A walk between worlds

Uninvited

Uninvited

            Shawn I and spent the day exploring the quant little village not far from us.  It took my mind off the proof that someone was watching us.  There were so many little shops to look at.  There was an old bookstore, a homemade bakery, butcher’s shop, and dress shops just to name a few.  To my surprise there were no big chain stores which made it even more inviting to me.  The townspeople were so friendly, and we were only about 30 minutes from the cottage.  I did notice that Shawn had been on his phone off and on taking some calls; I would ask him about it later.  We decided to stop in a small Pub for a bite to eat.

            The Pub was built with an old stone foundation with large timbers across the ceiling.  There was a huge stone fireplace with dirks and a few swords that were on the wall.  I noticed a few banners with some of the clans’ crests on them.  To my surprise there was a banner with the McNeil symbol on it.  There was an old wooden bar with stools around it.  The bar had lovely carvings in it with vines and thistles.  It was stunning.  I felt right at home.   The waitress ushered us to a small table for two next to the fireplace.  Shawn and I looked over the menu and I decided on traditional beef stew with some homemade bread.  When the waitress came over, she was literally staring at Shawn, but he didn’t even notice.  “We will both have the Scottish beef stew and homemade bread, a pot of tea, and some ice water.”  The waitress looked at him, bending over to pick up the menus off the table so Shawn would look at her cleavage, “Will there be anything else?”   Shawn never even made eye contact with her because he was staring right at me.  “Nope, everything I need is right here.”  Then placed his hand on mind.  The waitress turned away a bit disappointed.  I started to laugh.  “What’s so funny?”  I said, “Thank you.”  He looked at me, “For what?”  I said, “Well, I thought she was going to shove your head down her shirt.”  He threw his head back and laughed. “Leigh, you aren’t jealous, are you?”  I said, “Nope, but she is not getting a tip!”

“You have nothing to worry about.” 

            I smiled back at him squeezing his hand.  “This place is amazing.  It seems as old as the cottage.”  Shawn said, “I believe it is, a lot of the town is.  I think that is what makes it so appealing.” 

            “Shawn, did you notice the clan crests on some of those wall hangings?  There is one that looks like the McNeil’s.  I’m going to over to take another look.”  I pushed the chair away from the table and walked toward the tapestry.  I gently traced the crest with my fingers.  Two crossed swords with a thistle in the center.  I heard a low ruff voice from behind me, “Ah, the McNeil crest.  Once one of the great clans that used to belong to this land.”  Startled, I turned around and in front of me were the darkest eyes I have ever seen.  A handsome man about the same age as Shawn, 6 ft 2, with dark wavy black hair, and quite a solid build on him stood before me with a smile.  He offered me his hand, “Hello, my name is Ambrose, I am pleased to meet you.  And you are?”  I stood dumb founded for a minute, “I’m sorry, you caught me off guard.”  I laughed.  “My name is Leigh Reese.”  When our hands touched for a moment, I suddenly, felt heat from my ring.  A flash memory of him standing in front of me as if I knew him.  I then quickly pulled my hand away.  By now this had caught the attention of Shawn who casually strode over and slide his arm around my waist.  He then then, “Hi, I’m Shawn Walker, a pleasure to meet you, Ambrose.”  They shook hands but there seemed to be tension between them, and I was not sure why. 

            Ambrose then asked, “Are you a descendant perhaps of this clan?  Is that what piques your interest?” 

            “My grandmother, Isabell was a McNeil.”  Inside Ambrose new it already as soon as he saw her.  She looked exactly like Isabell.  He wanted to take her away right there, but Shawn was in the way.

            “That’s very interesting.  There are a lot of stories of your grandmother Isabell McNeil.  She is somewhat of an urban legend here.  Maybe I could interest you and Shawn in dinner some night and could share some of those stories with you?”

            Leigh was so excited.  “Yes absolutely!  Shawn and I would love to do that wouldn’t we.”   Shawn looked down at me and pulled me closer to him, “Sure, anything my baby wants.  We just purchased the old homestead of her grandmother’s and the original ground around it.  Once we are married, we intend to make it our permanent residence.”  Shawn smiled and kissed my forehead.

