The Haunted Read online

  “Riley, this is my dad,” Cait said.

  “Thank you for having me, Mr. MacKinnon.”

  “Please, call me Duncan.”

  Duncan. The same name as Ian’s brother. “Thank you, Duncan.”

  “My wife has made some traditional Scottish fare tonight, and I’ll be interested to see how it compares to your American cuisine.”

  “Her housekeeper is Scottish, Dad,” Cait said. “So it’s not like she hasn’t been eating traditional Scottish food. Isn’t that right, Riley?”

  “Well, we have the finest beef on the menu,” he said before I could respond to Cait. “You’re not one of those vegetarians, are you?”

  “Nope,” I replied. “I’m a meat and potatoes girl all the way.”

  “Thank goodness for that,” he said with a wink.

  I smiled and took the seat beside Cait. A girl about twelve years old walked in and stopped when she saw me, eyes narrowing as she checked me out. She dressed like a mini Cait with ripped stockings under purple shorts, and suspenders over a black tank top. There any similarity ended. The girl was slightly chunky, had strawberry blonde hair, silver eyes, and wore a pair of wire frame glasses. Seeing me check her out, she lifted a brow.

  “This is Madison,” Duncan said.

  “Hey Madison,” I said, shifting under her intense stare. “I didn’t realize Cait had a little sister.”

  Madison scowled. “Uh, maybe because I’m her cousin, dip-shit.”

  “Madison!” Duncan said, shaking his head. “Apologize to Riley right now.”

  “Sorry,” she said, taking a breath and sliding into the chair directly across from me.

  Karen walked into the room and began filling everyone’s glasses with ice water. “Maddy has been living with us for a little over a year now, isn’t that right?”

  “I’ll spare you and my aunt any awkwardness by spilling my bio,” Madison said glumly. “My mum is a druggie and I have no idea who my dad is, so lucky Aunt Karen and Uncle Duncan get to take care of me until Mum gets her act together, which might be this decade, but it’s doubtful.”

  The girl was to the point; I’d give her that. For all her ‘I-don’t-give-a-crap-attitude’, I sensed she was a little lost.

  “We love having you with us, Madison,” Karen said, a bit too quickly. “And I know that sister of mine will make it through rehab this time.”

  Madison rolled her eyes and slumped in the chair.

  Not that I was happy about Madison’s less than happy life, but it was nice to know that the MacKinnons had their own share of drama in their family. It made me feel a little less self-conscious about my dysfunctional home life.

  Karen walked toward the door where she called out, “Kade, come to the table please.”

  My heart pounded hard as I heard his footsteps draw nearer. I felt kind of stupid for being here, which was ridiculous, I told myself. After all, Cait had invited me over to study, and it was their mom who had asked me to dinner. I wasn’t stalking him or anything.

  Kade walked in the room, wet hair curling at the collar of a soft grey T-shirt that formed to his perfect body. Well-worn jeans completed the outfit and he was actually barefoot. S-E-X-Y.

  His gaze immediately shifted to me. “Riley,” he said, his voice mirroring the surprise on his face. “I didn’t know you were here.”

  “Homework with Cait,” I said, reaching for my glass. My hand was trembling, and from the corner of my eye I could see Madison watching me closely.

  Kade’s soft smile immediately put me at ease, and he surprised me when he sat at the far end of the table, closest to me. He unfolded his napkin and laid it in his lap. “I’m glad you’re here.”

  “Oh my God, barf,” Madison said under her breath, and Kade completely ignored her. I had a tougher time ignoring her, especially since she sat directly across from me.

  I returned Kade’s smile. “Thanks. I am, too.”

  Madison coughed and said “sick” at the same time.

  “Knock it off, Maddy,” Cait said between clenched teeth.

  Karen took the seat to her husband’s right, and I was glad the parents were at the opposite end of the table. I would rather be sitting across from a smart-ass twelve-year-old than Duncan and Karen.

  Duncan clapped his hands together. “Well, if we’re ready. Let’s pray.”

