Cottage by the Stream
By
Gail Wolfe
(c) copyright by Gail Wolfe, October 2010
Cover Art by Melody Lane, October 2010
Published by New Concepts Publishing
Smashwords Edition
ISBN 978-1-60394-466-3
New Concepts Publishing
Lake Park, GA 31636
www.newconceptspublishing.com
This is a work of fiction. All characters, events, and places are of the author’s imagination and not to be confused with fact. Any resemblance to living persons or events is merely coincidence.
Prologue
Sarah sighed and leaned her head against the airline seat, pulling the blanket up to her shoulder. She gazed out the window to the darkness beyond. The lights were low and most of the other passengers were either reading the book they brought for the long flight or sleeping, the constant drone from the engines lulling them to sleep. If anyone on the flight glanced her way, taking in her short dark hair, tall and slender build, they would assume she was a young American, college student perhaps, on her way to backpack her way across Europe. This was not the case with Sarah. She couldn’t believe she was on the run for her life.
Closing her eyes, she thought back over the last several months that led to this. It all came down to Joe Dantini. She met him at a country western bar in Dallas that her friend Melissa convinced her to go to. Melissa was always on the go with her gyms and parties. She had the bubbly personality that drew people to her. Melissa had it all, and wanted her friend, Sarah to have some if it too.
It was hot and humid that night. She and Melissa were sitting at the bar, crushed in all around by bodies and noise. The popular band seemed overly loud as it played, and people were jammed in the bar almost shoulder to shoulder. Cologne mixed with perfume, mixed with cigarette smoke making the room hot and smelly. People had to shout to each other and the bar tenders to make themselves heard.
Melissa was chatting away but Sarah couldn’t make out the words over the din. Looking around, Sarah’s attention was pulled to the other end of the bar where a man stared intently at her. He stood at least a head taller than those around him. He had an olive complexion and dark Mediterranean good looks, black hair brushed straight back from his forehead and curling at the base of the collar of his shirt. His black eyes bore into her making her feel as if his gaze could penetrate her soul.
Sending a drink to her, he later made his way over and introduced himself as Joe Dantini, his manners were impeccable giving her the feeling of old world charm . Although dressed casually, he gave the aura of power and money. His undivided attention was a little too intense for Sarah. He played with her long hair and when he spoke he would wrap an arm around her and pull her close so he could speak into her ear.
He had asked for her number but she countered with asking for his instead with no intention of ever calling him. So she was surprised about three weeks later when her phone rang and it was him. He stated he had waited as long as he could to hear from her and when she didn’t call, he found out her number. How he did this Sarah hadn’t a clue, because when she asked Melissa about it later she denied ever giving out her number to anyone.
Joe invited her to a party he was throwing. She tried to decline his offer but he was insistent and she finally gave in. Thinking perhaps she would give him one more chance and if he didn’t creep her out they may become friends.
While at the party, he escorted her about, his arm around her waist, introducing her to everyone as his lady. As she greeted those she was introduced to she would correct his wrong assumption.
Pulling her into an empty corner of the room he asked, “Why do you keep saying we are only friends my pet?” He picked up a lock of her hair and played with it, rubbing it between his fingers. Lifting the lock he inhaled it scent and held it for a moment, letting out his breath slowly. “You know, I knew we would be together from the moment I saw you.” He crowded her with his body, dipping his head he nuzzled her neck, “We will be together always, we will make beautiful babies.”
A sick sinking feeling landed in Sarah’s stomach like a lead pipe. Pushing against his chest, she backed him up a bit. “I don’t think so Joe.” she told him firmly. “I don’t feel anything toward you,” except revulsion, her mind screamed. Warning bells were going off inside her head, “I’m leaving now. Don’t contact me any more Joe.” she told him firmly and extracted herself.
Quickly she made for the door and into her car. As she drove home she realized she had made a mistake in giving him a second chance. The man actually made her skin crawl she realized as she suppressed a shiver. She prayed this would be the last time she saw him but somewhere in the back of her mind she knew he would not give up that easily.
She was right. Joe became furious. He became obsessed, trailing her to work, shopping and calling her all hours of the night, leaving threatening messages on her voicemail when she didn’t pick up. Finally she had to take out a restraining order to keep him from stalking her. It came to a head one night when Joe cornered Sarah in the stairwell of her apartment complex.
After working on a special project at work, she came home late. Climbing the stairs to her apartment thinking of nothing more than kicking off her shoes and relaxing but Joe was waiting for her. Pulling her into a darkened corner he held one hand over her mouth and with the other held a knife to her throat. “Sarah,” he growled into her ear. “We are going to have one last fling, and then I’m going to slit your throat.” He chuckled menacingly.
Sarah let out a whimper. I should have moved, she thought ironically. Nausea rose up threatening to spill over. Don’t give up! Her mind screamed as adrenalin filled her.
Struggling, she managed to stomp on his foot with her high-heeled shoe. Hitting hard, the three inch spike of her heel went through the fine Italian leather of his shoe and stabbing into his foot. “Bitch!” he yelled pushing her from him.
At that moment, Brian, her neighbor, peered out of his door. “What’s going on!” he demanded.
“Brian, Call the police!” Sarah shouted to him just as Joe grabbed her again and she screamed.
“I already did!” Brian said as he leapt to Sarah’s defense trying to disarm Joe. Lashing out, he slashed the air very close to Brian’s face. Brian grabbed his arm and that action forced Joe to release Sarah. Stumbling she made her way toward her apartment. Brian and Joe were locked together in a struggle. Brian kept hold of Joe’s arm, trying to keep from being stabbed. With shaky hands Sarah tried to get her key into the lock of her door, she glanced back just as Joe wrenched his arm free of Brian’s hold and slashed him across the throat. The thick gurgling sound carried to Sarah’s ears just as the key finally entered the lock.
