A Scot for Halloween (A Scots Through Time Romance #1)

Chapter 15

Chapter

Fifteen

“ R emind me again why I’m out here with you instead of enjoying a perfectly good cup of coffee?”

Mary grumbled, her steps heavy along the narrow path. She swatted at a branch that brushed her arm, her irritation clear.

Aiden, dressed in his usual jeans and a matching gray T-shirt, chuckled behind her. He’d laughed when he noticed they’d both picked the same color. “Because, lass, ye love the thrill of the hunt as much as I do. And ye don’t want to miss anything.”

At least the sun was shining today, though the wind off the water made her wish she’d worn something warmer. Sixty degrees wasn’t warm when the wind was blowing. She tugged at the sleeves of her gray T-shirt as they walked.

“Right,” she shot back, rolling her eyes. “Because nothing says adventure like traipsing all over the place looking for a cove that may or may not even exist.”

He caught up and fell into step beside her, that infuriatingly amused grin still plastered on his face. “I’d have thought ye’d be used to a little walkin’ by now. Island life and all.”

“Oh, do shut up. It’s too early for your nonsense,” she muttered, swiping a hand through her windblown hair.

His laughter rang out, his eyes twinkling. “Ah, there’s my feisty lass. Ye’ve ruined me, ye know. Now I only care for cranky, sharp-tongued women such as yourself.”

Despite herself, heat bloomed across her face, though not from the brisk wind. She quickened her pace, hoping he wouldn’t notice. What was it about him? Other than her friend Lily, Aiden was the only one who seemed to tolerate her moodiness. Worse, he claimed to enjoy it. Mary rolled her eyes, but couldn’t suppress the small smile tugging at her lips. “You only want me for my books.”

Aiden clutched his chest in mock offense. “Ye wound me, truly. I’d give ye a whole ship full of books just to see ye smile, my bonny lass.”

A ship full of books? Talk about the best gift ever. Despite her best efforts to maintain emotional distance, she couldn’t help but be swept up by his infectious enthusiasm. They were hunting for the cove where supposedly the Veil was located, and they hoped to find the Mermaid’s Tear there as well.

She’d asked Aiden that night after Agatha and the others had gone home after book club, if he wanted to skip the first day of the jamboree and go searching for this mysterious cove that may or may not exist, but he’d looked at her, a smile on his face, and said he wanted to spend the weekend with her having fun. Then they’d spent a few days sailing around the island. The man whom Aiden had helped, loaning them his boat as thanks.

They’d set out early this morning, armed with a picnic basket, an old map of the island her mother had found in the archives and made a copy for them, and the clues they’d gathered so far. The island had quieted, most of the tourists catching the ferry back to the mainland and leaving Ocracoke to the locals once again.

A few straggling decorations from the jamboree fluttered in the breeze, and the occasional discarded pirate hat or eye patch lay forgotten on the sand. It was as if the island was slowly exhaling, settling back into its usual peaceful rhythm. If the treasure was as magical and valuable as Aiden said, everyone would descend on the island hunting for it, so they had agreed to keep it quiet as long as possible.

“What’s on your mind, love?” Aiden’s voice pulled her from her reverie. “You’ve gone awfully quiet.”

She shrugged, trying to keep her tone light. “Just thinking about the jamboree. It’s strange how quickly things go back to normal, isn’t it?”

“Aye, but that’s the nature of such things. The magic is in the moment.”

He turned to her, a soft smile playing on his lips. “But who’s to say we can’t make our own magic, eh?”

His words sent a flutter through her chest, and she found herself averting her gaze. Instead, she busied herself with examining a piece of driftwood, turning it over in her hands. “I suppose you’re right,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

They’d spent the morning visiting the lighthouse and various other landmarks, but hadn’t found anything yet. And so, they continued their hunt, combing the beach for any signs of the Mermaid’s Tear on the off chance it would wash up or they’d get lucky and spot it buried in the sand.

She found herself torn between enjoying the simple pleasure of his company and the growing dread that gnawed at the edges of her consciousness. Every laugh, every shared glance, felt bittersweet, knowing that their time together was finite.

As the morning wore on, they collected an assortment of odds and ends. Everything from seashells and smooth pebbles to a tarnished old coin that Aiden swore was from his time. Mary couldn’t help but laugh at his excitement over their “treasures.”

