Colorful b.a.l.l.s scattered along the floor in every direction. aSon of a b.i.t.c.h,a I hissed to myself. I bent down, grabbing the basket, as Airenas feet slid off the chair and hit the carpet beside it.

Bending over, she scooped up a yellow ball of yarn and dropped it into the basket. aOnly fifteen or more to go,a she said, smiling as she pushed up from the chair and squatted down to grab two more. Together, we picked up the rest in silence.

When all the b.a.l.l.s of yarn were safely tucked back in the basket, which was equally tucked up against the chair, out of harmas way, did we speak. We both talked over one another to say we were sorry.

aWhat do you have to be sorry for?a she asked me.

I shrugged. It wasnat as if Iad done anything to intentionally hurt her. Iad just been following along with the joke. aI shouldnat have poked fun at you like that. It upset you and well, Iam sorry.a Cupping her hand over her mouth as a snort of laughter escaped her, she fell back into the chair shead vacated to help me with the great yarn escapade. She managed to pull her hand away, wiped the underside of her eyes, and pulled her legs up under her.

Once settled, she turned her attention back to me. aI a.s.sume by you saying you were poking fun means you were having a go at me?a aOacourse thatas what he meant. Even so, I did say ye had an odd way of saying things,a Brenda said as she came back in the living room with a loaded tea tray.

Moving around to the couch, I felt the seat cushion hit the back of my legs, wondering what in the h.e.l.l I was supposed to do or say. I should have just dropped her bag on the couch, made my excuses, and left. In facta aI best be going.a aOh, but surely, ye must stay for dinner. Itas the least I can do for ye driving us home and being the gentleman!a Brenda said, pouring out a steaming stream of tea neatly in three cups. aBesides, the tea is poured. You donat want to rush out now and miss my newest blend.a She cornered me, or rather, she took control of the situation. If I had left, she would have questioned my manners. At least, that was what Grant had warned me about. aNever walk out on tea, Aiden. You might never get invited back.a Head meant in a generalized statement, but it in fact applied to the situation I found myself in.

I took the cup from her hand, feeling the thin porcelain hot against my skin. All I needed to do was hike out my pinkie, ask for the Grey Poupon, and Iad be just like a refined gentleman. Not likely, youare about as redneck as you can get, Aiden.

Easing my way onto the couch, I brought the fragrant drink up to my nose, inhaling it to get an idea of what was in it before I drank it. Something fruity with a hint of sweet? Mentally shrugging at my guess, I took a sip, hissing when it scalded my tongue.

aMind your tea, itas hot,a Brenda said, plunking a cinnamon stick in my cup.

I eyed it wearily. What the h.e.l.l was I supposed to do with it?

Brenda walked over to where Airen sat, motioning for her to stand up. aAnd you, oot my chair.a aNot back a day and I canat even sit in yer chair as a welcome home. Making me move to the couch like a guest,a Airen grumbled back, holding the teacup in one hand, her other sought the cinnamon stick and stirred her tea with it.

aA guest ye might be if ye keep up the sa.s.s, and donat be forgetting, I have just the thing to take care of ye at that!a I moved to scoot over, giving Airen room beside me on the couch. She smiled briefly at me before sinking into the corner and pulling her legs under her.

aThe two of you look like a pair oa birds. Oneas roosting in, and oneas ready to take flight,a Brenda said, bringing her cup up and inhaling the rising steam. aWhat do you think? Itas an old recipe; Iave tweaked it just a bit.a I moved back against the cushions, settling in as Airen pursed her lips, blowing to cool the scalding liquid before taking a hesitant sip. That would have been the smart thing to do. What the h.e.l.l did I know about hot tea? The only tea I drank was sugared and iced to perfection, and you could drink it right away in ma.s.s amounts.

aItas good, Aunt Brenda, like always. The cinnamon stick is new.a Airen brought the dainty cup to her lips, taking another sip as Brenda shifted her gaze to me, lifting her cup as if signaling for me to drink up.

aOh, aye, I donat use it very often. Special occasions usually, but no more than that,a she answered, getting to her feet. She set the cup down on the tray and turned to exit the room, saying, aOacourse, it was used by my great-gran with love spell workings. No too sure how that all worked out, mind.a Airen sputtered beside me, choking on the mouthful of tea shead been in the process of swallowing at Brendaas revelation.

