Wild about the Witch (26 page)

Mellie finally noticed Lachlan and Piper’s absence and asked where they were. She spied Magnus kicking his legs in the playpen and picked him up.

“Is Evie here as well? I’m glad you could stay another day, but I thought you needed to get the medicine to Bella at once?”

Catie groaned forcefully at her cluelessness and told the story in a long, winding manner, completely confusing Mel and Oliver.

“Something went wrong and we’re stuck. Piper and Lach are investigating,” Quinn said, holding up his hand to quiet his sister.

They erupted into questions, and a loud thud from outside silenced them. Mellie ran to open the door to Lachlan who carried Evie in his arms like an oversized, disgruntled baby. When they were over the threshold, she punched him in the shoulder and flopped like a fish, forcing him to put her down.

“I’m fine, I’m completely fine,” she said, twin circles of pink blazing from her cheeks.

Her sweater and tips of her hair were soaked with blood, but she seemed spry enough regardless. She hurried over to Magnus, covering his face with kisses.

Piper followed them in, leaning heavily on the bar and motioning for someone to hand her a phone. “We need to get an ambulance up here.” She glared at Evie, who shook her head.

“Look, I’m texting Sam right now.” She plugged her phone into a charger and held it up, making a big show of punching out a text message. “It’ll be quicker. He can call ahead for an ultrasound, but I honestly feel great, not at all like I retched up half the blood in my body.”

“What?” Mellie squeaked.

Lizzie watched everyone gather around Evelyn, who truly looked the picture of robust health, even covered in blood. Quinn nudged her and pointed his chin at Piper, who looked unsteady and pale. Lizzie went to Piper’s side and poured her a cup of tea, while Mel wrapped her in a thick blanket.

“Are you all right?” she asked. “You look like death warmed over.”

Piper’s hand trembled as she raised the cup and nodded wearily. “I’ll be okay in a minute.”

Evie animatedly told a harrowing tale of attempted murder, magic, and more madness than Lizzie had heard since she first fell through the portal at Belmary House. Lizzie was concerned about the lack of color in Piper’s skin and her listless eyes, but after a moment, Evie’s story had her rapt.

“I thought I was dead for sure,” she said. “Rose was so strong.”

“Indeed,” Lachlan agreed. “Just a glance from her and I couldna breathe at all.” He looked proudly over everyone’s heads at Piper. “But Piper is stronger. She saved us.”

“I wish I could have seen you kick that cow into the netherworld. Stupid blood loss.” Evie shuddered. “I never felt such terrible pain. It was a blessing when I finally passed out. But Piper healed me. Tell them, Lachlan.”

Lachlan took a deep breath and let it out in a gust. “It’s difficult to explain, but it’s as if she drew out whatever Rose did. Ye could see it as it flowed away and disappeared. I wouldna believe it if I hadna been there.”

Piper smiled wanly, shrugging off their praise. “I’m glad it worked.” Her voice was barely a peep in the rambunctious room.

“Love, ye must rest. But these three need to be on their way. I worry greatly that so much time has been lost already,” Lachlan said. He seemed to notice Oliver for the first time. “Is this the English lad, then? I suppose it’s these four that need to be on their way.”

Catie started a new round of sniffling, rushing to hug Evie and the baby. Lizzie noticed when Mellie hugged Oliver though, Catie’s head nearly twirled completely around and she hurried to stand closer to him.

“Do ye think we shall be able to go now?” Quinn asked.

“Yes. It was Rose who blocked our spells,” Piper said, stepping forward. “There should be no problem now.”

She swayed on her feet. Lachlan reached for her, too late, as she crashed to the floor.

Piper heard them fluttering around her. Evie was crying, and no doubt feeling guilty. But how could either of them have known how badly it would drain her to do the healing spell? She was still amazed she’d been able to do it, but when Lachlan told her Evie was dying, she just closed her eyes and sifted through all the bits and bobs Daria left behind. She had a veritable treasure chest in her subconscious. When she’d come across the perfect thing, she’d just let it flow out of her.

