Page 43 of Madly Deeply

Spreag huffed and crossed his arms over his chest. "I’m no trouble, and ye ken it."

"Of course," Loretta said with a sly smile, "but it never hurts to be prepared, especially with a baby in the mix."

Lorraine waved away the nonsense. "We’ve sent your wife out for ice cream so you can speak freely, but we haven't got much time. We assume you're the one who needs help."

Spreag nodded. "I do."

Even the candle leaned in, as if straining to hear what would come next.

"Two things, really. I want my wife to marry Callum Fraser."

"And the second?"

He hesitated. "The second won't be so easy, and might cost a terrible price..."

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

Alex ate her ice cream so fast she got a brain freeze. Pressing her fingers against her temple, she winced at the sharp pain that might not ever end!

Across the table, Callum tossed his barely-touched cone in the trash. "I don't understand what's going on," he said, "but I think ye'd rather be home. Let's go."

When she was finally able to move, she nodded gratefully and followed him to the car. He insisted on driving, and the trek home was silent except for the soft hum of tires on pavement. Alex gripped the door handle and tried to stay calm when all she really wanted to do was scream.

The second the car came to a stop in the driveway, she jumped out and ran to the front door, turned the knob, and burst inside.

Her breath caught in her throat. There he was, fairly solid and present! They'd found him, just like they'd promised!

"Spreag!" She burst into tears and fell to her knees, knowing she'd be unable to jump into his arms.

The front door closed with an ominous click and she turned to find Callum standing inside. But he wasn't looking at her or at the sisters. He was looking at the end of the room...at Spreag.

Callum cursed under his breath. "I take it ye're the husband?"

Alex's attention bounced back and forth between them. "You can see him?"

Spreag's gaze swept the room, touching on each face in turn. "I trust that everyone can see me in this present form?"

The sisters nodded. "And we all can hear you," Lorraine said.

"Good. It's better this way." His eyes narrowed on Callum. "Fraser."

"Tulloch."

Spreag lowered his chin. "Who the devil said you could kiss my wife?"

Callum grinned, not worried in the least. "I reckon ye did, when ye chose to go to yer death and leave her for another man."

Spreag stared for a long time, then his jaw relaxed and he nodded. "Fair enough."

"Excuse me?" Alexandra got to her feet. "Where have you been?"

Spreag's expression softened. "I dinnae ken, love, but I fear our time together is growin' shorter by the day. For certain we won't have until June. And if ye'll listen to the sisters...I think they have a way we can save our child."

Her hand instinctively moved to her abdomen. "Save her from what?"

He grimaced. "The Sight."

"You don't want her to have your gift?"

---