Her heart was breaking.

Logan stood at the front of the bus after the headcount. “It looks like we’re missing,” his gaze ran over the crowd, and landed on Ashley. “Ronan.”

“He met up with a friend, and so he won’t be joining us.” Ashley was quite proud of the way her voice didn’t crack, and how she didn’t break down in tears.

She was trying to come to grips with the fact that the man she’d spent the last two days with on her ghost tour was a ghost himself, and so could never be hers.

Either that, or she was being scammed by a con artist, which was entirely possible considering the fact that someone was, well, actually trying to scam her.

But she didn’t believe that. She’d seen the ghosts, vivid and real, with her own eyes. Besides, at any point in their journey, Ronan could have stolen her backpack and taken off with it. In fact, this trip would have turned out very differently indeed, had Ronan not been her companion.

And why had he been? Why had he shown up exactly when she’d needed him? And why couldn’t he stay?

Perhaps he was more of a guardian angel.

And what? Supposedly, she didn’t need him anymore? What about the man who’d broken into her house, and threatened her? What about the man in Edinburgh who had cut her purse from her with a knife? She didn’t feel safe from him. Without Ronan she didn’t feel safe anymore at all. Without him she didn’t feel … anything.

She was in so much trouble, because she was never going to get over him, was she?

Monica turned around in her seat, her arm over the back, elbow bent, as she looked at Ashley. “He just took off? Is he coming back?”

“It didn’t sound like it.”

“Oh, hon.” Her face filled with sympathy. “Are you okay?”

She nodded, holding back tears again. She’d feel like an idiot, or rather, would feel like she looked like one to everyone around her if she started to cry over a man they all knew she’d just met, so she tried to rein in her emotions.

“Oh, Ashley, I’m so sorry. I know you like him. Did you give him your phone number?”

Misery seeped in to her numbness, parts of her shattering as she shook her head.

“Well, he can always look you up online.”

As the man was a ghost, that was doubtful. But maybe she could figure out a way to get him to haunt her? She looked out the window, couldn’t see much, and her heart was aching with how badly she wanted to hold his hand once more, or lay on his shoulder.

They stopped about five minutes later. Literally, they were still within walking distance of Culloden Moor.

Much good it would do her.

They got off the bus, and Logan thanked them all profusely for attending his tour. “Please, don’t forget to leave reviews. This tour was the first of its kind, an experiment to see if there would be any interest in this type of long-distance ghost hunt. I hope, with your support, it might become a regular excursion.”

Logan opened the doors. “I’m going to unload your luggage. The bed-and-breakfast is waiting for ye to arrive, and don’t forget to check which you’re staying at. So, this will be goodbye until next time.”

By the time Ashley and her friends exited the bus, Logan already had at least half of the luggage unloaded.

When it was her turn, he asked, “Ashley, could you wait just a minute? I wanted to talk to you about something.”

“Sure.”

Ashley stood off to the side with Garth and Monica. When he was done giving everyone their luggage, hugs to those who wanted them, and waving everyone on their way, he walked over to where they stood. “Ashley, again, I just wanted to say how sorry I am for what happened with Lewis. I’m anxious to get to the hospital and question him. And I wondered if I could get your number so I can call and let you know the outcome.”

“Thank you, I’d appreciate that.”

They exchanged numbers, said their goodbyes, and then Logan took off, the double decker tour bus making its way down the street, before turning right.

“What was that about?” Monica asked.

Ashley told them about Lewis trying to drug Ronan.

Eyes wide, they couldn’t believe it. “Lewis? The driver?” Garth’s tone was incredulous. “Out of everyone on the bus, he targeted Ronan?”

Ashley nodded, keeping silent about her laptop.

Monica was shaking her head. “Wow. Seriously, just wow.”

Garth shook his head. “Talk about delusions of grandeur. Well, shall we head inside?”

A taxi pulled up beside them, a man and his wife getting out, and with the help of the driver, extracted the luggage from the back.

“Hold on a minute,” Ashley said. She walked over to the driver, and asked if he was free to drive her to the Inverness Airport.

“Of course, of course, I’m glad for the business.”

“Thank you. I’ll be right back.”

She walked back to her friends, and looked into their questioning faces.

“I’m going to head to the airport and try to get an earlier flight.”

“Oh, Ashley, are you sure?” Monica asked.