She had felt herself growing weaker as Evie grew stronger, but assumed she’d recover. Every step they took back to the castle had cost her, and not even a piping hot cup of tea or their accolades could revive her. She had to admit she’d enjoyed seeing how proud they were of her, and for a moment by the lake, she’d been proud of herself.

She hoped Lachlan could get them back in time, but at the moment couldn’t remember what the big hurry was. Something to do with her. It was always something to do with her. She was sorry about all the trouble she’d caused.

Mel used her nurse voice to get everyone to back up and give her room to breathe. Sweet Lachlan didn’t know what to do, but refused to budge and kept a tight grip on her hand. The others hummed in the background. Piper wished she could have spent more time with them, got to know Quinn better. Was Lizzie good enough for him, could she make it in the past? Would Catie settle for the English boy, Oliver?

She wondered if she’d get to find out, if there really was a way to check up on loved ones from the other side. The voices sounded farther away as she drifted in and out, from darkness to light. She was going to miss them all. So much.

She hadn’t realized how stressed she’d been lately until it all began to drain away. She felt serene. Surrounded by love. Even as everyone’s voices grew fainter, she could feel their love follow her and she was glad she got to take it along. Though she could barely feel Lachlan’s hand around hers, she knew he hadn’t released his hold. She was lucky she’d found true love, wonderful friends … everything was harmonious as she began to let go. She couldn’t think of a single regret.

A stinging crack across her cheek and a shrill voice knifed through her tranquil departure. “Piper, you have to hang on. I can’t plan this damn wedding on my own.”

The wedding. The
effing
 wedding. The carriage rental people were coming on Thursday, and they had cake tasting, dress shopping, airline tickets to arrange for the people in Dilbert— all the stress came rushing back and her face hurt from being repeatedly slapped.

Holy hell, she was still alive. She batted at Evie’s hands and heard her sob with relief, but lay there hoping to recapture some of that near death peacefulness. Nope. Tethered to the earth and all its woes.

She opened her eyes and couldn’t help smiling as Lachlan pulled her hand to his mouth and kissed her dirty knuckles, as Evie’s soppy tears splashed down on her, as Mellie and Catie and the others stood hovering, all surrounded by her beloved, crumbling pile of rocks. It was never going to be easy. These people were a mess. But she didn’t mind getting dragged back, not even a little.

Lachlan carried her to the couch in her office and Mellie plied her with tea and biscuits. Evie refused to be dragged away, squishing herself onto the couch by Piper’s feet. Catie brought Magnus and sat on the rug, settling the baby on the floor in front of her.

Quinn and Lizzie popped their heads in, dragging Oliver. “We must go,” Quinn said, tipping his head apologetically at her. “We’ve tarried too long already.”

“Aye, ye’re right,” Lachlan said.

She held out her arms and waggled her fingers and Quinn rolled his eyes, but came forward for a strangling goodbye hug. Lizzie followed him and stood beside the couch. Oliver bowed his farewell, putting his arm around Mellie.

Piper heard broken record sounds in her head and swiveled to make sure she saw correctly. Not only did Oliver have both his arms around Mel’s waist, she had her head tucked against his shoulder. When the hell had this happened?

“What’s this? I thought you took him for a drive around the village?”

Evie said, “Oh, she took him for a drive, all right. They drove all night long.”

Mel turned fuschia and stepped away from him. “It’s nothing like that.”

“I shouldna think so,” Catie said, mini Ferguson death glare trained full force on Oliver.

The flustered young man rolled his shoulders awkwardly and exchanged a knowing glance with Mel. “Certainly not,” he said.

“Well, whenever ye’re ready, Oliver.” Quinn sounded put upon. “As ye are the only one of us who’s done the spell correctly, we wait upon your indulgence.”

Piper tried to pull herself off the couch to do it for them, certain she could get them to the proper time, but Lachlan placed his big hand squarely on her chest to keep her down, and Evie grabbed her ankle.

“Oliver’s quite good at it,” Lizzie jumped in to assure her. “You mustn’t exert yourself again so soon.”

“Ye can do the spell?” Catie asked.

 Piper couldn’t tell if she was impressed or horrified that someone she liked had anything to do with it.

