Chapter 12

Chapter 12

After Father Clarke found and settled payment with a new boat captain, he stood beside Marie on the deck. "Damn you, I used another ruby to buy passage back to Dunstaffnage. It's your fault."

She gaped at him as they strode into the cabin. "Ye are the one who got drunk. It's yer fault ye slept late." A priest who can't hold his liquor—Clarke proved a horrible priest.

Later, Marie huddled in the boat's cabin since it remained cold to be outside. She didn't know where Clarke stayed and remained happy. He wasn't in the room. He got more and more careless and left her alone and untied. This time he left the place unlocked, but out in the ocean, where could she go without drowning or freezing first?

He left his bag behind in the cabin this time. Marie smiled. He's not a good priest nor a good criminal either.

Marie slid the bag into her lap, hoping he became sloppy enough and left the knife behind. She rummaged through the pack and shifted past a shirt and a watch as she tried to find the knife. Marie tilted the bag into the candlelight, and nope, no knife. She lowered the bag in defeat. Marie wanted that knife for her escape. She glanced into the bag again. Well, he might not be as thoughtless as she hoped, but careless enough he left his book behind.

Marie examined the book again. She turned the pages, but this time they appeared in a different order. Maybe she didn't recall them correctly, but she believed the Chorales page was first and now the crosses page came first. Marie tried to make sense of what Clarke saw in the pages that she didn't, what made him think the Fae stones held power.

The jeweled cross sat half out of the bag. She picked it up, studied the cross again, and remembered her last vision from it—the priest in the stone, the priest in her dream. She shivered, shoved it in the bag away from her view.

She curled up on the bed and held the book as she tried to read it, and eventually lost interest in that as well. Marie stared at the candle, and it blurred, unfocused. The blob reminded her of a sunset, like the orange and yellow sunsets in the loch.

****

Marie strolled on the trail from the castle to the dock. As the time neared sunset, the views from the pier progressed back onto Loch Etive, where the mountain range formed a backdrop.

She carried a plaid wrap to keep her warm against the chill and held it tighter around her as she hoped tonight wouldn't get so cold to chase them into the castle. The dock appeared as she descended the small hill and rounded the last turn. Marie stopped at the sight before her.

The setup John arranged was impressive. A small table with a white tablecloth and two chairs sat with portable lights positioned so they viewed the evening but not too bright to block out the sunset. Gas heaters kept the area warm. A silver box sat near, and there were a couple of lads from the pub dressed in black pants and white shirts with jackets, like servers. Candles lit the table. Next to that, they built a firepit ready with a log for a seat. A motorboat floated at the dock but set farther back to not obstruct their view of the loch and the sunset beyond.

She sighed and a breath blew gently against her ear. "I hoped ye would like it." So caught up in the sight before her, Marie didn't notice John's approach.

His arms wrapped around her and held her for a moment. "Ye know, ye look beautiful in the dusk light." He turned her in his arms and kissed her.

She shivered and John's fingers trailed to her hands. "Ye are cold. Come, let us get under the heaters."

Marie nodded as he led her to the table and chairs. "John, ye didn't have to go to all this trouble."

He held a chair out for her. As she sat and looked out over the dock, she experienced the best view of the loch at sunset.

He joined her and poured wine for them both. At this time of year, the sunsets were the most spectacular colors of crimson and marigold, casting the mountains in various hues of indigo and juniper. She looked forward to what promised to be a special evening. Marie peeked at John and knew she wanted not just dinner but what to do with him for dessert.

He chuckled. "I've always wanted to do this. Dinner on the dock at sunset." He glanced at her. "I just had to wait for the perfect woman to come along to share it with."

Marie sensed her face heat and sipped her wine—Merlot, her favorite. "I'm surprised ye are drinking wine. Beer is yer usual."

John smiled after he sipped his wine. "Aye, but this 'tis yer favorite. Are ye ready to eat?"

She nodded as John signaled the two attendants to serve dinner. His gaze roamed her body; she held the plaid wrap around her for warmth. Under she wore a low-cut blouse on hopes to entice John this evening. Would he find her outfit sexy? After all the work he put into this evening, she should reward him. Marie smiled to herself as the server set her plate down. She planned to enjoy tonight.

After the servers stepped away, Marie took a bite of her meat, steak, medium well with peppercorn sauce. She hummed as she chewed.

John tilted his head as he took a bite. "Tell me about yer studies at university."

She sipped her wine. "Well, the chapel project is the last part of my graduate work. Once I complete the flooring and turn in my final paper, my grad work is complete."

John sat back. "Done, so soon? It was only last fall we started talking about the chapel."

