MacGowan's Ghost (32 page)

“Cease, Kait!” shouted Justin. “You've no place here anymore. You must leave him. Leave
them
.”

Allie tried to speak, to tell Justin to hush, but she couldn't breathe. An invisible hand squeezed her throat, and she felt hers fingertips go numb.

Gabe pushed up onto his elbows, glanced at Jake on the floor, and Allie against the wall. He shook his head, as though trying to clear his vision, and then he turned a hard stare onto his dead wife.

“Kait, I understand now.” He glanced at Allie, fear in his wide green eyes. “Let her go, lass. Let her go now and I'll make sure 'tis done.”

The hideous, flimsy form shifted, hovered, and came to float beside Allie.

“Leave,” the soul hissed in Allie's ear. “You'll no' have them.
Ever
. . .”

A fierce wind pummeled through the room and out the window. The lights stopped flickering, and Allie's breath came out in a rush. Her knees gave out from under her and she crumpled to the floor.

Kait's dispirited soul had vanished.

Jake and Gabe reached Allie at the same time.

“Da!” Jake said.

Gabe pulled his son close, and with his free hand he grabbed Allie's chin, a bit roughly, and turned it side to side. His eyes searched her face, then settled on her eyes.

“Are you hurt?” he said, his voice hoarse, and when she didn't answer, his voice became harsh. “Did she hurt you?”

Allie shook her head. “No, I'm fine,” she said. “I'm fine, really.” She lifted her hand and placed it over Gabe's.

He pulled her into a fierce embrace, his son on one side, Allie on the other, and Allie threw her arms around him and snuggled close. She felt Jake's little hand rest on her back.

“ 'Twill be all right, Allie Morgan,” said Jake, patting her. “Right, Da?”

The spirits of Odin's Thumb stood about them, Dauber included, and watched.

Gabe raised his head and met Allie's gaze. “Right, lad. 'Twill all be fine. I promise.”

Allie held on, and even as she felt Gabe's kiss atop her head, and his arm pull her closer, fear tightened her throat. She wanted to comfort Jake, to tell him his mother couldn't help the state she was in and that she just needed help. But before she could, Gabe spoke.

“Jake, go with the others to the lobby, aye?”

Jake glanced up, first at Allie, then at Gabe. “Och, Da—”

“Go now, lad,” Gabe said firmly. “I'll come see to you after I have a private word with Allie. Aye?”

“Aye,” Jake said. He slowly got up and patted Allie's head. When he leaned to her cheek to kiss it, he whispered, “ 'Twill be all right. My da says so. He promised.”

And with that, he ran to the door, a reluctant group of spirited souls trudging behind him.

At the door, Dauber glanced over his bony shoulder and gave Allie a winsome smile. Almost as if he knew what was going to happen. It made her heart sink a little more.

And then Dauber left.

Gabe rose, walked to the window, and slammed it shut. He paced, thankfully unharmed, in a pair of drawstring sleep pants. Nothing more.

He rubbed the back of his neck and didn't say anything for quite some time.

Allie got up and sat on the edge of the bed while he continued to pace silently.

“I'm sorry I ever brought you here,” he finally said. He didn't look at her. “ 'Twas a mistake, lass.” He did look then. “A bloody mistake.”

Allie didn't know what to say. A lump formed in her throat, and it took several times to swallow past it. “You don't mean that,” she said quietly.

Anger flared in Gabe's eyes. “Aye, I do mean it.” He looked away, swore, and stopped. Turning, he crossed the room and pulled her up. “I want you to go home, Allie Morgan.” He glared at her. “I dunna want you here anymore.”

Breath wouldn't come. Even though she knew he was saying it out of fear for her safety, it knocked the wind from her. After a few tries to suck in a little air, Allie looked at Gabe, searched his face, and could think of nothing better to say than what she'd said before. “You can't mean that—”

He gave her a shake. “I do mean it! Stop sayin' I dunna mean it when I do!” With his hand around her wrist, Gabe pulled.

“What are you doing?” she cried. “Gabe, stop it!” She followed him, only to keep from being dragged along. Up the stairs and to her room they went, and at the door, he slung it open and pulled her inside. He dropped her arm.

