Bound by Blood (Cauld Ane Series) (24 page)

Payton pointed to a ring and grinned. “What about that one?”

“No. Too much.”

Sam continued to walk the length of the counter and then, as though it was written in the stars, a ring caught her eye. Celtic knots were woven around the band, coming together to cradle a princess-cut diamond in white gold. “May I see that one, please?” she asked.

“Lovely choice. The center diamond is three-point-nine-five-carats and is as close to perfect as they get. No inclusions, brilliant color, and cut for maximum sparkle.” The clerk pulled it out and after giving it a quick polish, handed it to her. Sam slipped it on her finger and her heart began to slam against her chest.

Sweetheart? What
are
you doing?

Kade sounded curious and somewhat amused.

Sam took a deep breath and smiled.
Nothing, honey.

Why do you sound like the cat that swallowed the canary?

I have no idea. Go back to your meeting.

“It’s beautiful, Sam,” Payton said.

She nodded and studied it for a few seconds before sliding it off and handing it back to the salesman. “Thank you.”

He put it back in the case. “Is there anything else you’d like to look at?”

Sam shook her head.

“Are you sure?” Payton asked. “What about a wedding ring for Kade?”

“You are too much, Payton McFadden.”

She grinned. “Come on, there’s more to see.”

Sam perused the men’s rings and groaned when she found one that was similar to the one she’d tried on. A thick platinum band with Celtic knots wrapping around the ring.

“Oh, Sam. It’s like it was meant to be.”

“
Payton
. Enough with the finagling.” Sam chuckled. “We should get Fiona.”

The attendant gave her a nod and moved to assist another customer while Sam and Payton made their way back to Fiona. She showed them the watch and then let the owner of the shop wrap it before setting it safely in her purse. “Ready?”

Sam nodded. “Yes.”

Just as they stepped out of the store, her phone rang. Kade’s name came up on the screen.

“Hi.”

“Hi yourself. You’re not having too much fun without me, are you?” he asked.

Sam giggled. “Absolutely.”

“Hmm. Maybe I should meet you. I miss you terribly.”

“Me too, but I have to go. You have work to do and I have shopping to get back to.”

“I love you.”

Sam smiled. “Same here, honey.”

Sam hung up and was led into store after store as they made their way up The Mile to Edinburgh Castle. Lunchtime approached, so Fiona suggested they stop at a restaurant before continuing their trek.

As they waited for their table, Sam let out a quiet squeal when strong arms wrapped around her waist and warm lips connected with her cheek. “Góðan dag, fallegur.”

“Hi.” She grinned up at Kade. “What are you doing here?”

“We decided we couldn’t survive the rest of the day without you,” he said.

“We?”

He nodded toward the front door. Angus and Brodie were greeting Fiona and Payton.

Samantha squeezed Kade’s hand. “Are Payton and Brodie…you know?”

“It’s complicated.”

“Well, you can explain it to me later, then.”

He chuckled. “Can’t wait.”

“You don’t need to worry about me, you know.” Sam slid a hand around his waist. “But I am glad you’re here.”

He kissed her temple. “Are you sure you’re having a good time?”

“I am. Your sister’s a blast and Payton is beyond sweet.”

He smiled. “Are you still tired?”

“Yes, evil one. I am. I could use another dose of coffee.”

“Good thing we’re in a restaurant, then.”

“You’re on fire today, honey.”

Kade chuckled. “Are you sure you won’t come with me tonight?”

“I have a date with a feather bed and comforter. You’re on your own,” she said. “But if you want to call me when you get home, I might let you say goodnight.”

“How generous.”

Sam giggled. “I know. You’re a very lucky man.”

He swept her hair away from her face and ran his fingers through it. “I loved waking up with you.”

She gave him a gentle squeeze. “Mmm. Me too.”

“Our table’s ready, lovebirds,” Fiona said. “If you could stop making googly eyes at each other for five minutes, we can actually sit down.”

The host led the group to the table and Sam smiled when the men seated the women. Sam took her seat, wishing Kade wasn’t at the head of the table. She would have liked to have been sitting next to him, close enough to lean against him and sleep. She stifled a yawn and ordered a triple espresso before staring down at the menu.

Conversation swirled around the table as they waited for their food. Sam leaned forward and reached for Kade’s hand under the table. He gave hers a gentle squeeze. “What?”

She smiled. “I’m just hoping this connection we have works to wake me up.”

* * *

Samantha sat in Kade’s living room and surfed through the limited choices of television stations. The shopping excursion wrapped up after the ladies had dinner and she’d been delivered back home to sleep. She managed almost four hours before being awakened by Kade when his dinner was over.

Now she sat in her favorite chair and waited for him to open a bottle of wine. She changed the channel and landed on the local news. What she wasn’t expecting was to see Kade’s face flash across the screen.

“Are you kidding me?” Sam sat stunned, her mouth gaping open.

“Well, ladies, it appears Scotland’s richest bachelor may be off the market soon,”
the news reporter reported.
“Dr. Kade Gunnach was seen leaving the Royal McGregor, his arm wrapped around a mysterious brunette, along with his brother Brodie and sister Fiona.”

A photo of Samantha walking next to Kade came up on the screen. She hit the pause button. “Kade?” she called.

“Yes, love?”

“Um, we’re on TV.”

He emerged from the kitchen, a wine bottle and two glasses in his hands. “What do you mean?”

She pointed to the screen with the remote and pressed play again. “Look.”

Kade set the bottle and glasses on the coffee table and sat on the sofa.

