Psychic Link (Linked Inc. Book 2) (10 page)

Chapter
15

Cara kept her gaze focused out the window the entire plane ride back to Florida, ignoring her Aunt Betty. Cooper had stayed on the island, to help settle the chaos that had ensued, and to give statements. Cara didn’t care. Her body was numb, her heart unfeeling. It was surreal. Everything she’d experienced, everything she’d learned.

“Cara, don’t be mad at Coop. Give him a chance to explain.”

Cara turned toward her aunt. “There’s nothing to explain. You knew; he knew, and neither one of you told me.”

Cara turned back to the window and got lost in the haze of the clouds. She closed her eyes, hoping that Aunt Betty would take the hint. She did. For once in her life, she did. There were no witty remarks, no trying to make things right. Cara let the silence consume her until the plane jolted as the wheels met the tarmac.

The limo her father sent greeted the plane, and the ride to her mother's was quick. It was the last place she’d wanted to go, but she needed her car.

Coop’s sister, Angela, was waiting on the porch with Cara’s mother and sisters. Cara took a deep breath before getting out of the car.

None of them rushed to her side. They stood stoic, as if afraid to move.

“Cara,” her mother said, stepping off the stairs. “We have something to tell you.”

Her words made Cara pause. “Can it wait, Mom?”

“No, dear. It can’t.” Her mom guided Cara to stand in front of the others. “Tell her.”

“Tell me what?” Cara asked.

“We lied,” Harper said, sitting on the steps. The others followed and sat down too.

“All of us,” Becca amended.

Aunt Betty moved to stand beside Cara. “It’s my fault. I dragged them into it. If you’re going to be angry, be angry at me.”

Cara’s heart clenched. The need to know ate at her gut.

“I was never in danger,” Angela spoke.

“Technically, I did have a vision, but it wasn’t Angela. It was about her brother and you,” Becca amended.

“We couldn’t come up with any other plan for you guys to work together.”

“He loves me. I was the logical choice,” Angela said.

“I called the plane home,” her mom said, moving to stand next to the girls. “So you two wouldn’t come rushing back.”

“And you?” Cara asked, looking at Harper. “What did you do?”

“I didn’t do anything.” Harper held up her hands.

“You didn’t tell me the truth.” Anger stirred in Cara’s body, awakening her suppressed emotions, letting the dam break free. “I’ve spent three days with a man that knew about me and didn’t want me. I fucking slept with him. I could be pregnant. We both almost died, and all of you…” She gestured to the group. “All of you viewed this as some sick, twisted, fucking game.”

A hot, angry tear slid down her face. Cara didn’t wait for them to answer as she stormed to her car and yanked the door open. She slid behind the wheel, turned the key in the ignition and hit the gas. Where did the betrayal end?

Cara arrived home to find Ian greeting her at the door. He held his arms open, and she walked straight into his embrace as she finally let the tears she’d been holding back consume her. She braced herself for the visions, blocking what she could, and yet still, a few slipped by. It didn’t matter. She didn’t matter.

“Tell me you weren’t in on it,” she said through her sobs. “Tell me that you didn’t know.”

“Harper called and said you were upset. That’s all I know.” He cupped her cheek and glanced down at her. “I hate to see a lass cry. Tell me what happened, and I’ll fix it.”

Cara spent the next hour explaining how everything had gone wrong, and how the people she loved most had betrayed her trust. Ian ground his teeth as he paced the living room. He looked as angry as Cara had once felt. “Pack a bag, get your passport. You’re leaving with me.”

“I can’t just go.” Cara stood and clutched the blanket that had been covering her legs. “I have responsibilities.”

Ian cupped her shoulders. “You have a responsibility to yourself, Cara. Let them deal with the aftermath. I’m sending you to Quinn on my private jet. She’ll know what to do and how to make things right.”

Cara’s heart clutched as she chewed her lip. Quinn would know exactly what to do. She’d been through worse. Cara nodded. “Okay. I’ll go see Quinn.”

And she did. Within twenty-four hours, Cara had her head in her big sister’s lap as Quinn stroked her hair, promising everything would be all right. Collin had walked into the room to find them in that position and slowly backed out, calling down the hall as he left, “Have Mavis make triple the brownies.”

****

Coop, with a phone pressed to his ear, paced the living room and glared at Angela as she bounced Adam in her lap. Cara’s voice mail picked up, and again and again, he left messages. Six weeks had passed, and still no one knew where she’d gone. Six fucking weeks he’d been out of his mind.

