MacGowan's Ghost (23 page)

For the first time since arriving at Sealladh na Mara, Allie saw Gabe
relax
. A change, just as recent as their talk at the wharf, seemed to come over him. His demeanor was more laid-back, he
laughed
more. And God, what a great laugh he had. Not to mention that adorable, slightly crooked mouth when he spoke.

Gerald MacGowan then enlightened Allie on a few shenanigans pulled by a little Gabe MacGowan, including a few mishaps involving pollywogs, hedgehogs, and a little girl named Cassidy who'd once lived up the lane. Gabe covered his face with his hands and laughed, along with the rest of his family, and had turned to her and said, “Dunna believe everything they tell you, Allie Morgan.” and then his eyes had danced with mischief.

She learned quite a lot about Gabe MacGowan in the two hours she'd sat amongst his loved ones. And she discovered the more she learned, the more she
liked
. He had a sister named Merriweather—Merri for short—who seemed to be just as mischief as Gabe. Allie hoped to meet her.

Rolling over, she pulled her knees up to her stomach and watched the peat burn in the hearth. The earthy scent wafted through the room and she inhaled, and thought a better smell couldn't possibly exist. Maybe because that same scent had clung to Gabe's clothes, and Allie had inhaled a good bit of it while nearly sitting on his lap as he kissed the socks off her.

Closing her eyes, Allie easily called forth the memory of Gabe's thumb grazing her lips, the way he stared so deeply into her eyes and making sure her head was at just the perfect angle before tasting. Sweet God, the man could kiss, more erotic and sensual than Allie ever thought she'd experience. Perhaps those sensations happened because of the man himself. Gabe MacGowan did nothing without thought, purpose, and yet spontaneity at the same time.

Their first kiss still lingered in her memory—and the way Gabe had been
before
that first kiss. Wide-eyed and seemingly in another place, Allie wondered what had caused him to be out of bed and so out of sorts at that time of night. Rather, morning. She remembered it had been around one a.m. Had a dream awakened him?

All she knew was the fun, joking, lighthearted Gabe MacGowan was something to consider. Just watching him laugh at his brother, or at something he and his brother conspired to do, made her smile. Laina and Gerald had shaken their heads and laughed. Pride shone in both of their eyes, and it made Allie happy to know that while during Gabe's tormenting struggle through his marriage, the loss of his career, drinking, his wife dying—and all the recovery he'd accomplished after, he'd had a close-knit, supportive family system to see him through it.

She'd be willing to bet he was glad for it, too.

Briefly, and not for the first time, Allie considered what might become of her and Gabe. How on earth could she just walk away from him and everything wonderful in Sealladh na Mara? Not that she'd been asked to stay, of course, but their relationship—if she could call it that—was so fresh and new. To even think of staying, or Gabe asking her to stay, seemed too far-fetched at the moment.

But would they be able to carry on with a big fat ocean between them? Would she be able to easily get over him if they simply parted ways once the contract for Odin's was up?

Pulling a pillow over her face, Allie groaned. She was thinking way too much, and too fast. She needed to calmly swallow a big chill pill and take things easy. Go with the flow. See how things worked out over the next few weeks.

Flinging back the duvet, Allie gathered her clean clothes and toiletries. She looked in the mirror over the dresser and stared at her reflection. Truth be told, the Odin's lot could completely handle the hauntings—which was exactly what they'd decided to do to dissuade any potential buyers with a mind to buy a pub—while the contract ran its course. She wasn't needed. Not really. Yes, she could conduct a pretty frighteningly haunting experience, but it could all be done without her presence. Especially since Gabe was now on the same page as everyone else.

That was a feat all its own.

Allie felt as if she were on an extended vacation.

She smiled. That was the good thing about being a money saver and having your own small business, being your own boss.

No one to answer to.

She squinted at herself in the mirror. “Yeah, you should definitely stay,” she said. “See how things go.”

She turned and slipped out of her room and into the bathroom across the hall. She'd get ready, go over to Leona's for a pastry and coffee, and get back to Odin's.

They had a scheduled haunting in the pub at nine a.m. sharp, followed by lunch preparations.

