Rhona's Cottage

By Rebecca Dooley

“Welcome home, Krista Acheson. It seems that you are the one we have all been waiting on."

Sean Acheson cannot believe his good luck. He has inherited his family's ancestral home in Scotland. Finally, something is going right in his life. Everything he has ever wanted is within reach. Maybe this is just what he needs to keep Krista from leaving him.

Krista Acheson wants her marriage to work and is willing to give her husband Sean another chance...again. Praying that the good fortune that has fallen into his lap will compel him to be the man he promised her he would be, she agrees to move with him to Scotland. Leaving behind her family and everything she has ever known.

MacCleod Manor is a beautiful sprawling estate presiding over the village of Auburnshire, Scotland. It is everything that a young couple could ever wish for. But within its walls are long buried secrets including an ancient Druid prophecy.
Seamus MacCleod's spirit has been bound to the family estate for over four centuries. He has long given up on the prophecy that bound his soul would be broken. That is until Sean and Krista Acheson move in.

Will they be the catalyst that changes everything? Or just a repeat of the past?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Rebecca Dooley
• Release date: Jan 12, 2018
• ISBN: 9781370695997

Rebecca Dooley

There is really not much to me. I am a full-time stay-at-home mom of two building my writing career. I published my first novel, "Rhona's Cottage", through Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing in October of 2017. My writing is as varied as my reading interests. My two favorite authors are Nora Roberts and Lindsay Buroker, although I will read anything and everything. I recently moved from a small community outside of Pilot Mountain, North Carolina to Oak Island, North Carolina. Aside from reading and writing, I enjoy being outdoors, turning pallets into furniture, gardening, and history. I am a self-described hillbilly and oddball. I am not a typical girl, I like my holy jeans and flannel shirts, I prefer to go barefoot and wear baseball caps, and I do not like to shop. (Unless it is at the hardware store or garden center.) As a kid, I spent more time roaming the woods with my imaginary friends than trying to hang out and make real friends. I have always gravitated towards people that are older than me because I have never felt like I fit in or have anything in common with people my own age.

Book preview

Rhona’s Cottage

Rebecca Dooley

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Published by Rebecca Dooley at Smashwords

Copyright 2017 Rebecca Dooley

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. this ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you're reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I want to say that I am thankful that God has

given me the imagination to visualize this story,

the words to write it, the opportunity to pursue

this dream and the support of my family and friends.

To my husband and children,

thank you for putting up with my insanity as you trailed along with me on this journey.

I love you and I am thankful for your love and support.

To all of my family and friends fortunate enough

not to have to live with me,

Thank you for the support and encouragement.

I love you too.

To LaRue Southern, who laid the foundation

that began my love affair with words and the

art of telling stories.

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What would life be if we had no courage to attempt anything?

-Vincent Van Gogh

Quiet people have the loudest minds.

-Stephen King

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CHAPTER ONE

I expect this will be a bit more provincial than you are accustomed to, Deary. I do hope you like it, though, the older woman explained stepping across the threshold.

Krista didn’t care. All she wanted was food, a hot shower, and a warm bed. Stepping over the threshold out of the cold, damp darkness, she found herself enveloped by warmth and light.

The other woman, Gwen, deposited the bags that she was carrying on the floor by a large wooden table. Krista dropped her suitcase and shrugged off her backpack, absorbing the welcome warmth.

The kitchen was massive. Hand hewn stone floors, worn smooth over time added to the welcoming charm of the room. Braced at the top of the stone walls, the wood planked ceiling soared at least ten feet high. An open fireplace, large enough to accommodate half a dozen grown men, occupied half of one wall. Inside an enormous black cauldron hanging from a cast iron hook, making her think of witches brewing potions.

This is larger than our apartment in the states, she replied slowly taking in the beautiful antique appliances. The cabinets were handcrafted with granite counter tops and a copper sink.

People pay small fortunes for this back home.

Gwen laughed, green eyes sparkling. She was the same height as Krista and had her snow-white hair braided and pinned into a neat bun. The layers of wool made her appear heavier than Krista’s one hundred and forty pounds.

"All the timber and stone were cut locally almost five centuries ago. That was when the first MacLeod’s settled here and built this estate. Plumbing and electricity have been added over time but the original structure has remained the same.

This is perfect. I love it, Krista said appreciatively. Are the appliances in good working order?

"Oh yes, they work quite well.

You’re not going to believe the rooms in this house.

