MacGowan's Ghost (31 page)

 

The ride home the next morning was beyond breathtaking. Before she and Gabe left the cottage, they'd taken an early morning stroll through the wood and down to Loch Ness, where an eerie mist had slipped along the shore and blanketed the water. She'd borrowed one of Gabe's big sweaters, and together they walked the pebbled beach, looking for the infamous waterhorse.

Nessie had decided to keep to herself that morning.

Afterward, they'd driven into Drumnadrochit for breakfast, and then they'd started home. Gabe drove past another small ruin, a field dotted with white fluffy sheep, and then through Wester Ross.

At a craggy rock, they'd witnessed a majestic stag with a full rack of antlers, staring out across the moors. With the mist slipping through the air and the cool stillness of the morning, it nearly took Allie's breath away. Every sight felt new, memorable, beautiful.

As did the man beside her.

She'd never forget the strength he'd shown the night before. It made her feel proud that, even in the midst of an electrical current of pent-up desire, Gabe MacGowan held true to his sobriety vow. God, she'd always remember it.

As soon as the sign for Sealladh na Mara came into view, Allie felt at home.

Strange, given she was born in Raleigh, North Carolina.

The day had turned overcast, the wind had picked up, and the few small fishing boats anchored in the loch bobbed with the tide. The whitewashed buildings of the village stood stark against the grayness of the midmorning, but the flower boxes, filled with pansies and geraniums, lent a surreal color to the bleakness.

Come to think of it, the bleakness really wasn't all that bleak.

Gabe hadn't said anything more about Kait or the dreams and ghostly visits that had plagued him for God only knew how long. He'd made it quite clear how much he
didna
need Allie's help.

He just didn't realize Allie's potential. Mending souls is what she did for a
living
, and she accomplished it by actually being able to understand the spirits' issues. And if anyone's soul needed mending, it was Kait MacGowan's. Why would Gabe willingly want to suffer if he didn't have to?

Talk about suffering. Suffering was being held against Gabe MacGowan's bare chest with his lips pressed against your neck, and then being told to go to bed.

That
was suffering.

She glanced over at him. Jaw tight, eyes trained on the road ahead, that little space between the brows pinched. Fingers gripping the steering wheel as if holding on for dear life.

But then Gabe must have sensed her stare, and when he turned his head he flashed a wide, white smile. His green eyes softened and Allie all but melted.

She'd decided earlier, while suffering in Gabe's arms against his bare, six-pack abdomen, that she was going to help Gabe by helping Kait's soul—whether Gabe wanted her to or not. The poor woman had been miserable in life, and was even more miserable in death. And the more miserable a soul became, the more malevolent it became. It couldn't help it. Allie didn't think Kait MacGowan deserved it. Gabe's wife had been young. She'd made mistakes.
Everyone
makes mistakes.

Besides. Kait was Jake's mother. Allie felt pretty sure little Jake wouldn't want his own mother suffering an eternity of misery.

The Rover pulled onto the one-track lane of Sealladh na Mara and started the incline toward Odin's Thumb. No sooner had they pulled to a stop than the door swung open and a middle-aged woman wearing a gray suit ran out.

Gabe's head turned and his gaze followed the woman as she ran across the street, jumped into a red two-door, and sped away. “Christ.”

Just then, Sean came hurrying out of Odin's. Gabe and Allie stepped out of the Rover, and met the grinning younger man on the walk.

Sean glanced at the red car speeding up the lane. “Right. There goes another one.”

Gabe rubbed the back of his neck. “Another one?”

Sean nodded. “Two since you left. The Realtor called directly after and asked if the two appointments could be moved up.” He shrugged. “We handled it.”

Gabe scratched his temple. “I dunna even want to know about it—”

“Da!”

They turned and Jake came barreling out of Odin's, followed by the five residing souls, plus Dauber.

Jake leapt into Gabe's arms and the two hugged tightly.

“How's me lad, aye?” Gabe said, and kissed his son on the cheek. “Have you been well behaved?”

Jake grinned. “Not so much.”