Racing into the apartment she tried to close and lock the door quickly, but Joe was already pressing his way in. Screaming, Sarah backed up and started throwing anything she could reach to stave off his attack. Reaching out he grabbed her arm and pulled her to him, ripping her blouse from her, he forced her down on the floor. His hands were everywhere at once, ripping her clothes, pulling her hair, slapping her.
She fought hard, scratching, and kicking and biting. It seemed to her this went on forever, but suddenly, Joe was gone from her. The hitting, cursing and the weight of his body on hers stopped. Slowly, she raised herself to her elbow and looked. Joe was being subdued by four police officers and she watched as he was led away. A sob of relief escaped her as another police man knelt next to her.
He was asking her questions but her mind couldn’t comprehend the words. She felt something being wrapped across her shoulders and when she looked it was the throw from her couch. She watched on in a daze as the police moved in and out of her apartment, when they asked her questions she would just stare at them. An ambulance was called and she was taken to the hospital to be looked over.
As she was being wheeled away, they passed Brian’s body. She glanced down at his lifeless eyes staring out, just before he was covered with a sheet.
Her Uncle Mac showed up at the hospital and was waiting for her when she was given a room. He sat by her as the police interviewed her. She told them everything, from the time she had met Joe until they showed up at her apartment to take him away.
She was released from the hospital after a few hours of observation. She left the hospital with her face and arms covered with bruises, a large bump shown purple high on her cheek and a bandage covered the cut the knife had made on her neck. As her uncle drove her back to her apartment, he had tried to convince her to come home with him, since her parents were away, but she insisted she was fine and all she wanted to do was to go home and sleep.
A week later she signed up for self defense lessons. Then she decided to learn karate. She felt safer and more in control the more she learned.
Sarah felt safe for a time. Later the police reported to Sarah that Joe was a big time drug trafficker and was wanted on several warrants by the FBI. They then told her Joe escaped from jail before the FBI could take custody.
When she told her uncle about this, he encouraged her to go into hiding. And he knew just where she would be safe. Within an hour of her telling him, she was packed and being walked through the airport with a ticket in her hand.
So here she was, on a plane, in the middle of the night, crossing the Atlantic, heading for Scotland.
Chapter One
Sarah was numb. Even the hassle of going through customs and fighting her way through the crowed airport terminal left her feeling removed from reality. Her life was in turmoil, and she was on autopilot, just along for the ride. The only thing she cared about was grabbing a taxi so she could go and find a place to sleep, sleep forever maybe, and forget. After retrieving her bag from the carousel, she walked but a few feet when she noticed a plump cheerful looking older woman holding a sign with her name on it. She approached the woman cautiously. “I’m Sarah King.” She told the woman.
The woman’s smile brightened, “Och, so ya must be!” Her lilting Scottish accent sounded musical, “I’ve been sent to fetch ya to the cottage.”
A small frown creased Sarah’s forehead, “I’m sorry, I don’t understand. What Cottage? I didn’t arrange for any cottage.”
“It’s all been taken care of by Lonnie.” The woman told her.
“Lonnie?” Sarah thought to herself…Lonnie…Lonnie? The only person she knew with a name anywhere near that would be Lawrence McRobie, her uncle. “Uncle Mac? I mean Lawrence McRobie?”
“Aye!” said the woman excitedly. “He’s a cousin of mine and he called and said ya needed some time off for a holiday at a very quiet location, and he put me to finding ya one.”
Sarah was grateful that Mac would go to such lengths for her. True, he purchased the tickets, but she knew nothing of this. “What else did Mac say?” she asked, suspicious the woman might not really be who she claimed to be.
The woman just smiled again, “He sent this for ya.” and handed Sarah a small package.
When she opened it she found a cell phone with a note.
Sarah,
This cell phone is secure. It’s linked with mine. I will keep in contact with you about any news you might be interested in. Molly Kilpatric is my cousin and has made all the arrangements. You will be safe with her. Please try to relax and I will be in contact with you. If you need to reach me, my number is on the speed dial.
Hope to see you soon, Uncle Mac
“He told me ya needed a bit of a rest and asked if I would find a place that is quiet and secluded.” With that said she signaled for a skycap to take Sarah’s bags. While the woman was busy doing that, Sarah hit the auto dial on the cell phone and Mac answered immediately. Verifying everything Molly told her she said she would call him later.
Molly led them to the car that was waiting in the lot not too far away. Having settled the luggage in the boot of the car she tipped the man for his help. “Well in ya go,” said Molly. Sarah automatically went to the right side of the car to get in. “Are ya thinkin’ of drivin then, Lass?” she asked.
Staring at the steering wheel in front of her she realized her mistake, Sarah grinned sheepishly. “Sorry,” She moved to the other side. Once settled in the car, the woman began talking again.
“Och! Where are my manners! I didn’t introduce myself. My name is Molly…Molly Kilpatrick.” Molly started the car and pulled into traffic.
“It’s very nice to meet you Molly.” Sarah leaned back in the seat and thought about what Mac had done for her. Tears stung her eyes at the thoughtfulness of her uncle. Quietly, she watched the city scenes go past. After a while she slept, jet lag overtaking her before she knew it.
A bump in the road jarred her awake. The city was gone now and they were driving in the country. “Mmmm,” Sarah stretched a bit, “Where are we?”
“We are almost there.” Molly told her. “Ya slept a bit. We are just north of Perth. This is the road that leads to the cottage.” They bumped along a narrow lane that was lined on both sides by hedges. Slowing the car, Molly pointed to a fork in the road, “If ya take this fork,” she said indicating to the right, “That will lead ya up to the main house. But your cottage is this way.” She continued driving and soon came to a thatched roof cottage surrounded by a stone wall.