“Look at this,” he exclaimed, holding up a delicate shell. “Reminds me of your cheeks when I tell ye you’re beautiful.”

This time she didn’t blush, deciding to enjoy whatever time they had together. “It’s lovely,” she admitted, unable to resist his infectious enthusiasm. “But I’m not sure it qualifies as treasure.”

Aiden clutched the shell to his chest, feigning offense. “Ye wound me. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and I say this is a fine treasure indeed.”

She rolled her eyes, but couldn’t suppress a smile. “You’re impossible, you know that?”

“Aye, but ye like me that way,” he said with a wink.

Pretending to examine a nearby rock formation, she blew down the front of her shirt. While the wind was cold, the sun was shining, and she was hot after hiking.

Ready for a break, they found a secluded spot among the dunes to enjoy the picnic lunch, spreading out a blanket and unpacking the food she’d prepared. There was bacon, lettuce, and tomato sandwiches, chips, fruit, and icy sweet tea.

The sound of the waves provided a soothing backdrop as they ate, the quiet occasionally punctuated by the cry of a seagull hoping to steal a bit of food.

The past week had been a whirlwind of excitement and adventure, but now, in the calm light of day, the gravity of what they were attempting settled over her.

“An apple for your thoughts, lass?” Aiden’s voice broke through her reverie.

Who knew how long she’d been staring at the dunes? “Oh, it’s nothing. Just... thinking about the hunt.”

Aiden’s eyes narrowed slightly, as if he sensed there was more to it, but he didn’t press. Instead, he leaned back on his elbows, his gaze following hers out to sea.

“Ye know,” he said softly, “these beaches haven’t changed so much. I was here in 1713. The dunes, the color of the sand... It’s like being back in my own time.”

While he talked, she packed up the trash so the gulls wouldn’t get into it, especially the one on the dune eyeing them like a thief.

“While I prefer the crystal-clear waters of the Caribbean, where ye can see what’s coming for ye, I must admit, I’ve taken a liking to this island...”

There was a wistfulness in his tone that made her glance over at him. For a moment, she caught a glimpse of vulnerability in his eyes, a hint of the man beneath the swaggering pirate persona. It made her heart ache in a way she wasn’t prepared for.

“I know how much you must miss your ship,” she said softly, sensing his nostalgia.

“Aye, I do. The Siren was more than just a vessel, she was freedom. The way she’d cut through the waves, her sails billowing in the wind...” He trailed off, lost in memory for a moment. “But I’ve found other treasures here that make the loss easier to bear.”

His gaze settled on her, and Mary could feel the warmth rising in her cheeks under his intense look. She quickly averted her eyes, busying herself with packing up the picnic basket. “We should probably get back to the search,” she said, her voice a bit too brisk. “The tide will be turning soon.”

Aiden nodded, though his expression was unreadable. “Aye, lass. Lead the way.”

They gathered their things and made their way back to the small lot where they had parked. The preserve didn’t allow vehicles beyond the entrance, so after they packed everything into the golf cart, they walked to the preserve.

They’d been so busy with Halloween and the jamboree that a week had passed since Agatha had discovered the old journal with hints about the hidden cove and the Veil.

Now here they were, finally on the search, trudging through the woods. The preserve was open to visitors from eight in the morning until sunset, but even with the occasional hiker or birdwatcher in the distance, it felt like they had the whole place to themselves.

As Aiden and Mary walked along the winding trail through Springer’s Point Preserve, the beauty of the place enveloped them. The ancient, gnarled live oaks towered above, their twisted branches creating a canopy that filtered the autumn sunlight, casting dappled shadows on the forest floor. A breeze, cool and crisp off the Pamlico Sound, rustled the leaves and carried the faint scent of salt and pine.

For a moment, Mary paused, breathing it all in. “It’s amazing, isn’t it?” she said, her voice softer now, as if the tranquility of the preserve demanded a more reverent tone. “This place … it feels like stepping back in time. Sometimes I come here to walk, to get away from the noise during the high season.”

Aiden ran his hand along the rough bark of one of the live oaks. “When I was here … before,” he said, swallowing. “I was going to bury a map here, but we had to leave quickly, and I never did.”