“I want you to pack your belongings now, Allie,” he said, barely looking at her. “I'm sending you home.”

Allie stared at him. “I love you.”

His face hardened, jaw tight and flinching. “Get packed now, Allie.”

Tears burned the backs of her eyes and throat. He wasn't thinking rationally, and she knew it, but it still hurt. “It's two in the morning, Gabe.”

“I'll take you to Wee Mary's. You'll wait there until the morn. You're no' stayin' here.” He gave her a hard stare. “Now get packed. We'll leave in an hour.”

And with that he stormed out and slammed the door.

Allie stared at the solid oak door and wiped the tears as they fell from her face.

She swore in Gaelic and punched the pillow.

Gabe MacGowan loved her. She
knew
that. And she also knew he was sending her away because he feared for her life.

To see his face in anger, seemingly directed at her? Yeah, that hurt. But she knew it wasn't
really
directed at her.

Gabe was absolutely terrified. Who wouldn't be? She'd met a few malevolent beings before, and they were the most unsettled and dispirited of souls. Kait's was one of the worst she'd ever experienced, and it left little wonder why Gabe feared his dead wife would do something to Allie, or maybe even to Jake. It was completely possible.

Allie understood all of that perfectly.

Pushing off the bed, she dropped to her knees and pulled the empty suitcase out from under the bed, yanked her clothes out of the drawers, and packed.

What Gabe MacGowan
didn't
realize about Allie Morgan was that, like the spirited souls she advocated for, she couldn't be made to do anything she didn't want to do. Or vice versa.

And by God, she didn't want to leave Odin's Thumb, Sealladh na Mara, or Gabe and Jake MacGowan.

And all the family in between.

She loved them. Loved them all.

And she was
in love
with Gabe.

They
had unfinished business.

They
were unsettled.

And she wasn't going to stop until she'd made it all right.

Allie raced around the room and grabbed what few things she had, pulled on a pair of jeans and a long-sleeved tee, and finished stuffing her suitcase. She glanced at her watch. Only fifteen minutes had passed since Gabe's order to pack.

Pulling her hair into a ponytail, she dug out her NCSU baseball cap, threaded her hair through the hole in the back, and settled it on snugly. She ran across the hall, brushed her teeth and washed her face, and then hurried back over to the room. Zipping the suitcase, she pulled it to the stairs, picked it up, and trotted to the first floor.

There stood all the Odin's lot, waiting, their faces long and sad.

She'd let them stay long and sad. If any of them knew what she was up to, they'd probably tattle.

The friar pushed his cowl back and looked at her with unshed tears. “My dear, this is so sudden. I'm certain Himself will change his mind.”

“
Oui
, miss. I think you should consider having speech with him once he's calmed down a bit,” said Mademoiselle Bedeau. She snugged the ribbon beneath her chin and sniffed. “Perhaps had we known Kait's soul was coming to Gabe. We thought he was having naught but bad dreams.”

“Kait's soul has just begun appearing to Gabe,” said Justin. “Until now, it has only been nightmares.” He looked at Allie. “Settle down, lass. We can talk some sense into the lad.”

Allie smiled at all the Odin's spirits. They'd all become friends. And no way was she letting on to what she was about to do. Justin, for one, wouldn't allow it, if he knew. She looked at them all. “You have been wonderful,” she said with a sigh, “but I don't think there's any changing of Himself's mind. You didn't see him up there.” She inclined her head. “He meant it when he told me to leave.”

Justin Catesby met her gaze. “And he always means what he says, aye?”

Allie gave a soft smile. “He does.”

Glancing around, and not seeing Gabe, Allie thought the best thing to do would be to just leave. If she had to endure little Jake's tears, she just might not be able to accomplish what needed to be done.

To settle Kait's soul whether she wanted it settled or not . . .

With a winsome grin, because she didn't know when the next time she'd see the inside of Odin's would be, Allie said her good-byes. “You talk to Dauber. Apparently he knows how to shift places rather well. And you can come to see me anytime you please.”

