Page 16 of Wild Scottish Gold (The Enchanted Highlands #7)

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Thane

S he’d asked me for space.

Granted, it was likely because I once again invited her to leave Loren Brae, and maybe was a bit pushy about it.

And it had also been in my office at the end of a meeting to go over the budget for the Common Gin product.

It was my screwup. I’d mixed business and personal again, but by bringing up the Kelpies. I’d barely slept the last few nights, my ears constantly straining for any sound of the Kelpies. I had no idea what I’d do if they screamed again in the night. I wasn’t even sure I wanted to know what to do. From the sound of it, these beasts were terrifying.

Kaia had faced them alone.

Swearing, I gripped the steering wheel as I drove Audrey to her mum’s house.

“Bad words, Uncle Thane.”

“You’re right, I’m not being very polite right now, am I?” My nails were black with silver sparkles today. Not that I much minded the pink or the purple, but when I’d spotted a slightly more masculine color in the market, I’d snagged a bottle for Audrey. She lectured me about the color, but the polish had still met with her approval based on the sparkles.

“I won’t tell Mum. If you get me a sweetie.”

I slid a glance into the rearview mirror where she grinned at me. Audrey was well aware that I couldn’t resist anything she asked of me.

“I might have picked up a treat for you already. Or we can stop on the way home.”

Audrey considered the options and then nodded soberly.

“I trust your decision.”

Amusement made my mouth quirk up. “Well, that’s very kind of you.”

I pulled my lorry into Lauren’s house, the end of a terraced row of cottages, and their cat, Pickles, jumped to the windowsill to look out.

“Looks like Mum’s not back yet. Let’s go on in.” I grabbed my bag from the seat next to me, hooked it over my shoulder, and rounded the car to help Audrey out. In moments we were seated at the small kitchen table, while Pickles wound his way between my legs. Audrey propped her chin up on her hands and tilted her head at me. I noticed the glint of a chain at her neck.

“How has school been?”

Audrey shrugged. “Fine, I guess.”

“Remember when you said some of the kids were being mean?”

Audrey nodded and bent over to pick Pickles up. The cat, a tawny orange fluff ball, poked his head over the top of the table to see if there was any food available.

“How’s that been going?” I didn’t want to push her on this, as she so rarely talked about things bothering her, but I hoped to get more intel.

“They stopped.” Audrey kissed Pickles’ head.

“Oh.” I thought about it, my eyes going back to the chain. “That’s good, right?”

“Yeah. It just kind of happened. One day I told them they wouldn’t like it if someone said those things to them, and they all just stopped.”

“You stood up for yourself.”

“I guess. It wasn’t really a big deal. We all kind of hang out now.”

How I wished life was as simple as a grade school row to sort out.

“I’m glad to hear it. It’s easier to get on with everyone if they’re just being nice, isn’t it?”

“Yeah.” Audrey bobbed her head. “But I guess I just don’t care as much either. Kaia told me I had power now, and I think that I do.”

“Did she really?”

“Yup, and I believe her. I’m strong now. And I have pretty nails.” Audrey examined her pink nails, scrunching up her wee face as she looked for any chips or dents in the polish. “Can I have my sweetie now?”

“Och, right.” I pulled out a package of Tunnocks tea cakes, her favorite, and her face brightened.

“Yay!”

Reaching for a paper napkin from the holder, I opened the package and put the sweetie down, then ruffled her hair. “Make sure Pickles doesn’t get any.”

Looking out the window, I saw the washing from earlier and stood. My sister had moved into this place after her divorce and though it was small, it was what she could afford. It had two bedrooms, one bathroom, and a cozy kitchen and living area. But the backyard was fenced, they had enough outdoor space for some games for Audrey, and most importantly, it was all Lauren’s. Grabbing the laundry basket by the back door, I ducked outside to pull the clothes from the line.

Kaia’s pendant had worked.

She was doing good here, and she’d only been in Loren Brae a matter of weeks. Already she’d discovered ways to help the community, even if that meant using her magick.

I shook my head as I pulled down a pair of jeans and gently folded them.