Sarah sat and stared for a moment, at a riot of blooming flowers that overflowed in the garden. To her it looked like a rainbow had landed in the yard. The thatched roof cottage itself was two stories, and although it looked old, it was well cared for. They got out of the car and Molly opened the boot to get the luggage. Once inside, Sarah looked around as Molly chatted cheerfully, telling her all about the cottage. “It’s been here forever it seems. Although no one has lived here for quite some time, the Laird will rent it out to tourists who seek some peace and quiet. The last person who lived here was old Maude and that was aboot a hundred years ago.”
Sarah looked around. The living room was dominated on one end by a large rock fireplace. Two wing-backed chairs were set in front of it with a small table in between. Overstuffed chairs and a couch with a low table made up the rest of the room. There was also a bookcase lining another wall, and a Grandfather clock in the corner. The windows were large and let in the afternoon light, bathing the room in a warm golden glow. Sarah walked into the kitchen, which was spacious and welcoming. Plenty of windows and a large well-scrubbed wooden table and chairs placed close to it.
“I’ve filled the pantry for ya.” Molly said, “There isno’ a town nearby. I hope ya like what you’ve got. If you’ll be needin’ anythin’ else just let me know and I’ll pick it up the next time I go to market.”
“I’m sure everything will be just fine,” Sarah made her way back through the living room and gazed up the stairs.
“The bedroom is up there along with the privy.” Molly told her.
Sarah turned to Molly, “I am sure I’ll be very comfortable here, Molly. Thank you for all you have done on my behalf.”
Molly blushed slightly at the praise, “Och,” waving a hand in the air, “Wasn’t anythin’at all. I’ll go now and let ya rest.” She gave Sarah a quick squeeze on the arm and headed out the door.
With Molly and her melodic chattering voice gone, Sarah felt suddenly very alone and very tired. Lifting her bags, she climbed the stairs and entered the bedroom. There stood one of the most beautiful carved oak beds Sarah had seen outside a design magazine. The large four poster bed dominated the room. A matching armoire stood to the right. A small doorway was on the left wall and when she walked through there she felt as if she had stepped back through time. The bathroom was large as well. It was decorated in tones of peach and light blue. A large claw foot tub rested under the window. Above it was a large showerhead. A wave of longing swept over Sarah as she took in the sight. “I’m going to love taking a soak in that tub,” she said to herself, “But first I need to get some sleep.” Turning she went back into the bedroom and climbed up on the bed. Leaving the unpacking until later, she laid her head upon the pillow and fell peacefully asleep.
Sarah woke to a gentle breeze playing across her cheek and dappled lighting making patterns on the ceiling. Stretching, she propped herself on her elbow and glancing at the clock on the nightstand it read one o’clock. She ran her hand across her face and through her hair, mussing it more. Flinging her legs over the side of the bed she got up and walked into the bathroom where she splashed water over her face and brushed her teeth and hair. Quickly she changed her clothes and went downstairs. There was a note from Molly stating she had left some fresh fruit and tea for Sarah and she would check in with her later. Sarah prepared the tea and some toast, and walked into the living room sat down on the couch. She pulled the cell phone out and hit the auto-dial. She sipped her tea while the connection went through. Mac answered on the second ring.
“Sarah?” Came his friendly voice.
“Hi, Uncle Mac, I was pretty beat when we arrived and I fell asleep as soon as I got here and just woke up about ten minutes ago. I must have slept all night, did I wake you?”
“No, it’s only seven a.m. here so I got in and was going over some paperwork. So, how do you like it so far?”
“Well, what I have seen, which isn’t much, is nice. Molly is very friendly.”
“Yes, Molly’s the best. All you need to do is relax and take it easy. Things here are bound to clear up soon.”
There was a silence while Sarah tried to figure out how to phrase her next question. “Um…has there been any word? Any sighting? Anything?”
“No, sorry, nothing so far, but don’t let that get you down. The police are working on it and so is the FBI. It seems our friend Joe was …shall we say…a very bad boy. That’s why I want you to stay where you are. I don’t feel it’s safe for you to come back until that man is back in jail or dead. I would prefer dead.”
“Is there something you’re not telling me? You know something don’t you?”
“Now dear,” Mac said soothingly, “Don’t get worked up. You’re in a safe place and he can’t get to you.”
“What about my parents, can he get to them?”
“No. The FBI has taken them into protective custody. “
Sarah felt shaken to her core. If her parents were taken into protective custody, then the situation must be worse than she ever imagined. “MAC!! What the hell is going on!? I need to know what you know! Tell me.”
Again there was a short silence on the phone while Mac tried to gather his thoughts. “I don’t know that I should Sarah. It may be better if you don’t know.”
“Damn it Uncle Mac! You tell me! You know what I’m like. If you don’t tell me I will imagine the very worst and worry myself sick.”
Mac sighed long and low. “Alright,” he said. “It seems our friend Joe has a long sordid history of drug dealing, murder and embezzling.”
Sarah sat back on the couch and closed her eyes. Absently she ran her hand through her short dark hair, thinking back on how depressed she was when she cut it at the layover in Washington. “Damn it,” she said under her breath, “I really know how to pick them don’t I?” and gave a shaky laugh.
“It will be ok, Sarah. Really, it’ll be fine.” Mac tried to reassure her but Sarah could tell he didn’t really believe his own words.
“How many murders?”
“You don’t really…”
“Mac! How many?”
“Sarah… you really don’t need...”
“Damn it Mac, tell me!” Sarah all but yelled into the phone.
“Seven.”
“Oh Jesus…”
“Sarah…please…”
“How do you know, Mac? How do you know I will be safe here?”
“Honey, don’t do this to yourself. “ Mac said soothingly. “I made all the arrangements myself. Only I know where you are. “
“You’re sure?” Sarah asked shakily.
