MacGowan's Ghost (35 page)

Gabe had kept Jake out of school, and with the help of Jeff, the ferryman, loaded nearly the entire village of Sealladh na Mara onto the vessel, and gone to the very spot where Kait had drowned. The sun slipped out from behind the clouds and shone brightly, making the water dance and sparkle. Friar Drew Digby had led a small sermon, sending Kait prayers of peace and serenity, and little Jake read a small letter he'd written to his mum. After a word of prayer, they'd laced the sea's surface with flowers; Jake placed his small note in a bottle, capped it, and dropped it in, as well.

Allie had slipped a peek at Gabe, whose expression revealed little—except to her. She could sense his acceptance of Kait's actions, her mistakes—as well as his own. That day, he didn't just forgive his wife, but he forgave
himself
.

It made Allie's heart soar.

After the ceremony, the ferry chugged back to Sealladh na Mara, where the folks hustled back to their businesses, and life went on as usual for a Friday midmorning.

Except for the ferryman, Jeff. Who simply waited at the wharf, smoking a pipe.

There was something decidedly different in the air. Allie could tell. She just couldn't tell
what
.

Back at Odin's, Wee Mary and Laina took over the kitchen. Gabe grinned, brought Allie her coat, and pulled her to the door. “My sweet auntie and mum have the lunch crowd taken care of.”

“Where are we going?” Allie said, laughing.

Gabe stopped, slipped her jacket on her, and kept his eyes trained on hers. “You'll see.”

He slowly buttoned her peacoat, and at the top, his fingers stilled, his gaze deepened, his green eyes grew smoky. He leaned into her, and his mouth settled over hers in a slow, erotic kiss. When he pulled back, Allie's heart slammed into her chest.

“Let's go.”

And so they did.

Gabe grabbed her hand and led her at a fast pace down the walk, past Leona's, who stopped them, handed Gabe two white paper bags of
something
, two thermoses of
something
, and then shot them both a knowing smile filled with
something.
They continued on.

At the wharf, Jeff the ferryman gave a nod and led them to the small dock where the ferry sat anchored. Allie threw a questioning look at Gabe, who merely smiled, shrugged, and led her on board. He took her straight to the bow, deposited their foodstuff in a small container, and pulled her into his arms.

Allie settled against his chest, his chin resting on her shoulder, and the scruff of his jaw brushing hers made her just snuggle closer. So she did. His lips smiled against her ear. “Do you notice anything special, lass?”

Allie sighed. “Yeah, the friar's not here, trying to pull us apart.”

Gabe kissed her lobe. “Exactly.”

Allie's knees turned mushy.

With a few short blasts of the horn, the ferry began to move.

Although it was still very chilly, the sun shot warm rays of light through the sparse clouds, and the wind felt crisp against Allie's skin. With Gabe's warmth around her, she wasn't cold a bit.

When he kissed her neck, as he was doing now? Quite the opposite.

She was burning up.

The ferry skirted the shoreline and traveled north, and the dramatic scenery took Allie's breath away. Gabe showed her several landmarks, including a circle of ancient standing stones, high on a cliff. He promised to take her there.

She couldn't wait.

“Allie, turn round.”

She did, and leaned her back against the railing. She looked up, wondering at the look of intensity that clenched his jaws, turned his eyes darker. She cocked her head. “What's wrong?”

Gabe looked down at her, his eyes searching her face. With his thumb, he slid it along her jaw, over her chin, and across her lips. He watched his movement with a look of fascination in his eye. Finally, he lifted his gaze back to hers. “I never thought I'd be truly happy. Content, aye. I could be content with my family, my son. Sealladh na Mara. But happy and fulfilled, in here?” He lifted her hand and placed it over his heart. “No' until I met you, Allie Morgan.”

Allie's heart sang at his words. She started to tell him so, but a finger over her lips hushed her.

“I am so in love wi' you it makes me ache inside,” he said, his brogue deepening. “You've swept into my life, Jake's life, my family—we've all been affected by you, lass. Especially me.”