Marie set her wine glass down. "Yes, well Bree and I discussed the Chapel Hill project, but we didn't discuss it more before she left. Well, went."

Bree and Colin stuck back in time.

Marie set down her fork and faced John. "So, she's back in time with Colin now. Ye think everything is going okay?"

John nodded and set his wine glass down. "Aye, I'm sure if there's an issue, I would've heard by now." Bree accidentally followed Colin back in time on his quest to find the Stone of Love and return Roderick, his ancestor, to his proper time.

Marie sipped her wine. "'Tis good to have the notes from Colin via a bolt hole in the mantel. I wish we could send messages back in time."

John took another bite, chewed, and swallowed. "Aye, well either way, it seems good to know how things were in the past. She's there and they both are fine."

Marie took his hand in hers. "John, I am worried. What if they do not make it back to our time? What if they do not find the stone? What will we do then?"

John smiled as his thumb stroked her hand. "I have faith in Colin. He's a lot like his da—he'll have a plan, a backup plan, and then another plan. The MacDougalls tend to get through challenges and come out on top."

Marie sighed and gazed at the sunset. John was okay with the stone and time travel, which to her seemed surreal. She guessed she should put her faith in Colin and John as well.

John squeezed her hand, and she glanced back at him. The warm dusk light shone on his face as he smiled at her again. She gazed into his eyes, and there she found comfort, safety. With John she realized everything would be okay.

As they ate dinner, the sunset transitioned from bright shades of daffodil and tangerine to deeper shades of sandstone blended with mulberry wine. Each time Marie scanned out across the loch, the view changed. She stayed silent as she marveled at the artistry of God's work before her. Then the scenery would remind her of something she wanted to share with John, and she would jump back into a lively conversation. The night became so magical like God made this one sunset just for the two of them to share.

After dinner, the lads from the pub packed everything away and loaded the boat. John rose, took Marie's hand in his, and drew her to the fire ring. The lads lit the logs as Marie and John settled with the wine and plaids. The pub lads then shifted the heaters around the firepit. Before she realized it, the guys waved to them and motored out to the pub.

Marie peeked at John. "Ye planned this evening well. I'm impressed."

John smiled into his wineglass. "I wanted it to be perfect for ye, for us."

Marie snuggled under the plaids and sipped her wine. The Merlot made her mellow and she relaxed in his embrace.

John set his wine beside him and took hers and set it aside. He turned to face her as they lounged on the log under the plaids. John took her hands in his and kissed them then took a deep breath and gazed into her eyes.

"Marie, what ye said about wanting to do more work with Bree after the chapel project? Did ye mean that?" Marie blinked then smiled. The future. He asked about the future. Her heart fluttered.

She took a deep breath. "Aye, after the artifacts we found, we know there's more to discover than just what we found at the chapel renovation, and I would very much like to continue to explore the area."

John smiled and brushed his fingers on her cheek. "Did ye know Bree made plans to ask the Historic Environment of Scotland for another grant to excavate the grounds?"

Marie smiled; the next project meant a future here with him. "Aye, I do. We discussed it at length. The Chapel Hill, a rocky ridge a where a village was."

John nodded and lowered his head to hers. "Aye, so if ye work on that, then ye'll have to stay at the castle much longer than the chapel renovation project."

Marie nodded and tilted her head back. They gazed into each other's eyes and their mouths were so close their breaths mixed and made her head light. She hoped they continued their play—last night stayed magical for them both and she enjoyed John's playful lovemaking. She remembered last night well and hoped tonight ended the same. Desire built inside her and her pulse beat and fluttered in her throat. She hitched her breath and looked at John, his gaze intent on her.

John smiled. "I'd like it very much if ye stayed here at the castle for a long time." He leaned in and kissed her on the lips.

Between kisses, John whispered, "A very—" He kissed her. "—long time." And he deepened the kiss.

Marie's heart skipped at his declaration. They experienced a whirlwind start of a romance, and they made love once. But she remained uncertain till this moment how deeply John felt. She fell in love with John with their first kiss in the chapel and now he asked for a future, more time.

Marie slid her hands around his neck and as he deepened the kiss, she rolled him onto his back. Their lips danced with each kiss as John's hands roamed her body. Her hands traveled up and down his chest. John slipped his hand under her shirt, tickled her side, and he slid up and captured her breast in his palm. Marie wiggled, and the wrap fell off her shoulders and exposed her low-cut blouse. John's eyes shot to her cleavage, and she smiled, then sighed as he massaged her breast. As he shifted both hands under her shirt, the fabric tightened, and between kisses, she whipped off her shirt and then her bra.

