HauntedLaird (13 page)

Ian wrapped something tightly around the tip of his arrow
then dipped it in the fire that was devouring the end of the pier.

“Ian, we need ta go before they get here,” Gavin pointed out
sternly as he held one of the car doors open.

The others were already in their respective cars with the
exception of the man, who was beside Ian. Struan stood behind Gavin, watching Ian.
Padon stopped to watch his
brathair
, but didn’t let go of Lynn’s hand as
they waited beside the car Gavin had told them to get in. Ned sat behind the
wheel with the car cranked and ready to go. Lynn smiled at Ned when he leaned
out the window and yelled, “Hurry up, lad, and be done with ’em. We don’t have
all night. I be needing me a stiff one.”

“As do I,
m’cariad
,” Ian called out as he winked at
Izzy then positioned the arrow in the bowstring. Izzy grinned and slid into the
driver’s seat of her car. Lynn felt heat in her cheeks again at the blatant
meaning in his words and his actions. But she couldn’t stop the tingle in her
nipples at the hope of a stiff one from Padon later,
if
she were lucky.

Ian aimed at the dot that seemed to have now stalled on the
water about a hundred yards out. It appeared to her as if it were an impossible
shot. She held her breath as the arrow flew straight and true. It didn’t miss.
The boat lit up like a bonfire. Screams echoed across the water but they
couldn’t tell from that distance if anyone dove overboard.

Ian spun on his heels and ran toward Izzy’s waiting car as
he shouted to the man running beside him. “Ye were right. Ye did get some o’
the fuel in the boat.”

Chapter Thirteen

It seemed like a whirlwind had captured her and spun her
around for the rest of the night. It took them several hours to travel to
Castle MacKinnon where Gavin’s wife Ericka greeted them at the door. Gavin
hugged her as if he hadn’t seen her for days even though it had only been a
matter of hours. And when he turned to introduce her, it was obvious she was
pregnant. Standing behind her with his arm protectively around her waist and
his hand on her belly, Gavin introduced her to his brother.

“Padon, this is mi wife, Ericka.” He grinned as he rubbed
her tummy. “And this be our child.”

Red graced Ericka’s cheeks and Lynn thought that was
adorable. Even though she knew her husband intimately, she still blushed. Padon
took a knee at Ericka’s feet and fisted his hand over his heart.

“I vow ta protect the new lady o’ Castle MacKinnon with mi
life.” A knot formed in Lynn’s throat at the conviction in his voice.

The petite auburn-haired beauty cupped Padon’s cheek.
“Welcome home, Padon. I appreciate your honorable gift. But things are
different now. We live here together as one big happy family. No one rules the
other. If anyone is head of this household, it’s Aunt May.” She smiled and her
green eyes seemed to brighten behind her glasses. “I’m sure she’s going to love
hearing that you are home safe.” She looked past Padon and said, “Please come
in. I’m sure you’re all probably hungry and I know a couple of people who’d
love to hear your tale.”

“That be a mighty fine offer, Ericka,” Thicket MacIntyre
replied. “But the society be having an emergency meeting at Grant’s Tavern. We
just wanted ta see him safely home before leaving.”

Travis handed Lynn her rental car keys. “I’ll come by
tomorrow with your things. I take it you’ll be staying here?” He directed the
question at Padon instead of Lynn.

Lynn didn’t get the chance to answer. Padon held his hand
out to Travis. “Thank ye,
m’cariad
. Lynn be staying here for as long as
she likes.” He turned to Fin and shook his hand as well.

She hugged Travis first. His whispered words caught her off
guard but warmed her heart. “I thank you for all you have done for me. Without
your help, I’d still be living a nightmare cursed by a haunted laird.”

He pressed a kiss to her cheek and heat skittered up her
neck to her face. Lynn cupped his cheek. “It is I who thank you. It was you who
took me on an adventure of a lifetime and gave me the sweetest reward of all.
Friendship.”

Travis took her hands in his. “Lass, having you as my friend
be golden.” He hugged her tight then released her and walked toward the waiting
van.

Fin gave her a tight hug.

“Thank you for everything,” Lynn said. “I’ll see you both
tomorrow.”

“You can count on it.” Fin grinned then whispered low so
only she would hear, “You are a perfect match for the MacKinnon, my friend. Let
the heart guide you and your spirit shall be free.” With a wink, he turned and
headed for the van.

Lynn couldn’t help but smile at his beautiful words. Those
two were a magnificent couple. Both were strong characters with hearts of pure
gold and she wouldn’t trade anything for their friendship. But was Fin right?
Was she a perfect match for Padon?