I took the cup from her outstretched hand, setting hers and mine on the tea tray, scowling at the cheerful blue-flowered pot as if it were the guilty party, instead of Brenda.

She caught her breath, wiping her shirtsleeve under her eyes, and groaned. aIam sorry, Aiden. She fancies herself a matchmaker. And sheas not very subtle about it.a Pushing my hands against my knees, I rose from the couch. aI should probably go. Tell Brenda thank you foraa I gestured to the tea tray. aIall aha Iall see her tomorrow.a Not waiting for her reply, I bee-lined it for the door, making my escape.

At the end of the driveway, the breeze shifted, blowing a sheet of rain towards me like an avenging angel. With no way of outrunning it, I set out for the church at an even clip, cursing the fact Iad decided to wear lace-up boots instead of tennis shoes.

By the time Iad made it to the church, the rain had blown off, leaving me waterlogged. Puddles the size of small lakes reflected the muted glow of the street lamps I pa.s.sed.

The time it took me to get back to the church didnat help sort my thoughts. In fact, it had left me even more confused as to how to handle my investigation. The obvious choice would be to get closer to Airen and unearth whatever I could over the course of time I had left. It didnat feel right though. And what Robert de Fleur does is right?

I jerked my sweatshirt over my head, wringing it out as my thoughts battled against each other. Thunder rumbled overhead, matching my foul mood. Iad come all the way to Scotland to live under a church, work in a coffee shop, thwart a matchmaking aunt, and run in the freezing rain with no sign of Robert de Fleur as the kick in the a.s.s for it all.

Wrenching open the back door, I made my way to the bas.e.m.e.nt, hoping not to run into anyone until I had time to process what had transpired since meeting Brendaas niece.

HE RAN OUT AS IF the devil himself were chasing him. And didnat he have it right then? Aunt Brenda and all her matchmaking skills couldnat catch Aiden if she tried.

I knew it, because he had the same flicker of fear running in him as I did in me. Iad seen it in the way his eyes rounded as he turned to me when he left.

When he bolted, I crossed the room in four quick strides, peeking out past the lace curtain of the window beside the door. Head slowed just at the shadows of the tree line and then disappeared, making me wonder if he meant what he said about seeing Aunt Brenda the next day.

aRun off, did he?a Aunt Brenda asked, poking her head out of the kitchen.

My finger twitched against the curtain. Letting it go, I schooled my telltale face, and turned around. aDo ye blame him? I mean really, Aunt Brenda. Should ye be giving him a go without really knowing him?a aYe think I scared him off? La.s.s, yeave no idea about that one,a Aunt Brenda answered. The tart tone of her voice was stretched across her lips in a pucker.

aYe did scare him off. And well enough that he might no come back, Iad say.a I tried to look nonchalant, but Aunt Brenda had turned away, heading back to the kitchen.

Evidently, we werenat done talking about it, because she answered loud enough for me to hear her, which meant she wanted me to follow her into the kitchen.

Her back was to me as she opened the oven and pulled out a ca.s.serole dish aItall take more than me to scare him off.a I stopped at the narrow island bar, pulling out a high-back stool and sitting down. The kitchen, along with the rest of the house, looked the same as it did the day I lefta"from the polished cooktop to the magnet arrangement on the refrigerator. Everything had remained the same, as if frozen in time.

Setting the steaming dish on a hot pad, Aunt Brenda changed her tactics. aDid you no see how he handles himself? Sure of himself, that one. And would keep you straight enough. I dare to say head be a right gooda"a aDinna even finish that statement, Auntie!a I dropped my head with an audible bang against the bar and sighed.

