Ghosts of Culloden Moor 09 - Aiden Page 5

  Hi, I’m Marcus. I like walking on beaches, animals, kids. I like sunsets, running, and riding bikes. I lift weights and enjoy keeping myself in shape for that special woman I hope to spend my life with. If you think you are the one, contact me.

  Aiden scowled. “The words look to be a form of entrapment. As if he’s tryin’ to pass himself off as perfect, when none is. Plus, he exposes his arrogance, which appears to be unfounded.”

  He hit that one exactly right. “Oh really? I thought he seemed nice.”

  He shot her an impatient glance. “Show me how to use this.”

  Zoey reluctantly indicated how to scroll through the men’s profiles.

  He did so for a while, but finally muttered, “All far too much alike.” He went back to bozo’s picture and scowled. “Tell me what interests ye about this Marcus?”

  Zoey shrugged. “He has a nice face.”

  He studied the man’s image closely once again. He tapped on the computer screen. “All right, lass. We’ll choose this one and see how he works out.”

  She tried not to smile. She knew good and well Aiden would find the man’s arrogance unacceptable. Not to mention the guy didn’t know how to treat a lady. His emails left much to be desired. “So you think I should set up a time to meet him? Do a meet and greet?”

  Aiden scowled again. “Is that what ye were doin’ last night?”

  “Yes, exactly.”

  Aiden hesitated, glared at the picture of the man on the screen. “All right. Tell him ye’ll join him. I’ll go along to protect ye, though ye’re not to let him know. Does that meet with your approval?”

  “Fine.”

  She quickly wrote to Marcus and told him she’d love to see him, the sooner the better. Just for some drinks, a quick meet and greet at Jimmy’s.

  Hopefully he wouldn’t see the email for a good long while and— Her email beeped.

  Marcus answered almost immediately and Aiden read it along with her. I’m glad you decided to accept my invitation. You won’t regret it! @ 4 okay?

  Great.

  She turned her head and raised her brows.

  His lips tightened, but he nodded.

  She wrote back. Yes. Four-o’clock sounds fine. I’ll see you there. She pushed send, leaned back in her chair, and sighed.

  Aiden stared at the computer. “Ye live in a fast world, lass.”

  “So do you.”

  “I suppose I do. Mayhap ye’ll find a connection with the man ye’re meetin’. He seems to be athletically inclined and keeps himself fit. That’s good. Trainin’ is important. Especially if ye have the protection of a lady in yer care.”

  “I suppose so.” She didn’t so much as glance at Aiden. She was mad at him.

  “Trust me on this, I’m right.”

  She wasn’t the least bit interested in Marcus. Aiden was the one for her, whether he realized it or not. She just had to find a way to tell him. If he was so worried, he could stay and protect her himself.

  Marcus was a jerk. He’d already proved that over email. She never would’ve gone on a date with him. She’d had contact with quite a few of the men on the website, and knew exactly what some of them were like.

  If Aiden was as protective as he seemed, he might be surprised by the man she’d picked. If she had to, she’d contact every sleazy guy on the website. If Aiden thought he could find a better protector for her, she’d show him the error of his ways.

  “Let’s continue, shall we?”

  That brought her head up. “What?”

  “We cannae assume this Marcus will be the right man for ye. We’ll find a couple more males and set up more appointments.”

  “Are you serious?”

  But in the end, he was. Aiden picked two more guys and sat beside her as she set up dates. Did men have nothing better to do than to check email? Granted, she knew it would immediately pop up on their phones, but it was still irritating.

  She now had a two-o’clock, a four-o’clock, and a seven-o’clock meet and greet lined up.

  Oh, Jimmy was going to love this.

  CHAPTER FIVE

  A couple hours later she arrived at Jimmy’s with Aiden in tow.

  “Do ye remember the plan?”

  She nodded, not daring to speak. She was pretty sure she’d be unable to hide the irritation in her voice. With herself? With him? She wasn’t even sure. The whole situation was just stupid. One good talk and maybe they could clear the air.

  One good talk and he might walk away, never to be seen again.

  This was far too important to mess up with impatience.