  We hadn’t prayed at my house since before my mom died.

  Cait took my right hand and Kade my left. I barely even heard the prayer, especially when Kade’s long fingers tightened around mine. I resisted the urge to glance at him, even though I could swear I felt him watching me. Sure enough, when the prayer ended and I opened my eyes, he was looking at me with a soft smile.

  My mouth watered as a steak garnished with grilled mushrooms was set before me with sides of small potatoes and green beans. It was impossible not to be self-conscious as I ate, since everyone watched me expectantly. “The steak cuts like butter,” I said, surprised at how tender the meat was and how easy it was to cut. I added, “So good,” for extra effect.

  Karen beamed.

  “So…tell us what it’s like to be an American living in rural Scotland,” Duncan said, lifting a glass of wine to his lips.

  I wiped my mouth with my napkin and sat up straighter. “Well, it’s different, that’s for sure.”

  Madison snorted and said something unintelligible under her breath.

  Cait frowned at her. “Um, have you ever been to America, Maddy?”

  Madison’s eyes widened and she shook her head.

  “Exactly, so shut up.”

  Karen sighed heavily. “Girls, stop it. Our guest doesn’t want to hear your bickering, nor do I for that matter.”

  Cait clenched her jaw. “Then maybe she shouldn’t be the peanut gallery whenever I have someone over.”

  Madison looked down at her plate. I felt sorry for her—this girl who had been discarded by both parents. She had an attitude, and I could understand why. Maybe underneath the tough façade there was a sweet girl trying to deal with the fact she’d been abandoned.

  Karen poured a cup of tea. “So I understand your father is a computer programmer or something like that.”

  I nodded. “That’s right.”

  “And your mother?”

  I was surprised she didn’t know about my mom. Then again, I had to remember they had all just returned from vacation and probably hadn’t heard the local gossip. “My mom died last year.”

  Madison looked up at me, and then glanced at Karen, who set her fork down.

  “I’m—I am so sorry, Riley. I didn’t know…”

  “It’s okay,” I said, surprised at how calm I felt when talking about my mom now. I felt a certain amount of peace about her death. After crossing Ian over, she had visited me and told me I hadn’t been responsible for her death. Essentially, it had been her time to go.

  “Was it an illness?” Karen asked. Beside me, Kade had stopped eating.

  “A car wreck,” Madison said, and everyone looked at her.

  Chapter 9

  Madison’s eyes were the size of saucers…as though she couldn’t believe she’d said the words aloud.

  “That’s right,” I said, curious she had known the specifics. Maybe she’d overheard Cait talking, but even Cait seemed surprised.

  Or was Madison like me and she could head-tap?

  I wanted to ask her how she knew, but I didn’t want to put her on the spot, especially since Cait already looked like she wanted to choke her.

  Madison glanced past my shoulder and then quickly looked down at her plate.

  The table went quiet.

  I cut the steak into bite-sized pieces, and was almost grateful when Duncan asked, “So it’s just you and your father?”

  “And my brother. He’s a year younger. Actually, we’re only ten months apart. We nearly ended up in the same grade,” I said with a smile, and everyone at the table seemed to relax.

  “What a nightmare that would be,” Cait said under her
breath.

  “Ah, come on, sis…it wouldn’t be so bad.” Kade’s voice was teasing. “Actually, no, you’re right. It would be a nightmare.”

  Everyone laughed, including Madison, which eased the tension.

  “A sad tale, lass.”

  I turned toward the sound of the male voice, and the hair on my arms stood on end. Beside the fireplace, arms crossed over his massive chest, was the man I had seen in the bathroom. He wore a tunic and a kilt, both of which were a bit ragged.

  Everyone at the table had followed the direction of my stare. Oh my God—I was so busted. “That’s a beautiful picture,” I said, nodding toward the portrait of Maggie. Do you know who it is?”

  Karen grinned. “That is our ancestor, Lady Maggie MacKinnon. I love her kind face and soulful eyes. She’s just so striking, isn’t she?”

  “Yes, she is,” I agreed. And what a beautiful spirit she was.