I heard the sound of the wood spoon sliding from the ceramic vase she kept beside the stove. My head snapped up just as she brought the grooved head down on my arm. aOuch! What the h.e.l.l was that for?a She popped my other arm. aYer smart mouth, thatas what for. And yer dirty mind. Aye, I ken what you were thinking and ye should probably head straight down to Father McKinnon.a I jerked back far enough to where she couldnat whack me again with her d.a.m.nable spoon, raised an eyebrow, and said, aIall get yer coat, because surely, if ye knew what I was thinking, ye were thinkina it as well.a Twin spots of red bloomed on her cheeks as she put her weapon away and set to pulling down two plates. She handed them to me, meeting my eyes with shimmering merriment. aWeel, maybe weall just wait atill Sunday next and go together.a I laughed. I couldnat help it. It had always been like that with Aunt Brenda. No matter how proper she tried to be, she couldnat fool me, and she knew it. aAye, I dare say ye have more to confess than me. What did ye mean at getting on with Aiden? Ye ken it as well as I do; heall no be here longer than a few months. They never stay, Auntie.a She gathered the ca.s.serole dish from the cooktop and sashayed past me to the dining room. aAye, I ken it. Doesnat mean ye canat try to change his mind. Yer no getting any younger, la.s.s.a I rolled my eyes at her back, following behind her to set the table. aLet it be, Auntie. Iam no interested in settling down, let alone luring an American to my bed.a She poked her finger in the air at me. aYe ken thaas no what I meant. Besides, ye canna do worse than that lad. a.s.suredly. Daye no hear him? A voice like warm honey. And a devilishly handsome face, too.a The plate in my hands slipped from my fingers with a soft b.u.mp against the table. I wiped my hands down the front of my jeans, eliminating the immediate slickness there from the reminder of how head spoken. The soft cadence and slow way he p.r.o.nounced things with an accent that was just as my aunt had describeda warm honey. d.a.m.n her for being right about it.

aSo ye did notice?a she asked, trying to keep the hint of laughter from her voice.

Turning on my heel, I walked back to the kitchen to get the silverware and gain some much-needed s.p.a.ce from my auntas hawkish stare.

I wasnat sure how she did it, but she could read me like an open book. To everyone else, I remained a mystery. Even Adam, my very best friend, hadnat been able to do it, and wead been closer than anyone. Remembering Adam made my chest ache. No matter how much I wished for the pain to recede, it was always therea"ready to suck me under again.

Shaking my head, I pinched my eyes closed, taking a deep breath and releasing it. I wouldnat let the sorrow pull me under. Iad learned how to deal with, I just needed to keep it locked up where Iad put it years ago.

Clenching the forks in my hand, I set them down and pulled two cups from the cabinet. Turning on the tap, I filled each cup and then carried everything back to the table with schooled features. Leaving the past behind me where it belonged.

Aunt Brenda had served out a heaped helping on my plate. My stomach clenched against the rich smells coming from the heavy, creamed sauce shead made.

aWhat is that?a I asked, handing her a gla.s.s of water and then a fork.

aChicken in white sauce,a she answered, clasping her hands in front of her.

I bowed my head, respecting her pre-dinner prayer that encompa.s.sed the food, my return home, and a special request that it tasted better than Mary Youngas original recipe.

I murmured aAmena with her and waited until after she took her first bite before laughing. aDid ye have to ask the Lord to ensure it tasted better than Mary Youngas recipe? That seems like unnecessary use of the Lordas power.a The forkful of food shead lifted from her plate hung in the air en route to her mouth. aAye, ye dinna have the honor of trying the poison shead foisted on me. I changed it up a bitaa Seeing the look on my face, she huffed.

aAnd what did ye no change?a I asked, biting the inside of my lip as I eyed the pile of food on my plate.

aThe chicken,a she replied, and then moved the fork between her lips. She hummed in delight as she chewed.

My fork clattered to my plate as I laughed. aAye, that sounds about right then.a Aunt Brenda pulled a linen napkin shead placed on her lap up to her lips and daintily wiped each corner of her mouth. aI canna help it if the woman is a foul cook. All I can do is improve the meals she makes a right mess of.a She waved off talk of Mary Young and her cooking, changing the subject. aDaye have a nice chat with yer mum?a I groaned, stabbing a piece of chicken and putting it in my mouth.

