Ross Read online

  Though he wasn’t having luck doing his good deed, he was fascinated with the village. Buildings stood on either side of a single road that ran between. The structures all seemed either connected or extremely close with only a narrow alleyway running between them. They were roughly all the same height with second story balconies that ran along the fronts of some. He rode from one end of the village to the other and back again. He only had two days to find a good deed to accomplish or there would be no boon. Perhaps it was time to move on. The number of people he’d seen were few and far between.

  “No one here needs me,” he said to Ronan, who whinnied in reply. He followed the black strip of road out of town and rode into the silence, wondering what good deed he could do. Who needed him and why? Soft flakes of white snow fell as the sky darkened. Hopefully there would be an inn up ahead where he could spend the night, though he didn’t have any money, or perhaps a barn where he could find a warm pile of hay on which to rest his head. His stomach grumbled. Something it hadn’t done since 1746 to be exact. He was hungry and imagined Ronan would be as well. Thoughts of food floated through his brain in a most pleasant way. His good deed would have to wait. Hunger was what was driving him now.

  The road continued upwards with not a soul in sight as the snow began to accumulate on the tree limbs and on the road turning the black strip white. Wind whipped it up until he could barely see in front of him.

  “Help!”

  He stopped. Was someone calling out to him? He listened carefully. Perhaps his mind had been playing tricks and it was just the wind howling through the trees.

  “Help!”

  Peering through the fallen snow he saw red lights flashing through the trees on the side of the road. Branches were hanging at strange angles, and tire tracks carved into the soft ground. Ross headed toward the flashing lights and found a car teetering on the edge of a ravine. As he got closer he could hear water rushing below and saw the terrified woman trapped inside.

  “Help me, please!” Her voice shook with emotion as she pleaded with him through a tiny opening in the window. “I’m afraid to move!”

  The position of the automobile was precarious. One false move and she’d plummet into the river running beneath them. He had to proceed with caution. Whatever he did, he’d need to be quick. Hopping from Ronan’s back, he approached the car.

  “What are you going to do?” the lass asked, sounding apprehensive. “Be careful, please.”

  “Sit verra still,” he said, removing his dirk from his boot.

  “What are you going to do with that?” Fear tinged her voice as her eyes grew wide and her fingers flew to her mouth.

  Ignoring her question, he understood that in order to save her he had to break the window and pull her out all in one motion if possible. “Look away from me,” he ordered.

  When she’d done as he said, he used the handle of his knife along with brute force to break the window. Glass shattered all around her, but thankfully she was unharmed. She continued to still perfectly still. Ross quickly reached in to grab her, but she was tied into the seat. The car creaked forward as the woman shrieked, but mercifully it stopped. He examined the contraption holding her in place. “What is this?”

  “It’s my seatbelt, but it’s stuck.” Tears rolled down her cheeks. “Hurry, please. I don’t want to die.”

  “I willnae let ye die.” He exuded confidence on the outside, but on the inside he was worried. One false move and she’d be sent to the bottom of the cliff along with the car.

  Reaching in, he scraped his arms on the broken glass, ripping through sleeve and skin. Blood flowed freely from the wound, but he didn’t allow it to stop his efforts to save the lass. His knife sliced through the seatbelt, setting the woman free as the car creaked and moved again. It was now or never. Placing his hands under her arms, Ross pulled her through the now broken window, doing his best to shield her from the shards of broken glass. As her feet hit the ground, the car plunged forward. Awestruck, they stood and watched as it crashed onto the rocks below.

  The lass began to shake violently as her legs went out from under her, but Ross was quick. He caught her before she hit the ground. A combination of fear and cold had her teeth chattering and her face as ashen and white as the ghost he’d been a few short hours ago.

  “Come,” he said. He carefully lifted her, carrying her through the snow and placed her atop Ronan. As he pulled a tartan plaid from his saddle bag, a bleak reminder of the life he’d lost flashed through his mind but there wasn’t time to think about that now. He must get the lass warm. She was shivering uncontrollably. Hopping up behind her, he wrapped them both in the plaid, hoping that the warmth of his body would stop her from shaking so.