  “You should have seen her in person. What a lovely lass,” the spirit said, falling into a sprawl in one of the two plush chairs that sat in front of the fireplace. “I have never met her equal in all my years.”

  I pulled my gaze away from the giant. Madison’s brows furrowed as she looked from me, then in the direction of the chair where the spirit sat.

  “Maggie loved to paint. In fact, I have some portraits she painted of her family—”

  “Oh my God, Mum…really?” Cait said, brows lifted nearly to her hairline.

  “Actually, I would love to see them,” I blurted, excited to see them. “I was reading a book about the town and I came across information about the family.”

  Duncan set his fork down. “Have you now?”

  I nodded. Oh crap. Maybe I shouldn’t have said that. “Miss Akin knows a lot about the history of Braemar, and let’s face it—the castle is at the heart of the history.” I picked up the glass, took a long drink, and hoped they didn’t think I was strange.

  “More like you loved the MacKinnon boy, lass,” the spirit said.

  “Seriously, Ri…don’t get her started,” Cait said under her breath.

  “I draw a little myself, so I’d love to see them,” I said, anxious to turn the attention away from me.

  Karen clapped her hands together. “Lovely, a fellow artist.”

  Cait shook her head.

  Under the table I felt toes nudge my foot.

  I glanced at Kade. He lifted his glass and took a drink of milk, watching me over the rim all the while. I wondered if he was playing footsie with me because he wanted me to not encourage his mom…or because he was flirting.

  “You’re a spry one, aren’t you, lass?”

  There was the giant again.

  I didn’t turn and look at the spirit, but I caught Madison’s gaze on me. Was it my imagination or was she looking from me to where the giant sat?

  “I’ll be right back,” Karen said, jumping up from the table.

  “Great,” Cait said, sounding irritated. “She’s a fanatic when it comes to art.”

  Kade’s foot brushed along my ankle, then up my calf.

  I liked what he was doing—loved his touch, and the way it made me feel all fluttery inside.

  Duncan poured himself another glass of wine. “I’d like to have your family over for dinner one night.”

  It took me a second to realize Duncan was speaking to me, and I felt my face turn warm. “My dad is in Edinburgh right now, but I’m sure he’d love to meet you,” I said, my voice husky sounding.

  The giant snickered.

  I had to stop myself from turning around and telling him to be quiet. Instead, I took another bite of steak and chewed the piece at least twenty times.

  Duncan nodded. “Let’s schedule something soon.”

  Karen walked in carrying a plastic storage box.

  Cait’s mouth opened. “Bloody hell, Mum…”

  “Come, Riley,” Karen said, motioning toward the two chairs. “Sit with me.”

  I set my napkin on the table, flashed Kade a smile, and walked over to the chairs.

  Karen sat in one chair, and I wasn’t about to sit on the giant, so I sat cross-legged on the floor.

  “You can sit in the other chair,” Karen said.

  “That’s okay. I like being closer to the fire. I’m a little cold.” A total lie, since I’d broken into a sweat when Kade started playing footsie with me.

  “These are all of the Braemar countryside,” Karen said, unrolling one of many paintings.

  Maggie had been a talented artist, just like Ian had mentioned. “I like her muted tones,” I said, and it was odd because touching her work, I could see images in my mind. Maggie painting—the way she had set up her easel, the little folding chair she took with her, how she prepared the paints as the breeze lifted her hair while she painted the landscape before her. And she always wore a cream-colored straw hat with a pink ribbon every single time she painted. Oddly I knew that bit of information with a certainty that surprised even me.

  “Here is her family.”

  My heart instantly flew to my throat. Ian must have been all of ten, and his siblings younger. Even as a boy, there were signs of the handsome man he would one day become.

  Portrait after portrait, I could feel tears burn the backs of my eyes.

  A picture of Ian standing beside Duncan, a playful smile on his gorgeous face. The date on the back, written in an elegant script was 1786, April 22, which was shortly after Ian and Duncan’s return to Braemar. His mum had caught every line of his face, the mischievous glint in his eye, and even the friendship between he and his brother.