Aunt Brenda watched me with a scowl that spread across her face. aWhatas amiss then?a To keep from answering right away, I wrapped my hand around my cup and took a swallow of water, washing down the heavy cream sauce in my mouth.

I hadnat eaten anything that rich in a long time, and my stomach would surely revolt because of it. My stomach clenched, adding to the discomfort that my mother was not happy I hadnat made an appearance on her doorstep the minute I returned.

Sighing, I told Aunt Brenda about our short conversation. I put my hand on Aunt Brendaas arm when she bristled beside me. aDinna fash, Aunt Brenda. I told her Iad go see her first thing tomorrow.a That seemed to settle her a bit and to keep the peace as I did my best to eat everything she put on my plate. I knew Iad pay for it later on when the heartburn hit.

We finished up dinner with me telling her about some of the places I saw while I was away. She hummed and tsked along with my adventures. We carried the conversation over to the kitchen sink as we stood side by side, washing and putting away the dishes. And when we were finished, she offered to make me chamomile tea to help me sleep. I thanked her, but I refused to put anything else on top of dinner.

Shead hugged me tight as I made my excuses for bed. aAiren, I know youare not telling me everything from your time away. And Iam no asking you to, but I do hope that youave come home to stay. Iave missed ye, terribly.a I wrapped my arms around her, putting my head on her shoulder like Iad done as a child. Comforted by her presence and the steady beat of her heart. Aunt Brenda had been my steadfastness, my haven to gravitate to when everything went topsy-turvy. It had only made sense that she would be the one I returned home to.

Mum had always been adrift in her own world. Her grief after my fatheras death had been the separating crack that made her become an island of sorts. Iad clung to Aunt Brenda even more for the stable ground she always offered.

aIave missed ye too, Aunt Brenda, and Iam back. I willna be going away again anytime soon,a I answered her with complete honesty. Iad nowhere to go and no inclination to leave. I couldnat say if that would change in the future, but I couldnat say it wouldnat either.

Aunt Brenda released me with a swat to my b.u.m. aOff to bed with ye then. Iall see ye in the morning.a I climbed the stairs, feeling the beginnings of a stomachache brewing. Pressing my hand against it, I willed it to settle, hoping it would before I lay down. Iad had a nap, but that wasnat near enough sleep.

Remembering my nap also recalled Aiden and the way head scooped me up in his arms and carried me to Aunt Brendaas car as if Iad weighed no more than half a stone. A cold sweat broke out on my forehead, and I barely made it to the upstairs bathroom before the contents of my stomach rushed up the back of my throat.

Wiping my face with a cool washcloth, I leaned against the countertop, shaking like a leaf on a tree against the whipping wind of an oncoming storm.

I didnat dare try to push back from the counter and stand on my own until the shaking subsided. My body, however, revolted against me. I needed to get to a flat surface and lay down before I pa.s.sed out in the bathroom, but there was no way Iad make it on my own just a few feet across the hallway to my bed.

Giving up, I clutched the doork.n.o.b and twisted it open as I ended up in a heap on the floor, sucking deep breaths against the braided rug in front of the sink.

With arms buckling under my weight, I finally made it out of the bathroom on my hands and knees, then all the way to my bed. It took a few tries, in between gasped breaths, to keep from getting sick again, but finally, I managed to pull myself up onto my bed.

Once there, I rolled over onto my stomach and let the comfort of the feather-tick mattress, and the hovering darkness, claim me.

I WOKE SLOWLY, AND THEN all at once. Where was I? Panic crawled its way along my skin, fear skittering along the top of it, until my eyes lighted on the window across the room.

Daylight streamed in through the pink curtains trimmed with cream-colored lace. Immediately, I knew where I was.

Aunt Brendaas.

I was in my room at Aunt Brendaas, because Iad come home. Pushing myself up, I grabbed the blankets and pulled them up against my face. The slight hint of lavender in the sheets soothed me, so I took another deep sniff, pulling my knees up and wrapping my arms around them, glad to be home.

My hair fell forward, tickling my cheek and stealing the comfortable moment. Straightening up, I ran my fingers through the thick ma.s.s, wincing as the snarls entwined themselves with my fingers.

