“WHO IS THIS? Why do you keep calling?” Sydney’s mother demanded into the phone. “If you don’t stop, I’m going to call the police.”
“Mom?” Sydney pushed open the office door and her mother set her phone on the desk. “Everything okay?”
“Fine, honeybun, just a prank caller.”
“How many times does this prank caller call?”
“I think this is the second time.” She slid the phone into her jeans pocket and her hand shook.
Sydney knew she was lying.
“Let’s get lunch.”
Sydney nodded and forced a smile. “Sounds good.”
* * *
Sydney sat straight up with a scream. Thane had felt her fear before she’d awakened, so he was quick to wrap his arms around her and calm her. “I’m here, love. You’re okay. It was a dream.”
She burrowed into his chest. “I think Mom was in trouble.”
“You do?”
She nodded. “I just can’t figure it out. Why would I think that?”
Thane pulled her down on the pillows with him. “I’ll talk to your uncle. Maybe he knows something.”
“I don’t think he’ll tell you anything. He’s annoyingly tight-lipped right now.”
“He’ll tell me, love.”
Sydney sat up again.
“Where are you going?” he asked.
She patted his chest. “I’m not going to be able to sleep, honey. I’ll go read.”
He smiled and tugged her back down. “Sleep, baby.”
She did.
* * *
Sydney heard water running and forced her eyes open. She didn’t want to wake up. She was warm and cozy tucked in the soft sheets of Thane’s bed, so she closed her eyes again and snuggled deeper into the mattress.
“Well, good morning, sunshine,” Thane said.
“How did you know I was awake?” she asked, not looking at him.
“Because I did.”
Sydney smiled and opened her eyes again, biting her lip at the sight of Thane wearing only jeans, one arm raised, using the towel to dry his hair as he grinned at her. He looped the towel around his neck and leaned down to kiss her gently. “Ten hours.”
“Hmm?”
“You slept for ten hours.”
“Shut up!” She glanced at the clock on the nightstand. “Holy shit, I did sleep for ten hours.”
Thane chuckled. “How do you feel?”
“Amazing. I’m hard pressed to get out of this bed.”
“Then don’t.”
“Since I know you’re going to help me sleep again tonight, I want to know what it feels like to go through a day feeling normal.” She stretched as he moved around the room and she couldn’t help but watch him. He was so graceful, not to mention sexy.
“The storm’s passed,” he said, and pulled a T-shirt over his head. “We can ride the property or walk, whatever you like.”
She propped up on her elbows. “Is it safe?”
“Aye, lass. Wallace has seen nothing out of the ordinary.”
She grinned. “I’d love to ride, then.”
“Perfect.” He kissed her quickly and then stepped into the bathroom. “My family has requested we join them for dinner tonight if that works for you.”
“Sounds great.” Sydney threw the covers off and sat up. “I’ll change quickly and meet you back here, okay?”
He leaned out of the bathroom and smiled. “That works. We’ll eat then go.”
Sydney nodded and headed to her bedroom, grabbing a pair of jeans and a long-sleeved T-shirt from the bureau on her way to the bathroom. She was glad Lucy forced her to bring a pair of boots with a low heel. They’d be perfect for riding.
After washing her face and brushing her teeth, she met Thane back at his bedroom and they headed to the kitchen for breakfast. Sydney’s excitement couldn’t be contained as they walked out to the barn, especially when she met the horse she would ride. A big black Friesian gelding by the name of Julius. They bonded pretty quickly and Sydney instantly fell in love.
“I think I’m stealing him,” she said, and Thane laughed.
“You don’t have to steal him, love. If you’d like him, he’s yours.”
“Really?”
“Of course.” Thane patted Julius’s neck. “I knew you two would get along.”
“Can we just stay here forever?” She hugged him. “I’m okay with never going back to London.”
“Whatever you want to do, love, I’ll make it happen.” Thane stroked her cheek. “But I do think I need to speak with your uncle first and sort out what he knows about your parents.”
“Then can we escape from the world for a little while?”
“Of course we can, sweetheart.” He frowned. “Why so blue?”
“I just feel like the other shoe’s going to drop.”
Thane smiled. “I’ve got you, baby. It’s all going to be okay.”
“Promise?”
“Promise.”