He disconnected the call and tossed his phone down on the table. Resting his fists on his hips, he narrowed his eyes at Eric. “Were you in on this?”

Eric held up his hands and rose from his seated position. “Hell no. No one told me, or I would have told you. The last thing this family needs is a kid with abilities. Cara’s always wanted a baby. She even talked about freezing her eggs. Knowing her, she probably tampered with the condom herself.”

Coop lunged for his brother and slammed his fist into Eric’s cheek. They grappled on the floor, each getting a good shot into the other, only stopping when Adam started to cry. “She’s not like that. Take it fucking back.”

Eric pushed off the floor and righted his shirt. He turned to Angela. “See, I told you he loves her. Even if the stubborn ass won’t admit it to us.”

“There’s a difference between loving her and caring about her.” Coop smacked his brother on the back of his head. He didn’t love her, did he? Cared about her, absolutely, but love? He shoved the thought away when someone rang his doorbell. Hope blossomed in his chest that it was Cara.

He yanked the door open to find the Scot who had been staying at Cara’s standing on his porch, wearing a kilt and holding an envelope.

“Ian McDougall, right? You were staying with Cara? Where is she?” Coop demanded.

“Nowhere any of you will get to her,” Ian said, pushing around him and entering the house. “You’re Cooper?” He glanced around at the others. “Angela and Eric?”

They all nodded.

“Where is she?” Coop asked.

Ian shoved the envelope against his chest. “Sign this.” 

“What is it?” Cooper asked, tearing into the envelope. He pulled out a document. “Termination of Parental Rights” was scrolled across the top. “I’m not signing this.”

Ian crossed his arms over his chest and tilted his head. “She said you’d say that.”

“I’m going to give her and her child a life filled with love and honor in Scotland, which is more than you’re willing to offer. Sign the document.”

Cooper tore the document in half and tossed it at Ian’s feet. “I’m not signing that.”

Ian’s lips twitched. “She said you’d do that too.”

It was a case of déjà vu. Hadn’t he used those exact words on her the first time he’d entered Cara’s office?

“I’m no’ telling you where she is.” Ian raised a brow in challenge.

“No need,” Coop said. After grabbing his jacket, wallet, and his passport, he headed for the door.

Chapter
16

Quinn stood, by the edge of the cliffs, with her cell phone pressed against her ear.

“The package was delivered,” Ian said across the line. “He refused and is on his way. He’ll be about twelve hours behind the others. How’s the little momma?”

“Ian, she’s six weeks. She’s fine except a little morning sickness.”

“Aye.” Ian’s Scottish drawl was thick. “I’ll be staying a wee bit. Let me know if there’s anything else I need to do.”

“Thanks for your help, Ian. Cara isn’t going to be happy, but she’ll get over it.”

“Tell her my offer still stands. I’ll raise the bairn and marry her.”

Quinn rolled her eyes. Cara had refused the first five times Ian had asked. She wasn’t about to change her mind. “What are you running from, McDougall, that you’d marry a woman you don’t love?”

“A McDougall never runs, Lady Menzie. Call me if you need me.”

“Aye,” Quinn answered back. She had a million things to do and a short time to get them done.

Six hours later, Quinn stood in the study with her mother, her aunt Betty, and all of her sisters except Cara. She’d been resting late into the afternoon.

“I have to admit. You guys screwed up pretty darn bad. One might even say that this one screw-up trumps all of mine.”

“Quinn, just tell me where she is,” her mom said, sitting on the couch, her hands clenched together. “She won’t return any of our calls, and I need to know she’s okay.”

“You should have thought about that, Mom.” Quinn clasped her hands together. “You each have single-handedly destroyed her trust. She thought she was helping save her sister.” Quinn stared at Becca. “Instead, she’s been manipulated by the lot of you. She’s been humiliated by finding out Cooper knew about her, and the visions, yet didn’t want anything to do with her.” Quinn’s gaze turned to Aunt Betty. “She almost died. I can’t say I really blame her for shutting you all out.” Quinn lifted her hand to her chest. “I, on the other hand, am the good sister. I wasn’t involved. I’m just cleaning up the mess.”

Quinn chuckled. The words felt foreign on her tongue. “I’ve talked her off the ledge. I’ve eased her worries, and convinced her that you guys didn’t deliberately set out to hurt her. That your lies came from a place of love.”

“Yeah, that’s you.” Harper leaned back and crossed her legs. “All love and light. Tell me she saw right through that.”

Quinn dropped her hands to her sides. “It comes down to this. She needs us. All of us, especially now. So each of you better find the right words to fix things, or you’ll never see your grandchild or her.” Quinn pointed at her mother. “Or your niece or nephew.” She glared at her sisters. “Cara is six weeks pregnant, so you ladies better fix things, and fix things fast.”