“Yes. I’m sure. Trust me, you are safe.”
Sarah covered her eyes with her hand, “Oh God,” she half moaned half prayed, “How did I get myself into this?”
Mac continued to reassure her as they talked about her parents and their safety. When Sarah had as much information as Mac was willing to give her they finished the call. With her stomach in knots she took her unfinished toast and tea back into the kitchen, her appetite now gone. Standing at the counter, Sarah knocked her fist against her head, “Stupid, stupid, stupid!” she chastised herself. With a sigh she returned to the living room picked a book from the bookshelf and went outside to read while she sat on a low wooden chair. Closing her eyes, she rested her head upon the back of the seat trying to clear her mind. The sun felt warm on her face, the air felt cool and comfortable. She contemplated her situation for a while. Finally she opened the book and began to read, quickly became engrossed in the folklore of Scotland.
After some time, her eyes grew tired and she tossed the book aside. Feeling restless Sarah grabbed a walking stick that leaned against the house and walked the path from the cottage to the woods nearby. Wandering along the trees she listened to the birds and found herself walking toward the sound of a stream. Sitting against a tree she laid her walking stick on the ground next to her and closed eyes. Scenes flashed through her mind, horrible scenes.
“I can’t believe this,” she said to herself. “Who do you think you are? Forcing me run like this? You bastard!” Her anger erupted. She rose and started pacing the banks of the stream, swinging her stick as she walked. “How dare you, Joe. How dare you uproot my life like this!”
Swing.
“You are a sick person.”
Swing.
“You threatened me,”
Swing.
“You threatened my family.”
Swing.
“You killed my friend!”
Turning she faced the tree and raised her stick like a baseball bat. “How dare you!” she screamed as she swung at the tree, connecting with a powerful blow that stung her hands and arms. “I did nothing to deserve this!” she screamed again, and swung again, connected again. Rage now filled her. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she vented her anger. Screaming at the top of her lungs she continued to assault the tree. She felt she couldn’t swing hard enough or scream loud enough to get the rage out of her.
On the other side of the stream, upon the hillside, a man sat mounted on his horse and watched the scene below. Next to him, his wolfhound whined at the sound of torment coming from the woman next to the stream. Her cries had carried into the woods, and caught the attention of both the man on the horse and the dog. They had come to investigate. He watched as she vented her anger, slowly sink to her knees, and then lay upon the soft grass. Now spent, she now lay quietly, staring into space, the gleam of her tears still wet on her cheeks. But seeing no one actually attacking her, he decided not to interfere. Turning his horse he slowly made his way back home.
Walking into the large kitchen of the manor Ian placed his boots next to the door. Molly looked up from the pot she was stirring on the stove. “Nice ride Ian?” she inquired.
Ian nodded as he crossed to the table and pulled out a chair. Sitting he reached over and grabbed a roll and tore off a chunk and tossed it to the wolfhound. “Here Tink.” He grinned as the large animal caught the piece in mid air and downed it in one gulp. “So who’s the lass staying at Maude’s cottage?”
Molly wiped her hands on her apron after giving the soup one last check and putting the lid on. “That’s the lass I told ya about, Sarah.” At Ian’s blank look she prodded further, “Ya know. The one my cousin Lonnie called about and I asked ya if she could use the cottage.”
“Oh aye, now I remember.”
“So, ya met her?”
“Well not exactly met. I heard screamin’ down by the stream during my ride. Tink and I went to see what was goin’ on. And there, by the banks this wee lass, was just beating the hell out of one of the trees with a stick, and screaming so loud she could have brought down St. Peter and all the Angels from heaven! She’s a temper, that one. I’m not sure I want to meet her, if that is any indication of what she’s like.”
“Oh, she’s such a sweet lass! I told ya she came here for some quiet. Lonnie told me she was haven’ some trouble with a man friend of hers.”
Ian chuckled, “Well she looked perfectly able to look after herself if ya ask me!”
“Well, I’ll just nip down there after dinner and have a check on her. Make sure she’s alright.”
* * * *
Sarah lay on the soft bank of the stream for some time, letting her mind go blank and gathering her strength to go back to the cottage. She felt empty inside. The rage had burnt out, the tears washing her soul of the torment. But one thought remained, if she ever ran into Joe again she would kill him. That thought made her laugh out loud. No, she thought, she would want to but she could never take another person’s life, no matter how much they deserved it. She did make up her mind about one thing though. She would never get involved with men again. Sarah decided she would be single for the rest of her life. She listened to the breeze play with the underbrush nearby. It further soothed her.
The sun started to slip behind the hills, bringing the evening chill. Sarah arose and decided it was time to go back to the cottage and try out the big claw footed bathtub. She sighed at the thought of a steaming hot bubble bath. As she walked back, she felt very empty, also very hollow. There was nothing left inside. She chuckled a little at the thought at thumping her chest and hearing an echo like the Tin Man in the Wizard of Oz.
As she entered the clearing where the little cottage stood she saw Molly approaching the door. She kept walking up the path at a leisurely pace, knowing she would get there before Molly left. Sure enough, as Molly turned to go, Sarah was turning into the gate path.
Molly smiled brightly as she approached. Sarah watched her face as she saw Molly’s smile falter just a bit and then brighten up again.
“Hello Molly.” Sarah said as cheerfully as she could make herself. “What brings you here?”
“Well dear,” Molly started, she followed Sarah inside, “I’ve made a pot of stew and thought ya would like some,” she said as she set the pot on the stove, and turned to look closely at Sarah. “Are ya feelin’ alright dear?”
“Yes Molly, just fine.” Sarah replied in a monotone voice.
Grabbing Sarah’s hand Molly led her to the table and firmly pushed her into a chair. The rays from the setting sun hid nothing from Molly. “You’ve been cryin’!” Molly accused her.