            Ambrose said through gritted teeth, “Well then, congratulations are in order.  I see your food is arriving at your table, I should let you two get back to dinner.  It was a pleasure meeting you both.  We will get together soon I hope.”  I nodded, “Yes, I’m looking forward to it.  Have a nice evening.”

            As Shawn and I walked back to the table and sat down, Shawn said, ‘I don’t like him.  I want you to stay away from him or at least not ever be alone with him.”  I looked up at him, “Well, now who is jealous?”  Shawn was agitated, “I am not jealous, there is something off with him.  I don’t like the way he looks at you.  Like you are some kind of dessert to be had.”   I laughed, “You are jealous! Do not worry, I have no intention on being alone with him, he does make me a bit uneasy, though I am not sure why.  However, I still want to know more about my grandmother.  But we can do that together.  Now, let’s enjoy our dinner.”

Ambrose POV

            I had been following them off and on all day.  Trying to get a good look at the woman but to no avail.  I know its Isabell.  I watched her walk in the bakery, but that boyfriend of hers was always with her.  He looks like Murdoch.  I suddenly feel so over come with jealously and anger.  I need to control myself or I will burn down this entire town. 

            I watched them as they walked toward the Pub.  Probably grabbing something to eat.  I smoked a cigarette outside and gave it a few minutes and decided to go in at sit at the bar and watch from a distance.  Hopefully so I could get a good view of her. 

            When I walked through the door her scent hit me in the face, vanilla and lavender and I breathed it in.  When my eyes adjusted, I saw the most beautiful woman staring at the tapestries on the wall.  Her beautiful honey blonde hair wrapped around her shoulders and the curve of her figure.  I didn’t care who she was with I had to talk to her, to see her face.  I went right over to her. 

            “Ah, the McNeil crest.  Once one of the great clans that used to belong to this land.”  She turned around and looked startled.  My god if I didn’t know any better this woman was Isabell’s twin.  Damn those green eyes.  “Hello, my name is Ambrose, I am pleased to meet you.  And you are?”  She said, “I’m sorry, you caught me off guard.”   “My name is Leigh Reese.”  As our hands touched, I felt electricity and heat.  That damn ring.  If I held her and any longer, she would burn me.  She must have felt something because she pulled her hand away quickly.   

And now here comes her boyfriend.  s**t!!  “Hi, I’m Shawn Walker, a pleasure to meet you, Ambrose.”  We shook hands each of us gripping our hands hard and making direct eye contact.  Ah, I see a pissing match in our near future.  I smirked at him.             “Are you a descendant perhaps of this clan?  Is that what piques your interest?” 

            Leigh spoke, “My grandmother, Isabell was a McNeil.”  Inside Ambrose new it already as soon as he saw her.  She looked exactly like Isabell.  He wanted to take her away right there, but Shawn was in the way.

            “That’s very interesting.  There are a lot of stories of your grandmother Isabell McNeil.  She is somewhat of an urban legend here.  Maybe I could interest you and Shawn in dinner some night and could share some of those stories with you?”

            Leigh was so excited.  “Yes absolutely!  Shawn and I would love to do that wouldn’t we.”   I noticed that Shawn possessively pulled Leigh closer, trying to send me a message, as if that would work on me.  He said, “Sure, anything my baby wants.  We just purchased the old homestead of her grandmother’s and the original ground around it.  Once we are married, we intend to make it our permanent residence.”  Shawn smiled and kissed her. 

            Ambrose thought, not if I can help it then said through gritted teeth, “Well then, congratulations are in order.  I see your food is arriving at your table, I should let you two get back to dinner.  It was a pleasure meeting you both.  We will get together soon I hope.”  Leigh nodded, “Yes, I’m looking forward to it.  Have a nice evening.”

            I was going to stay and watch them, but I knew I would not be able to control myself.  I wanted her.  She has no idea who she really is.  This was going to be fun; my only problem though could be that ring. 

            I stomped off into the night walking past the shops trying to get her beautiful face out of my head.  I need to find Jayden and release some of my stress.