Mademoiselle Bedeau hiccupped. The friar sniffed. The two lords gave a solemn bow of the head and Justin kept his back turned.

“Come on, Dauber,” Allie said. “Let's go.”

And with that, they did. She'd have to let Dauber in on her plan, of course, or that busybody would be wondering why she hadn't boarded the plane to take her home.

Gabe returned from taking Jake to his mum and da's and started up the steps to the second floor of Odin's. His head pounded.

He didna want Allie Morgan to leave at all. Christ Almighty, he loved her.

But she had to.

Kait's spirit had crossed a barrier she'd not crossed until tonight. Haunting Gabe was one thing.

Threatening the life of the woman he loved was quite another. Now he also feared for Jake's well-being, too.

When he got to Allie's room, the door sat ajar. He pushed it open, only to find it verra empty. He wasted no time in rushing downstairs. When he got there, the Odin's lot, minus Justin Catesby and Dauber, stood near the door.

“Where's Allie?” Gabe asked.

“You told her to leave,” said the friar. “So she did.”

The others glowered at him.

“I didna mean for her to set off in the middle of the night alone,” Gabe said, glancing round. “Where'd she go?”

“To Wee Mary's,” said Lord Killigrew. “She walked.”

Gabe didna wait to find out anything else. He hadn't meant for Allie to just
leave
.

Pushing back out of Odin's, Gabe ran up the walk and round the corner to the small lane Wee Mary lived on. He raced to the door and knocked.

Wee Mary peered out, a frown affixed to her face. “Aye?”

“Can I come in, Auntie?” Gabe said.

Wee Mary's eyes narrowed. “Dunna
Auntie
me, boy. If 'tis Allie you're wantin' to see, then too bad. She doesna want to see you at all.”

Gabe blinked. He hadn't expected that.

Wee Mary cocked her head. “Unless you've come to your bloody senses and changed your mind about her leavin'?”

Gabe rubbed his eyes. “Nay, I havena changed my mind.” He met Wee Mary's gaze. “I . . . just want to say good-bye, aye?”

Mary's frown deepened. “You should have said your good-byes before you tossed her out on her wee ear!”

Gabe sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. “I have my reasons.”

Wee Mary wasna letting him through that door for love or money.

Again, he heaved a sigh. “The cabbie will be here at nine sharp to pick her up. Her tickets are at the airport in Inverness.” He looked at his wee little aunt and gave a solemn smile. “Make sure she goes, Wee Mary, aye? Her life depends on it.”

Chapter 29

“
O
ch, come away from the window, love. He might see you,” said Wee Mary.

Allie watched Gabe leave. The look of misery etched in his features made her heart hurt. She'd been on the other side of the door as he'd pleaded with Wee Mary to let him inside. Allie had drawn all her strength together to keep from throwing open the door and catapulting herself into his arms. Even in the dark and in the low light from the porch, his face looked drawn and she could see that the dark circles beneath his eyes were back. She prayed it wouldn't be long before that look disappeared from his handsome face forever.

When Gabe rounded the corner, Allie moved from the window.

“Now, love,” said Wee Mary, patting her arm and tugging her to the sofa. “Have a wee rest. You've several hours before the cab arrives.”

Mary crossed the room, scooted down the hall, and brought back a pillow and blanket. She set them on the sofa beside Allie and glanced over at her two companions. “Now you lads will have to find somethin' to do with yourselves whilst she rests. She's got a busy day ahead of her.”

Dauber and Justin stood a few feet away. Allie smiled. “That's okay, Wee Mary. I don't mind if they stay. Conjure up a couple of stools, guys, so you're not just standing over me.”

And so they did.

Wee Mary reached with her hand and gently grasped Allie's chin, lifting her head to meet her gaze. “That boy loves you, lass. I could see it in his face how badly he didna want you to leave. So dunna go gettin' yourself hurt, aye? I'd never forgive myself for schemin' behind Gabe's back if you did.”

Allie grabbed Wee Mary's hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. “I know, and I appreciate your help. I promise to be safe.”

Wee Mary nodded. “Good, then.” She cocked her head. “But tell me, lass. Why is it you have to go out on the water at such an hour as one in the mornin'?”