Page 14 of A Legacy of the Light

I slump against the countertop at my back. What is going on? Maybe I’m still asleep and just having an incredibly realistic dream. But I feel like I’m awake. I pinch the sensitive skin on the underside of my arm and flinch. I’m definitely awake.

Well, shit. My usual logic is failing me right now. I turn in a circle and take in my surroundings. The apartment seems like a normal home. Aside from the view, there’s nothing out of the ordinary.

While I wait for Tavish, I decide to explore the apartment and see if I can work anything out. Down the hall opposite the front door there’s another small room set up as a study. It contains nothing personal that could tell me where I am or who Tavish is. Is this even his apartment? The lone desk sits in the middle of the room, a large brown leather wingback chair behind it. There’s no window in here. The only source of light would come from the fireplace in the corner and the lone lamp next to the desk. The lack of personal items is starting to make me feel on edge.

I head back to the bedroom I awoke in. It’s a shame there aren’t wall-to-ceiling windows in here; they would really enhance the space. I make the bed before checking out the other door.

Behind it is a bathroom; the bathroom of dreams. A walk-in shower sits in one corner of the room and at the other end there’s a partition wall that I assume hides the toilet. Jack and Jill sinks occupy the other wall, sitting below a mirror that takes up its full length.

In the center a large freestanding bathtub dominates the space, big enough for at least two people. I would get in there right now, but the last thing I need is for Tavish to stroll in and find me in my birthday suit. And truthfully, being killed in the bath isn’t how I want to go.

Tearing my gaze away from the bath, I look at my reflection and groan.

This is what I looked like?

My hair is plastered to my neck and forehead and I’m pretty certain a line of drool is crusted onto my chin. I must have made a great first impression on Tavish. Although, if he is going to push me off a cliff, it won’t matter if I look halfway decent or not. Besides, I woke up in a strange place with a strange guy, so he can give me a break.

I decide to wash my face and root around in the drawers under the sink to see if I can find a hairbrush to tame the nest on my head.

A soft knock on the bedroom door and a female voice interrupts my rooting.

“Are you in there, Elsie? Tavish has sent me with some clothes for you,” a woman asks me in a gentle Scottish accent that immediately makes me think of Granny.

Shaking off the pang of loss, I open the door and am greeted by a short woman who looks to be close in age to me. Her bright red hair is pulled back into a low ponytail and she has wonderfully deep blue eyes and a warm smile on her face. She’s dressed in black leggings and a long-line pale grey shirt that hugs her frame.

“My name is Reyne Macleod. Tavish got caught up in something so he asked me to bring you these and some food. I’ll wait in the kitchen while you get yourself sorted. You should find everything you need below the sink.”

“Thank you,” I mumble as she walks off into the kitchen. I stare at her retreating back while trying to wrap my head around this overwhelming situation.

I manage to find a hairbrush and a toothbrush with toothpaste under the sink, and after braiding my hair, I feel much better.

Laying the clothes out on the bed, it seems Tavish has been thoughtful enough to provide me with some options. I immediately discard the dress, despite the beautiful lilac color and flowing hemline. Generally speaking, I have to be persuaded to wear dresses, my style is comfort over everything else.

Rummaging through the rest of the pile, I find underwear in the midst of it all. I hope that was Reyne’s idea, not Tavish’s. Despite his lack of murdering so far, I don’t relish the idea of him picking out the white lace panties and bra.

I settle on dark brown pants and a white button down-shirt. They’re almost my size; the shirt is a little big, but I won’t complain given all I have are festive pajamas.

The thick socks and brown knee-high boots I pull on feel sturdy and practical. Almost something I would choose for myself, but with fewer laces. I head back into the bathroom to quickly check my appearance, my pendant tucked safely underneath the shirt. I look better than I did twenty minutes ago.

The smell of food interrupts my thoughts and now the fear of waking up here has mostly passed, I realize that I’m starving.

Wandering out into the kitchen, Reyne has her head down and is pouring orange juice into two glasses.

“Thanks again for the clothes. Um . . . was it you who . . .” I stumble over my words.

Reyne catches my meaning with a smile on her face. I’m not sure it ever left. “Aye, it was me who picked those items out for you. I didn’t think Tavish would have thought about them,” she giggles.

“Well, I appreciate it,” I reply, unable to stop a returning smile. Something about her laugh is infectious. I’m also thankful that she guessed my size right.

“Would you like something to eat? I wasn’t sure what you’d like so I’ve brought a bit of everything.”

There’s more food here than one person could eat. Bacon, eggs, fruit, and pancakes are laid before me on the breakfast bar.

“What’s the weird square meat thing?”

Reyne laughs at my question. “It’s sausage, lassie. You’ve never seen square sausage before?”

“Well, no. Why are they square?”