Embarrassed only a little, Sarah admitted, “Well, yes I have, but it’s nothing. I had a bit of a pity party down by the stream. But I’m fine now.” She made to rise but Molly pushed her back into the chair.
“What have ya been crying about dear?” She asked genuinely concerned.
“It’s nothing really,” Sarah tried to brush the subject aside.
“Nothin’? Does nothin’ make your eyes red and puffy and your wee little nose look swollen?” Molly pulled around another chair and sat in front of Sarah. “Lass,” she said gently as she took one of Sarah’s hands, “It’ll help to talk about it. Trust me!” Sarah lowered her eyes and gazed unseeing at the table. “I’m a good listener and not one to gossip.”
Sarah sighed. It might help to talk about it. “Oh, I was just thinking of the man who was stalking me.” Sarah shuddered at the memory, remembering Brian’s eyes as his life slipped away.
“You were being stalked?” Molly gasped.
Sarah’s laugh came out like a bark. “It’s because of him that I am here. He threatened my life.” And the life of everyone I know, she thought to herself.
Molly took in a sharp breath. “He threatened your life?”
Sarah sighed and leaned back against the chair. “It’s a long story.” As Molly sat listening, Sarah told her everything, ending with her exodus to Scotland.
Shocked Molly leaned back. “Oh my, and no one knows where he is?”
“No. The FBI have my parents in a safe house. Mac sent me here. The last time I spoke with him, there had been no sightings of Joe.”
Molly patted her hand. “Well lass, we’ll keep ya safe here.” Rising she went to the stove and dished out a bowl of stew, she set it in front of Sarah. “Eat this. It will make ya feel better.”
Sarah didn’t feel hungry but she took a couple of spoonfuls to please Molly. Before she knew it the bowl was empty and she was pleasantly full. Glancing out the window Sarah saw night had fallen. “Molly, are you going to be able to get back to the main house? It’s very dark outside.”
Molly rose from the table with a chuckle. “I’ve been walkin’ these grounds since I was a wee lass in nappies. I can find my way alright.” Then she sobered slightly, “Are ya goin’ to be alright?”
Sarah sighed. “Yes I’ll be fine.” She too rose from the table, went to Molly and gave her a warm hug. “Thanks for listening to me complain. I do feel better for talking about it.”
“Anytime Lass, anytime.” Molly assured her and with a final gentle hug she went out the door.
As the weeks passed, Sarah fell into a routine of reading in the garden and going for walks in the woods. At first she would call Mac every day for any news but since he had nothing to report, good or bad, the calls dwindled to once a week. Molly came to the cottage about three times a week to check on her and to invite her up to the main house, but Sarah always politely refused the offer.
One cool morning as the fog was beginning to burn off, Sarah decided to go for a jog through the woods. She donned her jeans, a T-shirt and pulled on a hooded sweatshirt over that. Tying her running shoes she walked down to the stream hopped across and scrambled up the steep embankment on the other side. Picking a path to her right she started off with a brisk walk which slowly crept into a rhythmic jog. Sarah could feel the ancient life of the woods around her. She filled her lungs with the smell and taste of the moist earth mingled with the light scent of wildflowers. Slowly her mind began to empty of troublesome thoughts as she fell into a runner’s trance. All she heard was the thump, thump, thump as her feet hit the rich earth beneath her and the rhythmic breathing as she worked her lungs.
As she ran, her mind tried to alert to a foreign sound. It didn’t register until the sound had been repeated several times. She stopped to listen but all she could hear was her heart beating in her ears and her harsh breathing. When she turned to resume her run she heard it again, the deep bark of a large dog. Sarah stopped and turned again looking for the owner of the bark. She scanned back down the trail from where she had come but saw nothing. The underbrush was still and the birds continued to sing in the trees. Her breath was becoming closer to normal and she could discern several sounds, mostly of the different birdcalls.
The play of light and shadow caused by the sun streaming through the leaves of the trees was deceiving, making the brush appear to move when it wasn’t. There was a rustling in the underbrush a few yards down the trail from where Sarah stood. It quickly came towards her, her heart leapt into her throat as two rabbits shot out of a break in the bush and quickly ran across the trail and disappeared into that underbrush. “Crap!’ she exclaimed as she grabbed her chest to still her racing heart. All was still for a moment then something big seemed to be crashing through the same trail the rabbits had taken. Again adrenalin shot through her system,
A great shaggy head broke through the underbrush followed by an enormous shaggy body. Sarah recognized the beast as a dog but she had never seen one so huge. It scented her and turned its head to look in her direction. Sarah stood stock-still as it sized her up as friend or food. Cocking its shaggy head to one side it let out a soft and airy woof.
“Oh boy.” Slowly she took a couple of steps back, keeping her eyes firmly fixed on the dog. He didn’t move nor did he stop watching her. She took three more steps back. Again the dog didn’t follow but stood there watching. Gaining some courage from this she started walking backwards, after about five paces the dog took a step in her direction.
“Woof.”
“Nice doggy, good boy, stay right there. Nice doggy”
Panicking, Sarah turned and ran as fast as she could, knowing the dog could easily out run her and bring her down. She could hear it behind her in a slow, loping kind of trot. Looking over her shoulder she tried to gain perspective as to how close it was. The dog was just a few paces behind her.
“Oh shit!” She tried to gain speed while keeping the dog in her sights and ran into something very solid and was thrown backwards, landing on her rump. She looked up to see a man in her way just as she heard the deep breathing of the dog behind her. Scrambling up to her feet, she quickly zipped around the man using him as a shield between her and the dog.
Ian had watched Sarah as she jogged along the path. He saw when she had been frightened by the wolfhound. Stepping onto the path, he sought to reassure her but she never saw him before she ran into him and bounced off before he could catch her arm and steady her. He watched her shocked face as she realized what had happened then saw the panic replace shock as she heard the dog approach. Now she stood panting behind him, her hands clutching his arms, using him as a shield between her and what she perceived as danger.
