The Highlander's Promise

    I wasn’t sure how many times I was going to have to start over but I was getting tired of starting over. It is like playing a video game and not having Autosave enabled. The big bad boss kills me and instead of being able to head right to the big bad boss again, I have to start from the top of the mountain to fight through all the minions.   I’m exhausted, I will say that Holly Hall is a step up from Sheep’s Lodge though, where Sheep’s Lodge was quaint and rustic, Holly Hall is majestic, oh, and an old castle fortress. Jer was in awe when he first saw it and was hoping that there was a dungeon. Normally I would share his excitement but I was working through some stuff.    Sinclair and Eugenia were still staying with Daniel until Sinclair got his strength back, Alexei has been in and out of court fighting for Sheep’s Lodge, and Daniel has been busy helping Jer and I get the animals settled into their new home. As for Gregor Mackenzie, I have not seen him since Christmas. I don’t know if he has finally settled down with Claire or if he is hiding in shame.   I honestly don’t care anymore, a part of me still has hope that he will follow through with his promise that he made me, that no matter what I would be his. We had a good thing going, then again, I was stupid and naïve to think that I could be in love with some guy I hardly knew. No matter how much of a connection I felt with him.    “This place is fit for a Queen; I’m going to like staying here.” Jer was standing on the balcony overlooking the gardens and we could hear the ocean in the distance, a loch was splashing softly against the rocks on the West side of the property. I had to agree it was peaceful here, if not a bit colder since we were closer to the ocean.    “Shall I get your tiara, your highness?” Jer gave me a side hug and even though he moved from the States to be here with me and his boyfriend. I missed Sinclair and Eugenia; I missed the people in the village I would visit that was a half-hour away from my old home. I put a hand on my stomach and the sinking guilt crept over me again.   If I told Mack about the baby, would things be different? I swallowed thickly and knew the answer already, nothing would change, there would just be another life that ended up ruined and in shambles. I should have taken better care of myself and Alexei Nikolaev told me he would have taken care of the baby even if it wasn’t his.    “Jer, maybe I should just swear off men. Not you and Daniel, I love you two but forget about relationships. Poor Alexei is hardly ever around because he is busy fighting my battle for me.” Jer scoffed at me and then took my hand in his. “Girl, that man would go to war for you and you know it. He is your best shot at getting Sheep’s Lodge back. Let him do his thing and it will work out. Even if it doesn’t this place is great, we can really start a life here.” I looked at Jer and saw the sadness in his eyes. I grabbed him and held him tight. I forget sometimes that he is in a brand new place as well with just myself and Daniel as his only friends. We heard the dogs barking and a car coming up the road towards the house and both of us hurried towards the entryway to see who was coming to visit. I was hoping it was Eugenia and Sinclair I miss the old couple that tended Sheep’s Lodge. They were like my grandparents and felt at home. Jer and I didn’t recognize the beat up pick up truck that pulled up to the front door but we did recognize the two people that stepped out of the vehicle, Jer let out a whoop of joy and flew down the steps to embrace his baby brother Wuggie. Melina waddled out of the passenger seat and leaned heavily against the side of the truck. I quickly put a hand to my stomach and felt that nagging emptiness and guilt again. That poor little baby, it had to be better for the baby right? I felt tears sting my eyes and I quickly looked away as the brother and his wife came up the steps. The next thing I knew someone was hugging me from behind and I felt a kick in my back. I turned to see Melina smiling at me and the sadness in her eyes confirmed that she knew what happened. I wasn’t even mad, I couldn’t be. I hugged her back and Jer and Wuggie disappeared inside the house. “I hope you don’t mind that we just showed up. We went to the other place but some screeching banshee chased us off and we ended up going into town to find out what happened to you. A nice old man named Felix gave us your address. I’m sorry is it wrong for us to come.” She looked ready to burst into tears herself and I brought her inside out of the chill air. “No I am glad for you guys to be here, right now it is just Jer and I, Daniel comes to stay every now and then but he has his own house. Eugenia and Sinclair are still with Daniel.” She nodded and I led her to the oversized couch we had in the sitting room. She looked around with her eyes wide and I chuckled. “I know that was my first thought too. I hope you guys are going to stay awhile, there is plenty of room and like I said it is just Jer and I.” She smiled and cradled her stomach. “Thank you, Wuggie joined the army and has to go to basic training, he was hoping to ask you and Jer if you wouldn’t mind letting me stay here.” I sat down next to her and kicked up my feet. She looked so happy and I was glad the scatterbrained little brother of my bestie found someone. “No problem I would be happy to have you here and even the little one. I’m sure Jer is ready to go shopping and start buying baby stuff and God only knows what else.” She laughed and smiled. “Thank you, Anna, I’m sorry about what happened, my abuela on my dad’s side could curse that stupid girl if you want.” I snorted and was half tempted to take her up on her offer. “Nah, but if she continues to be a thorn in my side, I may take you up on that offer.” I winked at her and she giggled. Maybe starting over wouldn’t be so bad. I already did it once. Why not just hit delete and start fresh again? It couldn’t be that bad. At least I now knew not to trust anything Gregor Mackenzie says, I will not even let him darken my doorway ever again.