She nodded and kissed him. Julius nuzzled Sydney and she giggled. “You’re going to make it all okay, too, aren’t you, boy?” He swung his head up and down and Sydney shook her head. “I’m officially in love.”
“I think he is too,” Thane said. “I don’t blame him.”
“Charmer.”
He kissed her quickly again and then reached for his horse. “Let’s ride.”
The stable hand helped Sydney mount and she gathered the reins and followed Thane away from the barn. He took her to the cottage first, helping her down and tying off the horses before leading her inside.
“Thane, it’s lovely.”
The little cottage was older than the main house, but had also been recently updated. The two-bedroom, two-bathroom home had a great room, kitchen, plus a den, and Sydney loved it.
Thane led her back out to the horses and they spent another hour exploring the grounds, forced to return to the barn due to another downpour. By the time they arrived back, they were soaked and Sydney was freezing. A couple of the stable hands took the horses and Thane whisked Sydney back to the house. She discovered he’d called ahead and had one of the staff draw a bath for her. She sank into pure bliss, sighing as the warm water covered her body.
I love you so much right now, you have no idea.
Thane chuckled. I think I have an inkling.
Thank you for doing this.
My pleasure, love.
Sydney added hot water to the tub and stared out the window that Thane assured her was of the one-way variety, so she could see out, but no one could see in. What should I wear tonight?
Whatever you like.
Typical man.
He chuckled again.
I brought a little black dress with me... or is that too dressed up?
That sounds perfect, love.
What are you doing?
Wishing I was in the tub with you.
She bit her lip. Join me, then.
One month, love, and I will.
You’re really going to make us wait?
It would be dangerous if I didn’t.
Sydney frowned. How so?
Because I know it would be impossible to make love to you and not bind you, and binding cannot happen before you’re twenty-five.
I’d like to go on record to say that I think that’s lame.
I don’t disagree, but think of the positives.
Being horny all the time is not a positive, Thane.
No, that’s true, but getting to know one another without distraction most definitely is.
Sydney rolled her eyes. Still sucks.
I know, baby. I have to speak with Wallace.
Is something wrong?
I don’t think so. Enjoy your bath.
And he was gone.
Sydney sighed and sank lower in the water. She didn’t want to leave the gigantic claw-foot tub and it sounded as though she didn’t have to anytime soon. She was both excited and nervous to meet Thane’s family, but mostly nervous. She wondered what the family of an immortal superstar was like. She couldn’t begin to imagine. She was still trying to figure out how she’d become inseparable from the biggest movie star on the planet.
Your thoughts are adorable, lass.
Sydney rolled her eyes. Get out of my brain.
He chuckled. We leave in two hours.
I’ll be ready.
Don’t be nervous. My family will love you.
She sighed. I hope so.
* * *
Sydney gripped Thane’s hand as Wallace drove them over a drawbridge (yes, a real freakin’ drawbridge) and into the courtyard of the tiniest castle Sydney had ever seen. Granted, she wasn’t an expert on castles, and tiny was somewhat relative, but this one looked to be a bit smaller than Thane’s home, which was just under twelve-thousand square feet. She’d always expected castles to be monstrous in size, able to house entire villages.
Thane chuckled. “Not quite, sweetheart.”
She rolled her eyes. “Brain. Out. Now.”
“This has been our home since we arrived from Iceland. We all have part of the land and we’ve all stayed close. My house is at the far south end of the property.”
“It’s gorgeous,” Sydney breathed.
“It’s my home away from home, so to speak.” Thane squeezed her hand and then got out of the car. She waited for him to open her door and hold his hand out to her before climbing out herself.
He wrapped his arm tightly around her waist and walked her to the front door, but before they could walk in, Sydney was pulled away and into a surprisingly strong hug, considering the girl was tiny. “You’re here,” the girl exclaimed.
“Sydney, this is my very little, very dramatic, sister, Ainsley.”
“I’m not dramatic; I’m just excited to meet your mate.”
Sydney giggled. “I’m excited to meet you as well, Ainsley.”
“Everyone’s in the salon.” Ainsley grinned. “Mum didn’t want to overwhelm you with all of us descending upon you.”
“That was very kind of her,” Sydney said. She sounds thirty, not twelve.
Thane grinned. You have no idea.
His hand settled on her lower back again and they followed Ainsley into the formal room where close to ten people, not including children, milled around, sipping drinks and talking. Sydney reached for Thane’s hand and gripped it hard, hoping for a little burst of confidence.