Turning his head he said over his shoulder, ‘Relax lass, he’ll no’ hurt ya.”
“HA!” Sarah said as she tightened the grip on his arms, least he move and giver her over to the dog. “Somehow, I don’t believe that!”
“If he really wanted to hurt ya, he could have easily overtaken ya and snapped your neck like a twig.”
“Now that I believe.” Sarah replied.
Returning his attention to the dog, Ian crossed his arms across his chest. “Easy Tink. You’re scarin’ the lass.” With those words the dog sat at Ian’s feet, then lay down and rolled onto his back, letting his tongue loll out of his open mouth.
“Ya see there? He’s only wantin’ to make friends with ya.” Ian assured her.
Without releasing her death grip Sarah peeked around his broad shoulders to see the comical position the dog had assumed. “What is he doing?”
“Waitin’ for a belly rub.”
“You know this dog?”
“Quite well, he’s my dog.”
Slowly Sara released his arms and took a tentative step to the side. “He’s friendly?” She asked. “You’re sure he won’t hurt me?”
“No lass, he’ll no’ hurt ya.” He reassured her. “Give him a pet.”
“You first.” She challenged him.
“Och lass.” Ian knelt down. Reaching out he stroked the dog. “See? He’s harmless.”
Sarah watched for a minute then knelt down on the other side and petted the dog also. Smiling softly, “He is friendly.”
“I’d not lie to ya aboot that. Not as terrified as you were.” Ian told her, and then he extended his hand. “I’m Ian, by the way.”
She reached up and shook hands with him, “I’m Sarah.”
She looked up then, seeing him, truly for the first time. Her breath caught in her throat as she found herself looking into the most intense blue eyes she had ever seen, the kind of eyes that could pin a person to the spot with just a glance.
“Pleased to meet ya,” he was saying but Sarah wasn’t listening, so taken was she by the beautiful hooded blue eyes framed in long black lashes. Blinking she took in the rest of his features. His brows arched above his eyes, a slight scar ran into his left brow. His black curly hair fell just below his collar. A straight nose and full lips sat perfectly above a strong jaw slightly shadowed with a trace of whiskers. He had broad shoulders and strong chest beneath his light jacket. She already knew his arms were strong and muscular from the time she had them in her death grip. This man should be on a romance book cover, she thought. Then she thought, this man could be a danger to me.
Ian studied her as she studied him. She was just a little bit of a thing. She had dark hair, cut short, a beautiful creamy complexion, a sweet upturned nose and full pink lips, lips that a man could lose himself in kissing. He knew already that she was small but up close he could tell she was built beautifully. Even beneath her sweatshirt her breasts looked firm, her jeans hugged her trim legs like a second skin. Although she was petite, she had long legs. Ian liked that. “You’re American.” He stated to keep the conversation going and to keep his mind off of what was under her sweatshirt.
“Hmm?” Sarah said absently as she tore her gaze from his body, “oh yes, American, yes.”
“Here on holiday?”
“Sort of.” She answered cryptically returning her attention back to the dog. “What did you say his name was?”
“Tink.” Ian replied.
“Tink? As in a tinker?”
“As in Tinkerbelle.”
Sarah giggled at this. “You named him after that little fairy from Peter Pan? But he’s so huge!”
Ian thought he had never heard a more beautiful sound. “He was the runt of the litter.”
“If he’s the runt, I’d hate to see his brothers.” She laughed. A low rumble sounded and a strong gust of wind blew through the trees. Both Sarah and Ian looked upward to see dark clouds were swiftly covering the sky. “Rain?” Sarah suggested.
“Rain.” Ian confirmed.
They both stood and Sarah realized for the first time how tall this man was. OH my, she thought. At five foot seven Sarah was not that short but next to Ian she felt dwarfed, her head coming only to his collarbone. In her mind flashed a picture of her snuggled in his strong arms, her head resting comfortably against his broad shoulder, his arms wrapped lovingly around her. She started at this sight. What am I thinking, she asked herself, I have sworn off men. Even a man as yummy as this? Herself asked back. Don’t even go there, she told herself. The wind picked up and it started to drizzle as more thunder rumbled in the distance. “I guess I need to head home.” Sarah told him.
“Where are ya stayin’?” Ian asked. “With kin?”
“No, I’m staying in a cottage back down the path, the cottage by the stream.”
“I know the one, let me accompany ya safely there.” Ian offered, “Just in case there are anymore fierce beasties to come after ya.” He teased.
Sarah bristled at this, “Very funny,” she said as she turned and started back up the path. Ian fell in beside her with Tink on her other side. The dog was big enough so that she could rest her hand comfortably on his back as they walked along.
They continued, Ian found Sarah stealing glances at him. Finally after several times he asked, “Why do ya keep lookin’ at me that way?”
“I was just wondering about something.”
“And what would that be?”
“If all the men in Scotland are as tall as you?”
“Only the ones worth knowin’.” He teased.
Sarah’s heart fluttered but before she could reply the rain started falling with great force. They ran through the mud and puddles back down the trail with Tink running and barking happily beside them. Finally reaching the cottage, they raced inside, all three dripping wet and breathing heavily. Leaning back against the door Sarah gazed up at Ian as she caught her breath. Water was dripping from his hair and his jacket was plastered to him. Sarah thought she had never seen a man look so sexy.
Ian too, was gazing at her. She has a rosy glow to her cheeks from the run back. Raindrops clinging to her eyelashes and hair and running slowly down her face. To be one of those raindrops, Ian thought, to caress her soft and creamy skin. At that moment Tink decided to shake himself dry, spraying them both with mud and water, breaking the spell they were under. They stared at each other and the splatter of mud that spotted them. Simultaneously they began to laugh.