Allie blinked. His brutal honesty and admission of things guys usually wouldn't admit to stunned her. Gabe was a man's man. He was big, scruffy, not so much the sensitive type but more the totally honest type, she supposed.

He was being honest now.

It made her breath catch.

Just then, the horn blasted, and Jeff the ferryman's voice came over the intercom, gruff, deeply brogued, and clear. “Turn to starboard, Allie Morgan!”

Allie glanced at Gabe, whose jaw flinched. His eyes twinkled. And she turned to starboard.

There, on a nearby island—more like a large copse, really—stood two large poles jammed into the ground, and stretched between them, a big sign. The words MARRY ME, ALLIE MORGAN were painted in bright red.

She gasped and covered her mouth. The longer she stared at that white sign with red lettering that said MARRY ME, ALLIE MORGAN, the more tears built in her eyes. She felt herself shaking, and she gripped the rail of the ferry hard to try to stop that shaking. It didn't work.

“Allie,” whispered Gabe against her ear, kissing the lobe, his warm breath making goose bumps rise on her skin. “Say aye, love. Marry me. I swear you willna regret it.”

Slowly, Allie turned and leaned against the rail. Her breath came fast, and as she looked into Gabe's eyes, she knew how deeply she'd fallen in love with the Highlander.

But it still frightened her. She wasn't a whole woman.

“You know I can't have children,” she said, scared the reminder would change his mind. “It's not a misdiagnosis, Gabe. I've had surgery. I can't conceive. Ever.”

Gabe took both hands and placed them on either side of her jaw. He tilted her head to better look at her and studied her for several seconds. It seemed like hours.

“You were sent to me, Allie Morgan. Sent to me and Jake. You were made just for us, and I would be honored for you to be my son's mother.” He brushed his lips over hers and whispered, “Christ, I'm in love wi' you. Please say aye.”

Allie's heart soared, and she wrapped her arms around Gabe's neck and pressed her lips against his.

How could she reject a proposal like that?

She
couldn't.

“Aye, Gabe MacGowan, I'll marry you,” she said, and kissed him. Then she pulled back. “It is more than an honor for me to be Jake's mother.”

Gabe embraced her tightly, grasped her jaw with one hand, tilted her head just so, and met her gaze. His green eyes had softened, and they stared right into her soul. “You've made me complete, Allie Morgan.”

And then he turned to the little window where Jeff the ferryman sat behind the ship's wheel, gave a thumbs-up, and Jeff let out five long blasts on the horn.

Gabe shouted and punched the air as the horn blew. “Aye! She said
aye
!” He laughed and swung her around, her feet leaving the wooden deck. “Woo-hoo! I'm gettin' married!”

Allie laughed and marveled at the change in Gabe MacGowan. It literally stole her breath.

He stopped then, settled her against the rail, and held her close. His eyes searched hers, and he gave her a smile that reflected in his eyes. “You've made me a happy man, you ken?” he said. “You've mended my soul, Allie Morgan.” He grasped her hand in his, and withdrew something from the pocket of his leather jacket. Gently, he straightened her finger and eased on the most beautiful ring Allie had ever seen. A silver band with a square setting and a modest solitaire diamond, it fit her perfectly in every way. “ 'Twas my granny's, and I'd be honored if you wore it.”

She stroked the antique ring and smiled up at him. “I love it.”

Then he kissed her. Slow, deep, and so sensual Allie thought the friar would pop up at any second. Gabe's hand stilled on her hip, and he rested his forehead against hers. “
Tapadh leat
,” he whispered in Gaelic.

“What's that mean?” she asked.

He looked at her, his eyes filled with joy. “Thank you.”

Allie kissed Gabe then, and they stayed wrapped tight in each other's arms until the ferry reached Sealladh na Mara's wharf.

Hand in hand they walked up the lane, back to Odin's Thumb. When they walked in, Allie was surprised to see it packed with
everyone
. They stared, silent. No one said a word.

And then the entire crowd, ghostly and mortal, erupted in a deafening cheer.

Thanks to Jeff the ferryman, and his blasting horn, the village of Sealladh na Mara knew Allie's answer.