“I’m sure.” She didn’t want to pretend a happiness she no longer felt, and didn’t feel too bad about deserting them, as they were together, and taking different airplanes, anyway. “Are you two still heading out tomorrow?”

Garth nodded. “Yes, my flight isn’t until tomorrow night, so we might even go back to Culloden Moor and maybe see what else is in the area before we have to go home.”

She’d made the right decision, because there was nothing that could make her go back to the moor at this point.

“All right. So, see you two in Las Vegas? For the next convention?”

Monica grinned. “Of course. We wouldn’t miss it. I’ve been working on my costume. After this trip, I might need to lose a few pounds to fit into it.”

“No way, babe. You look fantastic.”

Ashley stuffed down the spurt of jealousy she felt that Monica and Garth were solid. In more ways than one. She took turns hugging them both. “It was fun, wasn’t it?”

“It was,” Monica said. “Make sure you keep your phone on, so we can call, and let us know if you end up getting a flight out or not.”

“Sounds good.” She glanced toward the charming, red-brick building in front of them. “Let the B&B know I won’t be staying, all right?”

“All right.”

Garth carried her bag and placed it in the back of the taxi, and her friends stood, side-by-side, arms wrapped around each other as they waved her off.

Once it was just her and the taxi driver, she still tried to remain stoic.

She’d get through this, somehow make herself believe that such a short romance was simply to be remembered with affection, rather than pain.

Surely, she’d come to believe that someday.

In the meantime, she had some phone calls to make.

* * *

“Ronan? What are ye doin’, laddie?”

He glanced at Soni, standing beside him, looking confused.

His heart pounded hard in his chest as the noise faded. He slowly stood and took in his surroundings.

It was dark, though the area was well-lit, and it was cool, the air oppressive, as if it might rain soon.

Not at all how he’d pictured the fiery pit.

“All right,” Soni, all smiles, looked expectant. “We’re here, then.”

He jumped back as a car, then another, drove past only feet from where they stood, stopping a short distance away in front of the building.

His confusion grew. She wasn’t to leave him here, was she?

An airplane took off in the distance and, though farther away, this time Ronan recognized the roaring sound as the one he’d so recently encountered.

“What is this?”

“I’ve granted yer request.”

“My request?” Disbelief warred with sudden hope and his heart, barely recovering, started to thunder in his chest again. “I’m tae stay with Ashley? But ye said —”

He decided not to call notice to what she’d said. If she was gifting him a boon, he saw no reason to remind her she’d said otherwise. Lasses, and witches, were always allowed to change their minds. “Where are we, lass?”

“At the airport.”

“The airport?” He thought to question her, but decided it was of no import. “I must get to Ashley. She was to stay at a nearby inn.”

Soni shook her head. “I’m afraid not. It seems she’s changed her mind and plans to catch a flight out of here tonight.”

Ronan searched the crowd in front of him, some going inside the building, others leaving, but he didn’t see Ashley’s slim form anywhere.

“Doonae worry, she’ll be along soon enough.”

“Does she need me, still? Is she in danger? Is that why I’m here?”

“Well, as to that, ye’ve a choice to make, laddie. Last chance, do ye want yer revenge against Bonnie Prince Charlie, or, would you like to stay with Ashley?”

Ronan, his heart pounding hard in his chest, gaped at the witch. “Do ye mean forever?”

“Well, till the end of your natural life, anyway.”

Thunderstruck, he asked, “I can stay?”

“Aye, but I cannae have you comin’ out to Culloden Moor again. At least until yer brothers are gone. And Ronan, ye wouldnae be able to see them anymore, anyway.”

Hope warred with disbelief, his blood coursing fast through his veins.

“Will she have me, do ye think?”

Sony chuckled, her amusement plain. “Of that, I’ve no doubt.”

“I’d like to stay, if I may.”

“All right.” Her smile was sweet. “Yer a good man, Ronan, and deserve a wonderful life.”

And then she was gone.

Ronan stood stranded to the spot, disbelief at what had just happened, leaving him dizzy.

“Excuse me, please.”

When a couple, and their two children, needed to pass by, and cast him wary glances, Ronan moved further back, away from the building and into the darkness.

His emotions were in turmoil. Joy, fear, happiness, dismay. She’d still want him, wouldn’t she? After the way they’d parted? He’d see her from here, before she saw him. It would give him a chance to think on what to say, and how best to say it.