“Let me go up and get some towels.” Sarah slipped off her shoes, as she dabbed at the water and mud on her face.
Ian wiped a hand across his face, smearing some of the mud into lines. “Good idea.”
Sarah bound up the stairs and came back a few moments later with the towels. She handed two to Ian. When he looked at her questioningly she stated, “One is for Tink.” As Ian took off his jacket and shoes, Sarah towel dried her hair, making it a bit spiky. Ian thought she looked like a fairy as he glanced at her.
“Would you like something warm to drink?” Sarah suggested, “Coffee, tea, or…” Me?! Her mind suggested. “Cocoa?” she finished.
“Tea would be nice.” Ian’s muffled reply came from under the towel.
Sarah went into the kitchen while Ian finished drying off himself and then started on Tink. He could hear her filling the teapot and getting the cups ready when she started to sneeze. She walked back into the sitting room. “I’m going to get some dry clothes on. I’ll be back in a minute.”
In her room Sarah pulled off her sweatshirt, T-shirt and jeans, placing them in a soggy pile in the bathroom. She was even soaked down to her bra and panties. Slipping those off, she added them to the pile and pulled on her robe. Rummaging through the dresser she argued with herself as to what to wear.
Something sexy! Her mind told her. Something warm. She told her mind. Back and forth undecided until another sneeze slipped out. Something warm it is. Donning a pair of sweatpants and sweatshirt she hurried back down the stairs to find Ian had laid a fire in the fireplace and was warming his hands. Tink was sprawled out at his feet by the hearth basking in the warmth of the fire.
Sarah handed Ian an extra sweatshirt, one of the extra-extra large ones she liked to sleep in. “I thought you might want something warm and dry also.”
Ian took the shirt from her. “Thank ya, that was verra thoughtful.”
The kettle began to whistle as he began to unbutton his shirt. Sarah hurried into the kitchen to fix the tea. As she was returning to the sitting room, Ian was just pulling the sweatshirt over his head and Sarah got a great look at his powerful chest and chiseled abs. Her mouth went dry. Oh yummy! her mind cried. She nearly dropped the mugs of tea.
Once the shirt was on, it pulled tight against his shoulders and chest, she thrust a cup into his hand and hurried to one of the wing back chairs that sat in front of the fireplace. Sitting with her feet curled beneath her, she said nothing because her tongue felt too thick to speak. Ian sat in the other wing back chair. Both were quiet, each with their own thoughts. The only sounds were the crackling of the fire and the low rumble of thunder from the storm outside. The cottage seemed very cozy now, with the warmth and glow of the fireplace. Tink, who was sprawled out on the hearthstone gave a very contented sigh and thumped his tale once as if to say, this is the life!
What am I doing? Sarah asked herself. Letting a man I don’t even know into the cottage. Alone with me. With no one around. He could be working for Joe! What am I going to do? How stupid can I be? She took a sip of her tea and felt its soothing warmth calm her as the voice of reason stepped in. You don‘t feel in danger with him. You don’t feel that strange something like you did with Joe do you? Sarah had to admit she didn’t feel any danger from Ian. He seemed to be as he presented himself, a Scottish gentleman. She relaxed just a bit.
Ian watched Sarah. The glow from the fire gave her a warm aura. He could pick out highlights of mahogany and auburn in her hair. She seemed to be thinking very hard on something and then he noticed she seemed to come to some sort of conclusion because he saw some the tension leave her shoulders. She looked up from her cup just then and he gave her his most boyish grin showing dimples on either side of his mouth. “Are ya scribin’?” he asked.
Sarah blinked. “Sorry?”
“Are ya tryin’ to see the future? Reading your tealeaves?”
Sarah blushed slightly. “Um, no, I have a hard enough time trying to figure out the present. Besides, I don’t believe in that stuff.”
Ian arched an eyebrow. “That stuff?”
“Yeah, you know, predicting the future, flying saucers, elves, fairies, and unicorns. Legends.” She stopped then and added softly. “Knights in shining armor.”
He leaned closer to her from his chair, one arm resting on his knee. “I think that is because ya come from such a young country.” Leaning back in his chair he continued. “Now we Scots, we are weaned on that ‘stuff’, from the Star People to the Fae to Ol’Nessy.” Eyeing her intently he continued. “In fact ya remind me a bit of a Faerie.”
Sarah gave a nervous laugh. “Me?”
Ian inspected her with a critical eye. “Aye. The way your eyes tilt up at the corners, and when ya towel dried your hair, it made it all spiky. You’re tall and thin. Aye, ya could be one of the Fae.”
She ran a nervous hand across her hair to flatten it down. She didn’t know what to say to that comment but was spared from having to by his next question.
“Why do ya have your hair cut short? Tis lovely, but it would look nice long.” In his mind’s eye he envisioned them locked in a lover’s embrace with his hand buried deep in long dark tresses.
“I used to wear it long but I cut on a layover in Washington, for safety reasons.”
“Safety reasons?”
Sarah took a deep breath and released it slowly. She opened her mouth to speak and hesitated, he could tell she seemed reluctant to talk about it. The look in her eyes became troubled and she swallowed hard once before she began. “I was attacked from behind once,” she said quietly not looking at him but gazing back into her cup. “He…he came up from behind and grabbed me by my hair…just before he put a knife to my throat.”
This statement stunned Ian. “I doona think well of men who brutalized women.”
Moving to her chair he knelt on one knee in front of her. “Lass,” he said softly, raising her face with a finger. “Did he…Were ya…” He stumbled over his words not knowing how to ask such a question.
“A neighbor of mine came out of his door right then and helped me, but…he lost his life in the process. The guy was arrested.”
“Ya dinna’ know him then?”
