Page 61 of Edinburgh Escape

Chapter 13

After Callum left Maggie, he jogged laps around the manor in an attempt to erase Maggie from his mind.

It didn’t work. He slowed to a walk and extended his range to the edge of the manicured lawn and made several passes before he admitted to himself he would never walk, jog or erase Maggie from his consciousness. Having spent an incredible day and night with the woman, he knew she was different. Someone worth fighting for. Someone he could love and who could find her way to love him, despite his violent nightmares.

After an hour and a half of circling the compound, he shortened his circle, coming closer and closer to the structure and Maggie. He couldn’t avoid her forever. He was there to protect her. Circling the perimeter was counted, but having eyes on the target was better.

Having been away from her long enough, he had to see her and know she was okay.

A quick look around the bottom floor revealed nothing other than Ewan still poring over ledgers in his office.

“Have you seen Maggie?” Callum asked.

Ewan shook his head. “I’ve been at these ledgers all morning. Why?”

“I was out on the perimeter. She’s probably in her bedroom. I’m headed that way now.”

“Let me know if you need help finding her,” Ewan said.

“Thanks.” Callum headed for the staircase, a sudden sense of urgency making him take the steps two at a time.

When he arrived at the door, it hung open.

He frowned and pushed through. “Maggie?”

No one answered.

His heartbeat quickened as he poked his head into the bathroom.

She wasn’t there.

As he passed through the bedroom again, his glance strayed to the bed where they’d made such amazing love through the night.

A book lay open on the comforter as if someone had left it there, intending to pick up where she’d left off.

He opened the pages and skimmed through the content, his heart sinking to the pit of his belly.

Callum glanced up and called out, “Maggie! Oh, sweet girl.”

He stepped out into the hallway, a knot twisting his insides. “Oh, baby. I’m so sorry,” he murmured as he raced for the staircase and descended so quickly that he stumbled at the bottom.

Once he’d righted himself, he looked left then right. Where would she have gone?

Then it hit him. She would have gone where it had begun.

Callum ran down the long, broad hallway and dove into the library.

It was empty. Maggie was nowhere in sight.

As he turned to look elsewhere, he heard a faint cry.

“Maggie?” he called out.

“Help,” her voice sounded as if from a distance.

“Maggie, talk to me.” He moved around the room, searching for the hidden entrance mentioned in the journal. “Where are you?”

“Please, oh God, please, help me,” she cried.