Page 23 of Wild Scottish Gold (The Enchanted Highlands #7)

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

Kaia

H ilda bullied me for a solid two days and nights and it was Monday morning before she was finally willing to let me go back to my house. I protested but quickly learned that there was no arguing with Hilda. Frankly, I didn’t mind staying at the castle for a couple of days. It gave me some time to lick my wounds in peace, as well as time to consider what I wanted for my future. Sophie had retrieved my phone from my house for me, and I’d had a few long conversations with both my parents and Marisa, some more detailed than others.

But their advice was the same.

Stick it out.

Give Thane a chance.

Stay away from the loch.

Ride that man like you stole him. This from Marisa, not my parents, mind you.

The most surprising thing for me had been that they’d all insisted I stay in Loren Brae, even though I told them about the magick, about Audrey, and about the Kelpie attack. Though my parents weren’t particularly pleased to hear of the attack, they still wanted me to stay. Even though their worry had escalated. I couldn’t quite tell if they wanted me to stay with Thane because he was good for me as a partner or because he could protect me, but either way, their choice was for me to stay. With the caveat of heightening my safety skills.

But none of them saw any red flags with me working with Thane, nor did they think it mattered how I built my career here, so long as I was happy and flourishing. Maybe I was the one who had been too strict on the definition of how the success of my new life needed to unfold.

I was better now, though. My thoughts were a touch clearer, and after an exceptionally long sleep, I’d awoken the first morning to discover that I was in a better space to assess my emotions. I guess the adrenaline rush from being almost killed had basically sent me into a spiral and then a crash into exhaustion, and from what I understood, that was also normal. It was too bad that I’d kicked Thane out in the middle of that, but I still appreciated that he gave me the space.

Even though I missed him. Desperately.

Stop moping about and call the man.

“Oh suddenly you’ve got relationship advice?” Murdoch was perched on my shoulder, and I was walking home from the castle, Hilda having washed and dried my clothes. I’d wanted the walk, having lain in bed for two days, and had to stop at the vet on the way home. Murdoch insisted he was fine, but I just wanted to make sure he really was.

My bruises were still gloriously yellow, but much of the pain had faded, and it felt good to stretch my legs a bit. Though my heart skipped a beat when I came to the end of the drive that spilled out in front of Loch Mirren, I straightened my shoulders. There was no way to avoid the loch in this town, nor did I really want to. It was face it or fear it, and I needed to face it.

Also, I really had no choice. The vet’s office was directly across from the loch.

It was one of those misty, overcast days, not quite warm, but not too cold either. A light breeze kicked up the surface of the loch, and a few low-hanging clouds shrouded the tips of the rolling green hills in the distance. The vet’s office was set in a row of terraced buildings, with a cute wooden sign with paw prints on it.

“No flying around the room or anything crazy like that, okay?” I said to Murdoch on my shoulder.

So long as a cat doesn’t chase me, I’ll be fine.

I hadn’t thought about that.

“Got it. No cats.”

“Kaia!” Shona beamed at me as she exited a door just off the little waiting room. “And Murdoch! How are you both?” Shona carried a small basket in her arms.

“Good, thanks.” I glanced over to see a woman and a man with charts in their hands behind the counter and lowered my voice. “I can’t thank you enough. What you did made such an incredible difference.”

“Glad I could help.” Shona leaned in. “Maybe don’t mention his wing was broken? They might wonder how fast he healed.”

“I thought of that,” I said. Looking down at the basket in her arms, I pointed to it.

“Eugene?”

“Aye, and Edith. His mate.” Shona lifted the lid just a little, and two grinning hedgehog faces greeted me. They were cuddled together in a little towel.

“They look happy.”

“Eugene’s pretty chuffed with himself.” Shona’s grin widened. “Edith is pregnant.”

“No way!” I laughed. “You’re going to have hedgehog babies?”

“They’re going to be terrors. I can’t wait.”

“Kaia?” The woman behind the desk called my name, and I squeezed Shona’s arm and waved goodbye.

“That’s me. And this is Murdoch.”