“Thane!” A stunning redheaded woman who appeared to be in her early thirties rushed them, pulling Thane in for a long hug. “Och, my son, I’ve missed you.”
He chuckled. “It’s barely been a month, Mum.”
Sydney bit back a gasp. His mother didn’t look much older than him.
“Still too long for your poor aging mother,” she retorted, and faced Sydney. “Sydney, love, welcome. We’re so glad to meet you.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Allen. It’s lovely to meet you as well.”
“Och, love, call me Isolde or better yet, Mum, if you feel comfortable with that. Whatever you choose.”
Sydney blushed. “Thank you. That’s sweet.”
“Come and meet everyone else.”
Isolde took over the introductions, but Sydney was grateful Thane stayed connected to her. His father was a giant of a man. His name was Domnall, but they all called him Dom or Da for Father. Thane had an older brother and an older sister, Lachlan and Elspie, who were married to Aggie and Marsh respectively. Then there was a younger brother, Thorburn, who was married to Blair. Finally, Ainsley. All but Ainsley were bound, and it made for a very full house.
Sydney didn’t think she’d remember all the adult names, let alone the nine kids. She found herself wondering how quickly she could add to the brood, excited about being part of such a large family.
Right away, love.
She narrowed her eyes at Thane and shook her head. Get out of my brain.
He chuckled as he led her to a love seat and pulled her down next to him, wrapping an arm around her and pulling her close. “So, what’s on the Allen Family radar right now?” Thane asked.
“The little prince turns one next month,” Isolde said, sitting next to her husband.
“Has it been a year already?” Thane mused.
“Aye, and we’ve been invited for the party, which will be a weekend-long affair.”
“Who’s the little prince?” Sydney asked.
“Our king and queen, Kade and Samantha Gunnach, have a little boy, Liam, and there’s a huge party to celebrate at their castle in Inverness,” Thane explained. “I’d forgotten all about it, to be honest, but we can go if you’d like to.”
“When do we have to let them know by?”
“We’ve got time,” he assured her.
Sydney smiled. “Okay, good.”
“You have to go,” Ainsley begged.
“Ainsley,” her mother warned.
“But, Mummy, if Thane doesn’t go, then I won’t get to ride Max’s horses.”
Thane chuckled. “Even if I don’t go, lass, Niall will still take you to Max’s stables. All I have to do is ask him. You know he’ll make it happen.”
“But they have a baby now and he’s busy.”
“Ainsley Meredith Allen,” Isolde admonished. “This is not about you.”
“Sorry,” she grumbled, crossing her arms in silent irritation.
“Max breeds Friesians and works closely with Connall Gunnach, who breeds Thoroughbreds, and now Arabians, due to his mate’s influence,” Thane explained.
“Ainsley, if you love Friesians, why don’t you ride your brother’s horses?” Sydney asked.
“Because, sweetheart, I am not the lead singer of Fallen Crown,” Thane answered before Ainsley could.
Sydney stifled a giggle at Ainsley’s look of mortification.
“Alright, enough teasing the baby,” Isolde said.
Sydney leaned forward. “I will figure out a way to make sure your brother goes.”
Ainsley’s face lit up. “You will?”
“Of course. We can’t keep you away from the horses. That would be cruel.”
Thane reached for Sydney’s neck and gave it a gentle squeeze. Careful, love, you’ll create a monster.
Before more could be said on the subject, Isolde rose to her feet and ushered everyone into the dining room. Conversation came fast and humorously as everyone sat down to eat. The whole night was... well... normal. No one treated Thane like he was anyone special outside of the third child of this large and loving brood.
“When do you have to return to London?” Elspie asked.
“Tomorrow,” Sydney said.
“Oh, that’s so soon.”
“I know. I have a few things to tie up with my mother’s estate, so I need to get back.”
“We were sorry to hear about your parents, love,” Isolde said.
Sydney forced a smile. “Thanks.”
Thane linked his fingers with hers under the table and gave her hand a gentle squeeze.
“I love London,” Elspie continued. “Perhaps us girls can meet for a girls-only weekend.”
“Day,” Thane said.
“I’d love it.” Sydney grinned.
“One day,” Thane reiterated.