Sean Acheson emerged from another part of the manor he’d been exploring with Gwen’s husband, Darby. A huge smile lit up his brown eyes, reminding Krista of why she had been attracted to him in the first place.

He was a few inches taller than the women but nowhere near Darby’s six feet plus frame. Thanks to the rain his sandy blonde locks were unruly and his jaw line was beginning to sport reddish brown stubble.

Perhaps with his inheritance eliminating their financial problems, they could begin to repair their marriage. Krista prayed that this really would be a new beginning for the two of them.

Everything is in working order and we took the liberty of stocking the pantry with the basic necessities until you get settled and can get to the market, Gwen began. There are clean linens on the beds and all of the towels and bath cloths have been freshly laundered, as well.  Would you like us to take the rest of your bags up to your room?

Thank you so much but you’ve done more than enough. I’m sure that we can get settled in, Sean said.

Well then, Darby said, we’ll say goodnight and let you get some rest. Gwen left our number taped on the refrigerator if you need anything. The older man was tall, broad of shoulder, and a hint of gray dusted the temples of his reddish blonde hair.

Darby and Sean shook hands while Gwen wrapped Krista in a hug before the older couple took their leave. Krista knew it was silly but she couldn’t help but feel like she’d just arrived home following a long absence.

The caretakers were warm and friendly. Even though she had not ventured out of the kitchen yet, Krista felt like she had finally found a piece of herself. One that she hadn't known was missing until walking into the manor. It was an odd feeling and she was afraid that she was going to wake up and find that it was just a dream.

Once Gwen and Darby were heading down the drive to their own cottage Sean grabbed Krista and spun her around in a playful bear hug.

You are not going to believe the master suite. You could fit our entire apartment in there and still have room to spare. The king size bed looks like a child’s and there’s an enormous bathtub that we can both fit into comfortably and relax at the same time. It also has a walk-in shower with multiple heads and settings. Let’s go try them out.

Do you want to eat first? Krista asked laughing. It was the first time in forever that they were together without being at each other’s throats and she wasn’t about to do anything to spoil it.

No, let’s get a shower, then we can eat. Trust me, we can both shower without having to take turns getting under the spray. We wouldn’t have to touch at all. Would that make you happy?

Krista didn’t take the bait. She didn’t want to fight and she didn’t want to spoil the moment.  Instead, she smiled and said, Lead the way.

She followed Sean out of the kitchen grabbing their bag of toiletries He led her down a short hallway then turned to ascend a winding staircase.

Portraits and paintings of various ages and people adorned the dark oak walls. Curiosity began to override her fatigue. There were too many rooms waiting to be explored. The temptation to peek into each and every door intensified with every step she took. She struggled to squash the impulse, fully expecting Sean to have other types of explorations in mind.

At the top of the stairs, he turned and followed the left-hand hallway to the last door on the right.

Darby said that this has always been used as the master suite. If you don’t like it we can choose another room later. I just want you to know that I am glad you agreed to come to Scotland with me. I know that you’ve had your doubts about our marriage but I intend to make this work.

So do I, she answered truthfully.

He was so much different when he was happy, easy to be with, fun, accommodating.  Krista knew that no one was happy all the time. Sean was a different person altogether when he was in a bad mood, to the point of being frightening. She wished that she could get inside of his mind; just so she would have a better understanding of what influenced his moods and actions.

At times he could be so cold and hurtful that she feared for her safety. Later, once he calmed down she felt stupid for feeling that he was a threat. Still, she would feel better knowing how to read him better. It seemed that ridiculous things would set his temper off.

The floors could stand to be refinished, he said breaking into her thoughts. And the rugs are a bit faded. You are going to drool over the bath, though. Darby said that all the fixtures are original, except for the shower. That’s a modern addition.

Now you’re just dragging things out to make me squirm, she teased, poking him in the ribs.

Not yet, but I do plan to make you squirm and more before I let you out of this room, a mischievous grin pulled at the corners of his mouth.

Krista’s body responded, anticipation tingling through her like electricity. She honestly couldn’t remember the last time he’d made her feel this good.

Prove it, she said, pressing against him and slipping her arms around his waist.

He turned, pinning her against the doorframe, cupping her rear and pulling her against him. A wolfish gleam lit his eyes as he covered her mouth with his, slipping his tongue past her lips to tease hers.

Holding her he opened the door and backed her into the room. Gently kicking it closed, he maneuvered her across the floor to the massive four poster canopy.