“Well, isn’t he handsome?” The woman behind the counter had gray-blue eyes, auburn hair pulled back in a low ponytail, and a soft Scottish accent. “Are you already a patient of the practice?”

“No, I’m new here.”

“Phew.” The woman blew out a breath. “Me too. I’m Faelan. Dr. Fletcher, that is. And today is my first day taking over the practice.”

“Ah, welcome.”

“Thank you. It’s a bit …” Faelan winced and looked over her shoulder. “He’s looking to move on quite quickly, so I’ll be taking over patient files on the fly. Och, I’ll get it sorted soon enough.”

She’s magick.

I’m sure my eyes widened at Murdoch’s words, but I couldn’t do much other than just smile politely at the woman.

Faelan gave Murdoch an odd look.

“Right. I’m sure there are forms for you to fill out somewhere, but I don’t know where the intake forms are. The secretary quit on Saturday, and the doctor is leaving as well. I wasn’t meant to take over for a few more months but, well, here we are.” Faelan pressed her lips together as she held the door open for me. She was a tall woman, almost matching me in height, and wore a lab coat over a pair of jeans and a simple white T-shirt. “Come on back.”

I followed Dr. Fletcher into a room and lifted Murdoch off my shoulder to put him on the exam table.

This is dumb.

I smiled as Murdoch cocked his head and made the low knocking sound of his.

“He’s not too pleased with me for bringing him in.”

“What seems to be the problem?” Dr. Fletcher leaned forward.

“I was worried he’d strained his wing. He was holding it a bit odd for a while. And just an overall health check.”

“Sounds good. Is he friendly?” Dr. Fletcher put on a pair of gloves.

“He is.”

Sometimes.

Murdoch slanted me a look.

“There now. Who’s just the most handsome lad?” Dr. Fletcher ran a gentle hand over Murdoch’s sleek black feathers, her fingers pausing at the delicate joint of his wing. “Nothing broken,” she murmured, tilting her head as Murdoch let out a soft, disgruntled croak. With practiced ease, she checked his beak, looked into his eyes, and parted his feathers. She inspected each foot before returning to gently flex both wings.

“His weight seems good. Feathers are healthy, clear eyes, no cracks in the beak. No parasites or molting with his feathers. He didn’t seem to exhibit any signs of pain when I moved his wings. All in all, I’d say he’s in good shape.”

“Oh, good. That’s all I needed to hear. I assumed he was fine, but best to check.”

“Not a problem at all.”

“Dr. Fletcher, I think it would be best if I left this afternoon.” A man, presumably the other vet, stuck his head in the exam room and Faelan’s eyes rounded.

“I’m in with a client. I’ll speak to you shortly.” Her words were clipped, and a line of irritation appeared between her eyes. “Sorry for that.”

“No problem. What do I owe you?”

“Och, nothing.” She waved it away. “Obviously it’s chaos in here right now. I wouldn’t even know how to charge you if I tried.”

“Thanks for still seeing us. Good luck with the transition.”

Faelan walked me to the waiting room, and on impulse, I stopped at the desk. Picking up a pen, I wrote down my phone number.

“I’m fairly new to town too. If you need a friend, feel free to give me a call.”

“Oh.” Faelan closed her eyes briefly and then gave me a small smile. “I suspect I will. Thank you.”

“Good luck.” With that, I left, my thoughts whirling.

“Do you really think she’s magick?”

Aye, lass.

Murdoch moved to sit at my shoulder. Maybe he still felt some residual pain because usually he’d be flying over my head. Or maybe he just wanted to stay close to me after what happened on Saturday. I couldn’t help but wonder if that was what had sent the vet scrambling to leave town. Their office window looked directly out onto the loch and they would have been privy to everything that had happened with the Kelpies.

“Hopefully she reaches out then.”

Does that mean you’re staying?

I paused as I turned up the main street of Loren Brae, the colorful shops clustering together, the sun just starting to break through the clouds.

“I think I am. It feels right.”

It is right. I’d miss you.

“Oh, Murdoch.” I hadn’t even thought of that. My heart dropped. If I went home, he’d have to stay behind. “I’d miss you too, buddy.”

Murdoch bumped his head against my cheek, and I reached up to give him a scratch as I walked down the street.

