“Our truck played out down the road a ways,” Emrys said with a jerk of his thumb in that direction. “So, we walked here. A mere stretch of the legs, it was. We reckoned once we were settled, we’d go back and fix the contrary beast, but we nay wished to miss out on the apartment.”
Caelan hurried to bob his head in agreement. “Aye, the truck is down the road a bit. That wicked thing is forever causing us grief.”
Rachel gave them a polite smile, seeming to accept the lie with no issue. She turned back to the garage and pointed at a graveled area next to it. “Well, once you get it running, you can park it there. After you see the apartment, I can give you a ride to your truck, if you want. I’ve got tools you can use too. Keep them in my truck. There’s no need for you to walk back to yours.”
While Rachel had her back to them and was busy unlocking the garage door, Caelan and Emrys shared an uneasy glance.They were now going to have to come up with a truck that didn’t currently exist.
Caelan tipped his head at Emrys while mouthing,well?
The old druid shrugged and threw up both hands.
“That’s verra kind of ye,” Caelan said, struggling to control his tone. “But walking is no trouble at all. It’s such a fine day, and the countryside is pleasing to the eye.” He jerked his chin at Emrys.
“Aye the lad is quite right,” the old man said. “Fact is, that’s the only way I keep me old bones working as well as they do.” He bared his yellowed teeth at Caelan, as if to tell him to change the subject.
“Whatever works best for the both of you. Just thought I’d offer.” Rachel put her shoulder against the door covered in peeling white paint, jiggled the key, then bumped it open with her hip. “Sometimes it sticks when the weather’s been damp.”
She led the way up the enclosed staircase. When she reached the top, she abruptly halted and held up a hand as though suddenly remembering something she meant to say. She turned and came nose to nose with Caelan. With a startled look and a dangerous sway to one side, she staggered to right herself.
Caelan caught her in his arms to keep her from tumbling down the stairs. Her wondrous breasts felt so perfect and right, and her rapid heartbeat tickled against his chest. “Careful, lass,” he said in a slow, deep whisper. “Ye are about to take a tumble.” He tightened his hold and pulled her closer, loving how her softness molded against his hardness.
With her hands resting on his shoulders, she moved her mouth, but no words came out. As the heat between them increased to a raging inferno, she tipped her head the slightest bit and touched her mouth to his.
She tasted as sweet as she had last night. Caelan couldn’t help but respond, cradling her closer and deepening the kiss with an appreciative groan.
She yanked her head back. “Oh my gosh, I am so, so sorry. I do not…I did not mean to…It’s just…” She pushed herself away from him and fumbled open the door to the apartment. Her fair skin flamed a deep red as she rushed across the kitchen, threw open the window, and gulped at the cool, spring breeze as though starved for air.
Bloody hell. He should never have groaned but damned if he could help it. He came up behind her and folded his arms across his chest, waiting.
She remained at the window with her back to him, her head bowed as if she was deep in prayer. Then she slowly lifted it and eased a look back at him, glancing over her shoulder.
He bit the inside of his cheek to keep from smiling but couldn’t hold back a grin. “The place is verra nice and will suit us just fine. Do ye not think so, Emrys?”
Emrys nodded as he meandered around the room and was a little too obvious about avoiding looking at Rachel. He opened one of the closed doors off to the side and eyed the small area beyond. “Aye, it will serve us just fine, and even we should be able to keep that wee kitchen clean.”
She stared at them with her lips slightly parted, her gaze dancing back and forth between them, obviously waiting for one of them to comment on the kiss.
Caelan smiled and remained silent. Emrys did the same.
After nervously scrubbing her hands on her lovely denim covered thighs as though trying to wipe them clean, she turned and opened one of the kitchen cabinets. “Breaker box. Right here. Sometimes, if the fridge cycles while the coffee pot is making coffee, the switch will throw, and you’ll have to reset it. Rent is six hundred a month. No deposit and that includes allutilities. Talk amongst yourselves and let me know if you have any questions.” She wet her lips and visibly swallowed hard. “I need to check on the dogs.” Then she bolted.
When her harried thumping down the wooden steps was followed by the bang of a door, Caelan moved to the window overlooking the yard between the garage and the house. Rachel loped across the expanse, then dropped on the back steps, and held her head in her hands, slowly rocking while the dogs guarded either side of her.
He blew out a heavy sigh, wishing he could go to her. Hold her. Explain everything so she would know they were meant to be, and she wasn’t losing her mind. “I upset the lass by returning her sweet kiss.”
“Nay, laird,” Emrys said as he joined him at the window. “She upset herself but go easy with her as much as ye can. It will be worth it in the end.” He clapped a hand on Caelan’s shoulder. “Remember to weigh the consequences before ye say or do anything. If ye frighten her too badly, ye may not have time to woo her back.”
“I did not come this far to return to Scotland empty-handed.” Caelan narrowed his eyes and kept his focus locked on his lady love. “She is my heartmate, and I will have her.”
CHAPTER 4
Back at the window overlooking Rachel’s house, Caelan blew across the top of the scalding bitter black water this place and time appeared to prefer instead of ale, fresh spring water, or mulled wine as a drink to start their day. His fine lass paced back and forth across the back porch of her house, her wee phone clutched to her ear. From the look on her face, whoever she was talking to didn’t appear to be cooperating.
Her free hand chopped the air, matching the rhythm of her words—and her fair cheeks had gone scarlet again. She arched her dark eyebrows nearly to her hairline while shaking her head, her face filled with pleading.
Rather than blow out a heavy sigh, Caelan rumbled a low growl. Damn the soul of whoever it was on that phone. He hoped they went straight to the devil for making his dear one so unhappy.
She shoved her phone into her pocket and dropped to sit on the edge of the porch. With her knees pulled up to her chest, she buried her face in her arms.