She bent over to pick up a bit of trash and throw it away in a nearby can.

“You know, this place almost didn’t survive.” Mary glanced over at him, expression shifting as she remembered the uproar a few years ago when the Trust bought the last remaining targeted tract.

“Jake’s father tried to develop this whole area over twenty years ago, to build a resort or a row of vacation homes. The whole island was divided over it.”

With a scowl, Aiden looked around at the land. “He wanted to tear all this down?”

Mary nodded. “He did. But there were people who fought back. A lot of locals, and even people from the mainland, got together with the Coastal Land Trust. They raised money, got grants, and ended up buying the land before it could be developed. Saved it all.”

Aiden let out a low whistle, shaking his head. “I am glad the land was saved. There should always be beautiful places in the world.”

As they reached the beach, the sound of the gentle waves lapping against the shore met their ears. The view was breathtaking—clear blue water stretching out to the horizon, with the infamous Teach’s Hole in the distance, where Blackbeard had met his end. A few seabirds wheeled overhead, their calls echoing in the serene stillness.

Aiden stood beside her, gazing out over the water. “Hard to believe a place like this was ever in danger of being lost.”

“It’s an island within an island, really. So peaceful, so … untouched. I think that’s why the community fought so hard for it. Once this kind of land is gone, you don’t get it back.” She pulled her hair up into a bun so the wind would quit blowing it into her face.

Clearly moved, Aiden nodded.

“A place like this. It’s meant to stay wild.”

Mary glanced over at him, her voice softening. “Yeah. It’s one of those rare places that makes you feel connected to something bigger.”

Aiden’s gaze lingered on the horizon before turning back to her. “And here we are, lookin’ for clues to a treasure that might lead to a way back for me—or not.” He smiled, though it didn’t quite reach his eyes. “But if I have to stay lost, I can’t think of a better place to do it.”

The quiet intensity in his voice made her heart skip a beat, but she turned back toward the water, hiding her expression. “You’d fit right in,” she said lightly. “After all, Blackbeard did.”

Aiden chuckled, shaking off the weight of the moment. “Aye, that he did. Though I’d like to think I’m a bit more charming.”

“Debatable,” Mary teased, nudging him as they continued along the shore, their footsteps the only sound on the deserted beach.

When they rounded a bend in the coastline, they spotted a small group of people in the distance. As they drew closer, Mary recognized several familiar faces from book club. They approached with excited waves and greetings, eager to help.

Edna, a retired schoolteacher with a penchant for local legends, called out. “Look what I’ve found.” She held up a piece of driftwood, weathered and twisted into an intriguing shape. “Doesn’t it look like a mermaid’s tail?”

Mary examined the piece, turning it over in her hands. “It does.”

Aiden peered over her shoulder, his breath warm on her neck. “Aye, it’s a fine find. Perhaps the mermaids are leaving us clues?”

She could hear the smile in his voice, and despite her best efforts, she felt herself being drawn back into his orbit. She handed the driftwood back to Edna, careful not to let her fingers brush against Aiden’s.

When one of the group found a diamond ring, Mr. Patterson launched into a story.

“Why, I remember back in ’85, there was talk of a Spanish galleon just off the coast...”

As he told the story, Mary found herself relaxing slightly, the familiar chatter of the book club members providing a buffer against the emotional turmoil she’d been grappling with.

As they walked, the conversation turned to the various legends and myths surrounding Ocracoke Island. Mrs. Hendricks mentioned an old story about a hidden cove where the veil between worlds was said to be thinnest.

“They say that on certain nights, when the moon is full, and the tide is just right, you can see glimpses of other times, other worlds,” she explained, her eyes twinkling with excitement. “It has to be the place.”

Mr. Patterson chimed in with his own theory. “You know, I’ve always thought there might be something to those old tales. The way the currents run around the island, the strange lights people sometimes see out on the water at certain times of the year... Who’s to say there isn’t some kind of, well, portal or gateway hidden out there?”

The group continued to speculate, each member adding their own bits of local folklore to the discussion. Mary found herself only half-listening, her mind racing with the implications of what they were saying. Was the treasure in the cove?