Another airplane took off, closer this time. He’d not realized how large they were, and stood gaping like a fool wondering how such a thing could fly. Many a time they had speculated upon the moor, watching the things above them, and wondering how they could work.

But they always seemed much smaller, much quieter, than the great beasts making their way into the sky before his wide-eyed gaze.

He ran a hand through his hair as he once more searched the crowd for Ashley. There were many coming out of the building, going in, getting out of cars, getting in.

Muscles bunching, he tried to keep hold of his senses, as he wondered how best to talk her into keeping him. She’d said she felt she loved him and he clung to the memory of those words. But would she forgive him for his actions? For what must have felt a rejection to her? Would she …

And then she was there, getting out of the vehicle, in the distance, her dark hair blowing away from her beautiful face as the breeze caught it.

He stood frozen, suddenly indecisive, as she went about her business.

Would she truly want him?

Had he misunderstood? What if he approached her and she looked surprised to see him, or worse, what if she looked at him with pity when she realized what he wanted of her?

And, he admitted to himself, he wanted it all. He wanted to take her to wife. Love her, have a family with her.

What if she wanted none of those things? What if she simply wanted a guard as she made her way across the country?

He stood long enough that the driver helped her remove her luggage and set it beside her.

He felt a spurt of jealousy, even for that small favor done to her, as it was his privilege to carry her things, to make sure she had what she needed to stay safe, and secure.

He stood there long enough that she turned and dragged her suitcase toward the glass doors that opened upon her approach.

And then she was gone.

He knew in his bones, that if he called to Soni at that moment, that she’d come back for him.

Should he let Ashley be?

As he stood there, his heart pounding, aching, two passengers got out of another vehicle and headed toward the doors.

It took Ronan a moment to realize what he was seeing. Or rather, who.

One of the men he’d had a close acquaintance with. In fact, he’d once held the power of life and death over him, as he considered breaking his neck in Edinburgh.

It was the thief. And this time he’d brought a companion.

Unfortunately, it was someone Ronan recognized.

He sighed, knowing Ashley’s tender feelings were to be hurt. When the doors opened for the men, and they went inside, Ronan was already moving.

They sought to harm his lady, did they?

His smile was grim.

He should like to see them try.

* * *

As Ashley had changed her ticket on the way to the airport, she didn’t have to wait in line, but joined the people making their way through security.

She worried she’d make it there, and then start crying like a hysterical woman who’d just lost the love of her life.

But all she felt was numb inside.

She was in love with a ghost.

And it wasn’t like he’d lied to her about it either. From the very beginning he’d talked about the fact that he was a 300-year-old ghost and that a witch had sent him to her.

That would teach her to disbelieve people, wouldn’t it?

It would have been easier if he’d actually been a con artist, out to steal her ideas. She’d still have kept him, but she’d have had to reform him first.

She sighed as she moved forward in line. That wasn’t even true. Ronan was sweet, protective, honorable, and vulnerable. And those were the traits she’d fallen in love with.

If he’d been a con artist, he’d have been none of those things and she wouldn’t have given him the time of day.

Well, when she got back home, it would all be a non-issue anyway. During the taxi ride she’d called Stephen James and caught him on his lunch hour. He’d ditched whoever he was eating with to discuss her concerns. Number one concern? Had he sent someone after her to try and steal her work?

He’d been shocked, convinced her otherwise, and offered to send her a good faith payment toward licensing her first app and having dibs to her second.

She’d promptly accepted. When she’d explained that Alien Hunt wasn’t another trivia game, and described it to him, he’d gone into raptures, and promptly made an appointment to fly out and talk to her after she arrived home.

So, good luck to whoever it was behind the attempted thefts. Wouldn’t they be surprised to find she already had a handshake deal, down payment and all, to license the rights to Photon Torpedo?

She might be afraid to get into a war over her stolen data, but Stephen had assured her that Photon Torpedo would not be.

She sighed, hoping that her broken heart, and her need for a distraction weren’t the reason she’d basically signed on the dotted line.

And her heart was broken. It just hadn’t fully hit her yet.

The line moved forward, and she moved with it, pulling her suitcase along behind.

Ronan was a true ghost, a short-term gift, that had floated into her life and then back out again.

Her bottom lip trembled.

Would her feelings for Ronan fade as quickly as they’d arrived?

With her chest aching, she didn’t actually believe it, but the thought of it made her sad.