I’d had to take some time to think over what Kaia had said about her magick. It still didn’t sit right with me, yet at the same time, I didn’t think it was wrong either. It was more that it was just something I didn’t really understand. I couldn’t control it, and I didn’t really know how it worked. Because of that, I’d reached out to Lachlan to see if he wanted to grab a beer. I’d mentioned I had a few things to chat about, and he’d readily agreed to meet me. Since I knew Sophie was involved, maybe he’d be able to put my mind at ease about the Kelpies and Kaia.

I wasn’t stupid either. I knew what she said was right. How was I comfortable with staying in Loren Brae, hell—my sister was staying here with Audrey—yet I wanted Kaia to leave? Maybe it was because I felt like Lauren and Audrey were mine to protect.

And Kaia, well, Kaia didn’t want my interference. In anything.

Torn, because I knew I was being hypocritical, and yet at the same time I was just so damn worried for everyone, I finished folding the laundry just as I heard a car door slam out front. Coming back inside, I put the basket by the door and scurried over to the table to make a big production of hiding the box of Tunnocks back in my bag.

“Shhhhhh. Don’t tell your mum.”

“It’s our secret.” Audrey giggled. The chocolate all over her face immediately gave the secret away and I grabbed a napkin to wipe her cheeks. I was just crumbling it into a ball when Lauren walked in, her face stressed.

“I’m sorry I’m late.”

“Don’t be. It wasn’t by much. Just brought the washing in for you.”

“Och, thanks. I forgot on our way out this morning.”

“You lucked out. No rain.” I gave her a quick hug and went to the door while she crossed to give Audrey a cuddle.

“Someone smells like chocolate.” Lauren shot me a disapproving look.

“No idea what you’re talking about.” I tucked my bag behind my back and shrugged.

“Mm-hmm.” Lauren swiped a finger down Audrey’s nose while she giggled. “Go wash up. I’ll have dinner on shortly.”

Audrey bounded away with a quick wave to me and I hesitated at the door before I left.

“Sounds like things are better at school.” I pitched my voice low, so Audrey wouldn’t hear.

“I know. I’m so relieved.” Lauren shot me a grateful look over her shoulder as she opened the refrigerator and pulled out a Tupperware container. “I don’t know this Kaia of yours, but I like her. Audrey seems convinced she’s given her magickal powers, and as far as I’m concerned, so long as it keeps the bullies off her back, I’m good with it.”

“She’s not mine. She just works at the forge.”

“Uh-huh.” Lauren raised an eyebrow as she pulled the lid off the container. “Audrey said you took her on a date.”

“Only because your daughter manipulated me into one.”

“Oh really? You can’t say ‘no’ to a seven-year-old?” Lauren laughed and shook her head. “Never mind, based on the chocolate on her breath, I’ll take that as a no.”

“I gotta run. Meeting Lachlan for a pint. Need anything before I go?” I asked, neatly switching the conversation. I wasn’t about to unravel my complicated ‘situationship’ with Kaia with my sister.

“All good. You’ll talk to me, right? If you need me?” That was Lauren. Even as busy and tired as she was, she always made time for those she loved.

“I will. I’m figuring things out at the moment.”

“Well, if it’s any help, Audrey loves her. And I trust Audrey.”

“Trust me for what?” Audrey said, bouncing back into the room.

“To not lie to me about secret chocolate.”

Audrey slid me a guilty look.

“I’m outta here!” Laughing, I threw her to the wolves and left the house, their laughter music to my ears as I left. I hadn’t heard Lauren laugh much after her divorce, so it was nice to see the tension had lessened. Dropping my lorry at my house, I changed and walked to the pub to meet Lachlan.

I wished I could detour and walk past Kaia’s cottage, but I didn’t want to seem stalkerish, so I didn’t. But I wanted to.

Damn it, but the woman had me all tied up in knots. If I wasn’t busy thinking about how to keep her safe, I was remembering what it was like to be buried deep inside her body, her softness surrounding me, crying out as I brought her pleasure. Every time I’d promised myself I’d had enough, I just kept going back for more. For better or worse, Kaia was in my system, and I had no idea how to extract her.