  “Thank you,” she said through chattering teeth.

  “What’s yer name, lass?” he asked.

  “Cassie Simmons,” she answered. “And yours?”

  “Ross Seton. And this is Ronan.”

  He had to admit he liked the feel of her in his arms. Wisps of her soft brown hair tickled his nose as the wind blew past them carrying swirls of snow across the road and through the trees. He pulled her closer and tucked the plaid more securely around her. “Well, Cassie Simmons, I should get ye home to yer family. Where do ye live?”

  “Just up the road.” She pointed straight ahead.

  Urging Ronan forward, the horse trudged through the rapidly accumulating snow. As the road continued up the hill, she directed him onto a narrower path that led to a large log cabin nestled in the trees.

  “Is this yer home?” he asked, impressed by the grand building before him.

  She hesitated for just a moment before answering. “Yes.”

  Her uncertainty made him curious, “Are ye sure?”

  “Of course,” her voice was stronger now. No longer a question in her tone.

  He dismounted and lifted her down, continuing to hold her in his arms.

  “You really don’t need to carry me,” she said. “I can walk.”

  He reluctantly set her down. The sounds of a dog barking inside the cabin caught his attention.

  “It’s okay, Sammy. It’s just me.” She limped towards the house.

  When he reached out to help her, she politely shook her head. “I’m fine. Really.” Retrieving a key from her pocket, she unlocked the door. A large black dog greeted her with a wagging tail and wiggly body. A moment later he noticed Ross and began barking. Not in a threatening manner, but as if he were waiting for an introduction.

  Ross squatted down to the dog’s level and Sammy sniffed him all over before licking his hand as if to say, I’ve decided you’re no threat.

  They stood in the doorway, Ross wasn’t sure he was welcome here, so he didn’t enter. “I’ll be on me way then.”

  “Where are you headed?” she asked. Her voice was still shaky and she was obviously in some pain, though determined to try and ignore it. He admired that.

  “I’m nae sure,” he replied, regarding her closely. Should he try once again to help her? Perhaps not. It was obvious she didn’t wish him to touch her again.

  “Do you live around here? I don’t think I’ve ever seen you before.” She winced as she shifted her weight from one leg to the other.

  “Nae.” She was a lovely lass. If it wasn’t for Soni and his boon, he might like to stay and get to know her better, but that wasn’t his lot. He was a ghost brought back to life for a brief time. He wondered if saving Cassie was his good deed. If it was, Soni would come for him soon.

  “Where are you staying?” she asked

  “I’ve just arrived.”

  “So, you don’t have a place to stay?” she tipped her head in question.

  “Nae.”

  She nodded and looked past him to the snow falling. It was very quiet and very beautiful, but Ross kept his eyes on Cassie. She seemed to come to a decision and met his eyes, “Then you should come in. This storm is only going to get worse. We can prepare a spot in the garage for your horse and I can see i
f my neighbor will drop off some hay.” She walked inside to a nearby table and retrieved a small black object from a bowl.

  “That would be most kind.” He could think of no better place to be than with this bruised beauty until it was time for him to go. She really shouldn’t be alone. What if she needed his help?

  “The garage is over there. She joined him in the doorway, pointing the black object at the large doors across the yard. Magically, the door rolled up. Your horse should be safe in there. No cars.”

  Ross nodded his understanding and walked Ronan into the garage to get him settled.

  “All is well, Ronan. Nae need to fear.” He ruffled his steed’s forelock and turned to leave the garage. As he did, the door rolled back down. He returned to the house to hear Cassie speaking with someone.

  “Would you have any hay you could spare? I’ve an unexpected guest and nothing to feed them.” She held one of those odd phones to her ear. He’d seen them many times being used by visitors to Culloden. “Yes, it’s a horse,” she laughed. “Thanks. See you in a few.” She removed the phone from her ear and looked at him. “He’s on his way. Come in and close the door behind you.”