Gabe laughed. “Well, with your uncle Sean around I canna say I blame you.” He kissed him again and set him on the ground.

Then Jake made a beeline for Allie. She squatted down and Jake ran straight into her arms. When she hugged him, she caught Gabe's eye, and he smiled.

The sight nearly made her melt.

Against her ear, Jake whispered, “Have you mended me da's soul yet, Allie Morgan?”

Allie squeezed the little boy tightly, loving his clean scent and sweet concern over his father. “I think I may have,” she said. When Jake lifted his head, he smiled. “I knew you were the one.”

The profoundness of Jake's confidence struck her, and Allie nearly teared up. She stood, and Jake took her hand in his.

Gabe watched on, smiling.

“I see you two had a couple of verra close calls,” Sean said with a grin. “I thought Drew was going to go mad.”

“I nearly did go mad,” the friar said, stepping forward and giving a mock glare. “I'm quite happy to see you two return safely.”

“You had a lovely trip,
oui
?” said Mademoiselle, her powdered wig teetering just a bit to the left. “Did you meet anyone interesting?”

Allie caught the eye of Captain Justin Catesby. He shook his head and laughed. Turning to Gabe, he gave a short nod. “Glad to see you home again, lad. And I thank you for keeping your word.”

Lords Ramsey and Killigrew watched on, devilment shining in their eyes.

She could only imagine what sort of naughtiness they'd conjured in the hours they'd been gone.

Just then, the door opened and Wee Mary poked her head out. The delicious scent of pot roast wafted out and mixed with the brine of Sealladh na Mara, and Allie's stomach growled.

“Boy, dunna you feed the lass properly?” said Justin. “I can hear her bloody innards protesting from here.”

Everyone roared.

Allie held her stomach. “Well, thank you very much, Justin, for that announcement.” She led Jake by the hand and past the mischievous lot of souls and into Odin's.

Wee Mary looked up at her and grinned.

And Allie grinned back.

And as they all pitched in and prepared for the Sunday pot roast crowd, Allie thought things could hardly be more perfect.

And the only thing left to do was to help right one lost soul's mistake in life, and help her find the peace she so desperately craved.

Even if Kait didn't realize it.

 

Nearly two weeks went by, and Allie was beginning to wonder if she'd frightened off the malevolent soul of Kait MacGowan.

Allie knew the spirits listened to her more closely than they did anyone else. Yes, she was still mortal, but because she'd died
twice,
they seemed to respect her a bit more, value her consult. At least, she liked to think.

Earlier, before they'd turned in, Gabe had finally admitted that his dreams had stopped, and Kait had shown herself no more. Gabe didn't have to admit it, though. Allie had been able to tell by Gabe's demeanor and attitude over the past two weeks.

It'd been an amazing transformation.

As Allie rested, duvet pulled to her chin and the smoky peat burning in the hearth, she thought of that amazing, transformed man. Funny, joking, and laid-back, Gabe MacGowan had done something he hadn't done in years.
Live life.

And she'd been lucky enough to witness it.

Before Sean had gone back to Glasgow, he, Gabe, and Jake had taken her on the ferry to Skye and Iona. The day had been absolutely breathtaking, with the sun shining full and bright. The air had remained crisp and cool, especially with the brisk sea wind. The white, fluffy clouds stood stark against a cerulean sky, and the sun had reflected against the choppy water like hundreds and hundreds of finely cut diamonds under a brilliant flash of light.

Although Jake had crossed over to Skye and Iona many times, he kept his uncle busy, darting here and there, wanting to sit on top deck, wanting to sit on bottom deck, wanting to get close to the bow, wanting to sit by the captain.

Excited by everything he saw.

Allie thought it adorable.

She ran with him a good bit, too. Heck,
she
wanted to sit by the captain.

But Jake's father had other things on his mind. He'd grabbed Allie, and they'd stood at the
Caledonian
's railing as they'd crossed to the isles. Gabe had gathered her in his arms, her back to his front, his chin resting atop her head. The sea had washed over them, and Gabe had nuzzled her neck and brushed kisses against her ear.

By the time they'd reached Skye, Allie thought she might have to take a wee dip in the seawater to douse her desire.