The Tipsy Thistle wasn’t too busy when I arrived, a few regulars I knew from town playing cards at a table across the room, a TV showing a replay of a rugby match on low in the background. My eyebrows winged up when I saw Lachlan, Finlay, Munroe, and Ramsay all sitting at the bar. I shoved down my disappointment. I’d hoped to have a chat with Lachlan about Kaia, but it seemed he’d misread my invitation for a lads’ night. Two of these men were now my clients, so I’d have to make sure to be as charming as I could. I bit back a sigh. It looked like I was working tonight.

“There he is.” Lachlan spied me and waved me over. “How’s it going, lad?”

We were friendly enough, having a pint here and there, but Lachlan and I were more acquaintances than friends. What I knew of him was that he was fiercely loyal to the town, a bit uptight about following the rules, and madly in love with Sophie. Ramsay I knew as well, though he was a man of few words, which was fine by me. I think I’d whiled away more than one afternoon watching a match with him with barely more than ten words spoken between us. We both liked it that way. I gave him a nod, and he tapped a finger to his forehead in response.

I reached around Lachlan and shook Finn’s and Munroe’s hands.

“Gentlemen. Good to see you both.”

“Guinness, mate?” Graham asked, and I nodded my thanks. He hadn’t mentioned a word about Kaia to me and we were back on normal terms, at least from what I could see.

Lachlan pulled out a stool in between him and the other men, and I took it, relaxing a bit as Munroe and Finn argued about the placement of some piping for the distillery. Graham slid me my pint, and I took a sip, letting out a contented sigh.

“How are things at the shop then, Thane?” Lachlan asked me.

“Yeah, good, mate. Keeping busy. The Holyrood project took me away for a while, so it’s nice to be back home.”

“And Kaia? Is she settling in okay? Did you hire her?” Lachlan asked.

“No. She leased the space from us. I would, but…” I trailed off when I realized the other men were all listening to me.

“But what?” Munroe asked. I winced. I didn’t want to talk about anything personal in front of them.

“She wants to build something of her own.” There, that was an acceptable answer. I certainly couldn’t say it would muddy the waters even further when it came to our apparent lack of self-control around each other.

“I can admire that.” Ramsay tilted his pint glass in a silent toast.

Lachlan grinned.

“All of our women are fiercely independent, mate.”

“Except mine.” Graham grinned from behind the bar.

“Yours is so independent you haven’t even met her yet,” Ramsay quipped, and we all laughed.

“It’s why I try to date as much as possible. Playing the odds.”

“I keep telling you to cut that crap out.” Lachlan sighed. “It’s not going to get you what you want.”

I had an idea who Graham really wanted, but it was none of my business.

“That’s easy enough for a man to say who’s got someone to go home to every night.” Something indiscernible flashed behind Graham’s eyes. A bell from the kitchen dinged. “Excuse me.”

Lachlan sighed as Graham disappeared to pick up food for the tables.

“They’ll find their way soon enough,” Munroe murmured, and Lachlan shrugged.

“It’s his funeral.”

I didn’t say anything, though I was curious. I had worked around groups of men for years now and knew when to keep my mouth shut.

“Anyway,” Lachlan said, draining his pint. “Thane is here to talk to us about Kaia.”

I coughed, sputtering on my sip of beer, and Lachlan cheerfully pounded my back while I reached for a napkin to wipe my mouth.

“What the hell, mate?” I glared at him and then made eyes at the others.

“We know,” Munroe said, smiling.

“There’s nothing to know,” I lied, protecting Kaia’s reputation.

“Willow said you body slammed Kaia against a wall and the castle could have burned down around you two and neither of you would have noticed.” Ramsay stated this placidly as he took another sip of his beer, his eyes on the TV.

“Och, so now you’re a talker?” I glared at Ramsay as the rest of the men whooped in laughter.

“Who are we on about now?” Graham asked, having returned from delivering food.

“Thane and Kaia,” Lachlan said, and I rubbed a hand over my face.

“Och, I could’ve told you as much. The lad almost eviscerated me the other day when I flirted with her. I’ve made sure to do it extra whenever she’s about just to infuriate him.”

The lads laughed even harder, and I grimaced.

