Everlastin' Book 1 Read Online Free

her feet just over a year
ago. Perhaps David wasn't thrilled with the idea of Beth coming for
a two-week stay.
    This thought brought a frown
to her face. Now that she thought about it, David hadn't talked on
the phone to her for some time. “Does David mind me
visiting?”
    “Of course not. Why do you
ask?”
    Beth shrugged. “You seem a
little preoccupied. Are you sure about this visit?”
    Carlene's laugh didn't
strike Beth as being genuine. “Don't be silly. I'm dying to show
off...my house. So is David. It's this humidity, Beth. I’ve never
gotten used to it. If it doesn't rain soon— But I'm feeling much
better now that you're here. I've missed you terribly.”
    “Oh sure,” Beth teased,
refusing to dwell on the niggling doubts in her mind. “Who was the
one who decided after college to roam Europe before settling down
to a career? Leave it to you to land an Englishman and wind up the
mistress of a Scottish, Victorian mansion.”
    That's a curse, not a
blessing, Carlene thought ruefully. In a
light tone, she crooned, “Who knows. Maybe you'll find yourself a
strapping Scotsman to whisk you off your feet.”
    Beth groaned. “You're not
planning to fix me up with someone, are you?”
    “Me? No, I wouldn't do that
to you.” A sly grin youthened Carlene's features. “But if you
happen to see one that strikes your fancy....”
    “My fancy is focused on
college this fall.”
    Carlene grimaced. “Sounds
absolutely boring.” Careful not to sound too eager, she cast her
bait. “Are you still having migraines?”
    “Now and then.”
    “Have you, umm, seen a
doctor about them?”
    “Not yet.”
    Carlene clicked her tongue
reprovingly. “You should, you know. They began after a fall, you
said?”
    “I'm still the same old
klutz,” Beth chuckled. “I'd just given Ma a bath and put her to bed
when the doorbell rang. I literally went flying down the stairs.”
She shrugged. “I've still got a lump on the back of my
head.”
    “How soon after did the
headaches begin?”
    Beth was thoughtful for a
moment. “A couple of days, I think. They come and go.”
    “When did you
fall?”
    “About a week before Ma
died.” Beth stared into her tea cup for a time then said in a small
voice, “She'd been ill for so long, her death actually came as a
shock.”
    “Did she suffer? Dying, I
mean.”
    “No. She went to sleep and
never woke up.”
    “I'm so sorry, Beth. I
wish....”
    “I know. I miss her so much.
Sometimes, Carlene, I forget she's gone, and I start to ask her
something. The house seems so empty now. So quiet.”
    “Must be lonely for
you.”
    Beth gave an absent nod,
her eyes staring off into space. “I was seriously thinking about
selling the house before you called and asked me to visit.” The
dullness in her eyes faded to a genuine smile. “I can’t believe I'm
here. In Scotland with you!”
    “There are a few things I
need to tell you about this house.”
    “The cabbie told me its
history.”
    A smile strained at
Carlene's mouth. “No doubt. There's no electricity—oh, but don't
worry. The stove and light fixtures use gas. There's plumbing, and
there are plenty of loos on every floor, not to mention the private
one in your room.”
    “Loos?”
    “Bathrooms. We don't have
servants, but we do have a woman who comes in to cook breakfast
every day. You know how I am in the morning, and David loves a big
breakfast.”
    Carlene was amazed at how
easily the lies were passing her lips. “And we have a
groundskeeper. Lachlan’s a bit gruff when he does talk, but he
really loves the place.”
    “That's an unusual
name.”
    “Yes. He's an unusual
man.” Understatement of the century! “Why don't I show you to your room? We'll have
plenty of time to talk later.”
    Placing her cup and saucer
on the coffee table, Beth rose to her feet in sync with Carlene.
“The cabbie said your house was haunted.”
    “Oh?” Carlene turned away.
“The locals are teeming with superstitions. Don't pay them