In the time needed to reach the bed, clothes were discarded in a frenzy. Each desperate for bare skin, they rolled across the bed, limbs tangling and hands exploring. They touched, tasted, and teased.

Krista let go, absorbing the fire threatening to consume her. She couldn’t remember the last time they had been together like this. It had been so long since she had felt any kind of connection with him. Now she felt as if she were drowning and he was the only source of air available.

They moved in sync, lost in each other and the sensations of their entwined bodies, finally reaching an earth-shattering crescendo.

Sean collapsed rolling to his back, Krista still wrapped in his arms, she ended up draped across his chest. Limbs heavy and breathing hard they lay there sated and content, listening to the rain pound against the leaded glass.

Eventually, Sean’s breathing slowed and deepened. Krista drifted off to sleep wrapped in his arms, content and happier than she had been in a very long time.

CHAPTER TWO

Seamus watched from the shadows as the young woman unpacked boxes, unaware of his presence. She and her husband had occupied the manor for a couple of weeks now. Seamus stayed out of sight quietly observing from the shadows.

Throughout the years, countless Acheson’s had come and gone. The first night when Sean and Krista arrived and spent the night in each other’s arms, he found himself hoping that they would prove to be different from the previous inhabitants.

Now her dark hair was tied up haphazardly on top of her head with stray locks tucked behind her ears. Small wires trailed down from her ears, down her back, and were plugged into a small rectangular device in her back pocket.

Gwen had explained that it was used for listening to music. She sang along to some song he didn’t know, her body swaying along with the rhythm playing in her head.

She wore a gray plaid flannel shirt with sleeves rolled to the elbows over a white t-shirt and a pair of ripped and faded jeans that looked like they had seen better days and an equally battered pair of shoes.

Her slender frame would make a man believe that she was fragile. He was surprised by the strength he observed as she moved and unpacked boxes. Sometimes he heard her muttering to herself, believing that she was alone.

He liked this woman. She had explored halls and rooms giving off an aura of wonder and appreciation. She wore an expression of childlike amazement with the furnishings and architecture of the house that Seamus had come to take for granted.

She sang along with the music pouring out of the tiny wires in her ears and talked to herself. He was so completely taken in by her that he had to remind himself that she was taken and mortal.

Her husband had left earlier in the morning, which was just as well.  Seamus hated to be judgmental, but he did not like the man. He reminded him of the one his daughter had married. Manipulative, controlling, self-centered.

After the first night in the house, he had begun to notice subtle a shift between them. Sean made excuses as to why he had to leave each morning, instead of helping her to unpack and put things away.

He began to cut her off when she tried to talk about things concerning the house. He made every conversation about him and the things that he had been doing. With every conversation, she became more guarded, careful with the way she would talk with him.  Did her husband even notice? How could a man live with just the shell of a woman?

Women had so many complex and interesting layers. Getting to know them was an adventure in itself, to discover hopes and dreams, fears and worries. Then learning how to work together to balance each other and build a life, and make each other happy.

Sean had the Acheson temperament.  It would have been better all around had that bloodline died out.

The Acheson’s had settled several miles from the MacLeod’s on the opposite side of the small village of Auburnshire. They were a cantankerous, self-righteous lot. They had no tolerance for anyone that did not agree with their beliefs or way of thinking. The men in that family controlled their women and treated them worse than animals.

Seamus had been taught that women were to be loved, cherished, respected, and protected. His father had loved his mother fiercely. He had loved Adair with his whole heart and had never understood why Brigid had run off and married Thomas Acheson.

Lost in thought, he failed to stop the two spectral balls of fur that bounded through the wall straight toward the unsuspecting woman.

Krista let out a startled yip, icy air whipped by her and she caught a glimpse of two dark shadows streaking across the room. Without thinking about what she was doing, she got up and followed them. She heard the deep rumbling bark of a dog and the growl of a cat as she stepped into the back hall.

Deary, what are you doin’?

Krista looked up a bit sheepishly at the puzzled face of Gwen McGill, one of the estate caretakers. Her snowy hair was pulled up in a thick, neat bun. She wore a green cardigan and faded jeans tucked into black rubber boots.

I um…Would you believe me if I told you that I am trying to find a couple of animals that just ran through the house?

A large bushy tabby cat and gangly gray dappled wolfhound? she asked innocently.

So I’m not crazy? Krista asked