After the men left, Ericka led the way into the castle. Lynn
couldn’t help but stop and admire a huge tapestry that hung in the main
hallway. Seven brothers stood behind three women who sat on a bench in a
garden. Each of the men bore resemblances to one another and varied in heights
and ages. It took her no time to recognize Padon. He was the most handsome of
all as far as she was concerned.

The heat of his breath near her ear sent a chill down her
neck as he spoke. “That be mi family many years ago.” He pointed out Gavin, Ian
and Struan, whom she recognized. He told her the women were his sister, Akira,
Gavin’s first wife Tavia and his father’s second wife Siusan. The other three
men were his brothers, Aiden and the twins, Donnell and Dour, who were still
missing. Their statues had not been located. She sighed sadly.

Padon’s fingers touched her chin and she met his eyes.
Determination shone within them and sounded in his tone. “Don’t ye worry, mi
wee one. We shall find them and bring them home.”

“Glad ye feel that way, mi
brathair
,” Ian said as he
clamped a hand down on Padon’s shoulder. “Step into the library and we shall
catch ye up on the hunt for the others.”

They walked through the doorway and entered one of the most
beautiful libraries she’d ever seen in a person’s home. Come to think of it, it
was the only library she’d ever seen inside a home. Three walls were lined with
shelves of books. On one of those walls a gorgeous fireplace was in the center
and separated the bookshelves. The fourth wall was filled with windows and a
set of double doors. In the middle of the room were two couches facing each
other with a large coffee table between them. On either end of the coffee table
sat large winged-back chairs that matched the leather couches.

Several stands with dry-erase boards and assorted other
items were placed about the room. Two tables sat on the opposite side of the
room with a couple of stacks of books and notepads on them. A huge map hung
from a stand in front of one of the bookshelves. Stickpins dotted it with
color. It was obvious to Lynn this was the room where they gathered to search
for the missing brothers.

Struan introduced a gorgeous woman named Caledonia as his
fiancée. She had long jet-black hair pulled in a ponytail and the oddest shade
of blue eyes Lynn had ever seen. A short round woman with gray hair came into
the room carrying a tray of goodies. Ericka introduced her as Margaret who
worked as the housekeeper of the castle and was married to Ned. Lynn really
liked Margaret’s motherly attitude as she swept about the room, making everyone
comfortable.

A flash of light beamed into the room. An ethereal beauty
floated in front of Padon. Long red hair flowed to her waist and brilliant green
eyes stared from a face of pure porcelain. And when she spoke, her voice was
soft and her brogue had an alluring lilt.

“It be good ta see ye home, Padon.”

“Mi
brathairs
told mi ye be a ghost, mi
piuthar
,
but it took seeing ye with mi own eyes ta believe it.” Tears shimmered in his
eyes and Lynn’s heart melted. It had to hurt him to see his only sister as a
ghost.

“Nay, don’t ye shed a tear for mi, Padon.” Her transparent
hand cupped Padon’s cheek and she smiled. “I have waited a long time for ye ta
return. It be time ta celebrate, not linger in thy past over things that can no
be changed. We have three more ta find and free. Are ye with us?”

“Aye,” Padon stated clearly without hesitation. “I be with
ye for eternity, mi
piuthar
.”

“And who be this lovely lady?” Akira asked as she floated to
face Lynn.

“She be mi wee one, Lynn Woodberry o’ Texas,” Padon answered
as he stepped to Lynn’s side. “Lynn, this be mi
piuthar
, Akira.”

Meeting Akira had Lynn bursting internally with questions,
but she chose to be polite and hold off on her inquiry about the afterlife
until another time. Tonight was about Padon reuniting with his family. But she
couldn’t help but notice Akira’s eyebrow arched when he called her his wee one.
She wasn’t even sure if Padon realized he did it.

“It’s nice to meet you, Akira,” Lynn said politely.

“And ye as well. Lynn, ye are welcome. Please sit. We have
so much ta learn o’ how Padon was released.” Akira smiled and Lynn relaxed, but
not completely.

She noted Akira shot the other women in the room a knowing
gaze that they seemed to return. What was that about? Were they making fun of
her somehow and if so why? What had she done? Lynn shook off the overactive
thoughts and tossed them aside as her being too tired to think clearly. These
women weren’t making fun of her. She tried to convince herself, but something
hinted they were up to something so she decided she’d cautiously watch and see
if it happened again.

She took a seat on the couch beside Ericka. Unfortunately,
May was not home. She was in London following a lead for what she hoped were
the missing twins’ statues. From what she’d heard of this Aunt May from Gavin
and Struan on the ride to the castle, the woman was worth meeting and spending
time getting to know. Lynn hoped she got the opportunity before she had to
return to Texas. In the world of spiritual dalliances, Aunt May seemed to be an
expert and it would be a shame not to speak with her.

