He pulled her into his arms, regardless of who watched. “I spent it missing ye.”
The kiss he gave her was intentionally quick, but filled with promise, for later. The one she returned, held a pledge of her own.
“It must have been difficult tae say goodbye tae Deidre.”
“It was. I hated to see her go, now that we’rereallygetting to know each other. I regret that we’ve never been close before this, but it’s impossible to connect with someone who’s always pretending to be somebody else. How can anyone build a relationship based on pretense? I’m just grateful that’s over and we can start fresh!”
A sense of doom settled over Reginald as he gathered packages and followed Lauren into the house. She, Julia and Phoebe were still talking about their day, when a string of vehicles came down the lane.
A second wave of apprehension washed over Reginald. Everything seemed to be closing in, as he and Drew walked out to meet them.
Six men exited three vans, with what seemed an inordinate amount of equipment.
“Unlike us, they don’t seem to lack in repelling gear. Or, any other kind.” Drew observed, as they went to greet them. Reginald listened to the introductions, happy to step back and let Drew take the lead.
Using a talking device while they hiked to the crag, one of the men recorded both Reginald’s and Drew’s statements. They detailed how they’d discovered the cave and the skeleton. And how, through family lore and documented research pertaining to the missing fingers, they’d surmised the remains, were that of Fergus McColl, who’d lived in the area in the eighteenth century. And that, through Reginald’s DNA, they hoped to confirm it.
Once there, Reginald was amazed at how the whole team worked as one. In no time, they had men over the edge and with Reginald’s precise directions, well on their way to the cave.
“We might as well sit.” Drew walked to the spot where they’d all gathered around Deidre, two days before. “Otherwise, we’re just in their way. There’s nothing more we can do but wait.”
Reginald paced, too wound up to sit. How could he explain two hundred seventy-odd years of waiting, to bring Fergus home? Even though he’d been in the cave the whole time, ’twas no’ the same as layin’ him to rest properly, beside his family.
“I’m going up tae the cemetery.” Suddenly, he needed to talk to da. “I’ll meet ye back here when they’re done.”
Reginald climbed the hill and walked to his parent’s graves, so overcome he found it difficult to speak. He knelt on one knee to brush his hand over the worn carving on their stone.
“Ye were right about Uncle Fergus, da. He dinnae escape tae another country as so many accused him o’ doin’. He was right here, the whole time. But I ken ye’ve known that for some years, already. If by chance ye ken what happened tae the treasure, as well, I’d appreciate it if ye’d whisper it tae me, so I could put the issue of our family honor, tae rest, once and for all. I’ll be layin’ Fergus’ remains tae rest here, beside the two of ye, verra soon.”
Settling his bulk on the soft ground, Reginald stared beyond the crag to the narrow gorge that had always reminded him of a funnel. “When I left for Culloden, ye told me I’d have adventures, and many people would flow in and out o’ my life, but eventually, ye kenned, I’d find my way back.” Memories of that day were achingly vivid. “Ye were right about that, too. It took the sacrifice of a wee witch and a second chance at mortality tae do it, but I finally made it home.”
Tears welled in his eyes. “But, I cannae stay. I’ll see Fergus buried. And I’ll see Phoebe taken care of, the best I can. Ye’d both like her. She’s so much like ye, mither, I cannae help but love her. And Lauren? I’ve a love for her so deep I cannae put words tae it. But ’tis achingly clear we belong in different worlds. Even if we dinnae, I cannae ken how tae tell her the truth about me. At least, no’ so she’d believe me.”
He might as well say the words aloud, that had been haunting him.
“When Lauren leaves and Phoebe no longer needs me, I’ll leave the glen, too. And pray that when my time comes, someone will care enough tae bring me back here, tae lie beneath my stone.”
* * *
By the timehe and Drew had waited through the hours of recovery and the team had carefully transported Fergus’ remains back to the vans, Reginald was emotionally exhausted. He dinnae understand what the team, or Drew, meant about Fergus’ ‘case’ being given to the Procurator Fiscal. All Reginald kenned was that he couldnae bury Fergus right away.
A wistful hollowness filled him, as he stood beside Drew, watching the vehicles leave with what remained of an uncle who’d played with him, laughed with him, taught him to fish and use a slingshot. And who he’d vowed to find, for several hundred years.
Found, and then lost again, in the space of a day.
This new world was still such a maze, Reginald wasnae sure he’d ever find his way through it. He certainly couldnae have managed things the way Drew had.
“I dinnae ken how I’ll ever repay ye, Drew.” He looked at his trusted friend. “If ever ye are in need of my help—” He stopped, realizing he wouldnae be around to give it. “I hope ye ken if there’s any way possible, I’ll be there for ye.”
Drew clapped him on the shoulder. “I may hold you to that. I’m willing to exploit any option to win Julia. Including you,” he laughed.
Together they walked into the house to find their ladies.
Lauren and Julia were busy taping and labeling some boxes, and Phoebe was at the stove stirring something delicious smelling, but nothing could be as enticing as seeing Lauren. Or, her subtle spring flowers scent, he thought, leaning in for a quick kiss. “Can I help ye with any o’ that?” he nodded toward the boxes.
“I’m still labeling them but later I could use a strong, handsome stranger to stack them away, for me.”
“Must he be a stranger?”