The man certainly could get her worked up.

They'd then spent one day visiting the Isle of Skye, where they'd viewed the MacLeod stronghold, and the spectacular cliffs. Another day, they'd visited the isles of Mull and Iona, with the colorful red, yellow, and blue buildings of Mull's Tobermory, and the ancient cloister and abbey at Iona. Serene and moving, the nearly 180 medieval-carved stones and crosses stood sturdy and proud against the fierceness of the Hebrides.

And Allie had never been more thrilled than to share it all with Gabe MacGowan. And she'd never thought she'd ever find a love so intense and real . . .

Allie's eyelids grew heavy, and she had no idea how long she'd been asleep before a small voice awakened her.

“Allie, come quick!” cried little Jake. He grabbed her hand and pulled. “Please, Allie.
Now!
”

Allie jumped up and hit the floor running, Jake right on her heels.

Without even asking, she ran straight for Gabe's room.

Chapter 28

W
hen Allie threw open Gabe's bedroom door, her heart nearly stopped. The lights flickered, and Gabe lay sprawled out on the bed, unmoving, pale.

And hovering over him, Kait's ghastly spirit.

She wished Jake hadn't seen his mother's soul in such a state, but he had. He was just as receptive to spirits as anyone else in Sealladh na Mara.

“Go find the others,” Allie instructed Jake.

He took off down the corridor.

Slowly, she stepped into the room and eased in close to Gabe's bed. God Almighty, she'd swear he was dead if not for the very slight rise and fall of his chest. Behind his lids, his eyes rolled restlessly back and forth. She didn't know how, but Kait had him.

She needed to do something
now
.

“Kait,” Allie said, making her voice calm, steady. When the spirit ignored her, Allie raised her voice. “Let him go, Kait. Now.”

The decayed shell representing Kait's body turned her head and screamed. The sound, inhuman and unnatural, made Allie nauseated. She covered her ears until the sensation passed, and then she addressed her once more.

“Kait! You won't change anything by harming him,” she yelled, forceful and angry now. “Let him go, Kait, and let me help
you
.” Somehow, through so much torment and misery, Kait's soul had gained an unnatural strength. Not physical strength on Kait's part, but rather using the power of her mind to control the strength within Gabe.

Allie had never experienced anything like it before.

The remaining eye on Kait's ghostly face bored into Allie. That mouth, so gruesome and exaggerated, stretched open wide. Still, she said nothing.

“Do it for Jake, Kait,” Allie continued, stepping closer. The icy wind in the room picked up and whipped through Allie's hair. “He loves you, Kait. I can help mend your soul!”

“Bloody hell,” yelled Justin from the doorway. “Get out of there, lassie!”

A quick glance told her Dauber, Captain Catesby, the friar, and the others had all gathered behind her. Mademoiselle Elise Bedeau gasped.

“I can't,” Allie whispered to herself. “I won't leave him.” Tears stung her eyes, and Allie stepped around the bed, closer to Kait's hovering form. “I love him. Do you hear me?” she said firmly at Kait's soul. “I won't let you take him.” Sitting on the side of the bed, Allie lay across Gabe's body. It felt cold to the touch, and it looked as though he barely breathed.

“I know you've suffered a long time,” Allie said, now looking directly up at the semitransparent form of Gabe's wife. “I can help you, Kait. You don't have to suffer anymore.”

“No, Jake!”

Allie glanced at the door in time to see Jake hurtling across the room toward them. His face was scrunched in anger, fists flailing.

“Get away from my da!” he hollered. “Leave my da alone!”

Suddenly, Jake's body stopped so fiercely, it seemed as though he'd hit a brick wall. He stumbled back and stared, disbelieving.

“No!” Allie cried. “Kait, no!”

Gabe's dead wife looked at Allie then, and before Allie knew what was happening, she unwillingly moved her body from Gabe's, and with a force she hadn't expected, Kait slammed her against the wall.

Dauber, Justin, and the two lords rushed into the room. Dauber stood over Jake while the others approached the floating form of Kait MacGowan.