Sydney rolled her eyes. “A weekend or a day is fine with me.”
“You can have her for a few hours on one of the days you come. No more,” Thane decreed.
“We’re not beneath kidnapping, Thane.” She pointed a knife at him. “Remember that.”
Sydney giggled. “I’m also not beneath sneaking out when you’re not looking.”
“Fine.” Thane raised his hands in surrender. “But ganging up on the little brother really isn’t very nice.”
“Bunk beds, Thane,” Lachlan countered.
“One time! It was one time!”
“My arse says it was thrice,” Lachlan argued.
The table dissolved into laughter and Sydney watched as the group tried to control their giggles.
“Locky has always been a little gullible,” Thane said. “When we were kids I invited him to climb up to the top bunk, where I quickly chucked him off.”
“And he’s gullible because of that?” Sydney challenged.
“No, he’s gullible because he let me do it twice more.”
Sydney gasped, forcing back a laugh. “That’s awful!”
“It’s not my fault he was dumb enough to climb up again.”
“So, to make it up to Locky, Sydney gets to go shopping with me,” Elspie said.
“To make it up to me?” Lachlan countered.
“Yes.”
“I just don’t think I can do without her for more than a few hours,” Thane added.
“You’ll survive, honey,” Sydney said.
Elspie clapped her hands. “It’s a date.”
“Wait, I haven’t agreed,” Thane argued.
“Like that makes a difference,” Sydney countered. “I’m not your chattel, which means you have no say in the matter.”
Ainsley let out a giggle and Elspie reached over and high-fived Sydney. Thane good-naturedly leaned over and kissed Sydney. “Touché, baby.”
Sydney smiled at her soon-to-be sister-in-law. “It’s a date, Elspie.”
“Great. I’ll find a time and we’ll make it happen.”
“I can’t wait,” Sydney said.
Dinner wrapped up and Thane insisted on taking Sydney home before it got too late. Another storm was approaching and he didn’t want Wallace driving the back-roads in total darkness, so after hugs and promises of future get-togethers, Sydney followed him out to the car.
“Your family’s amazing,” she said as Wallace guided the car over the drawbridge.
“Aye, they are.” He smiled. “And, like I said they would, they adored you.”
“Yes, honey, you were right.” Sydney giggled. “I adored them as well. I can’t wait for Elspie’s visit.”
“I’m going to venture a guess it’ll be sooner than later.”
“I hope so.” She cocked her head. “Has there ever been an instance where a Cauld Ane family doesn’t approve of one’s mate?”
Thane shrugged. “I’m sure there has been, but can you imagine what kind of a position that would put the couple in? It’d be a bloody shame.”
“What would you do?”
“If my family didn’t approve of you?”
“Yes.”
He shook his head. “Sweetheart.”
“What? It was a possibility.”
“No, it wasn’t,” he argued. “But if by some far off chance they hadn’t approved, then I would have cut ties with them.”
Sydney gasped. “You would?”
“Of course I would.” He squeezed her leg. “You’re everything to me, Sydney. Don’t ever doubt that.”
She smiled. “I love you.”
“I love you too.”
Arriving home, Thane left Sydney to change and she sighed in relief to get her shoes off. Just as she slipped out of her dress, her phone rang. It was Lucy. “Well, hello, cuz, how are you?”
“Have you guys been watching the news?”
“Nope.” Sydney dropped her watch onto the dresser. “We’ve been blissfully unaware of the outside world. Why?”
“Ohmigod, Syd, the world is blowing up about you.”
“About me? Why?”
“Because you’re dating Thane Allen.”
Sydney sat on the bed and rubbed her forehead. “Is it bad or good?”
“Watch the news and entertainment shows and decide for yourself, but I’d suggest you get a game plan before you come home, because we’ve already started getting phone calls.”
“Holy cow.”
“Yep. Anyway, I have to go. Date night and all that, but I thought you’d want to know.”
“Thanks, Luce. Love you.”
“Love you too. ’Bye.”
Sydney set her phone on the nightstand. Have you heard about the gossip surrounding us?
Aye, lass. Pam filled me in yesterday.
Why didn’t you tell me?
Because you needed a break. Finish getting changed and we’ll talk about it over a glass of wine.
Sydney sighed and took the time to remove her makeup and change into pajamas. This was all she needed, people digging into her life and invading her privacy. Just great.