  Ross did as she requested and then stood in the middle of the great open room that occupied much of the first floor.

  “Would you mind stoking the fire in the wood stove? I’m not very good at it and I usually end up putting it out and then having to start all over again.”

  “With pleasure.” Ross walked to the hearth and examined the stove, noting that everything he needed was right there, he opened the small door and got a good blaze roaring before he turned back to find Cassie gingerly making her way towards him. “Ye should sit, lass. Are ye hurt?”

  “Just bruised, I think. No broken bones,” she assured him.

  Ross lifted her in his arms once again and carefully set her down on the sofa in front of the fire. He took her wet boots off, along with her socks and rubbed her icy feet. A blanket thrown over the back of the sofa was within easy reach. He tucked it in around her and then stood, gazing at her. “Ye’ve a bruise,” he reached out a gentle finger and ran it across the spot just beneath her eye. It was red and angry looking.

  “Probably from the air bag.”

  “Air bag?” he asked.

  “Uh-huh,” she answered.

  Much to his embarrassment, his stomach grumbled.

  “You must be hungry. I think I can stand long enough to get us something to eat.” She tried to move, but the blankets were holding her firmly in place.

  “Nae. I’ll see to it,” he offered.

  “Oh. Okay. The kitchen’s that way. I’m not sure what’s in the refrigerator or if it’s even any good. I haven’t paid my electric bill, so no lights or refrigeration. I’m sure there must be something you’ll like, maybe in the cabinets… and I think I’ve got some bread on the counter.”

  Ross headed into the kitchen and looked around. He was unfamiliar with just about everything he was seeing. He’d wandered in and out of the visitor center at Culloden and become familiar with many an unusual object he’d seen used there, but he’d seen nothing like this. He let his instincts guide him and found that when he opened the cabinets, there were cups and dishes. A nearby drawer held knives and forks. He walked to the largest item in the kitchen and opened the doors. He was met by an unpleasant odor. This must be the refrigerator. He saw eggs and thought he could cook those, but where? He peaked his head out of the kitchen. “Would ye like some eggs?”

  “I’m not very hungry. The pans are hanging over the island and there’s bread by the toaster.”

  He didn’t wish to startle her with questions about how exactly he would cook these eggs. If she knew the truth about him, she’d be frightened and that just might undo the good deed he’d done. Following her instructions, he found a pan to cook the eggs in. He found bread by the toaster and saw something he thought might be the place to cook his eggs.

  There was a knock at the door and Ross hurried to get it before Cassie tried to stand up.

  A short, stocky man greeted him as he opened the door. “Hi, is Cassie here?”

  “Aye. She’s resting,” Ross answered.

  “Come in, Mike,” Cassie called from the sofa.

  “Are you alright?” he sounded alarmed.

  “I had an accident on my way home. I swerved to avoid a deer and my car went off the road and stopped just before going over into the river.”

  “Are you okay?”

  “Yes. Ross came to my rescue. The car on the other hand eventually ended up on the rocks.”

  “I’ll call 9-1-1,” Mike suggested and reached into his pocket.

  “No. I’m fine, really. I’ll call them about the car in a little while. I just want to rest for a few minutes.”

  “So it was the car, not the truck that went over the cliff?”

  Cassie sighed and nodded.

  “Have you called that husband of yours?” he asked.

  She rolled her eyes, “No, I have not. I honestly don’t think I can handle one more second of him today.”

  Ross listened intently to the exchange between the two neighbors. This Mike seemed quite concerned about her. He mentioned a husband, but if Cassie had a husband, where was he?

  “I’m sorry, Cassie. Listen, you just rest and I can call Jason for you.” he said.

  “Would you? I just don’t have the energy to speak with him right now. He’s going to be angry when he finds out it was his car I destroyed.”

  “Will do. I’ve got the hay in the back of my truck and Amanda asked me to drop off some food for you.” He held out a bag, which Ross took from him and brought into the kitchen.