As the afternoon wore on, and they hadn’t found anything remotely mysterious, the book club members began to drift away, heading back to their homes. Soon, it was just Mary and Aiden again, walking back to the golf cart, and then making their way back towards Read Between the Tides.

“We should try again tomorrow, lass. Mayhap we missed something.”

Mary nodded absently, her thoughts still swirling with everything they’d heard. As they reached the bookstore, she was surprised to see a customer waiting outside, a middle-aged woman with a large tote bag slung over her shoulder. One of Morgan’s sons was sick, so Mary had closed the shop today.

“Oh, I’m so glad you’re back,” the woman exclaimed. “I was just about to leave this by the door. I found these old books in my trunk. Must have picked them up at a yard sale back home and forgotten about them. We’re heading out today and I wanted to stop by and see if you could use them for your shop?”

Caught off guard by the unexpected donation, Mary blinked. “That’s very kind of you,” she said, accepting the box. “Let me take a look, and I can offer you some store credit if there’s anything we can use.”

As she sorted through the books, the woman browsed the shop, selecting a few candles, two of the latest thrillers, a navy sweatshirt with white embroidery that proclaimed, Pirates: because even bad boys need a code , and a shop tote bag. Mary rang up her purchases, adding a generous store credit for the donated books.

Once the woman left, Mary turned her attention to the bag of books. Most were fairly common titles, nothing too exciting, but as she reached the bottom of the bag, her hand closed around a leather-bound volume that was tucked into an old cookbook that sent a jolt through her.

It was some kind of old journal. The cover was brown leather, faded and worn, the writing inside spidery and faded.

“Aiden,” she called out, her voice barely above a whisper. “I think you need to see this.”

He appeared at her side in an instant, his eyes narrowing as he looked over her shoulder. “Is that...?”

Mary nodded, already flipping through the pages. The book was filled with intricate diagrams, star charts, and dense text describing various rituals and phenomena related to time travel.

“That woman must have thought this was fiction, made to look like an old book,” she breathed, scanning the contents, her heart racing even as it cracked in two.

And then a phrase halfway down the page caught her eye, made her blood run cold.

As the full moon wanes, so too does the traveler’s tether to their own time. Should they fail to return through the Veil before the next full moon in one month’s time, they risk being lost forever in the currents of time, doomed to drift between worlds for eternity.

Voice barely above a whisper, her hands shook as she read the words aloud. She looked up at Aiden, expecting to see shock or fear on his face, but instead, she found him looking at her with an expression of quiet resignation.

“Why don’t you look surprised?” Realization dawned. “You knew?”

“Nay, love, but legends always come with a bit of a curse, savvy?” Aiden nodded slowly. “Deep down, I suspected that the Fates wouldna allow someone from another time to stay in a time that wasna their own... no matter how much I wished it to be thus.”

It was as if the floor had dropped out from beneath her. “But... You’ve already been here …” She counted the days. “Seventeen days.”

Gracious, where was that shrill tone coming from? Oh, it was coming from her.

Frantic, she grabbed hold of his bare forearms, leaning in to him.

“That means we only have…” She pulled out her phone and checked. “Thirteen days, to be exact. That’s all we have to find the damn treasure and to send you back or you’ll... You’ll be lost forever.”

He caught her up in his arms before she collapsed.

“It isn’t fair. I want more time.” The spark of hope she’d held deep inside went out as if the wind had blown through her insides.

“Why didn’t you say anything?” she asked, hating the way her voice cracked.

It didn’t even register that he’d swept her up in his arms as if she weighed no more than a sack of flour.

“I dinna want to worry you, lass,” he said softly. “And truth be told, I don’t want to leave ye.”

Mary’s head snapped up, her eyes wide. “Wait. What?”

“This world, this time... It’s not what I expected. It’s beautiful and strange and terrifying all at once. But most of all, it has you in it. And there’s nowhere else I’d rather be. No one else I want.”

The raw honesty in his voice made her heart crack again. This was what she got for letting herself fall for him. Hurt and pain. Those stupid people who said all that crap about how they’d rather love and lose than never having loved at all were full of absolute crap. But it was too late. She was in love with him. And now, all that was left was to say goodbye and live out the rest of her days with a broken heart.

