Jack’s patience, not exactly in a healthy state, instantly frayed at this man he did not know in the slightest having the gall to tell him what to do.
Therefore his voice was low and obviously angry when he replied, “I met you fifteen minutes ago and you barely know Belle. Don’t think –”
Angus cut him off by saying, “My wife was with child when she was knocked over by a car.”
Jack felt as if he’d been punched in the gut, hard, thus he made no reply.
Angus continued, “My wife survived. My child did no’.”
Jack clenched his teeth and he still made no reply.
Angus went on, “I molly-coddled her, like you’re doing. I did it for months. I lost her those months and I feared she’d no’ come back to me. I eventually had to take a job and when I did, she had to be responsible for herself. When I got back, she was better. I took the hint and tried to be normal.” Angus strode forward, stopped two feet away and put his big hand on Jack’s shoulder. “The grieving process is the same for everyone, lad. You’re doing Belle no favours by no’ helping her move to the next stage. The time has come and gone for molly-coddling. It’s time now for normal.”
For some reason, Jack found himself sharing, “We’re moving back to The Point today.”
Angus smiled a crooked, highly demented smile that made Jack question his sanity even after Angus just displayed he had a grip on it. “That’s good news, lad. Good news.”
Jack was finished and therefore asked, “Are we done?”
Angus dropped his hand. “’Fraid no’.”
“Finish it,” Jack demanded.
Angus took a step back and asked, “You sure you don’t want that whisky?” When he caught Jack’s hard look he hurried on, “Cass and I been working while all this was going on.”
Jack stared at the man before informing him, “You should know I’ve never seen Myrtle and Lewis and I don’t believe they exist. I’m humouring Belle, my mother and Belle’s family. I have little interest in this.”
“You might change your mind when you learn Belle is Brenna Addison Bennett reincarnated,” Angus replied.
Yes, Jack decided, Angus McPherson was definitely mad.
And Jack didn’t relish the idea of a madman living in his home with his family.
Therefore, Jack’s voice was ominously quiet when he asked, “Pardon?”
“Belle’s Brenna reincarnated. Cass hasn’t had a chance to confirm if you’re Joshua but we’re guessing you are.”
“That’s absurd,” Jack bit out.
“It’s the truth,” Angus shot back.
Jack crossed his arms on his chest and he scowled at the Scot.
“Cass felt it the minute she touched Belle,” Angus stated. “Seeing as so much was going on, you didn’t shake her hand when you met her. To confirm it, she needs to touch you.”
“Perhaps I should be more clear,” Jack replied. “When I said I had little interest, I meant I’m not participating in this farce.”
Angus leaned forward. “Think about it, lad. We know your story with Belle, the women have shared it. And we know you. A body can’t escape you. You’re all over the papers, all over the magazines. We know your history, most especially with women. Then, one night, you meet this girl and within hours you know you want to spend the rest of your life with her? Doesn’t that strike you as odd?”
Deciding he was done and it was time to get back to Belle, Jack shook his head and started toward the door saying, “This is none of your f**king business.”
“You and Belle are connected,” Angus called after him.
Jack stopped, hand to the doorknob and turned back, “Yes, we are. But there’s nothing odd about it.”
Angus hadn’t moved from his spot. “No, you’re right, it isn’t odd. It’s beautiful. But when I say you’re connected, I mean in more ways than you can imagine. It’s rare and it’s exquisite when it happens and it’s happened to you. You and Belle are connected supernaturally. You belong together. You’re destined for one another. You felt it immediately and don’t stand there and tell me or yourself you didn’t.”
Suddenly, Jack remembered the first time Belle’s eyes fell on him. He remembered it felt like a sledgehammer had hit him in the gut.