“We could have enjoyed each other, you and I,” he continued when she didn’t turn and face him. “But relationships usually are a pain in the ass, even when it’s just sex for a few weeks.” He laughed. “At least I’ll still end up with your land. That’s all Ireallywanted, anyway.”
Rachel swallowed hard, trying not to choke on the fury knotting in her throat. “What did you just say?”
“You heard me or is there so much of that mill grit in your ears that you're deaf until you get home and dig it out?” He took his handkerchief out of his pocket and made a production of wiping his hands.
“I think you better stay the hell away from me,” she said through bared teeth. “And stay the hell off my land. I’ll be stopping by the sheriff on the way home and seeing about a restraining order.” Rachel couldn’t remember the last time she had felt this enraged. Not at her parents. Not at David. Not at anyone who had ever crossed her. But this man who thought he was so much better than everyone else had her shaking where she stood.
“You might want to rethink that, my lovely little mill rat. Your sheriff does what I tell him to do. You see, I introduced myself to you as Jayden Smith, but perhaps you’re more familiar with my business name. It’s on all those gorgeous subdivisionsand developments in this area. DoesChristopher Larkinring any bells in that grubby little head of yours?”
He popped his sunglasses back on and slid into the creamy white leather seat of the BMW. Before closing the door, he smiled, started the engine, and lowered the window. “By the way, dirt bug, I’ve had my investigators do more legwork on you so, I’m sure things will move along quickly. We’ll be completing matters in a few weeks—maybe even a few days.” He pulled up beside her and flashed another malicious sneer. “Or as you would say in your own delightful backwood’s vernacular,time to pack your shit and git, girl!” With a chilling laugh, he raised the tinted window and tapped the horn twice as he pulled the sleek car out onto the road.
Caelan spottedRachel before he’d even pulled into the employee parking lot. She sat in her truck, both hands on the steering wheel, staring straight ahead. Mistress Mercy, the security guard, had told him Rachel had rolled up the windows, locked the doors, and ignored everyone who’d stopped by to peck on the window and ask if she was okay.
According to the lady security guard, some workers had overheard Rachel’s exchange with Larkin and quickly gone back to report it. Mistress Mercy begged him to understand that there was nothing she could do. Come to find out, the bastard Larkin owned a controlling interest in the steel mill. Nobody could afford to cross him. She said she would have warned Rachel if they’d known who Jayden Smith really was.
When it grew late and Rachel hadn’t come home, Caelan had called the mill and found out what had happened. He wished he’d known before Larkin got away. He parked his truck besideRachel’s. “I wish I would have killed that bastard when I had the chance,” he grumbled under his breath as he got out and slammed the door.
His heart lurched at her tear-stained face. “Rachel, lass,” he coaxed. “Open the door and let me in to hold ye.”
As if waking from a trance, she faced the window and met his gaze. Her enormous violet eyes were so dark they were nearly black. Sorrow filled them. She slowly blinked as though finally realizing who he was, then twisted in the seat, unlocked the door, and slid over to the passenger side as Caelan climbed into the truck. Without a word, she dove into his arms and buried her face in his chest with her arms tucked in so he could completely cocoon her in his protective embrace.
“I don’t know what to do,” she said in a hitching whisper.
“Tell me what happened, love. Tell me so I can help.”
From the depths of his shirt, in slow hiccupping bursts, she gradually choked out the entire story. Without lifting her head, her voice fell a hush lower as she explained her history and how her circumstances had come to be such a mess. With a lunge that surprised him, she pushed free of his embrace, hugged her knees to her chest, and buried her face in her arms.
“You can leave now,” she said, her voice bleak and hollow. “I understand completely.” She shuddered with a pitiful sniff. “You know why people die, don’t you? It’s not because they’re sick or hurt or old. It’s because they lose hope. Whenever there’s nothing left to hope for, nothing to look forward to, there’s no more reason to live. Hope keeps you alive.”
Caelan took a firm hold of her and forced her to meet his gaze. “I’ll not have ye giving up because that ill-bred cur threatened ye. Ye’ve battled valiantly this long. Now that I’m here to battle at your side, we shall win this war together.”
“I’m a loser, Caelan,” she said, as though the confession pained her. “I just told you everything about myself. It’s all true.The failures. Lies. Stupid choices. If you have any sense, you’ll get the hell out of here as fast as you can.” A sob escaped her as struggled to wriggle from his grasp.
“All I see before me is a strong woman who I love more than I can ever explain. Ye will be my wife and the mother of my children. Ye are the very breath that keeps me alive. We will figure a way to beat this bastard, I promise ye. But I’ll not have ye talking as though all hope is lost.” It was time, he decided. At least, time for part of what he had decided to do. He shoved his hand deep inside his shirt pocket, fishing for what he hoped would strengthen their union. He paused before pulling it out and revealing it. “Give me your hand.”
Rachel’s brow puckered with confusion, but she held out her hand.
He placed the intricately woven band of gold, silver, and bronze onto the ring finger of her left hand, sliding it smoothly over her knuckle, and seating it. It fit perfectly. Their bond was meant to be.
“Promise ye will be mine for all eternity,” he said softly. “Swear to me by the Goddess and by the moon above. Then place the ring that’s still in my pocket on my finger, and I shall swear my oath to ye as well.”
She stared at the ring on her finger, then shifted her gaze to the larger version he had fished out of his pocket and held out to her.
When she didn’t move or speak, he felt compelled to babble even though babbling was something he never did. “These are ancient, my love. Forged an age ago for the lairds of Clan MacKay and their soulmates. The swirls and knots of silver, gold, and bronze come together to not only symbolize the Goddess but also love, fidelity, and infinity, as well.”
She sniffed as she lifted her gaze. “I swear by the Goddess and the moon and by my very heart and soul that I will be yoursthroughout eternity.” Her fingers trembling, she fumbled to pick up the ring and slid it onto the ring finger of his left hand.
Her eyes went wide as he placed the palms of their left hands together. He intertwined his fingers with hers as he said, “Gràdh a-nis agus gu bràth.”
“What does that mean?” she whispered, staring at the rings that seemed to meld their hands together and send a warm, tingling heat through them.
“Love, now and forever.I swear I will always love ye and always find ye through the centuries. No matter how many incarnations our souls go through. We are bound forever now. Through all time and space, we will find each other much easier than we did this time. At least, I hope so.” He kissed the end of her nose. Her look of amazement made him smile.
“You’re an astounding man, Caelan Foster MacKay.” She tilted her head to one side, a tear slipping down her cheek to the corner of her sad little smile.
“Aye, and ye are mine forevermore, Rachel Hawkins MacKay.” He twitched a shrug. “Although, my clan will insist on making it official in the Church, once we return to Scotland.” He caught one of her teardrops on his fingertip and kissed it. “From now on, I shall kiss all your tears away. I swear it.”
Her eyes became even wider and shone with the threat of more tears. “Scotland? But I can’t. Not until…what about all this mess? Sam and Maizy? My job? Passport? What about…”