The rest of the afternoon passed in a blur of customers and mundane tasks. Mary threw herself into her work, grateful for the distraction. Sensing her need for space, Aiden kept himself busy reorganizing shelves and helping customers find books.

As closing time approached, Mary found herself dreading the moment when they would be alone again. She knew they needed to discuss what they’d discovered, to make plans for the coming days, but the thought of facing the reality of their situation made her stomach churn.

Just as she was about to flip the sign to ‘Closed,’ the door opened once more, admitting several members of the historical book club. Mrs. Hendricks led the group, her eyes shining with excitement.

“Mary, dear, we hope we’re not interrupting,” she said. “But after our chat earlier, we couldn’t stop thinking about all those old legends. And then Edna here remembered something her great grandmother used to say about the Veil...”

Mary felt a mix of relief and apprehension as she ushered the group inside. On one hand, she was grateful for the buffer their presence provided. On the other, she just wanted Aiden all to herself until he had to go back to his own time.

As the book club members settled around the reading nook, Mary caught his eye across the room. He raised a brow in silent question, and she gave a small nod. Whatever happened next, they were in this together.

Taking a deep breath, Mary joined the group, the leather-bound book clutched tightly in her hands. “Actually,” she said, her voice steadier than she felt, “there’s something we need to tell you all.”

For the next hour, Mary and Aiden took turns explaining the situation to the stunned book club members. They shared what they’d read in the journal, and the urgent need to find a way to send him back before the next full moon.

To Mary’s surprise and relief, the group took the news in stride. Perhaps it was their love of history and legends, or maybe it was simply the undeniable evidence of Aiden’s presence, but they accepted the fantastical tale with remarkably open minds.

“Well,” Mr. Patterson said, stroking his beard thoughtfully, “thirteen days is plenty of time. We’ll get you home, laddie.”

As the group brainstormed ideas and shared relevant bits of island lore, Mary found herself withdrawing slightly. She watched as Aiden engaged with the others, his natural charisma drawing them in, making them eager to help. It was a bittersweet sight. On one hand, she was grateful for their support and the resources they could provide. On the other, each suggestion, each potential lead, felt like another step towards losing him.

“Mary?” Aiden’s voice broke through her thoughts. “What do ye think about checking out the rocks at the Hidden Beach? Mrs. Hendricks thinks that might be what the journal is referring to.”

Mary blinked, realizing she’d missed part of the conversation. “Oh, um, yes. That sounds like a good place to start.”

She felt Aiden’s eyes on her, concern evident in his gaze, but she avoided meeting it directly. Instead, she focused on jotting down notes and ideas from the group’s discussion, trying to ignore the growing ache in her chest.

As the evening wore on and the book club members began to depart, each promising to dig deeper into their own research and family histories for any relevant information, Mary felt the weight of the day settling over her like a heavy fog. She mechanically went through the motions of closing up the shop, her mind a whirlwind of conflicting emotions.

Aiden lingered near the counter, his presence a constant reminder of the ticking clock they now faced. “Mary,” he said softly as she finished counting the till. “We should talk about this.”

She nodded, not trusting her voice. With a deep breath, she turned to face him, steeling herself for the conversation she’d been dreading all afternoon.

“Thirteen days,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper. “That’s all we have.”

Aiden stepped closer, his eyes searching her face. “Aye, but it’s more than I ever thought I’d have when I first arrived here. These past weeks with ye...”

“Don’t,” she cut him off, holding up a hand. “Please, Aiden. I can’t... I can’t let myself think about what these weeks have meant. Not when I know how this has to end.”

She saw the hurt flash across his face, quickly masked by a forced smile. “I understand. You’re protecting yourself. But know this. I don’t regret a single moment I’ve spent here, with ye.”

Hot tears pricked at the corners of her eyes. She blinked them back furiously, determined not to break down. “We need to focus on finding a way to send you back. That’s what matters now.”

“Aye, as you say. We’ll go back tomorrow, see if we can find any signs of the Veil.”

Alone in her own room, she finally allowed the tears to fall. Curled up on her bed, clutching a pillow to her chest, sobs wracked her body. The unfairness of it all hit her like a physical blow.

To have found someone who understood her, who challenged her and excited her in ways she’d never experienced before, only to know that she would lose him in a matter of days... it was almost more than she could bear.