  This was the Ian I remembered.

  God, I missed him.

  My fingers brushed over his face and I smiled.

  “He’s lovely, isn’t he?” Karen said softly.

  “Yes,” I managed, my voice hoarse.

  “The handsome one is Ian, and his brother was Duncan, who is my Duncan’s great, great, great, great, great grandfather.”

  “Hey, be kind,” Duncan said, frowning.

  “Everyone always talks about how lovely Ian was,” Karen explained, keeping her voice lowered.

  “Duncan is handsome, too,” I said in Ian’s brother’s defense. Honestly, anyone would pale in comparison to Ian.

  “Unfortunately, Ian was murdered shortly after that picture was painted. A tragedy the family never recovered from,” Karen said, with a wistful smile. “It was said Duncan was heartbroken from the loss of his brother. Apparently the two were inseparable as children.”

  “Kade looks like Ian,” I said, and everyone in the room agreed.

  “That’s not the bloody half of it, lass,” the giant said, and I glanced at him for a second. What did he mean by that? I wondered.

  I wanted to take a picture on my cell phone, to keep it close, because all I had was the drawing he had sat for, which had less detail. But I knew it would seem weird to ask. I handed the portrait over to Karen.

  The rest of the portraits were of the family when they were slightly younger at a celebration. There were servants, and my pulse skittered when I saw Laria in the very right-hand corner of the picture, wearing a white apron over a plain brown gown. She was about Madison’s age, or maybe a little older. Beside her was the man who I had seen in her visions, and the same man who had come to her the night Ian had passed over. The man at the glen who I assumed must be her dad.

  “Who are all these other people?” I asked.

  “Extended family, I believe…and servants, which the MacKinnons considered family.” Karen pointed to the back of the picture. “This was painted on Christmas Eve 1783. On the back she wrote each name.”

  I flipped over the painting. In the same perfect cursive as the other pictures, she’d written each name. The name of the man beside Laria was Randall Cummins.

  Laria’s last name was Sinclair. I searched the names again, and a man of average height with brown hair and eyes was her father. I didn’t recall him in any of the visions or dreams. Who the hell was Randall Cummins to Lar
ia, and why had he come to get her the night I had broken the curse and crossed Ian over?

  I handed her the drawing.

  Cait looked beyond bored. “Let’s go to my room before you have to leave.”

  I helped Karen put the paintings away. I’d love to get my hands on them again, but I couldn’t without it seeming strange.

  After thanking Karen for showing me the paintings, I followed Cait to her room, and didn’t have to look back to feel Kade watching me.

  Chapter 10

  Miss Akin called an hour later, reminding me it was time to come home. Cait asked Kade if he’d drop me off and he immediately agreed, saying he needed to get his keys.

  “Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.” Cait gave me a wink and told me she’d see me tomorrow.

  I shook my head and slid my backpack on, and walked down the stairs toward the entry.

  Madison met me there. Hands on hips, she said, “You see him, don’t you?”

  “See who?” I asked, doing my best to pretend like I had no idea what she was talking about.

  “Don’t bullshit me. Hanway. I know you can see and hear him.”

  Hanway. Wasn’t that the name of the cattle thief who had been imprisoned in Braemar’s dungeon centuries ago? The notorious ghost who screamed in the middle of the night. “You’re right, I do see him.”

  She watched me closely, and I could see the mixture of excitement and trepidation in her eyes.

  My heart actually picked up speed. I had found another psychic. Granted, she might only be twelve, but she could possibly help me.

  “I knew it,” she said under her breath, grinning from ear to ear. “That’s freaking awesome.”

  “Who else do you see?” I asked, keeping my voice low. The last thing I needed was Kade overhearing the conversation.

  “Uh, I live in a castle. I’ve see more ghosts than I can count.” She stepped closer, lowered her voice. “But most are afraid to come around on account of the witch.”

  Excitement rippled through me. I wanted confirmation that we were talking about the same spirit. “Witch?”