Her mom clutched her hand over her heart. “My baby is going to have a baby?” Hope poured from her words, and there was a light in her eyes.

“Oh my God. This should be the happiest time of her life.” Becca cupped her face and cried. “We ruined it for her.”

“We can make things right.” Harper stroked Becca’s back. “We will.”

“I love her. We all do, and it’s time she felt it. Cara is hormonal and having morning sickness, and there aren’t enough brownies in all the land to mend her broken heart.”

“You just did,” Cara said from the doorway as a tear slid down her cheek.

Quinn stood back as the family rushed Cara, each pulling her into a hug and begging for forgiveness as they touched her flat belly. This was better than Quinn could have hoped. She had all of her family in Scotland, and she had a niece or nephew on the way.

Collin entered the room and wrapped his hands around Quinn’s belly. “You did good.” He kissed her cheek. “Are you going to tell them about ours?”

“Not yet.” Quinn patted his hands. “I still have more damage control to do, and then we can truly celebrate.” She turned in his arms. “Is everything ready?”

“Aye. You know there’s a chance she’ll want to kill you.”

Quinn shrugged. “It won’t be the first time.”

****

Quinn leaned against the Town Car with her sunglasses pulled down over her eyes. Angus remained behind the wheel, sitting in the air conditioner. The plane landed right on time. She spotted Cooper the second he stepped out of the airport. He was tall, dark, handsome, and everything she could ever want for her sister.

“Cooper Cruz?” she asked with arms folded.

“Yeah?” Hearing his name seemed to catch him off guard. “Who are you?”

“Quinn Thatcher.” Quinn held out her hand. “I’ve been expecting you.”

“Let me guess, Ian called.”

“No, dear,” she said, opening the Town Car’s back door. “He didn’t have to. I sent him.”

“Is this another one of the Thorntons’ games? Does she know I’m here?”

“No game. The paper I sent was real, although she wasn’t the one requesting it. She would have in time.” Quinn slid into the car and leaned across the seat, peering up at him. “If you’d rather that day not come, then I suggest you get in.”

He slid into the seat. “So it’s true that she’s pregnant?”

“Aye.” Quinn lifted the glass from her head as Cooper shut the door.

“Angus, we’re ready.”

“She hates me,” Cooper announced.

“Hate is a strong word, Mr. Cruz, and my sister uses it sparingly. You’re the father of her child. You gave her two things in the world that no one else could ever do.”

“Two?”

“The baby and feeling what it’s like not to have a vision when touching someone.” Quinn turned to face him. “If I take you to see her, I need to know what your intentions are, because I won’t let another soul hurt her, least of all you.”

“Honestly?”

“Honesty is a good start.”

“I don’t know. I love her. I went crazy with worry when I couldn’t find her. At first, when Betty told me about her vision, I didn’t want any part of getting to know Cara. I was headstrong. Being without her, and worried sick for the last six weeks, I was scared that I’d never see her again. And I don’t get scared, Quinn. I don’t ever get scared.”

Quinn nodded. “Let me make myself abundantly clear. I have no filter, and I don’t lie. If you hurt my sister again, I will hunt you down, chop off your dick, and shove it down your throat.” Quinn smiled. “I’ll spend the remainder of my life thinking of ways to make yours worse. I can promise that. You think those three ghosts in your house are bad? Imagine a hundred. That’s my promise to you.”

“You’re threatening an American federal agent.”

“Good thing we’re in Scotland. Now get your head out of your ass, make things right, and don’t think about ruining what I have planned.”

“Where are we going?” Cooper asked, gazing out the window.

“A special place where the magic happens and dreams can come true.”

“You sound like a walking advertisement for Disney.”

Quinn smiled. “I can only start the ball rolling. This is it, Cooper Cruz. Make your stand. This is the one and only shot you’ve got, so don’t screw it up.”

****

Cara strolled around the castle on Collin’s arm. She’d felt sick to her stomach, and he’d been kind enough to take her for a walk to tour some of the other grounds she’d hadn’t yet seen. The fresh air calmed her queasy belly. They’d been to see the horses and everywhere, except where she wanted to go. She’d been dying to see the place where Quinn had first laid eyes on him. The place of the infamous battle and the bridge.

Cara strolled toward the hill that Quinn had named Baby E for Everest. The air in Scotland had mellowed her some. It was as though a switch had been flipped and Quinn was now happy. If only Cara could be.