I probably looked a bit manky. Still in the clothes I wore the night before and everything. Flipping the covers back, I realized that at some point during the night, Iad managed to at least get underneath them.

There was a coolness to the air that spoke of fall and made me shiver. Winteras chill would not be far behind it.

I sighed, knowing I needed to get up. I promised Mum Iad be round to see her in the morning. The thought of leaving the house made me want to scurry back under the covers and pull them over my head. Mum wouldnat be put off though, and if she had to route me out from bed at Aunt Brendaas to see me, there would be h.e.l.l to pay. That didnat mean I couldnat take a little time for myself to eat breakfast and take a shower. And really, I should get out of yesterdayas clothes first. With my decision made, I crossed the room and pulled open the drawer that held my fuzzy pants and long-sleeved shirts, thankful Aunt Brenda hadnat packed my stuff away when I left Scotland.

The wood creaked as it slid toward me. On top of my favorite pair of lounge pants was a note scrawled in Aunt Brendaas handwriting. The paper crinkled in my hand as I lifted it out to read it.

aIall send Aiden round to take you to your mums whenever yer ready,a I read aloud.

I crumpled the paper up in my fist and let it fall to the floor. aNot b.l.o.o.d.y likely, but nice try, Auntie.a THE DOORBELL PEALED AS SOON as I cut off the shower and stepped out onto the mat in front of the tub. It startled me, sending my heart to knock against my ribs. Never in all the years Iad been in Aunt Brendaas house had I ever heard the doorbell.

I grabbed the robe Aunt Brenda left on the back of the door and put it on over my wet skin. Grimacing at the feel of the material sticking to me, I tied the sash as the doorbell went off again.

Who in the h.e.l.l? I thought, wrenching the bathroom door open. Aiden. It had to be him. Aunt Brenda had to have sent him, knowing I wasnat going to call when I was ready. She knew me all too well.

I grumbled my way down the stairs about busybody aunts and impatient Americans. Stopping at the bottom of the stairs, I briefly made sure the robe covered me properly.

Aiden wasnat there when I opened the door, but my auntas car was. The driveras side door was wide open. Coming from the interior was the annoying dinging sound that announced the keys had been left in the ignition.

Crossing the porch, I made it to the steps when Aiden flew around the front of the house as a chunk of wood from the railing exploded exactly where his head had been. He dove, rolled, and then shot off the ground, half running on both hands and feet.

aWhat the h.e.l.l is going on?a I demanded as he slid to a stop beside the car on the driveras side, keeping to a crouch.

aGet in the house,a he yelled, ducking at the sound of another shot being fired. The pa.s.senger window shattered, sending a glittery explosion of gla.s.s inside the car. Aiden cursed under his breath. In one swift move, he pulled a gun from somewhere under his shirt, lifted it, took aim at where the window had been, fired, and ducked back down.

Alarm shot through me. A squeak escaped before I could think of covering my mouth to stop it. I couldnat move, making an excellent target for whoever was firing shots in our direction.

aAiren, get in the f.u.c.king house!a Aiden bellowed at me as another round was fired.

The anger in his voice made my feet twitch on the step. I tried. I really tried to move, but my body didnat want to listen to what my brain was screaming at me to do.

White dots danced in front of me, and my lungs couldnat hold enough air. It was then my body went into motion, allowing my feet to propel me to safety.

I had no idea where the gunman was firing from. Somehow, Aiden did, or at least, I thought he did, because he lifted the gun again, slightly altering the direction of the barrel, and fired another round.

I sank to my knees inside the open door, right at the threshold, and wrapped my arms around myself, shivering as I clutched my fingers against the terrycloth robe.

My eyes locked on Aidenas crouched body. His only protection was Aunt Brendaas car.

His head whipped around with eyes zeroing in on mine as we both heard the sound of a police car siren off in the distance. The gun disappeared back into wherever head pulled it from, and then he reached inside the car, grabbing the keys from the ignition.

He was up the stairs and inside the house before I could blink. Scooping me off the floor, he kicked the door shut, turned the lock, and took the stairs two at time. His chest rose and fell in slow, steady breaths as he lowered me to the floor.