Gabe grinned, then laughed, and pulled Allie close. “She said aye!” he hollered, just in case anyone missed the blasts.

And once the crowd settled in at Odin's Thumb, including the spirited souls sitting amongst the towns-people, they all cheered again. Wee Mary and Laina rushed over, raining kisses on Gabe's and Allie's cheeks.

Little Jake jumped down from his seat in the alcove, next to Justin, and rushed across the floor to Allie. He threw his arms around her waist and hugged her tight.

Allie bent down, and hugged him proper. The little guy wrapped his arms around her neck and whispered in her ear, “I am ever so happy to have you as my other mum. And I thank you for mending me da's soul, Allie Morgan.”

Allie didn't think her heart could fly any higher. The two men she loved most stood beside her. An entire family had accepted her into their fold as their own, as well as the entire village of Sealladh na Mara.

Not to mention her new spirited friends, as well.

Wee Mary clunked a glass against the table. “We've got a weddin' to plan!”

Cheers went up, and Allie suddenly realized she had a lot of work to do.

She glanced up and met Gabe's gaze, and she knew then she probably didn't have a whole lot of time to do it in.

Which was completely okay by her.

Chapter 32

 

 

G
abe paced at the front of the small Norman kirk, wearing his best kilt. The entire village had turned out for the event, as well as all the Munros, and Allie's mum and sisters. Lovely lasses, all of them.

No' nearly as lovely as his Allie.

His father had his on, too. A kilt, that is. He watched as Gabe paced.

Watched, and
smirked
.

Gabe stopped. “What is so bloody funny?”

“Shh!” hissed his da. “Watch your tongue in the house of God, lad.” He grinned. “You're quite nervous, aye?”

“Of course I'm nervous.” He rubbed the bridge of his nose. “What if she changes her mind?”

Silence.

When Gabe looked up, his da had changed his expression from quirky to serene. He smiled.

“ 'Tis more than fine to see you so happy, son,” said Gerald. “I canna think of a better mate for you.”

He gave his da a nod. “I canna, either.” He glanced at his watch for the hundredth time. “What's takin' so long—”

Just then, a haunting melody of a pipe drifted into the kirk, and the priest stepped out of a side room and took his place. He nodded at Friar Digby, who joined him.

Together, they'd complete the ceremony.

Gerald took his place next to Gabe, and waited.

Gabe could barely breathe. He wondered briefly if his dress dirk was sharp enough to impale himself on . . .

Finally, the lads and lasses came through the door.

Allie's sister Emma walked with Ethan. She looked like a wee sprite wearing a blue gown beside that big oaf. And the Munro, the jackass, was smiling from ear to ear. At least he'd pulled some of that hair back. They started the procession down in the old stone church, with tiny candles lining both sides of the aisle. Candles were lit everywhere, in the alcoves, windows, and walls.

Next, Allie's sister Boe came through the door on the arm of Sean. Those two would definitely have to be watched.

Finally, Ivy Morgan came through with none other than Jake. His son looked handsome in his kilt, and he held the arm of Allie's youngest sister with the seriousness of any grown lad.

They all took their places, Ethan looked down and winked at Gabe, Sean barely contained a smirk, and Gerald lightly elbowed him.

Then the music changed.

If Gabe thought the first tune to be haunting, the one now playing topped it by meters. Allie appeared in the doorway of the kirk, and Gabe's heart hit his ribs so hard he nearly gasped.

Christ, the woman was beautiful.

She'd flown back to America briefly, and whilst there she'd chosen a gown. It was simple, elegant, an off-white silk with thin straps that clung to her narrow hips and flat stomach, and with that mass of blond curls pulled up and a tiny veil just to her chin, she simply took Gabe's breath away . . .

Dauber guided her down the aisle to him. The priest said his prayers, Dauber gave Allie away, and she and Gabe then faced each other.

Drew Digby said a few words, too, although he was a friar-in-training.

Then they joined hands. Allie's felt warm against his, and he could barely concentrate on what the priest said, he was so consumed with her.

“Do you take this woman forever, lad? To treat her with kindness and respect, and to love through all times, good and bad?”