“Okay, bye.” Click.
I stood absolutely still and stared out at the swaying trees, every muscle in my body tensed against the emotion ballooning in my chest. Was it possible that anyone on this earth would ever love me enough to care about what I wanted, instead of plowing ahead with their plans and leaving me behind to pick up the pieces?
“Vee, what is it?” Kenna asked.
I glanced over my shoulder, realizing that Ally was still in the room. She didn’t need to see how pathetic my life was—if she hadn’t figured it out already. Trying to sound nonchalant, I answered, “Mom’s getting married and it looks like I’m homeless.”
“Oh no! Not Bob the Slob?”
“Yeah—the one and only.” I glanced at Kenna only to see my own hurt and betrayal reflected in her face. I attempted a smile but failed miserably. “I’ll be all right, but I’m really tired. Think I’ll lie down for a bit.”
Allyson’s honey brows scrunched over her perfect nose as she clucked sympathetically from the doorway. “You poor thing. A good rest is exactly what you need. Tomorrow you’ll be right as rain. You’ll see.”
With a nod at Kenna, she added in a lower voice, “I’ll just show m’self out.”
We listened in silence as Ally’s retreating footsteps echoed down the stairs and out the front door. The cottage suddenly felt oppressive, tainted by Janet’s selfishness despite the ocean between us. Why had I thought coming to Scotland would change anything?
When Kenna finally spoke, her voice trembled. “Vee … you know you can always come to Chicago with me.”
I held up my hand to stop her words before we both ended up bawling like babies. “Can you give me a few minutes … please?”
“Sure thing, sweetie.”
Watching the sun’s retreat across the unfamiliar landscape, I waited until Kenna left before letting my head rest against the cool pane of the window.
I felt like a beach ball tossed around by the whims of everyone around me. Eric decided when our relationship was over, Mom packed up my crap as if it’d been my choice to move out, Dad left without asking if I would’ve rather gone with him, and although Kenna asked me to go to Chicago, that was her dream, not mine. I was sick to death of other people dictating my future.
When would it be time to find my destiny?
The sun had nearly set, and I squinted to discern the view against the fading light. Past a clump of overgrown trees, the sapphire river flowed through the lush, green valley and disappeared under a sliver of arching gray stone.
As I stared, the awareness of a presence in the room raised goose bumps on my arms. Icy cold shot down my spine, followed by a rush of hot blood to my face. Someone stood inches behind me. The boy who’d been haunting my every waking hour was with me—I could feel him.
A shadowy reflection materialized above mine in the window—dark, intense eyes, golden brows, and strong, full lips. Fighting the urge to turn around, I stood petrified—afraid he would actually be there, and terrified he would not.
“Verranica.”
My eyes widened in shock as the deep timbre of his voice flowed through me. His mouth hadn’t moved.
“Ye dinna need to be afraid of me.”
Afraid? I wasn’t sure what I felt, but I didn’t fear him. “Who are you?” The words escaped my lips in a strangled whisper.
“James Thomas Kellan MacCrae.” White teeth flashed in a cocky grin as his image became clearer. “Or ye can call me Jamie, if ye like.”
“Are you … real?”
“Aye.”
Slowly, I lifted my trembling fingers to the cool glass. In our reflection, his large hand moved to cover mine. And I felt it—a whisper of energy against my flesh.
“Verranica …” His soft brogue stretched my name into a caress laced with longing.