The Skye Trilogy: Isle of Skye, Isle of Night, and Isle of Dawn. * Bonus: Scrumptious Skye Confections Cookbook* (19 page)

“Come in,” I said not taking my eyes off my device. So intent on my newfound goal, I didn’t even register the fact that someone was still standing in my room.

“Willa,” Mathias’s deep voice instantly shot shivers down my body. My head shot up, and I took in his appearance. Again he was dressed in head to toe black, from his turtleneck sweater to his pressed slacks. He looked dangerous and breathtaking.

“What are you doing?" he asked

“Looking for a movie,” I held up my iPad. “Why?"

“That’s not what I mean." he said as he came into the room and set down a large tray on the dresser.

“You asked what I was doing, I told you and so now we’re done,” I said rolling my eyes

“So is this what you plan on doing? Lying in bed, watching movies, hiding from the world?"

“I’m not hiding. I’m catching up on some sleep and John Hughes movies from the eighties."

“Worthwhile as that may be, how long do you intend on wallowing in your misery?"

“I may have turned a corner. I now have gone from wallowing to accepting. So I think I’m looking at, three, maybe four more days before I integrate back into society."

“This isn’t you,” he said shaking his head.

“You don’t know me so don’t pretend to judge me Mathias.”

“Oh, I think I’ve gotten to know you pretty well. Give me something, a spark, a smart ass comment, anything. Because looking at you right now, is like looking at a shell."

I racked my brain for an insult, but I just couldn’t bring myself even to care. I held back tears that pooled in my eyes and looked away from him. I was almost embarrassed that Mathias, of all people, was seeing me this way, but then again he was the only one I think I would have allowed.

“Mathias, please, just leave,” I said dejectedly

“Not until you get off your ass and rejoin the living. Christ sakes get some fresh air. Take a walk, go explore your new home, do something. Holed up in the castle boohooing about your life is about as unproductive as it gets. Get your head out of your ass and realize your life is not that bad compared to a lot of other unfortunate people in this world, people that don’t have a comfy bed to lie around in all day or their own personal video store at their fingertips."

“You had your life turned upside and uprooted but it’s done, now get the fuck on with It,” he finished

“Wow, have you ever thought about motivational speaking? You would sell out a stadium in a heartbeat."

He smiled. “There she is."

“You came about forty minutes too late Doctor Wolfie. I pretty much had already told myself all those things in the shower a little while ago. I appreciate your concern but honestly, I’m ok; I just needed a little vacay from reality."

“Everyone’s worried that it may be permanent."

“You included?" I asked

“No, I knew that you wouldn’t be able to sit in your own pile of shit for too long. I came because I'm annoyed at hearing everyone talking about you. I have a job to do and listening to your family go on and on about ‘Poor Willa’ makes it more difficult."

“Well, God forbid, anyone should infringe on your job with emotional distress."

“I’m glad you understand,” he said

“Crystal clear,” I muttered.

“Of course if my pep talk didn’t get you motivated I had something else up my sleeve." he said gravely

“Really what’s that? An invitation into your own private torture chamber that’s conveniently located beneath the castle in a spooky dungeon?"

“How did you hear about that?" he grinned. “No, I have much more powerful tools at my disposal, food.”

He lifted off the large dome sitting on top of the platter and revealed the most beautiful looking object I had seen in a while.

“Is that a cheeseburger?" I asked breathlessly

“Double cheeseburger, with bacon and fried egg, smeared with a cilantro-horseradish aioli."

“Holy Moley, an aioli."

“It is compliments of the chef who has been anxious to show off his skills of barbecuing to the castle’s new American guest. Bon Appetit," he said with a bow as he walked to the door.

“This will go perfectly with ‘The Princess Bride.' Thanks so much Mathias... for everything.” I said as I eagerly placed the plate on my lap.

“‘The Princess Bride’?" he asked as he turned in the doorway. “As in “Hello, my name is Inigo Montoya, you killed my father, prepare to die."

“Yeah,” I said nodding my head slowly and looking at him with wide eyes.

“Move over Buttercup." Mathias said as he went around the bed and settled in on the other side of me

“As you wish,” I said, reciting a famous line from the movie and maneuvering the screen between us. A cheeseburger, Mathias and The Princess Bride, life was looking up for me.

The next morning I stretched cautiously, just in case last night’s movie buddy still hung around. To my disappointment though, Mathias must have left as soon as I fell asleep. I jumped out of bed and tore open the curtains. To my delight, sunshine was finally breaking through the clouds that had plagued the island since I had arrived.

I threw on a pair of dark jeans, a white long sleeved top, and arranged a deep red scarf artfully around my neck. I shoved my feet into brown knee-high boots and grabbing my purse and cell I stepped out into the living room where I was greeted by silence. A quick check showed my parents had already left to do their own thing.