John laughed lightly. "Inpatient?"

She grasped his shirt, and he sat up and helped her pull it over his head.

He smiled. "I guess so."

She lowered her chest to his and as they kissed the hairs of his chest rubbed against her bare breast. The hair teased her nipples and sent shivers over her body. John kissed her and turned them till they lay side by side. His hand slid up her skirt, cupped her, and made her squirm. He rubbed her slit causing heat to shoot up her spine, and she grew damp. She felt the heat from his play and remained exactly where she wanted to be. Between kisses, she stripped her skirt off and then her thong.

She smiled at him and whispered, "Better."

John gazed into her eyes and smiled even wider. "I knew ye were a perfect match for me."

She smiled back as she undid his pants and helped him strip them off, boxers and all. Under the plaid, beneath the moonlight, they were as God created them. When they came together, they fit perfectly, like they were made for each other.

Marie's hands roamed John's body, from his shoulders to his chest. She spread her fingers through his chest hairs and delighted in the wiry spring. Her hand drifted lower, molded around him. He groaned and she pumped him once, then again, and he grunted in response. She milked him and a drop came on the tip. Her thumb rubbed over it, and he threw his head back in a groan. She enjoyed his play, but to be able to play with him intoxicated her. Marie became overcome with desire, and she wanted to feel all of him.

John bent forward and kissed her lightly. "Marie, God, I want ye something fierce. Should we head into the castle?"

Marie shook her head. "John, I've got ye right where I want ye. And I want ye now." Marie positioned herself over him and slid him over her folds. She was already damp. She slid him over her wetness a few times then shifted, and he glided slowly inside. Marie moaned and arched her back as he filled her. He jumped when she hit the base.

John caressed her breasts and suckled one nipple as he glided in and out of her passage. Marie kissed him and rocked her hips in time with his. He sucked the other breast, and she moaned. Marie picked up the pace and his arms slid down her back and gripped her rear like he asked for her to go even faster.

John grunted and she flipped them, so he came over her. On top, he gained better leverage for the hectic pace she desired. As he pumped into her, she arched her back again and moaned while her hands ran up and down his back. He kissed her and continued his drive as he got a little faster each time. Her desire quickly built, and her release came rapidly.

Marie threw her head back and cried his name as she exploded. Her release sent her to the heavens. When she returned to her senses, John still rocked in her. She took control and flipped him under her.

John laughed as he leaned up and kissed her.

As she straddled him, she braced her hands behind her on his thighs to get better leverage.

John picked up the pace making Marie arch her back and moan louder. He grabbed her hips as he sat on his knees and continued his assault. Marie sensed the pressure build again and John pushed once, twice, and on the third roared her name as his release hit him.

Marie moaned his name, and her legs gripped his hips as they jerked twice.

John gathered her in his arms, and they lay by the fire as they stared at the stars. He trailed his fingers up and down her arm as her head rested against his chest. His heart raced as he wrapped the surrounding plaids around them and formed a cocoon. They lay in comfortable silence for a while as each caught their breath and relaxed comfortably.

Marie giggled. "Ye think anyone at the castle heard us?"

John smiled. "Castle? There is a castle near here?" Marie chuckled as John sighed. "Damn, woman, I forgot everything but ye. That was amazing."

Marie smiled and glanced into his eyes. "Aye, that was amazing."

After the fire burned down and the gas heaters ran out, the chill eventually forced them back to the castle. Wrapped in the plaids, they carried their clothing. Both tiptoed their way to the upper levels like two naughty teenagers out after curfew.

Marie giggled as she turned to her room, and John gathered her in his arms.

His hand caressed her cheek. "Marie, sleep beside me. I want to wake in yer arms and see the sunrise on yer face just as I viewed the sunset upon yer face tonight."

Marie's eyes watered, and she blinked. "Aye, John, I'd love that."

He picked her up in his arms and carried her to his bed.

****

The cabin door burst open startling Marie from a near sleep.

Clarke stumbled into the room. "Get off the bed, wench. I'm tired."

As Marie jumped up, the book fell to the floor, but Clarke did not notice. In his drunken stupor, he climbed into bed and rolled over with his back to her. She shuffled trying to get as far away from him as possible. She glanced at the book, and the candlelight lit a quote.

Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it comes.

She glared at Clarke as his snoring filled the room. She thanked God for liquor and his susceptibility to strong spirits. Marie bent, picked up the book, and returned it to the bag. She grabbed a blanket and curled up on the floor. She wouldn't risk being next to him as he slept. Before she closed her eyes and tried to sleep, she offered a silent prayer to God. Please, God, let John be close.