A small plaque on a doorframe caught my eye and I stopped.

My triskele. The one I’d made with Thane. It was on the frame of the door for a small pottery shop. I whirled. There was also one on the door to the small supermarket. Hurrying up Main Street, I gaped as triskele after triskele greeted me.

Thane had put them all up. He’d delivered them all to the town, and hopefully with it, another level of protection. Warmth spilled through me.

He was a good man. A great man, even. My parents and Marisa were right. I couldn’t live in the past anymore. Rushing now, I turned down the lane toward my home.

My very own home.

Maybe my crisis of confidence would turn out to be less of a crisis and more of a small bump in the road. I wasn’t sure yet. I needed to see Thane. We needed to have a serious conversation.

Thane walked around the corner of my cottage as though I’d summoned him.

“Whoa. Can I make people appear now?” I asked, my mouth dropping open.

Not likely.

Murdoch made a sound that was suspiciously like a laugh.

Thane walked forward until he was close, but not touching. My breath caught in my throat, and the corners of my eyes burned. It hurt to look at him. This gorgeous steadfast somewhat grumpy man that I’d casually pushed away, once again. And yet, here he was.

Here he was. The man who told me he loved me and let me send him away. The man I’ve fallen for too.

Did his presence mean he forgave my callousness?

“Hey,” Thane said, his hands in his pockets. He wore a rugged plaid shirt, rolled up to the elbows, and there was a black smudge of dirt on his forearm.

“Hey,” I said.

We stared at each other for a moment until Murdoch made a croaking sound and took off from my shoulder, swooping over the roof of the cottage.

“What are you doing here?” I asked.

“I have something for you.”

My heartbeat sped up. “You do?”

“Aye, lass. I do. Can I show you?”

“But … don’t you want to talk about the other day? About all this?” I flung my hands out beside me, encompassing the cottage.

“Do you?” Thane asked.

“Of course I do.” I almost stomped a foot in frustration.

“Do you want to do that now?” Thane continued, furrowing his brow.

“I mean, shouldn’t we? You can’t just … I can’t …” I waved a hand in a circle in the air. “Basically break up with you after I almost died and then you’re just like here, chilling out and fine with everything.”

“Why not?” Thane rocked back on his heels.

“Because you should be mad at me.”

“Do you want me to be mad at you?”

“I’m finding you a little annoying right now.” I glared at him and crossed my arms over my chest.

“Kaia. I’m not going anywhere. We have all the time in the world to talk. But first, just come with me.”

“Why are you even here? How did you know I was going to be home? Shouldn’t you be at work? It’s Monday.”

Thane sighed, and then he reached out and tugged my arm, forcing me to uncross them, and took my hand.

“Come with me, my wee tetchy one.”

“I’m not tetchy.”

“You seem a bit tetchy. I know one way to relieve that.”

Desire flashed through me at his words. I swallowed thickly as he tugged me around the side of the cottage.

“Oh, what is that?” I looked up at the large three-sided box on a thick wood pole in the backyard.

“It’s a bird box for Murdoch. He likely won’t sleep in a traditional bird house, but this gives him some shelter when it’s raining or cold.”

“Oh, look, you painted his name on it,” I cooed, walking over and admiring the large bird shelter. “This is really sweet. Thank you so much, Thane.”

Murdoch swooped down from the trees and landed in the box, tilting his head down at us.

“What do you think?” Thane asked him.

I like it. Will be nice in winter.

“He says he likes it. It will be good for winter,” I told Thane. I no longer felt shy about showing my magick to him. After Saturday, we were beyond that.

“Good. I’m glad. Enjoy it, mate.” Thane waved up to him and pulled me along the stepping stones toward the line of trees at the back.

“Are you taking me to see the cottage again?” I asked. “Don’t you think we should talk first?”

“Wheesht, Kaia.”

I clamped my lips closed, annoyed, but also just ridiculously happy to see him. I wanted to tell him that I’d seen the hearthwards. That I knew I’d been an idiot and scared and in shock when I’d shoved him away. And that maybe, just maybe, this really was all going to work out.

Instead, I found myself gaping at a picture-perfect cottage in the woods.