I called Serena on the phone she had given me and paced around the room until she answered.

“Willa?" she asked alertly. “Is everything ok?"

“Everything’s great. I was wondering if you were up to giving me a tour of the island today. I have a few things I need to do and was hoping you would join me."

“Sure,” she answered. “What time do you want to go?"

“Anytime that’s convenient for you, I’m dressed and ready, so whenever you can get away."

“I can leave right now, do you want me to come up and get you?"

“Nope, I’ll find my way, be down in a few.” I hung up the phone feeling happy. Today was the start of my new life, and I wanted to waste no time in getting up and going. I only got lost a few times before finally locating the main staircase. I skipped down and didn’t even notice Riah until he was almost in front of me.

“Good morning Princess. You look incredible this morning. You have a spring in your step. May I inquire what brought this around?"

“Good morning to you Lord Hawkins. The spring in my step must be because I had the most amazing dream last night about you.” I answered brightly

“Well, I am now your captive audience please share and spare no details." he said leaning against the wall

“A lady never kisses and tells, or in this instance, dreams and tells.” I said regretfully

“That’s a shame, now how can I work to make it come true?"

“Oh well, I guess some things should stay secret."

“You know now it’s going to be my mission in life to uncover this." he said moving closer to me.

“If you want to know,” I hedged seductively

“There is nothing in this world that I desire more in this world."

“All right, well, you were wearing…" I paused

“Yes?" he prompted

“The most amazing, black, leather...dress, I woke up torn between laughter and slight envy of your bodacious body."

“That’s cruel," he said walking away from me

“Cruel? You looked great. Although I think in the dream, you insisted I call you Rhea not Riah. Then we went carousing for hot men, and I, unfortunately, woke up before it started to get interesting."

“Have a pleasant day your highness,” he said as he walked out of the foyer

“You too Rhea,” I shot back, giggling to myself. I looked up as Serena come down the stairs.

“Hey, good morning,” I greeted her

“Good morning to you. I have to admit I was a little worried about you."

“Nothing to worry about Serena, I just took a few mental health days, I’m great now."

“All right, then let’s go!" she said enthusiastically. We walked out the front doors and stopped in front of a four-seated golf cart. I looked around the courtyard and realized there were no cars parked in the yard just a long row of golf carts similar to the one Serena hopped into before she motioned for me to join her.

“Do you have something against motor vehicles here?" I asked as I swung into the seat next to her.

“The island is pretty small, only about seven miles long and six miles wide. Winifred thought the best way to conserve the island and its natural beauty was to outlaw cars and implement golf carts." Serena explained as she navigated down the hill.

"So what about when you get deliveries from the mainland? Do you use a horse and wagon?"

“There are a few box trucks on the island. Those are used strictly for deliveries and moving though."

“Well that sucks, I had my heart set on getting a monster truck.” I mused

Serena laughed as we began to get closer into town. She banged a sharp right and slowed down as we came upon The Isle of Skye Library and Archive Resource Center.

“Oh, this is where Jeremiah works, how pretty.” I said taking in the three story Victorian style house with a stone facade.

“Yes, this is the library. Now when you go past it, you will hit the large residential section, schools, hospital, and the park that you can just make out."

“What’s that farther away with the smokestacks, a factory?"

“The Isle’s primary job and income resource was a business your grandmother founded forty years ago. Island Party Pieces and Decor is the factory that employs almost half of the people that live here."

“It’s funny, if the island is under an enchanted mist, how does anyone get deliveries or even ship any items from the company?”

“That is a question you would have to ask your grandmother. I believe she has some connections within the British government, but that’s all pretty much a secret.”

“Interesting and the other half?"

“Oh, you’ll see when we get into the town square,” she grinned as she made a flawless u turn and proceeded down the road. About a minute later we passed more streets lined with trees and pretty little houses. When we came over a small hill, I was blown away by the active town center that spread out before me.

“Now down there are the docks as well as a few shops. We are going to take a right at the statue though and here we are."

I was entranced the moment we entered the downtown area. Three blocks were lined with the quaintest stores. Up and down Serena went until we stopped at the seawall and walkway area next to a small town beach. I got out as soon as she parked and breathed in the salty ocean air.

I turned to Serena. “I want to see everything."

Two hours later we had walked and stopped in so many shops that my head started spinning. I was unprepared for the attention my appearance would bring. Apparently everyone knew exactly who and what I was and they all wanted to say hello.

When we turned down Queen Street, I was tired, a little hungry and pretty much all talked out. I looked up and did a double take when I saw a sign for the store on the corner. Cuddy’s Curiosities, my uncle’s store, oh I had to see this.