She didn't want to miss a minute of it.

An hour later and Allie started up the walk toward Leona's. Pushing open the door, she drew up short as a man walked out, the two nearly colliding. At first, she thought it was Gabe, but quickly recognized Sean instead.

He smiled and held the door for her. “Och, what a fine morn to find such a bonny lass to be stuck in a doorway with. Leona, love, look who I've found.”

“Saints, boy, you're such a flirt,” Leona said, shaking her head. She smiled. “Come in, Allie. I've your pastry waiting for you.”

Sean bent his dark head over her waxed paper. “Leona's meat and cheese pie. A girl after me own heart.” He cocked his head and wagged a brow. “Are you sure it's me old decrepit brother you're interested in, lass?”

“Are you jokin', boy? Have you seen the way those two look at each other?” Leona said. “All but caught the pub on fire last night.”

A gleam of mischief shone in Sean's eyes when he grinned. “You should have seen the wee bench by the wharf. Smolderin', 'twas.”

Allie shook her head, but she could feel the heat rush up her neck. “You guys are bad.”

“You guys,” Sean mimicked. “God, that American accent is so adorable.”

“Och, wee Sean, you've more than a run for your money in your brother. That rogue Justin Catesby has the eye on her as well.”

Allie wasn't surprised when that comment didn't startle Sean MacGowan—or slow him down—at all.

“Well then, seems I'll have to work extra hard, aye?” he said. “Come, Allie Morgan from America. Let's go break our fast together.” He winked. “ 'Twill be good to make the old decrepit brother jealous.”

Allie laughed. “Okay, let's go.” She handed Leona three pounds for the pastry and coffee. “Don't forget. Haunting at nine sharp.”

Leona's smile proved just how much she enjoyed being part of the Big Odin's Fiasco. “Wouldna miss it for the world, love. I'll see you there.”

Sean held the door and Allie ducked out of Leona's. Together they walked down to the wharf and sat on the bench facing the loch.

“So, tell me about these sisters of yours,” Sean said, taking a big bite of his pastry. He barely finished chewing. “What are their names? Are they as bonny as you?”

Allie slid a glance his way, took an enormous bite of her own pastry—which turned out to be the exact same one Sean had—chewed, and swallowed.

“Bloody hell, you're no bigger than a bird but can eat like a man,” Sean said with pride. He smiled. “I like that. Now go on. Tell me.” He took another bite.

“I'm the oldest. Next there's Emma, she's twenty-eight; then Boe, she's twenty-six; and Sicka—her name's Ivy, but we call her Sicka—she's twenty-four.” She grinned. “They're all ten times more gorgeous than me.”

He shook his head. “I dunna believe a word of it.” He smiled and inclined his head. “Do any of them have that glorious mane of curls you have there?”

Allie chewed, watching Sean closely. As he ate with gusto he had the most devilish tilt to the corner of his mouth. “You're not very shy, are you?”

He didn't break his amused stare. “Nope,” he said through another mouthful of pie. “No' in the least.”

Allie shook her head, balled up her empty wax paper, and sipped her coffee. When she slid Sean a glance, he was still staring at her.

“What?” she asked.

Funny how she felt completely comfortable around a guy she'd known less than nine hours.

“You're a true miracle, Allie Morgan,” he said. “I canna tell you the difference I see in Gabe, just since the last time I saw him.”

That somehow made Allie tingle inside. “When was that?”

“About three months ago.” He shook his head and wadded up his own empty pastry wrapping. “ 'Tis like night and day.” He continued to study her, an approving grin lighting his handsome face. “You're good for him.” He winked. “I suppose I'll have to settle for one of your gorgeous sisters, aye?”

Allie laughed. “You're crazy.” Like Gabe—actually, like everyone else at Sealladh na Mara—Sean's accent was so pleasing to hear.
About
sounded like
aboot
,
ago
sounded like
agoo
, and there was that ever-present, always pleasing to the ear
aye
that Allie thought she'd never grow tired of hearing.

“I can only imagine wee Jake adores you, as well,” Sean said. “He's a great little kid.”