  Aiden opened the door, and when she went inside, let it shut behind her. He planned to follow in a minute, so they could pretend they weren’t together. That turned out to be a good precaution on his part as she saw Steve, her two o’clock, right away.

  She walked forward and he spotted her and stood to cross the room. He stopped in front of her and smiled widely. “Zoey?”

  She nodded. “Steve?” She recognized the man’s sandy hair, lean face, and green eyes. “It’s so nice to meet you.”

  His smile wasn’t a bad one, just not Aiden’s. “So glad you contacted me, Babe.”

  Babe, huh? She suppressed a sigh.

  Steve unexpectedly leaned forward and engulfed her in a hug. Not one of those polite ones either, but one where he pressed her back so her chest arched against his. Pretty slick, and pretty inappropriate in her opinion. She was totally unsurprised to note his bright orange aura.

  As soon as he released her they did an awkward shuffle and she managed to move around him and head to the bar. She glanced over her shoulder to see Aiden coming inside. Apparently he’d waited long enough. “Jimmy? Could I have the usual?”

  Sprite and cranberry juice was the usual. She liked to keep a clear head in these meet and greet situations. She also liked that she had a usual.

  Jimmy raised his brows, already amused. “You got it, Zoey.”

  Once, after a bad date, they’d chatted about her reasons for moving to the big city. Jimmy found the fact she was single-mindedly searching for her fated one both fascinating and ridiculous. He was more of a quantity type guy. In his opinion, her move from small-town America to the big bad city was her chance to get wild and crazy. Forget about fate. He didn’t believe in it.

  Steve was on her right, and Aiden, in his new unobtrusive jeans, sat on her left, leaving one bar stool between them. He turned slightly away, but she had no doubt he’d hear their conversation just fine.

  Jimmy slid her wine glass and napkin in front of her.

  “What are you drinking?” Steve asked.

  “Red wine,” she lied.

  “I’m more a whiskey kind of guy. Two fingers.” He nodded at Jimmy.

  Jimmy quickly supplied the drink.

  Steve knocked it down, slid forward on his chair, and leaned in way too close for comfort. “So, is this a hangout of yours?”

