“That’s not the way she tells it.” Laynie poked him in the chest. “The way she talks, you’re trying to shuffle her off to some alternate reality or world…or something. And what’s this magic stuff? She made a bottle disappear right out of my hand.”
“Your sister is a stone guardian too. I need her help re-sealing the portal. She and I are the only two remaining in this realm who can stand against the beast. There was a time whentwo orders of stone guardians filled this land. But I deserted my clan, left them weakened without an heir, and now both orders have passed to the next reality. I need her, Laynie. The realms need her. And I want your help in making her understand.”
“My help?” Laynie’s mouth dropped open. “Are you insane? If I help you, from what the two of you have told me, I’ll never see her again.”
Torin flinched. There was that. “I know. I willna lie to ye and tell ye this path will be an easy one.” He ground his teeth and inclined his head in Emma’s direction. “But think of your sister. Other than you, she is alone in this world. What happens to her as ye make a life of your own? Would ye have her constantly sitting in the shadows and watching ye take hold of your happiness while she has none of her own?”
Laynie’s face fell. She peered around Torin, her lips flattening into an unhappy line as she gazed through the doorway at her sister. “I want Emma to be happy. She has always sacrificed her needs for mine. I’ve been trying to help her find something to live for besides me and her career but she just won’t do it. In case you haven’t noticed, she’s just a tad stubborn.”
“Aye.” Torin nodded. “That I have noticed.” He allowed himself a soft chuckle before the severity of convincing Laynie to help him quickly doused any lightheartedness. “And the reason none of your options appealed to her was because Emma doesna feel at rest with your choices. The Powers match the hearts of a stone guardian. Emma is meant to be mine.”
“I don’t want to lose my sister,” Laynie whispered.
Sympathy settled like lead in Torin’s belly. He knew exactly how Laynie felt. The thought of life without Emma ached like a raw wound in his chest. “I know, Laynie. But I canna bear the thought of living without her either. I can make her happy. Iswear to ye that I will always take of her. Please allow me to love your sister. Help me make her happy.”
Chapter
Fifty-One
“By the way, the bane of my existence will probably poke his nose in while I’m showing you around. Dr. Alexander Mackenzie is a lot like Dr. Albertson. Remember him?” Emma coaxed the car across the narrow stone bridge, tensing until they made it to the other side. Thank goodness, there wasn’t any oncoming traffic today. She would never get used to the aggressive driving on the island.
“So, you’re telling me this guy is rude beyond words and also a little nuts?” Laynie caught Emma’s over-stuffed backpack as it bounced across the seat. “Are youtryingto hit every pothole in the road?”
“I can’t help it. You’ll get used to it after a while and learn when to hang on.” Emma swerved around a gaping fissure running down the center of the road and bounced them through several smaller craters. “And to answer your question, Dr. Mackenzie is definitely rude beyond words. The nuts part hasn’t displayed itself just yet.”
“Well, I hope we do get to see him. You know how I love a good battle.”
“You’re hopeless,” Emma laughed. Poor Dr. Alex. Emma’s money was on her sister. Guiding the car into her parking spot behind the clinic, Emma nodded toward a battered, dark blue Reanault. “Yep. My little friend is here. Better suit up your armor.”
As the car shuddered to a wheezing halt, Dr. Mackenzie emerged from the weathered hatchback. His black hair ruffled in the stiff breeze, whipping across his squinting eyes. A faded denim shirt strained across his chest, the soft cloth molding to his bulging muscles as though it was a second skin. A worn pair of jeans hugged him like a lover, accentuating the tempting package within.
“Thatis Dr. Jerk?” Laynie licked her lips. “Are you crazy? He’s a doll.”
“Yeah, he’s a doll all right. One of those head-spinning dolls possessed with demons like you see in the movies.” Emma plastered a polite smile across her face as she nodded at Alex. Great. He had spotted Laynie and was headed toward them. What a predatory saunter. The man’s fluid motions brought to mind the image of a stalking panther.
“Good morning, Alex.” Emma tried not to grit her teeth as she spoke but every time she dealt with the man, it turned into a verbal sparring match.
“Good morning, Emma.” Alex jerked a stiff nod in her direction while keeping his gaze fixed on Laynie. “This lovely young woman must be your sister?” Extending his hand toward Laynie, he flashed a rare, beguiling smile.
Laynie slid her hand into his. The color on her cheeks flushed to a pleasing shade of pink as she slightly ducked her head. “Thank you. You’re very kind.”
Kind my ass.Emma cleared her throat. Had Laynie actually giggled? Laynie never giggled around men. Had she not listened to a single word about what a jerk Alex Mackenzie could be?“Alex meet Laynie. Laynie this is Dr. Alex Mackenzie. He’s the founder of the clinic.” She might as well be talking to the bench at the end of the pavement. Neither Alex nor Laynie acknowledged her presence. What was wrong with Laynie? Emma had never seen her go gaga over a man.
“Laynie? What a musical name for such a beautiful woman.” Alex brought her hand up for a kiss while keeping his gaze locked with hers.
Laynie giggled again, touching her other hand to her lips as if trying to hide from the attentive man in front of her.
“Alex.” Emma glanced from Laynie’s face to Alex’s focused stare. “Alex?” She raised her voice. Neither one of them looked her way. This was ridiculous. It reminded her of being back in high school and trying to fit in with the crowd. “Alex!”
“Yes, Emma?” Alex turned her way, speaking in a tone that sounded as if he and Emma were the best of friends.
“We don’t want tointrudeon your busy schedule—” Emma couldn’t resist stressing the wordintrude. Alex obsessed about keeping everything on track. “But Laynie wanted a tour of the clinic before I showed her the rest of the island.”
Alex tucked Laynie’s hand into the crook of his arm while pulling her closer. “I would consider it an honor to give Laynie a tour of the clinic. It is no intrusion at all.”
Emma didn’t miss the slight narrowing of Alex’s eyes, nor the rippling of his jaw.Good.The real Alex still lived and breathed beneath the fawning man snuggled up to her sister. The only problem was she couldn’t tell if Alex was irritated because they had interrupted his schedule or was fuming because she hadn’t sent Laynie to the clinic alone. The body language between the two clearly transmitted the message: three is a crowd.
“Where isyourfriend this morning, Emma? Torin. Yes, isn’t Torin his name?” Alex tore his admiring gaze from Laynie’supturned face long enough to shoot an irritated glance Emma’s way.
