Chapter 6

CHAPTER SIX

T he tension that followed was like an over-inflated balloon about to pop. Alexandra lifted her chin higher, refusing to look away from their stunned faces. Spreag stood beside her, his defiant expression visible to no one else.

"I know it sounds crazy," she said. "But--"

"Ye can see him?" Bronagh leaned forward, her artist's eyes searching the space around Alexandra. "Like I could see Wyndham?"

"Yes and no. It’s not a fleeting thing. And I can hear him."

Duncan bounced on his toes. "When did this start? How long has he been haunting ye?"

"Since the beginning," Spreag answered, though only Alexandra could hear. "Tell them I've been with ye since the weddin’."

She relayed his words, adding that she hadn’t known until last night. She could tell by their expressions they were trying to believe her but having a hard time.

Wyndham crossed his arms. "And ye're certain it's him? Not some other spirit pretending?"

“Well, that’s not a pleasant thought, but no, it’s him." She smiled. "He's standing right here, rolling his eyes at you."

"That does sound like Tulloch," Shug muttered.

The tension eased just a little as they moved back toward the living room. The space felt smaller with everyone gathered close, their faces a mix of concern and wonder as Alexandra explained about the moment she saw him emerge from the fog. “I felt…rescued.” She skipped the details of the rest of the evening and skipped to their experience at the restaurant when she heard the other ghost.

"So, you can hear other spirits as well?" Duncan leaned forward. "Just like that?"

"I guess so." She glanced at Spreag who stood behind Wyndham's chair. "And Spreag scared her away before I could understand what she wanted."

"Good," Bronagh said firmly. "The last thing you need is to become some sort of ghost whisperer."

"Maybe you’ll start seeing the future, start rescuing puppies from speeding cars.”

Alexandra's eyes widened. "You know about that?"

Spreag waved an impatient hand. “You’re not going to start seeing the future, love.”

Meg wanted to know more about the puppy.

Alex explained how Spreag had rushed from the ranch, run a red light, and positioned himself to catch a puppy moments before a car would have struck both the dog and the boy chasing after it. "He knew exactly what was coming. Just like he knew what would happen if we came to Scotland for the wedding."

Shug snorted. "Alex saw it all because she was following him around in a van. Verra romantic.”

She felt her cheeks warm. "Hey, at least it worked. I caught him red-handed, then I kept him.”

Spreag said something funny but rude, so she slyly flipped him off. But since he stood behind his friend, Wyndham saw her do it.

"Oh aye," Wyndham chuckled. "I’m convinced. One day and she’s already givin’ him the bird.”

Meg sighed loudly. “Well, I guess if this is real…”

“It’s real,” Alex assured them all.

Meg gave her a smile that was more pity than encouragement. "I guess one pro is that he can warn you about danger, if he still has his Sight.”

Wren sat forward. "Are we making lists, then?”

"Why not? Pros and cons of having a ghost husband." Meg grabbed paper from a side table and Bronagh brought her a pen. "Pro--he can spy on your enemies."

"Con," Bronagh countered. "He can't help with the dishes."

"Pro," Wren added softly. "You still have his love."

The room went quiet.

"Con," Shug said carefully. "Ye cannae move forward with yer life."

"I don't want to move forward." Alexandra's voice cracked. "I want my life back."

"Tell them about the bank account," Spreag suggested. "Show them I've already taken fine care of ye."

She nodded and explained about the financial arrangements he'd made.

"A pro then," Duncan admitted. “Ye’ll need for nothin’.”

Shug wasn’t convinced. "Him watchin’ ye greet yerself to sleep? That cannae be healthy for either one of ye.”

"Actually," Alexandra said, "I slept better last night than I have since... since it happened. Just knowing he was there..."

"I agree with Shug. Not lettin’ go isnae good for either of ye. Next thing he kens, two hundred years will have passed and…” He shook his head. “Forgive me. I shouldnae be wishin’ away the only reason ye’ve a smile back on yer face, lass.”

"Wishin’ me away?” Spreag came around to show Wyndham what he thought of that.

Alex laughed. “Put your kilt down, honey. He can’t see you, remember?”

Everyone laughed, though half-heartedly. When it was over, Alex had more to say.

“You think this is bad for us? To hold out hope? Have you forgotten that you were once ghosts too? And now you’re not. So don’t tell me that hoping is futile.”

"But it can't happen again," Bronagh said. "Soni could only bring back so many, have you forgotten? And her powers were lost. They’re gone. And Wickham can’t do anything like that?—"

"Then we'll find another way.”

Wren’s mouth fell open. “Then ye do hope to bring him back.”

Shug took his wife’s hand in his and shook his head. "And if there is no other way?"

"Then I'll take what I can get." Alex lifted her chin. "What about you? If you couldn’t touch Wren… Would any of you give up the love of your life if you couldn't touch them? If all you could do was talk and laugh and cry together?"

The couples exchanged glances.

"She has a point," Meg said quietly.

"But what about children?" Wren asked. "A future?"

"I have a future,” Alex said defensively. “Teaching, writing, living in our home in Arizona with the love of my life. Even if he is invisible most of the time."

Shug bit his lips together and she easily read his thoughts—he didn’t think their unique situation would last long, and it pissed her off.

Spreag's form wavered slightly. "A lot of emotions in this room. I think I’ll take my leave so they can relax for a mite. But call to me and I'll return."

"You’d better.”

He glanced around him. “Dinnae fash, love. I see no light a’ waitin’.” After a slow wink, he faded completely.

“He’s gone,” she told the others. “You can relax now.”

Though her friends seemed relieved, plenty of tension remained.

Duncan scowled and cleared his throat. "There is more to discuss here."

Alexandra's heart dropped. "What?"

"Despite how wonderful it is that ye can hear and see Spreag," Duncan said carefully, "it doesnae make sense."

"What do you mean?"

"The three of us were ghosts," Wyndham added. "We know how it worked. Other than the few times Bronagh could see me, and never for more than a moment, none of us could maintain a visible form for long. Much less be heard clearly."

Bronagh nodded. "Even when I painted Wyndham's portrait, I was working mostly from memory and imagination. The actual glimpses were rare and so brief I thought I’d imagined him."

"Something else is at play here," Duncan said. "And I think we need to figure out what it is before ye leave Scotland."