  And here she went again…

  ~~~

  Aiden didn’t care for the man’s familiar nature. He’d just met Zoey yet leaned in far too close. Aiden’s mouth tightened. He’d wait a bit longer and see how it went. Aiden wasn’t from this time. Men and women no doubt acted differently in courting situations than he was used to.

  That didn’t mean he liked it.

  As far as Aiden could tell the swain had taken no care with his appearance. His hair appeared scruffy, he was unshaven, the soft fuzz on his face more boyish than full grown male.

  Zoey took a sip before answering. “Sure, sometimes I hang out here.”

  Aiden knew she lied. She’d told him she frequented this establishment on a regular basis. Also, the barkeep knew her preferred drink. Aiden was quite sure the fact hadn’t escaped Steve’s attention. No doubt she didn’t want him to know where to find her in the future if this courtship didn’t yield desirable results.

  He was sure Steve saw through her ruse, as well. This dating seemed a painful process for a lady. Fortunately, she had Aiden’
s support for the moment. If he could find her a husband, and quickly, she’d not have to endure this again.

  “You’re very pretty.”

  “Uh…thank you.”

  The compliment was inappropriate and forward. A glance told Aiden it made Zoey uncomfortable. Did men truly court so differently in this time?

  Though he couldn’t fault the man’s observations.

  Aye, bonny lass, she was.

  Aiden loved everything about her. The way she gazed at him, eyes partially lowered to look through thick lashes. The blue of those eyes, reminiscent of the sky on a sunny morning in winter. Her head thrown back as she laughed with abandon. Her giggle. The way she turned her face away and smiled as she glanced at him sideways. How easily her mouth curled with humor. The softness of her skin and those bow shaped lips— He swallowed. She had no idea how much she affected him.

  He gripped his glass of ale and stared into the foamy content. Still, a beau should let a woman know he appreciated her appearance with his gaze alone. And that gaze should not dip below her face!

  Was finding a good protector and a gentleman too much to ask?

  “So, tell me about yourself.”

  Aiden stiffened and glared into his drink. He didn’t want Zoey to tell Steve anything personal. He drew a calming breath. They were here so Zoey could assess the man and likewise that he should learn of her. He wouldn’t intervene.

  “Well, I’m from a small town here in Washington. My family still lives there.”

  “What’s the town called?”

  “Harmony Falls.”

  Aiden clenched his teeth. He’d not known such. Steve thought to ask the most basic of questions when he himself had not? The fact shamed him. He needed more diligence as her guardian.

  Steve laughed, slapped his knee, then cursed. “I can’t believe you’re from that Podunk place!”

  And Aiden could not believe a male would use such foul language in front of a lady! He forced his hand to relax, afraid he’d break his glass, or wrap his fingers around the other man’s throat. He glanced at Zoey, but she appeared unconcerned, so he stayed seated. But the man was on sufferance.

  “It’s like what, a hippie commune? Or do people even use that word anymore?”

  Zoey scowled, obviously not caring for Steve’s words. “It’s not a hippie commune.”

  Aiden didn’t know what that meant, but he didn’t like the caustic tone, or that Zoey felt the need to defend herself. Someone needed to teach Steve a lesson.

  “Then what would you call it?”

  Again, Aiden didn’t move, much as he wanted to. He found himself curious to hear her answer, eager to glean any new morsel of information. What, exactly, was a hippie commune? Why didn’t Zoey care for the label?

  “I’d call it home.”

  Steve chuckled. “No, really, some friends and I went through there a few years ago. The shops sold all kinds of soaps, lotions, potions, tie-dyes. It was hysterical. We ended up buying a case of beer and getting drunk off our butts in the woods later that night. So I guess you could say I have good memories of the place.”

  “You don’t say.”

  Zoey’s biting tone made it obvious she didn’t care for the fellow.

  Aiden didn’t like him either. Did men really converse in such a way in this century? ’Twas inappropriate, and the boor should know better. He should be trying to put Zoey at ease, and instead he did the opposite.

  “So, Zoey, I really like you. How about we get out of here and go to my apartment? I’ve got drinks, and we could watch a movie or something.”

  Zoey drew in a breath.

  Steve sought to remove her from a public place to one of privacy? Aiden slowly stood and his fists tightened to rocks. Had the man no manners at all?

  Steve placed a hand on Zoey’s knee. “What do you say?”

  Aiden wrapped a hard hand around Steve’s skinny neck. “Swearin’ in front of lady? Insultin’ her home? Propositionin’ her? Touching her?”

  Aiden tightened his hand around Steve’s throat and pushed him across the room. Steve gasped for air and backpedaled, gripping Aiden’s wrist to keep from falling.

  The sorry excuse for a grown male blubbered like a bairn.

  Aiden shoved him toward the door and the churl barely retained his balance, gripping his throat and coughing, his demeanor red and incredulous. Aiden took another step forward and Steve turned and ran. “Aye! ’Tis the way of it! Away ‘n bile yer heid! And never come back until ye learn some manners!”

  Groaning, gripping his throat, Steve burst outside and stumbled away, the door slowly closing after his fleeing figure.

  The barkeep laughed. “Hey, man, do you need a job? I could use a bouncer in here on Friday and Saturday nights.”

  Aiden ignored him and held out his hand to Zoey. She jumped off the stool and hurried forward to take it. She was sweet, innocent, filled with joy. She didn’t belong in a place such as this.

  “So, he wasn’t the one?”

  He tucked her under the protection of his arm. “Nae, lass. He was more interested in himself than in protectin’ a lady.”

  “He didn’t seem very nice. But I did give him a chance.”

  “Aye, lass. Ye did well.” She’d done her part and he couldn’t fault her. She’d met the fool, granted him an opportunity, and in no way given away the fact Aiden guarded her.

  It wasn’t her fault the idiot turned out to be a lumbering oaf.

  “Come, love.” He led her out the door. “Let me take ye away so ye can rest up for yer next date.”

  “Oh joy. I just can’t wait to meet Marcus.”

  He knew she was disappointed, so he ignored the sarcasm. Outside, Steve was long gone. Aiden’s temper rose once more. The git hadn’t even fought for the right to stay with Zoey.

  He could only hope her date with Marcus would go better.