“He is,” Allie agreed. And she meant it. She loved kids, and some of her favorite spirited souls were children. “He's been wanting to take me up to the family homestead.”

“Och, the MacGowan keep,” Sean said. “One of me favorite places to go. Maybe we'll take a run up there before I leave.”

“I've seen it at night but not during the day,” she said.

Sean laughed. “I'll bet. That wily brother of mine.”

Allie remembered the memory. She'd never forget it.

“So, is Gabe still havin' those horrible nightmares?” Sean asked. “Christ, they're bloody terrifying, what with his dead wife appearin' to him and such.”

Allie's eyes widened. “What?”

Suddenly, Sean's face blanched. “Christ, you didna know?” He swore under his breath. Something Gaelic, and a word Allie hadn't heard before.

Allie shook her head. “I knew he'd been having horrible nightmares about his wife but not that he'd been seeing his wife's spirit. That's a whole new ball game.”

Sean rubbed his chin, much as Gabe did. “He's goin' to kill me if he finds out.”

Allie grabbed his hand. “No, tell me. Please. I may be able to help.”

Chapter 20

A
llie could see the hesitancy in Sean's eyes, and she immediately felt bad for pressuring. But if Gabe was still dealing with issues—not only horrible dreams but, according to Sean, seeing Kait's spirit—then he needed help. Kait, apparently, needed help, too. Desperately.

Allie's
help, if Allie had anything to do with it.

She gave Sean's hand a squeeze, then turned loose. “How bad are the dreams?” she asked.

Sean scratched a place beneath his eye, stared at Allie, then sighed. “I suppose if he's to trust anyone, it should be you. Your friend Dauber told me just this morning you have a way with spirits and such. Maybe you can help me brother, since he's so lack-witted he'd rather suffer than ask for anythin'.” Leaning forward, legs spread in total guy fashion, he rested his elbows on his knees and looked at the spot of gravel between his boots. “The only reason any of us ever learned anythin' is that wee Jake told me mum once whilst spendin' the night at her house one weekend. Och, 'twas about six months ago now.” He rubbed his jaw. “The lad wakes up to Gabe shoutin' sometimes, wavin' his arms about and swearin', with a terrified, wild look in his eye, Jake says.” He shook his head. “I've never seen it myself, though. I've been away at university for nearly four years now, and if he was havin' those dreams before that, he didna tell me about it.”

Allie looked out over the loch. Gulls screamed overhead, and large gray clouds rolled in like smoke from a chimney. She rubbed her arms. “I think he's still having them,” she said, recalling the night of their first kiss. “I ran into him downstairs about one in the morning and he was certainly not himself. And a few other times he's been awake, in his workshop, at . . .”

Sean turned to her. “Aye?”

Allie slowly looked at Gabe's brother. “One a.m. He goes to bed but always seems to be awake at one a.m.” She stood, and Sean did the same. As the wind blew, she pushed her hair behind her ear. “I'm not one to hide things from people. I like the truth. I'm in favor of the truth.” She grasped his forearm and squeezed. “But in this case, I want to try something.”

In unison, they turned back up the walk and started toward Odin's. “What?” asked Sean.

“Find out if Gabe is having nightmares, or actually having experiences with Kait's soul.”

Sean looked at her. “Seriously? Do you think she's haunting me brother?”

Allie shrugged. “Well, if it
is
Kait's soul, hopefully I can help.” She smiled. “It's what I do—deal with ghostly souls in need of settling. I can only imagine poor Kait died having serious issues at hand. Her soul is probably tormented by her past. But if it's truly nightmares, then . . . I don't know. We'll see.”

Together they hurried up the walk, past the Royal Post, past Leona's, and past Willy the Fishmonger's. As they neared Odin's, Sean pulled Allie to a stop and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek. “A finer lass couldna have come along at a better time in Gabe's life. Thank you for helpin' me brother. He's a lucky man.”

Allie smiled. “I'm lucky, too, and I hope I can help.”

Sean's grin touched his eyes. “You already have, lass.” He inclined his head. “Now hurry. We've a hauntin' to accomplish.”