He watched as she worried her lip and hesitated again. A lost look came into her eyes. “The man was stalking me.”
“I’ve seen many things in his life, Lass.” Ian’s expression hardened. “Some beautiful, some not. What I detest the most is cruelty to the innocent.”
Sarah rose from her chair and began to pace the room as Ian moved to stand by the mantle. Now away from the fire, she shivered, wrapping her arms around herself to ward off the cold. “I suppose I should tell you the whole story.”
Ian turned away from the fire to face her. “You doona have to Sarah. No’ if it is going to upset ya like this.”
Sarah laughed shakily. “This is how I always am now. Always. No matter how I act on the surface, inside I am pacing, nervous and fidgety. Always waiting, watching over my shoulder.”
“But he’s locked up, is he no’?”
“Ian, please sit. You need to know the whole story because after you hear it you may not want to be around me. And trust me, I wouldn’t blame you if you didn’t.”
Ian quietly resumed his seat and watched her, waiting for the story to unfold.
Taking a deep breath she began, “I met Joe in a bar a friend and I went to. He was very intense with his … feelings toward me.” Sarah ran her hand through her hair in a nervous gesture and began to pace again. “Somehow he learned my phone number and invited me to a party. I thought maybe I had misjudged him and gave him a second chance. I realized my first impression was right and I told him I didn’t want to see him anymore and told him not to contact me again. But he didn’t take well to that and began stalking me. It got so bad I finally had to go to the police and get a restraining order. One day I had worked later than I usually do and was very tired by the time I reached my apartment. I am usually very observant of my surrounding but that day, being so tired, I wasn’t. I was walking up the stairs to my apartment and had made the landing. I had walked only a few feet when he came out of the shadows behind me. He grabbed a fist full of hair and yanked me back against him. That’s when he put the knife to my throat. He told me….”She paused, reliving the moment. Hearing the harsh words growled in her ear, smelling the alcohol on his breath, feeling the sharp blade at her throat. “He told me, in graphic detail, what he would do to me. And he told me after I was dead he was going after my parents.” Ian made to go to her but Sarah held out her hand to stop him.
“No please. Let me finish.” Ian sat again. “I struggled to get away and I stomped on his foot with my heel and he yelled out. A neighbor of mine came out to see what the noise was about and saved me.” Her eyes filled with tears, her chest tightened and she swallowed a sob, a large tear tracked down her cheek followed closely by another as she remembered. “He and Joe fought over the knife, but Joe was stronger and killed Brian.” She paused again, as the guilty feeling of Brian’s death washed over her. She could still here his gurgling last breaths. “He had called the police before he left his apartment. I was able to get into my apartment and was trying to lock the door when Joe burst through.” she couldn’t continue. She didn’t want to relive the near rape. Pausing a moment she again continued, “The police arrived soon after and arrested Joe. Later he escaped and that’s when I found out he’s wanted by the FBI. My uncle thought it would be best for me to go into hiding. So here I am.” She finished her story and turned to him waiting for his reaction.
Ian was shocked at what he heard. For a moment he was quiet then he rose and went to her. Gently he put his hands on her arms. “You’re safe now.”
“For the moment.” Sarah laughed sardonically.
“I will keep ya safe.” He promised.
* * * *
Ian walked with Tink through the quiet night, needing nothing more than the starlight to guide him home. As he walked the path, hands in his pockets, his mind deep in thought, Tink crisscrossed the path ahead, looking for just a little more excitement before going in for the night. He was puzzled by what he offered Sarah. His protection was no light matter. It carried a deep meaning, more than Sarah knew.
Ian was surprised then, when he found himself at his back door. Looking back down the path he realized he had walked home mechanically. Quietly he opened the door, once inside he pulled off his damp shoes while Tink trotted over to his food bowl. The house was quiet, and the kitchen was in shadows with just a work light glowing above the stove. Atop of it Ian spotted a plate with a napkin covering it, keeping warm. Walking to it he lifted the napkin and grinned at Molly’s thoughtfulness. He grabbed a Guinness and sat at the table.
Molly entered the kitchen a short while later. She leaned quietly against the door and watched Ian finish his dinner. He took a last sip of his beer before he noticed she was there.
“Thank ya for savin’ me dinner, Molly. As usual it was verra good.”
In the shadows he saw her smile as she crossed the room and joined him at the table. “Glad ya enjoyed it Ian.” They sat in comfortable silence for a time.
“You needn’t stay up.” He told her. “I’m to make my way to bed shortly”
“Tis no trouble. I wanted to make sure ya didn’t make a mess of my kitchen.”
Ian looked sharply at her. ”I’ll not make a mess of your kitchen, woman.”
“TSK. Ya must be thinkin’ mighty deeply if you snap at a jest.”
He ran his hand wearily across his eyes and sighed deeply. “Aye.” He admitted. “I met the lass this afternoon. We got caught in the rain and went back to the cottage to dry off. We were havin’ a nice conversation until she told me of her trouble.”
“Tis a mighty burden she bares. And she doesn’t even know the whole of it yet.”
“Aye.”
“And?”
“And I promised to protect her.”
“And so ya will.”
Chapter Two
Sarah lay deep beneath the covers as the morning light filtered through the curtains, thinking on the conversation she had with Ian the night before, it was likely she’d never see him again. How could she blame him after she dropped such a bomb on him? After he and Tink had left the cottage, she had sat in the wingback chair watching the fire slowly die down to glowing embers.
Finally she crawled out from the beneath the warm covers and into the chilly air of the bathroom. After taking a shower, she dressed in jeans and a baggie sweatshirt. She eyed her clothing critically, deciding she needed to get some sweaters for the coming cooler weather. Coming from Texas she knew, except for a few sweatshirts her clothing was inadequate for the Highlands of Scotland.