“
An anonymous source tells us the lady is a new researcher working for Gunnach Pharmaceutical. We haven’t learned her name yet, but we will. She was also seen earlier in the morning leaving our favorite wee jewelry store with Fiona Gunnach and Payton McFadden. Will there be a wedding soon? It’s the question of the hour, and you’ll hear it here first.
”

Video of the group emerging from the restaurant played and then a close-up of Kade leaning down to kiss Samantha.

Kade swore and pulled his phone from his pocket. “Hi, Con. Yeah, I’m watching it now. Find out how the hell these vultures know anything about Samantha.”

Sam laid her hand on Kade’s leg. His irritation ebbed a bit, but his voice stayed forceful as he spoke with Connall about the current predicament. When he hung up, Samantha took his phone from him and laid it on the table.

He tried to grab for it. “I need to call Ali.”

She shook her head. “No. You’re freaking out about nothing. Did we or did we not go to a public restaurant and kiss on a public street?”

“Not the point.”

She laughed. “Uhhh…kind of is the point.”

“We have privacy laws in this country, and the damn press is stepping over the line.”

“I didn’t realize you were famous.”

He snorted. “We’re wealthy. We can’t escape it, I’m afraid.”

Rising from the chair, Sam straddled his lap and balanced her hands on his shoulders. “Well, I’ll just make sure I’m wearing something fabulous next time I go out in public. My hair was a mess!”

“You could go out in a sack and afro and you’d still be the prettiest lass in Scotland.”

She kissed him. “I wonder if all the other women in Scotland know what a charmer you are. I don’t relish the competition for your affection.”

He flipped her so she was under him on the couch. “You have no competition, love. There will never be anyone else for me.” He kissed her deeply and Sam smiled in vindication. Kade was effectively distracted from his vendetta.

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

SATURDAY MORNING ARRIVED and Sam felt like she was ten and heading to Disneyworld. She practically ripped the door off the hinges when Kade knocked. He gave her a quick kiss and then stepped inside. “I can feel your excitement.”

“Shoot.” Sam wrinkled her nose. “I was hoping to appear bored. Make you work hard at entertaining me.”

Kade laughed. “I’ll still work hard to entertain you, love. Have no fear. Where’s your bag?”

“By the sofa.”

Kade wheeled her large suitcase to the door. “Do you have bricks in here?”

Sam shrugged. “Shoes.”

“Of course you have shoes.”

“Now you sound like Pepper. Her philosophy is one pair tennies, one pair dressy, and riding boots.”

“Riding boots? Really?”

“Yep. Even in the middle of the city…any city. If there’s a horse in the vicinity, she’ll figure out a way to ride it.” Sam followed Kade into the hallway, locking her apartment before they headed to the elevators. “No luggage?” she asked.

He smiled. “It’s already in the car.”

Sam pulled on her coat and gloves. “Ah, so I’m not the only one excited for our vacation, hmm?”

He laughed. “I’ve been on pins and needles for days.”

He led her to the garage and settled her bag in the trunk. Sam waited for him to let her in the front seat.

“Are you planning on driving?” he asked.

“Oh, right.” She laughed. “I don’t know if I’ll ever get used to the steering wheel being on the
wrong
side of the car.”

She went around the car and he grinned, opening the passenger door for her.

“Where’s my faithful watchdog today?” she asked as she slipped inside. “I’m surprised Alasdair’s not driving.”

“Both of those responsibilities fall to me while we’re on holiday.”

“Aren’t you lucky?”

“I think so. For so many reasons.” He closed her door and made his way to the driver’s side. “Ready?”

“Absolutely.”

* * *

Kade glanced at Samantha, who’d fallen asleep an hour into their trip. He lowered the music and focused back on the road. He’d driven this road for years, but it still wasn’t lost on him the ease of traveling by car rather than horse.

As he entered Gunnach land, his heart grew peaceful. Even when he felt all was right with the world, when he came home, he was always glad to be there. He didn’t come home nearly enough, but now that he’d found his mate, he felt it would be a good idea to change that.

He laid his hand on Sam’s thigh and focused back on the road. Her small hand covered his and he turned his head.

She smiled sleepily. “How long have I been asleep?”

“Not long.”

“Are we close?”

He nodded. “We’re on Gunnach land now, so about thirty minutes or so.”

“It’s so beautiful here.” Sam turned and took in the scenery. “The gray with the misting rain makes me feel like I’m in a romantic movie.”

“Or a horror film.”

She laughed. “Nah, I’ve got my guy next to me. Definitely romantic.”

“Isn’t the couple in love usually the first ones to die?”

“Only if they’re naked.”

Kade laughed as he linked his fingers with hers. “I wouldn’t be opposed to that idea.”

Sam sighed. “Don’t tempt me. I’m already ignoring my upbringing.”

“Oh? How so?”

“No staying overnight with a man and no going on trips with him until you’re engaged,” she said mimicking the voice of an old woman.

“Based on Thursday night alone, you really
have
ignored your upbringing.”

“Damn skippy.” She grinned and focused on the landscape again. White fencing came into view and horses grazed in the open fields. “Pepper will love this.”

“That’s the road leading to Connall’s place. Those are a few of his mares.”

“They’re beautiful.”

“I’m sure he’d love to give you a tour.” He lifted her hand to his lips and kissed her palm. “As we drive over this hill, you’ll be able to see my house.”

Sam shifted in her seat and watched as Kade guided the car over the ridge and the magnificence of his home came into view.

“Kade!” Sam exclaimed, and smacked his leg. “You didn’t tell me it’s a freaking castle!”

Kade chuckled. “I wanted to surprise you.”

The car phone rang and Kade pressed the button to answer.

“Welcome home, my lord,” came the male voice.