“Aye, he told me all about it on our drive,” Mel said, causing Catie’s eyes to nearly pop out of her head. “I used to be fearful of it, but as he explained so well, there’s nothing evil or scary about it.” Despite her words, Piper noticed she clutched at the cross she always wore around her neck.

“Aye, he’s truly a hero,” Quinn interjected. “Now, may we go?”

“Shut up, Quinn,” Catie said, looking at Oliver with a different light in her eyes. “He is a hero, for getting ye here, and putting his life on hold. Er, for me.” The last bit was said with a pointed look at Mel. She glanced shyly at Oliver. “And as ye’ve come so far and done so much for me, it would be sorely ungrateful of me not to repay your kindness.”

“There is no need for any such thing. I’m only glad I was of service to you,” he said. “I hope to continue to be.”

Piper and Evie both sighed at his courtly attitude, but Lachlan cleared his throat impatiently. Catie tore her gaze from Oliver and turned to Piper, her cheeks growing red.

“And of course there isna anything evil about the spell.” She pulled Magnus closer to her and kissed his downy head before continuing. “I’m sorry I thought ye were a witch, Piper.”

Piper’s eyes welled with tears, grateful that at the last moment, she got to make friends with her future sister-in-law. Or, past sister-in-law? Either way, she reached for Catie’s hand and smiled warmly.

“Well, I guess I am one, so no harm done,” she said nervously.

It was difficult to admit, but she didn’t see a way around it. There was no other way she could have done the things she did today. Hopefully the others wouldn’t be too upset about the revelation.

“I’m one too, then,” said Oliver into the awkward silence. “I mean, I’ve done the spell, and it worked, so I must be.”

“I have done it far more times than either of ye, so I suppose I am a witch as well,” Lachlan said.

Piper felt a welling in her heart at their show of solidarity. Quinn wrapped his arms around Lizzie and spoke up.

“I tried it, and it didna work, but I wanted it to,” he said. “What does that make me?”

“You’re a wannabe witch.” Lizzie laughed up at him. “I never even got to try it, so who knows if I can do it. I do know I want to get home,” she sighed, leaning against his chest.

Quinn’s face lit up. “Ye called it home,” he said softly.

Piper put her face in her hands, too overwhelmed by their support to stop the happy tears from flowing down her cheeks. Lachlan kissed the top of her head and she peeked at them from between her fingers. Before she could thank them, Lachlan clapped his hands together.

“Ye mustna tarry any longer, though I wish we had more time. Young Oliver, since he’s so verra proficient, can see ye get back to the proper time.” He took a deep breath and let it out in a whoosh, alerting Piper that he was about to say something difficult for him. She wriggled to a more upright position and saw him looking at Catie. “Lass, I’ve thought about it, and been harangued by more than one person I trust to let ye stay.” A collective gasp filled the room, making Lachlan roll his eyes. “Aye, ye may stay, Catriona.”

He looked like he was gearing up to release a list of conditions, but Catie jumped to her feet, handing Mags off to Evie and wedging herself between Oliver and Mel. She looked shyly at Oliver before answering her brother.

“Thank ye, Lach, but I think I’ll go back after all.”

“Bloody hell,” Lachlan grumbled, but Lizzie had already grabbed Catie’s hand to lead her from the room, Quinn and Oliver at their heels.

“Do not leave without saying goodbye,” Evie called, standing up to go after them, but pausing to take Mellie by the arms.

“Explain,” she said.

Mellie snorted with laughter. “Aren’t you concerned about the condition of my heart now that Oliver’s leaving?”

“What’s she on about?” Lachlan asked. “I thought the English lad fancied Catie?”

“He does,” Mel said, smugly crossing her arms. “And I suspected Catie still liked him, too, even with pretty boy Shane distracting her. So, when we were driving to see his farm, I asked Oliver if he wanted to try to make her jealous, and that way we’d know for sure if she still had any feelings for him. At first he was all noble and gentlemanly and didn’t want to stoop to that level, but when I told him how Mr. Studly McGoatherd was after her, he jumped right on board.”