A Highland Werewolf Wedding - By Terry Spear Page 0,43
kitchen, and you can join her in a few minutes,” Shelley quickly offered.
Cearnach didn’t care how nicely his mother asked, if she even asked him nicely, or if she tried to order him about. She wasn’t the one to determine what would happen to Elaine.
Chapter 11
Ian’s phone rang once again in his solar, and everyone looked at him as if he was about to hear some earth-shattering news—a call to battle, a final ultimatum—from one of the McKinleys or their cousins. He glanced at the caller ID and frowned. Looking at Cearnach with a raised brow, he greeted the caller with a brief, “Calla.”
Cearnach couldn’t have been more astonished.
“Yeah, Cearnach is safe here. I’ll let you speak with him.” Ian held the phone out to Cearnach.
Cearnach crossed the floor to Ian and took the phone. He breathed in deeply and said, “Calla.”
“You’re all right?” she asked, and he heard a hint of tears in her voice.
He hated that Baird or his brothers had upset her. “Aye, I’m fine, Calla. You… heard about my car.”
“Aye, the bastards. I’m so sorry.”
“You had nothing to do with it, lass.”
“Is… is the woman with you?”
“Aye, Elaine Hawthorn. Robert Kilpatrick’s distant cousin. They stole her rental car and left us stranded.”
Silence.
“Calla?”
“Aye, I know. That’s why I called. After I left the church, I learned Baird and his brothers and the Kilpatricks went after Elaine’s car. Except they didn’t know at the time that she was the one who was to meet with Robert. I was worried when they were concerned you and Elaine hadn’t made it to Argent Castle yet. They were furious you came to the wedding, but even more so when I called it off.”
Cearnach didn’t say anything for a moment, too astonished. “But you got married.”
“We didn’t exchange our vows yet. I’d explained to Baird that I’d invited you, so when Vardon hit Elaine and made you leave the church, I was furious. I’d told him before the wedding that if he did anything to discourage your being there, I’d call off the marriage. Despite my warning, he still had his brothers throw you out. He said he had nothing to do with it, but he lied. I saw him give them a slight nod, issuing the order to have them remove you. So as soon as you left, I walked out.”
Cearnach smiled. “I’m glad to hear it.”
“If I’d learned they’d destroyed your car beforehand, I would have made a public spectacle of Baird. Is Elaine all right?” she asked, sounding genuinely concerned for the American.
“Aye. She’s here with me now.” Safe and secure, and he meant to keep her that way.
“Good. Keep her there, Cearnach. Let them continue to be concerned. Robert’s stored her rental car in his garage so it’s protected for the time being. They’re still worried that Elaine might not have made it safely to Argent Castle. Ian wouldn’t answer his cell phone. So they’ve turned wolf to find your trails. I’m sure they’ll soon discover you made it home and will be demanding Elaine’s release.”
“They can demand all they want. Are you going to be all right? About calling off the mating?”
Calla gave a ladylike snort. “My family has been really quiet about the whole situation. I think they’re secretly pleased I didn’t marry Baird but afraid to say so. What’s Robert’s cousin like?”
Sexy as hell was what came to mind. Cearnach smiled at Elaine. “Travel weary, and she’s hungry. I’m about to fix her something to eat.”
“I’d like to meet her before she returns home to America,” Calla said. “She’s really pretty. I saw her poke at you and heard her say that if you were going to object to the wedding, you should do so. I had to smile, although Baird was scowling up a storm. I like her already. Keep her away from Robert. Make him pay for what they did. I think Vardon feels bad about hitting her when he meant to hit you, but you know how they are. No apologies to anyone. And, Cearnach?”
“Aye, lass?”
“Thanks. For telling me what I didn’t want to hear. I’ve got to go. Dad wants to talk with me. He says to tell you hi. Take care.”
“You as well. ’Night, Calla.”
When the phone call ended, he took a deep settling breath, glad that Calla had not married McKinley, but he knew it wouldn’t be over that easily. He was certain Baird would attempt to convince her to marry him, if nothing more than to save face.