She could hear complaints from some of the people behind her, but couldn’t work up enough interest to turn around.

Her backpack was suddenly wrenched away from her, but she’d tightened it enough that her entire body went with it, and she was thrown in a half-circle, screaming, as she fell to the ground, hard.

She heard what could only be described as an incredibly loud, incredibly angry roar from somewhere behind her!

Ronan?

Astounded, she tried to stand, but before she could make it to her feet, was pulled across the floor by her backpack. “Stop! Stop it! Someone help me!” Whoever was behind her was grunting, yanking on the thing and trying to get it off her as she crossed her arms to keep it on.

She felt helpless, and angry, and was that really Ronan making all that noise? If so, why didn’t he come and help her?

She was pulled several more feet across the floor by her backpack, the man behind her grunting with each tug, trying to rip it off her. She tried to crane her head both ways to see who it was, when loud steps approached, and an angry roar sounded directly behind her, and the grip on her released.

She fell forward, scrambled upright, and finally turned around to find herself in the center of the crowd.

She pressed her hand to her heart as she looked at the devastation around her. The small airport behind her had been trashed. Chairs toppled, rope barriers knocked to the floor, people climbing over things and each other to get away from …

Ronan.

Her heart jumped. Once again, her man was in the center of a crowd, and once again he was holding a man up in the air by his neck.

“Ronan?”

She started to rise when her backpack was loosened at her waist and seized from behind once again, and she was jerked backwards. “Help!” She screamed out, trying to hold onto it and hit out at the man at the same time.

A powerful jerk and it slipped. “Someone help me!” She used both hands to grip one strap and was twirled around on her backside to come face-to-face with the man yanking at the other end.

Surprise loosened her grasp. “Garth? What … what are you doing?”

His face was a mask of determined desperation, his lips drawn back. “What do you think?” He wrenched the pack from her and took off running.

She stood there gaping as she watched him go.

Her friend? Her friend had been behind this? And after she’d “won” him a free trip to Scotland?

Anger burned through her. Oh no, he didn’t. She rose to her feet just in time to have a man thrown past her, his body rolling on the ground before coming to a stop.

Ronan, red-faced and grim, stopped long enough to look her over, one hand flashing out to cup her cheek as if assuring himself she was fine, and with another roar, this one loud enough to hurt her ears, he ran after Garth, who was almost to the doors.

She turned her head to see that her original attacker was on the ground, clutching his side and moaning, one leg twisted at an odd angle.

It was the thief from Edinburgh.

Looking back at Ronan again, she saw that security had engaged in the chase, but Ronan was soon out the doors, presumably after Garth who was no longer in sight.

Her friend had done this? Her friend had set someone to rob her apartment? Set someone else to rob her here in Scotland? Or was he the hired hand?

That slime worm! She would never have believed it if she hadn’t seen it with her own eyes!

If Ronan hadn’t been here for her, would she have been murdered in her bed the night before if she’d opened her door to a friend? Even with him here, would she get her possessions back?

A bench set off to one side caught her attention, and she made her way toward it and sank down.

A nicely dressed, middle-aged woman, a look of concern on her face, rolled Ashley’s purple suitcase toward her, and set it off to one side. “Are you all right?”

She nodded her head. “A little sore, but basically unharmed.” People watched as the man on the floor was handcuffed by security, and another guard came forward with a wheelchair.

“I saw the whole thing. He tried to steal your pack.”

Ashley nodded. “The same man attacked me yesterday in Edinburgh.”

The woman’s brows rose. “He followed you all this way?”

She nodded as more security arrived, and the woman at her side moved forward to give a statement, gesturing toward Ashley, as she told what she’d seen.

Beyond them, the doors opened, and Ronan walked through, a security guard at his side, and two guards following, a disheveled Garth in handcuffs between them.

She could hear Ronan arguing with them, jerking her backpack aside as the guard beside him reached for it.

“Nae. This is Ashley’s!” She heard him yell the words at the smaller man as Ronan lifted the pack above his head.

“Ye’re going to have to come with us while we get this straightened out.”

“Not until I see if my lady is unharmed.” The vehement words, the way his gaze latched onto hers from across the distance, melted her enough that she leaned back against the bench feeling faint.

She remembered her vow from earlier in the day. That somehow, someway, she was keeping that man.

Was she going to get to, after all?