  ~~~

  Two hours later, Zoey was once again sitting on the barstool, Aiden to her right, and Marcus to her left.

  This whole thing was just weird. She couldn’t believe she’d gone along with it. She also couldn’t believe she’d changed her skirt at Aiden’s request. She now wore a long, flowered one that reached her ankles. Not that she didn’t love it, but after Aiden’s reaction to Steve, her evil plan required a short skirt.

  Good thing she knew how to improvise.

  Jimmy brought her a drink. “Sweetie, this one’s on the house. In fact, any drinks you order the rest of the day are on the house.” Jimmy was having way too much fun with this. Whenever she glanced in his direction, he was openly laughing.

  She should’ve gone to a different place. The park, the mall, anywhere else. Did she really need a witness to this idiocy? It was bad enough Aiden sat beside her, evaluating everything. Did she need Jimmy doing the same?

  She didn’t want Marcus to know why the bartender was acting so weird, so she simply smiled and lifted her glass in salute. “Thank you, Jimmy. You’re a real stand up guy.”

  He winked at her and moved to help another customer. “I try, sweetie. I really do.”

  “Wow.” Marcus’s tone was admiring. “I’ve never seen that happen. You’re such a beauty that even bartenders give you free drinks.”

  Heat surged into her cheeks. “What can I say, bartenders in this town are very friendly.”

  “He probably wants to date you.”

  “If he does, he’s out of luck. Snarky barkeepers aren’t my type.”

  “I hope I’m your type.”

  She glanced at Marcus. He was a good-looking guy. If his emails had been more promising she might have gone for him. Attempted so see if he was her fate. “Of course.” She smiled. What else was she supposed to say?

  She accidentally glanced at Jimmy to see him watching, laughing again. Frankly, she didn’t blame the guy. The whole thing was ridiculous.

  Marcus glanced around. “This is a great place. I’ve never been here before.”

  Zoey nodded. She just wanted to get this whole
thing over as quickly as possible. She felt sort of bad about what she was about to do, but she wanted Aiden to take her away again as soon as possible.

  “So, Marcus. I’m really glad you came.”

  “Likewise. I’d been hoping you’d respond to my messages. After a few days, I’d about given up, so I was surprised when you contacted me. Pleasantly surprised.”

  “Well, why wouldn’t I?” She glanced over to see Aiden studying his beer. She let her hair fall over her face so he couldn’t see the friendly smile she sent to Marcus. She didn’t want Aiden to see her encouraging Marcus or he might get the wrong idea. But if she did encourage Marcus, and he took it wrong, he might act inappropriately. And Aiden wouldn’t like that at all.

  Her lips curved. “It looks like we might have a lot in common.”

  “Is that so?” Marcus grinned.

  “Sure. I like walking on the beach. I like sunsets. And I love riding my bike.”

  Marcus’s smile widened. “That’s awesome.”

  “I’d love to know more about you. Will you tell me about yourself?”

  He started talking, and she hung on his every word. He worked construction. He’d been married before and had a little girl. He had a weakness for red hair and gave her hair a tug when he said it.

  She grinned at him. “I tend to like men with dark hair.” Of course she was talking about Aiden, but Marcus didn’t know that, and he grinned.

  “Are you into sports?”

  “Not really.”

  His wince made her laugh. “I take it you are?”

  “The Seahawks are my team. I also play on a pickup team.” Marcus leaned forward. “And play a little bit of fantasy football too.”

  “So, basically you are really, really into sports. Are you looking for a girl who likes them too?”

  “I’m good at compromise. What are your hobbies?”

  “Well, I love to draw, illustrations mostly.”

  “That’s cool.”

  “That’s my day job to, so it’s a good thing I like it.”

  He leaned back to look in Aiden’s direction. “Hey buddy, you keep staring. Can I help you with something?”

  Zoey was actually impressed the man’s friendly demeanor didn’t change. She hated guys who started a fight for nothing.