“What?” I gasped, holding my hands up to my chest. The stones of the cottage had been cleaned of their moss and mold, the trim and front door painted a pretty Kelly green, and the windows shone without a drop of dirt to their panes. I stepped forward, my mouth hanging open, to stare at the door. Not only had Thane hung a hearthward, but there was a large iron Celtic unicorn affixed to the door.

“Did you make this?” I ran a finger over the clean lines of the unicorn and turned to look at him over my shoulder.

“Aye, stayed up through the night. I wanted you to remember the moment we had.”

“As if I could ever forget it,” I whispered, remembering the day the unicorn had visited us.

“Go on, go inside.” Something moved behind his eyes, and I realized he was nervous.

Nudging the door open, I stepped inside, and tears instantly sprang to my eyes.

A fire burned merrily in the newly cleaned and painted fireplace, the shelves were dusted and shiny with a fresh coat of paint, and someone had done some serious decorating in the place. I turned, in a slow circle, tears streaming down my cheeks, as I realized what had been done here. He’d transformed it not only into a small-scale metalsmith’s shop, but also a place for me to make my jewelry. One entire side of the cottage was lined with tiny boxes and jars and all of my jewelry tools. I walked over to the table, running my hand across the smooth surface, and looked out the window through the woods. It was a perfect spot to dream and design jewelry.

Turning, I just shook my head at him in wonder.

“How?”

“Everyone helped. Orla, Sophie, Lachlan … all of them.” Thane tucked his hands back in his pockets and cleared his throat. “We got it connected to the electrics, but plumbing is going to take a wee while to get sorted.”

“But why? Why did you do all this?” I needed to hear it, even though I had an idea what he was going to say.

“Because being strong and independent doesn’t mean pushing everyone away—it means knowing who to let in. And we all want in, Kaia. Let us, let me, walk this journey with you.”

My cheeks felt hot, and I splashed tears away with the backs of my hands as I crossed to him. Reaching up, I pulled his head down to mine and kissed him, pouring all of my soul and love into it. By the time I broke the kiss, Thane’s arms were wrapped around me, and I was back where I loved it most, in his arms.

“I’m sorry,” I said, meeting his eyes. “I mean it. I was just … confused, out of sorts, in shock. I don’t know. It all hit me so hard. Thank you for not giving up on me. Thank you for this incredible gift.”

Thane’s face relaxed into a smile.

“I wanted you to have something that was yours. Just in case you ever felt the need to stop working at the forge, you’d always have this. And everyone loved helping. You’ve only been here a short time, Kaia, but you’ve made a big impression. You’ve made friends here who want you to stay. Please don’t go. Please don’t leave me.”

I reached up to cup his face with a hand.

“I wouldn’t. I can’t. My heart is here, you see. With you.”

Thane closed his eyes briefly and exhaled a shaky breath.

“I love you, Kaia. I know it may seem too soon, or whatever, and we have all the time in the world to figure this out, but that’s what I am asking you. To give this time.” Thane drew back and gestured to a box sitting on the table that I’d missed. “For you.”

“What is this?” I asked, shaking my head. “Thane, you’ve already done so much. You don’t need to get me gifts.”

“I ordered this the day after we met.”

I tilted my head at him in a silent question, and then quickly lifted the lid of the box.

I gasped.

“It’s a clock.” Gently, I pulled the clock out and set it back on the table. Crouching, I leaned in to look at the insides. It was a kinetic clock, similar to the one in the National Museum in Edinburgh, but instead of the monkeys and demons racing around inside the clock, there were two small unicorn statues.

“I wanted something to remember you, I guess. And now I’m giving it to you and asking if you’ll give us time.” I have never met a better man. How could he have done that? If anything, more than words, it was so incredibly validating. How can I not love him?

I wound the clock and moved the clock hands until they met at twelve. A small trill of bells sounded and the unicorns began to dance around each other. Looking up, I beamed at Thane.

“This is perfect. I can’t help feeling like we were meant to be, all along. I love it, and all of this that you’ve done for me. And I love you, Thane. The answer is yes, I’ve got all the time in the world for you.”