  “Ronan is in the garage. Here’s the remote,” Cassie said.

  “I’ll feed him and set down some bedding. I’ll be right back.” He was eyeing Ross with suspicion.

  As the door closed behind him, Ross asked, “Ye’ve a husband?”

  “No. I’m divorced,” she explained.

  “Ah. And this Mike he wants to be yer new husband?”

  Cassie laughed. “No. Why would you think that?”

  “He seems verra concerned about ye.”

  “He’s a good neighbor, so is his wife. I’ve known them since high school.”

  The front door opened as Mike returned. “That’s a fine looking horse you have there.”

  “Thank ye, he and I have been through a lot.”

  “Listen, can you excuse us for a moment? I want to talk to Cassie.” Ross looked at Cassie and she nodded. Mike waited for him to disappear into the kitchen before approaching the couch and she curled her feet under so he could sit down. “This is going to be a doozy of a storm. I’m happy he found you.” He nodded his head towards the kitchen.

  Cassie shuddered thinking about what would have happened to her. Another thirty minutes or so and no one would have found her for days.

  “Who is he? What do you know about him?” Mike’s concern was evident in his questions.

  “His name is Ross Seton and I don’t know anything about him really,” she admitted.

  “I think I’ll hang around if you don’t mind. You probably shouldn’t be alone here with him.” He stood and began removing his coat.

  Cassie waved him off, “I’m not worried. He got the Sammy seal of approval.” She knew that would do the trick. Anyone who knew the dog also knew that he had good instincts when it came to people.

  “Are you sure? I don’t mind staying.” Mike hovered with his jacket half on and half off.

  “I’m fine. I’ll call if I need you,” she reassured him.

  “Okay. I’ve got things to do before this storm gets any worse. Be careful.” He buttoned his jacket again.

  “I will. Don’t worry,” she smiled warmly at him.

  Mike walked to the kitchen and poked his head in. “Hey, thanks for helping Cassie. I’ll be checking in on her, so there’s really no need for you to stay here.”

  “I’ll be on my way before too long,” Ro
ss answered.

  “There should be plenty of food in there. Amanda always cooks enough to feed an army. Just heat it up in the microwave and it should be great.” She heard Mike open the useless appliance and shut the door. Cassie buried her face in her hands. “Hey Cassie, it looks like the electricity is out,” he called to her.

  “I forgot to pay my bill,” she said. That wasn’t exactly the truth. It was more like she didn’t have the money to pay it.

  “Have you got enough candles? And what about your heat?”

  “I’ve got plenty of candles and I’m not worried about the heat. I’ve got the wood stove.”

  Cassie wished she could get up to see what was going on, but even though she tried, Ross had tucked her in so tightly that the struggle to extricate herself exhausted her. Every muscle hurt so she settled back into the softness of the sofa and let the men figure it out. She couldn’t explain to herself why she trusted Ross. Maybe she shouldn’t, but he’d been so kind to her and with his mop of curly dark hair and chocolate brown eyes, the tall Scotsman was exactly her type. The irresistible accent only added to the attraction.

  She could hear the two men puttering around in the kitchen. From the sounds of things it was clear Mike was trying to decide if Ross was to be trusted while searching for a pan that could sit on the wood stove. Eventually, Ross emerged from the kitchen carrying a skillet of food, plates, forks, the tea kettle and two mugs. He set the food on the stove to warm and moved the coffee table closer to Cassie so she had a place to set her tea.

  “Thank ye, Mike. I’m nae a man who’s done much cooking. Yer help was most appreciated.” Ross did a slight bow in Mike’s direction.

  “No problem. Take good care of Cassie.” Mike turned and smiled at her, “Do you have enough wood for the stove?” He examined the logs stacked along the wall.

  “We should be fine. If I need more, Ross will get them from the garage.”

  “Remember, if you need me, I’m only a phone call away.” Mike hesitated in the doorway appearing unsure about leaving.