As I sat in the hallway with my back to the wall, he said, aStay here,a and ran back down the stairs.

Something like a laugh rushed up my throat. All I could think was, Where the b.l.o.o.d.y h.e.l.l would I go with my legs feeling something similar to Jell-O left out in the sun on a hot day?

The worst part was that it wasnat funny. Not one bit. Not only had someone shot at Aiden, but Aiden had shot back. Aiden had a gun.

A gun Iad just watched him fire with the ease of someone who knew exactly what he was doing. Why then, did I not want to make a run for it? I knew nothing about him.

Fear skittered down my spine. I should be terrified of Aiden and running to the phone in Aunt Brendaas room to call the authorities. Bracing my hands against the floor to push myself up, I could hear the soft shift of Aiden moving around below. I wasnat sure if it was for my benefit that he made his movements known, or he wasnat worried about making noise.

The hushed tread of his shoes. .h.i.t the third step with a squeak as he came back up the stairs, and then I could see the top of his head, followed by the rest of him.

What I hadnat expected was for him to sit down beside me on the floor. Did someone with evil intentions act like they were your friend? Was Aiden just pretending to be a good person?

Chewing my lip, I pondered that thought. Head really seemed concerned for my safety when head told me to get back inside the house.

Unaware of my muddled thoughts, he relaxed, b.u.mping his head softly against the wall. With a sigh of defeat, he said, aWhoever he was, he got away.a I clutched the robe until my knuckles ached. aWho? Who got away?a His head lolled to the side as he squinted at me. aI was gonna ask you the same thing.a I could feel my cheeks warming as anger bubbled up inside me. How dare he think Iad know who the h.e.l.l had decided to come over and shoot the place up. aJust what are you insinuating, Aiden?a I got my knees under me, braced my hand against the wall, and sent up a silent prayer that my legs would hold me, because I d.a.m.n sure wasnat going to sit beside Aiden while he interrogated me about what happened. If anything, he owed me an explanation as to why he had a gun.

His brows pulled together, scowling as he looked up at me. aIam not insinuating anything, woman. Iam just wondering if you saw the guy who rang your doorbell?a It was my turn to scowl. aYou mean it wasnat you?a In one fluid motion, he was on his feet, his hand tucked under my elbow steadying me just as my knees wobbled, threatening to drop me back on my a.s.s beside him. aWhy donat you get dressed? I have a feeling the cops will be here soon, and Iam sure you donat want to be questioned in your bathrobe.a I pulled against his hold, but he refused to release me. aWhat do ye mean manhandling me like ye have a right to? I know nothing about you, Aiden. Nothing. And if ye think Iall just be allowing you to dish out orders and follow them, yer wrong.a His tight grip loosened, but he didnat let go as he stared deep into my eyes. aYouare right, you donat know me. I was just trying to help. Iam sorry.a Wavering on my feet, I watched him closely as I asked, aWhy do you have a gun?a aLots of people have guns. Second amendment and allaa he said, shrugging as if it were no big deal.

aSecond amendment?a I scowled at him, not understanding his flippant comment.

He sighed, running a hand over his face. aThe right to bear arms, US Const.i.tutiona sorry,a he said, giving me a half smile, he continued, aI carry my gun with me for safety reasons.a aSafety reasons? Yer in Scotland, for Christ sake. What the h.e.l.l is so dangerous about Scotland?a I all but shouted at him.

His eyes widened. aSeriously? You can ask me that after witnessing what happened just a few minutes ago?a Clenching my fists, I scowled at him. My body shook from head to toe, but I wasnat backing down as I said, aOf course Iam askina ye that! People donat show up at another personas house with a loaded gun for no reason.a Noticing my reaction, Aiden took a small step forward, brushing my hair back from my cheek. aIam sorry if me having a gun scared you. That wasnat my intention at all, but Iam not sorry I have it with me. Especially since someone just shot at me.a I jerked from the contact of his finger brushing the sh.e.l.l of my ear. And I couldnat say if it was from fear or his nearness.