Lynn found it odd that whenever she or Padon mentioned the
curse and how to break it completely, no one gave them a straight answer. Or if
they had, maybe she was simply too exhausted to comprehend it from their
cryptic clues. They seemed so nice and welcoming that she was certain she
misunderstood their evasiveness as a tiny matter of trust for her. After all,
they’d just met. They really didn’t know her. Maybe once they did, things would
change. If not, then hopefully they’d at least tell Padon.

Several times throughout the evening, she noted the
look
passed between the women and it began to weigh on her frayed nerves. Lynn
breathed deep and tried desperately to convince herself that she imagined the
look
but insecurity dug in, planting a seed that something was going on, no matter
what she wanted to believe.

She sat back, focused on the brothers and enjoyed the
sibling rivalry between them and let them squash her suspicions. They made her
laugh and soon she forgot all about the strange
look
she thought had
occurred between the women. Love and family togetherness filled the room and
warmed her to her toes. This was something she missed. With her sister’s
family, she knew she was loved and a big part of their lives, but when she
returned home from her visits with them, she was very much alone. Lynn breathed
deep, determined not to dwell on herself. This was Padon’s homecoming.

Besides, she’d called her sister when she arrived and filled
her in on the minor details, leaving out much of the story—the kidnapping, the
almost falling to her death, the finding a ghost and then partially freeing a
two-hundred-plus-year-old man from an ancient curse. That was a tale she needed
to tell in person. As far as her sister was concerned, she was staying at a
castle with a group of wonderful people for the rest of her visit. It had been
enough to satisfy her sister and halt her concerns about not being able to
contact her over the last few days.

For the rest of the evening, she let Padon’s family
entertain her with stories of their youth. It was easier to relax and let go
when the
look
stopped or at least she didn’t notice it anymore. Margaret
kept the nibbles and drinks flowing until everyone was full. A few hours before
daybreak, Padon took Lynn’s hand as they disbanded for the evening.

He led her to his wing of the castle. The beauty of the
castle astounded her. Once they ascended the staircase and entered the sitting
room of his tower, he stopped, pulled her into his arms and kissed her.

“I have been waiting ta do that all night,” he whispered
against her lips.

“Me too,” Lynn replied. She couldn’t look anywhere but at
Padon’s gorgeous gaze. Lust heated the air between them.

Padon scooped her into his arms and strode directly into the
bedchamber. An overly large bed sat across the room. The ornately carved
headboard seemed to cover most of that wall. A thick white eyelet blanket
covered the bed and matching pillows leaned against the headboard. His eyebrow
arched as he looked around.

“Seems a woman has decorated since mi last rest in mi
bedchamber.”

Lynn laughed. “I like it. It’s pretty.”

“It be womanly,” Padon huffed. She noted he rubbed his feet
in the carpet, staring down at it as if it were a foreign substance.

She laid her palm against his cheek and turned his attention
back to her. “Do you want to learn about the décor or enjoy your last few hours
of this night in my arms on that bed?”

His face split with a great big grin. “I like the way mi wee
one thinks.”

When he headed toward the bed, she redirected him to an open
door off to the left of the room. His brows pursed but he did as she suggested.
Once he entered the bathroom she had him put her down. She kicked off her
sandals, leaving them by the door. He stood staring in wonder at the room, but
held his questions when she turned to face him and reached for his kilt.

She smiled as she tackled the task of removing his kilt,
which was still slightly damp from his earlier swim. She tsked at him. “Why
didn’t you change out of this wet thing?”

He shrugged as he stood still, watching her undress him. He
toyed with a tangle of curls, bushing them from her eyes. “It no bothered mi.
It be the only clothing I own.”

“Well, you won’t be needing it tonight.” She loosened it and
wiggled it free of his hips, letting it glide down his legs to pool at his
feet.

It didn’t surprise her Padon was true to his kilt. Though
she hadn’t actually noticed anything but his cock once he’d undressed before
entering the waterfall, she wasn’t sure until now that not a stitch of clothing
was beneath it. His cock stood proud for her inspection but she couldn’t move.
Naked he was the most amazing man she’d ever seen. Strength flowed seamlessly
through every muscle, every well-defined line from his chest and shoulders all
the way down his abdomen and legs to his toes and seemed to culminate along one
phenomenal pinnacle of male anatomy—his cock.

Padon took her hands in his, lifted them to his lips then
kissed the insides of each of her wrists. The delicate touch of his kisses was
extremely sensual, sending heat coursing through her veins. The look in his
eyes stole her breath. Promises of pleasure danced in those deep blue-greens,
igniting a fire of need in her core that only he could extinguish.