A Haunting Love
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About this ebook
When her fiancé, Drew, suggests having their wedding at his family home in the Highlands of Scotland, Alita only thinks about the beauty and romance awaiting her. She’s unprepared for the frosty greeting she and her sister receive from each member of his family, particularly his domineering mother.
But nothing shocks Alita more than the odd, menacing dreams she begins to have her first night at MacColum House. Over and over again she dreams of a grisly murder—with herself as the victim!
Cheri Chesley
Cheri Chesley believes in miracles and the magic of books in everyday life. When not writing, she can be found reading the dictionary for fun or devouring any of the many books in her home library. She lives with her husband, children, and four-legged taskmasters in Waurika, OK. Look for updates on her latest works at www.cheri-chesley.com.
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A Haunting Love - Cheri Chesley
A HAUNTING LOVE
by Cheri Chesley
To my beautiful nieces, Alita and Charisa
Thank you for letting me borrow your names.
CHAPTER 1
Alita felt the comfort of Drew’s hand on her knee, but she didn’t open her eyes. Instead she let the bumps of the road continue to lull her. She’d never experienced jet lag before, but the pounding headache and utter exhaustion had no other explanation. She couldn’t even enjoy her sister’s exclamations over the Scottish countryside from the backseat.
Charisa, as far as she could tell, hadn’t suffered from their overseas flight at all. Look at all the flowers!
she said. And I can see the lake.
Drew chuckled from the driver’s seat. Here we call it a loch, Charisa.
Right. I knew that.
That’s Loch Broom,
he said. I’ve many happy memories of those waters.
Despite her fatigue, Alita grinned. She would be married in two weeks and she was glad her sister would be with her every step of the way. Sure, it meant relocating to Scotland and only visiting her home in northern Utah on holidays and special occasions, but that didn’t matter when her fiancé was someone as incredible as Drew.
Alita thought of her mother’s reaction when she’d announced her engagement.
But Scotland?
her mother asked. It’s so far away.
Mom, I’ll visit and we can video chat all the time. It’s not like you’ll never see me again,
Alita assured her.
Mom gripped her hands, letting the enormous engagement ring show through her fingers. Are you sure this is what you want?
Alita laughed at that. Are you saying you don’t want me to marry a rich, handsome, successful businessman only because he’s moving me overseas?
That brought a sheepish smile to her mother’s face. Well, when you put it that way, it does sound silly.
Drew raised her hand to his lips and pressed a warm kiss against her skin. Just a few more minutes and we’ll turn into the drive.
Alita opened her eyes. Thank goodness.
Did you want me to pull over so you can straighten your hair, or something?
he asked.
Charisa spoke before Alita could reply. She looks fine. Besides, I’m overdue for a bathroom break.
Alita brought a hand up to her long blond ponytail to smooth it. I can’t wait to meet everyone.
Drew pursed his lips and took his hand from her knee to place on the steering wheel. Alita sighed. The last few weeks had been so tense, with the wedding preparations and the trip. She hoped bringing Drew back to his home would help him relax.
Maybe after the wedding. He’d been through so much just in the months she’d known him, it would likely take time for him to adjust.
She pulled her hazel eyes from his handsome profile to look out the window. The winding country road made her slightly nauseous, so she focused instead on the incredible green of the tall grass. She’d never seen anything quite like it before.
Drew motioned out the driver’s side windows as they passed the cottage-style building that served as the visitor’s center and tour origination point. A large sign that read MacColum House
stood next to the road. They drove around the winding driveway and up the hill.
As the house came into view, Alita heard Charisa gasp. She straightened in her seat to try and see all of it. The structure looked hundreds of years old with two stories and a full attic. It had turrets and walkways along the stone roof, which made it look more like a castle than a house. As they rounded the corner toward the detached garage, Alita noticed the differences in the stonework, as though several additions had been made to the house over time. The back of the structure seemed much older than the front.
How old is it again?
Charisa asked.
The earliest structure was built over five hundred years ago,
Drew reminded her. Over the years it’s been expanded and improved upon. My mother renovated the main living areas two years ago.