“This is where she was tackled by Harness.”

“The dog?” Cara grinned. “I bet she loved that.”

“It ruined her favorite white skirt. She still complains to this day.”

Cara chuckled as they entered the empty clearing.

“It was here that Ian and I were sword fighting on horseback. Can you imagine your sister stepping into the fight and whistling to get our attention? Because that’s what she did. She proclaimed she had the prize, tossed it at me, and said, ‘Game over.’ I think it was in that minute that I fell in love with her.”

“Now who’s fibbing?” Cara squeezed Collin’s arm. “We all know why you chased her down. It was because of the curse.”

“Aye, the one she told me you saw before you tried to talk her out of coming.”

Cara shrugged. “I didn’t want to see her hurt.”

Collin led her toward a cabin at the end of the clearing and stopped. “You know Quinn loves you.”

“Of course,” Cara answered. Growing up, she might have questioned it, but not anymore.

“She disna want to see you hurt either. I want you to think about that before you kill her, because kill her, you’ll try, and then I’ll have to stop the fight. We cannae have your wee one getting hurt, or hers and mine.”

“She’s pregnant too?”

Collin opened the door and placed his hand on her back, easing her inside before yanking the door closed from the other side. She would have protested, but she stood stunned. Cooper stood in the middle of the small room.

Collin’s words made sense now. Her heart raced, heavy in her chest, the beat echoing in her ears. She swallowed the knot that had formed in her throat, and her mouth suddenly ran dry.

“I was going to call you,” she whispered. “I just needed more time.”

“Six weeks wasn’t long enough?” Cooper asked, unmoving from his spot.

“I picked up the phone several times, but I always hung up.”

He took a step in her direction and stopped. “Why did you hang up?”

Cara remained silent as she ran through all the reasons in her head. None of them seemed worth the weight they’d carried weeks ago.

“How about I start?” he said as he stepped closer. “I’m sorry I didn’t take a chance on you when Betty told me about her vision. I was a skeptic, and when she told me that I’d be the only one not to give you visions, and that we’d one day end up married, I didn’t believe. I’m sorry my sister was the center of the danger you went through, and I’m sorry that I broke your trust. But know this, Cara. I’m not sorry I went into your office. I’m not sorry for getting to know you, and I’m damn sure not sorry that you’re pregnant.”

“You know?” Her brows knit together. “How?”

“It doesn’t matter.” He closed the distance between them and cupped her cheek. “What matters is that you know I’ll never do anything to hurt you again. I love you, Cara, and it about killed me when you disappeared.”

Cara lowered her gaze to the floor. She wanted to believe him, more than anything, but after everything she’d been through, she was afraid it was yet another ruse. “If you’re saying that because of the baby, Cooper, you don’t have to worry. I’ll let you in his or her life as much or as little as you want.”

Cooper lifted her chin until her gaze to meet his. “You aren’t hearing me, Cara. I’ll love that baby no matter what, but my life isn’t complete without you. I didn’t know love until I met you. I didn’t realize how much I needed it until you left. Cara…baby. I need you, and I don’t need anything else.”

Cara chewed her bottom lip. “You once said one problem at a time. I don’t want to be a problem, Cooper.”

“Don’t you get it? You’re not a problem. You’re my solution, baby. You’re more than I could have ever asked for. You’re more than I ever dreamed of. Please, baby, give me a second chance to do things right.”

Cara nodded, and that was all it took. Coop wrapped her in his arms quicker than she could blink and pressed a kiss to her lips. A spark ignited from that brief touch and settled in her heart, spreading a hazy sense of comfort throughout her body. Relief rolled off him in waves, calming and blanketing her in his warmth.

****

A second chance was all it took. Within two months, she was married with the last name she’d despised. Within four, Cooper had quit the bureau to help run the bar because he wanted to be there when their child was born. This was her life. It was finally complete. With each visionless touch and each heated kiss, her world was forever rocked by the one man she’d once wasted brownies on. 

I hope you enjoyed Cara’s story. Keep reading for a sneak peek of Psychic Charm, Harper’s story by clicking
HERE
.

Harper gazed out her office window, the warmth of the sun heating her face. The trees below swayed in a late afternoon breeze. If she closed her eyes, she could almost imagine the smell of the salty air as it drifted from the ocean.

The headset pressed against her ear hummed as the caller spoke. She’d know the caller’s voice anywhere; silky, sexy, and dangerous. It vibrated, the voice of the kind of man her momma warned her about and one her Aunt Betty would have tied up in her bed. She was promiscuous like that. A thrill seeker just like Harper.