Page 79 of Wild Scottish Fortune

The night when I’d helped the little girl cross over, leaving Fin’s house behind and reuniting her with her family. Or so the Green Lady had promised me that Elspeth was just fine. The next day, a new vine of gold leaves had appeared in the handle of my hammer, and I’d blown out a breath of acceptance.

Whatever was happening, well, I was doing something right. And if an ancient stone of truth deemed me worthyof my magick, then I just had to carry on and keep helping where I could, right?

The Kelpies had awoken us last night.

It was the first time in a long time that I’d heard the screams and I’d rushed outside, half-naked with my hammer in hand. Finlay had drawn me back, arms wrapped around my waist, and we watched from the window as the shadow of something had raced across the surface of Loch Mirren. It had humbled me, their sheer power, and Fin had cursed long and low at my ear, his muscular arms banding me to his body. He’d refused to let me budge an inch, furious with me for running outside, and I’d been powerless to tell him why I’d done so.

It was my job to help.

Except Fin didn’t know that and I hadn’t been able to bring myself to tell him, not when he’d whispered words of fear in my ear before the Kelpies had finally dissolved in a wicked splash of water.

Neither of us had spoken of it this morning. It still niggled at me, unsettled thoughts bouncing around my brain, and I knew I’d have to tell Fin what I was soon. He’d been pretty upset by the Kelpies, though, so I wasn’t sure just how much to spring on him. Couldn’t say I blamed the guy either. The shriek of the Kelpies was enough to make anyone cower in fright.

“Boss. Got a sec?” Derrick motioned to me from the entryway, and I nodded, striding forward.

Movement had me glancing toward the outbuilding—the one where Fin had first gotten himself into trouble—and I saw something flicker behind the windows. Damn it. I’d kept meaning to sort that out, as construction wouldbegin on that space soon, but one thing after another had pulled me away. Remembering that Fin had an after-work meeting with Munroe later, I decided I’d deal with whatever ghost was haunting the wee cottage. The Green Lady had warned me it was tough magick there, but after my two recent successes I was feeling emboldened.

Surely I could help. It was what we did in the Order of Caledonia, and I needed to continue to prove my worth as a team player. Resigning myself to a difficult evening ahead, I bent myself to work, hoping I was making the right decision to tackle this on my own.

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

Orla

I’d waited until I was certain Fin was in the castle, meeting with Munroe, and my crew had dispersed for the day. Sneaking around the side of the distillery, I made a beeline for the abandoned cottage, sticking to the tree line so I’d stay out of sight of the castle.

It wasn’t that I was trying to hide this from Finlay necessarily. It was more that I knew how scared he’d been due to his encounter in the building. I didn’t want to subject him to those memories again, and I knew he’d come storming into the outbuilding if he found out I was in there. He was a protective sort, Fin was, and most of the time I liked it, even if I didn’t fully know what to do with the feelings that arose in me because of his actions. I’d never had someone fuss over me before, and I had to admit, it was kind of nice. Unusual, but nice.

The cottage stood, silent and waiting, the canopy of trees hanging over it thicker here than in other parts of the expansive grounds. We’d need to clear some branches back and open up some space to walk around the building, if this was going to be a tasting room of sorts, as an outdoor garden with a few cozy tables would certainly be charming. Who would resist sipping a gin and tonic with the pretty view of the castle and gardens in the background? Stopping at the door, I closed my eyes and reached for that gentle ball of energy I’d found inside of myself when Miss Elva had taught me a spell for the Auld Mill. I didn’t quite know what I was doing, but I’d done a little research, and it seemed like so long as I carried magick and my intention was pure, I’d likely be able to clear the cottage of whatever, or whomever, haunted it. Taking a deep breath, I put my hand on the ornate handle.

The door swung open, not even a squeak to the rusted hinges, and I narrowed my eyes.Suspicious.

I stepped inside and into another world.

Barely registering the door slamming behind me, I gaped at the cheerful fire burning in the grate, and the woman who stirred a cast-iron pot. Turning, she smiled at me.

My heart dropped.

What. The. Hell?

She had my eyes.

It was impossible to miss. The soft burnt ginger hair, the way her nose turned up slightly at the end.

“My child. You’ve finally come home.”

Pressing my lips together, I stood, my back to the door, making no further movement into the room. I had comein, fully prepared to rid the cottage of a potentially scary ghost. What I hadn’t expected was to encounter my own ancestor.

“I’m not your child.” I needed to clarify this with the woman, in case insanity was making her see something different from what I was.

“No, I don’t suppose you are.” Something shifted in her eyes, lines deepening in her face, and her mouth turned down in anger. “You’re one of mine, though, aren’t you? The bastard kept you.”

“I’m not certain what you mean.” Still I stood, my hand at my hammer, and waited, as the woman picked up a small vial and added something to her cauldron, muttering beneath her breath.

“You’re of his blood. And mine. Whether you know it or not.”

“Who?”

“Your great-great-great-grandfather. A fancy Lord he was. Posh as could be. Couldn’t be seen trifling with the likes of me.” Her lips pressed together, harsh lines forming at the corners.

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