Alita nodded. She’d heard it before, but seeing the manor brought new meaning to Drew’s words. It’s incredible.
It’s a mess. I’d love to tear it down and rebuild.
Drew parked the car outside the garage and opened his door. Let’s go in. The help can bring in our luggage.
Charisa gaped at her sister as they got out of the car. Help?
she mouthed, her blue eyes sparkling.
Alita waved her back. Behave,
she whispered. Her sister tossed her white-blond hair and said nothing.
Alita tried to calm her own anxiety, but she was nervous about meeting Drew’s family. A planned trip last October to visit Drew and meet Alita had been cancelled when Drew’s father died of a heart attack. Since then, Drew split his time between Utah and Scotland, often missing holidays with Alita to be with his family. Naturally she understood, but she would have liked the opportunity to meet his relatives before now.
I wonder where we’ll sleep,
Charisa said.
Alita grinned at her, even though her sister didn’t look her way. Should I ask them to put you in the drafty dungeons?
Charisa smirked. You know I’d love it, drafts and all.
Drew turned. We don’t have dungeons, Alita.
Of course not. I was only teasing her.
Hmm.
Drew reached into the back seat and pulled his suit jacket off his hanger. As he slid into it, Alita couldn’t help but admire the way he looked in his expensive Italian shoes, slacks and button down shirt. He fit into the castle/manor lifestyle, she thought. She glanced down at her favorite jeans and T-shirt and sighed. She’d dressed for comfort for the long flight, while Drew had dressed to impress, as always.
A door on the side of the house banged open and a round, pleasant-looking woman hurried out. She rushed to Drew and put her arms around him, her mouth going a mile a minute. It took Alita several moments to realize the woman was speaking actual words, but her heavy accent and excitement made her completely unintelligible.
Drew laughed and pulled out of the woman’s grasp. He put an arm around her shoulder and turned to Alita and Charisa.
Ah!
the woman exclaimed. Then she blurted out more words Alita couldn’t understand, her arms gesticulating between Alita and her sister.
Drew laughed again and, even in her confusion, it warmed Alita to hear it. No, I’m only engaged to one of them.
He gestured to Alita. This is Alita Rayne, my fiancé.
The woman stepped from Drew’s arms and pulled Alita into a tight hug, still talking so fast Alita couldn’t understand her. She thought she was beginning to catch every fourth word or so, and the woman’s tone certainly made her feel welcome.
Charisa stepped closer just as the woman released her. If this is the mother, then you’re golden,
she whispered.
Drew corrected her almost immediately. This is our housekeeper, Jenny Black. She’s been with the family for as long as I can remember.
I’m pleased to meet you,
Alita said. This is my sister, Charisa.
Ah, such a pair of bonny lasses!
Jenny exclaimed. Master Andrew had best keep a close eye on the pair of ye.
Alita sighed with relief, glad that her brain had finally started translating. Thank you, but Drew doesn’t need to worry about us.
Jenny winked and rattled off something so fast Alita could only guess by her laugh at the end that it was intended to be funny. So much for translating.
Drew caught her puzzled expression and reached up to tuck a stray lock of hair behind her ear. It may take a while to get used to Jenny, but she’s well meaning enough. She’ll take good care of us while we’re here.
And if I know what’s good for me, I’ll get the three of you right in to Countess MacColum,
Jenny said.
Alita’s stomach dropped. Countess MacColum?
Drew brushed aside her astonishment. It’s a worthless title; no one pays them any heed these days. It means nothing.
The older woman snorted. So says the Earl of MacColum. How like a man to leave out such a detail.
She thrust a weathered hand at Alita. Come, lass. I know it must be a great deal to take in, but you’ll manage.
Of course she will.
Drew’s tone spoke a confidence Alita wished she felt.
Come, you’re mother’s waiting.
She pulled Alita toward the door. And you don’t want to keep that one waiting.
The knots returned. Alita pulled her sister’s hand into hers and held it for support.
Drew reached for her other hand