“Listen … it’s not. It’s just …” I sighed and pinched my nose. “It’s important to Kaia to make her own way here, on her own merits. Because she’s leasing from me, she’s worried that anything more will cause complications that could threaten her livelihood.”

“But you wouldn’t do that? Would you? If things went sour between you?” This from Finlay, my client.

“Of course he wouldn’t,” Lachlan answered before I could. “You may not know this, but Thane has taken over for his niece’s absent father. Christ, look at his nails.”

The men all looked dutifully at my sparkly nails.

“Nice color,” Ramsay said.

“Thanks,” I growled.

“I’m just saying … a man doesn’t take up for his sister and niece like that if he doesn’t respect women.” The men all murmured in agreement with Lachlan’s words.

“Appreciate that,” I said.

“And if you do, well, we’ll fix it.” Lachlan gave me a look.

“I wouldn’t.”

“So is that what’s bothering you? How to work with her?” Finlay leaned in. “Because Orla’s super strict on-site, and I just respect the rules she’s laid out. It can work.”

“And Willow just steamrolls and bosses me about and I let her because I basically stop listening when she goes on a rant and drool over her sparkly short skirt.” Ramsay held up his glass for a refill.

We all hooted at Ramsay’s admission. He shrugged. “It’s just the way of it.”

“It’s that. And …” I pressed my lips together. Nope, I wasn’t going to do it. I certainly couldn’t bring up magick to these lads. Maybe just Lachlan when I got him alone.

“The magick?” Munroe asked and I blinked at him in surprise.

Munroe was the owner of Common Gin, insanely wealthy, and married to Lia, the chef at the castle. Certainly not someone I’d thought I’d be discussing magick with.

“You know?” I asked, leaning forward and lowering my voice.

“All of our women are magick,” Finlay said.

“Even Graham’s. She’s so magick she’s see-through,” Ramsay quipped and Graham stopped pouring his pint.

“I’ll pour this down the drain, mate.”

“Och, you’re far too cheap to waste good beer,” Ramsay protested. “But I’ll lay off.”

I just sat there, gaping at all of them.

“Wait, to be clear, you’re saying that all of your women have magick?” I barely spoke above a whisper.

“Correct. They’re all a part of the Order of Caledonia. Well, and Owen’s partner, Shona. Not sure if you’ve met him?” Lachlan asked, leaning back on his stool.

“American lad? Movie producer?”

“Aye, that’s the one. Shona’s a garden witch.” Lachlan held his hand out and ticked names off on his fingers. “Lia’s a kitchen witch. Orla’s a house witch. Sophie’s the knight. Willow can see the future. And Kaia…”

“She’s a forge witch,” I supplied.

“What’s that?” Graham asked.

“One who can imbue her magick into metal. Or so I’m told. I’ve only just learned about it, and certainly haven’t seen it in action. We…had words.”

“Och, mate. Were you hard on her about the magick?” Munroe glared at me.

“No. At least I don’t think so.” I swung my head around, but nobody else was paying attention to us. “It’s just … I think she’d be safer if she left town. Did you see her bruises? Those are from the Kelpies. I’m worried.”

“Ahhhh.” It was a collective sound of understanding from all the men.

Lachlan sighed and clapped a hand around my shoulders.

“Mate, I’ll say this with the best of intentions. You’re fucked if you try to kick her out of town.”

“I am?” I glanced at him in surprise.

“Aye, if she’s anything like my Sophie she’ll kick your sorry arse for even suggesting she do that.”

“It’s true,” Finlay said, nodding his agreement. “Our women are much stronger than they look. You’ll not be able to run her from town.”

“But how do you protect them?” I asked. “The Kelpies … they’re just terrifying.”

“Makes your butthole pucker,” Ramsay agreed, and I winced at the imagery.

“Basically, yeah.”

“Willow saved me from them,” Ramsay said, and my mouth dropped open.

“She did?” All of the lads here were strong, but Ramsay was massive. To imagine a woman rescuing him was almost impossible.

“Aye.”

It seemed that was all I was getting of the story, and I could certainly understand that.

“So what do I do?”

Lachlan punched my arm.

“You just hang on for the ride, lad. It’s all you can do.”

“Bloody hell,” I said, and signaled for another pint.