapel, of course.” Roger’s grin widened. “We’re from Las Vegas, where else would we get married, baby.”
“We want both you and Liam to attend if you can?” Velma smiled shyly.
Amber glanced over her shoulder. “Liam? Are you up for a wedding?”
“That I am.”
She knew Liam wanted to go somewhere and considered whether it was safe to leave her place, but decided with Liam at her side, and surrounded by crowds, they should be just fine. “What time is the ceremony?”
“We called, and they said to just come on down and they’ll fit us in.”
“Do you have a dress?”
Velma nodded. “I do. It was my mother’s and fits like it was made for me.”
“All right, we’ll just get ready. We taking the bus?”
“Yes!” Roger was bright with happiness. “We get a limousine ride afterward.”
“What time?”
“We’ll meet you at the bus stop in thirty minutes.”
After she shut the door she glanced at Liam. “It looks like you’re going to get to wear your suit after all.”
Liam grinned. “Because I make it look good?”
She chuckled. “That’s right. You do make it look good. But when you introduce yourself, promise me you’ll say, My name is MacGregor. Liam MacGregor. Okay?”
Laughing, Liam headed down the hall and Amber blew out a long breath.
She’d just bet the guy would look good in anything.
~~~
After stepping off the bus, Roger, carrying Velma’s carefully wrapped gown, led the way to a nearby shop.
It was hot in his suit. “Where are we going?” Liam asked.
“To buy a wedding ring. Maybe two if we can afford it.”
Velma looked completely thrilled and so did Amber for that matter. They walked into a nearby building and bells jingled over the door as they made their way inside. Liam was entranced with the wares the shopkeeper had for sale.
Most of the items he didn’t recognize. There were shelves of equipment he could not fathom. But some he did. Musical instruments lined the walls, tools were set here and there, phones, cameras, televisions. He even spotted a few wedding gowns.
Roger and Velma headed directly to a glass counter and looked at the wares inside. Amber was beside them, beautiful and fresh in a pretty blue dress. Liam followed.
Many rings were displayed beneath the glass, some beautiful, some gaudy and unattractive. Roger was asking about price and, after a moment, Liam noted old coins off to one side.
He fished one of his own out of his sporran.
“Let’s just get one,” Roger said. “I’d rather get you a really nice one, and we can always buy me one later.”
“Dinnae worry about such. I’ve plenty of
money and ye should both get one.”
Roger looked up in surprise. “Hey, man. That’s generous, but I wouldn’t expect you to—”
Liam held up his hand. “I insist. I’ve money to spare, and if it’s to be a weddin’, this is my gift to ye.”
Amber smiled and warmth suffused his chest. “Shopkeeper, what think ye of this?” Liam held up the coin.
The older man took it from him, bent his head, and his thinning hair did naught to hide the shine as light from above bounced off his scalp. The man retrieved a book and glanced through it and his eyes widened as he glanced up at Liam. “I’ll give you a hundred dollars for it.”
Liam wasn’t fooled. He was a Scotsman, after all, and more canny than most. The man wanted it. Liam held out his hand. “A hundred? I suppose I’m not ready to sell.”
“Two hundred.”
Liam merely kept his hand out.
The man’s own hand clenched around the coin. “Five hundred dollars and that’s my final offer.”
Liam smiled. “I’m sure ye can do much better than that.”
Amber was looking between the two of them. “Let me see that coin book you have there.”
The merchant slammed it shut.
Amber reached forward and snatched it from beneath his open palm. “Now hand over the coin.” When the man seemed to hesitate, Amber’s eyes narrowed. “Right now.”
The shopkeeper reluctantly slid the coin across the glass to Amber. “Now, do I need to look through the book, or are you going to tell me what it’s really worth.”
The shopkeepers mouth puckered. “You can’t blame a man for trying to make a living.”
“How much is it worth?” Amber demanded.
“Fifty thousand dollars.”
Amber gaped as she turned toward Liam. “What on earth are you doing carrying that coin around with you?”
Liam shrugged. “’Twas part of my last payment from the French. That and others like it.”
Amber shook her head. “Is it me, or does money fall into your lap wherever you go?”
“It does drive my brothers to madness.”
“So you’ve always been this way? Lucky?”
“Only with funds. I told ye of Culloden Moor.”