Pepper, the Highlander & the Dead Guy

Ian had returned from Scotland a couple of days ago and we agreed we needed to sit and finally talk about the property just him and me, no lawyers.

“I won’t lose you over this, Pep.”

His words, he had said to me before leaving for Scotland, rang so clear in my head, it was like he was standing right there with me.

“There isn’t anything in this entire world worth losing you over, Pep.”

His voice hadn’t been in my head, and I turned just as he stepped out of the shadows. He looked spectacular in a 1940s tuxedo, and he’d left his shoulder length hair tousled which gave him a devil-may-care appearance.

I don’t know what made me say it, my aunt’s voice in my head perhaps, or maybe it was that I felt it in my heart. “Tu me manques.”

A look of surprise widened Ian’s eyes, then he smiled. “You are missing from me as well.”

And what do I respond? “You speak French?”

“Fluently.”

I stopped him before he sprouted anymore French. “My aunt taught me a few phrases.”

“I’ll teach you more, so you can speak it when we visit France one day.” He stepped closer and reached out and took my glove-covered hand in his.

He still planned for a future for us and the worry that had been nagging at me faded. “I’d like that.”

“It’s time to enjoy the party. We’ll talk afterwards,” he said and hooked my arm around his and we stepped out of the shadows and entered the lodge.

All stopped, chatter, laughter, music, when we entered arm and arm and a large cheer rang out. Family and friends soon surrounded us, happy to see us together.

I chuckled when I saw my dad dressed in a sheriff’s costume from the old west and shockingly my mom as a saloon gal. But then my mom looked great for her fifty-six years and wore the outfit well, which you could tell with the way my dad beamed with delight.

Amy looked fabulous in a regency period dress, Beau’s costume matching the era.

“Are you two finally talking?” Amy whispered when she hugged me. “You two really need to talk alone.”

“After the party,” I whispered, and she smiled and took off with Beau.

I laughed when I spotted Josh. His costume fitting. He was a caveman. He even carried a club. Though when I realized his intentions and that they were working, I laughed again. Many of the single women, including the female models were all over him. He got the best of both my parents’ good looks and he kept himself in great shape. He was eye-candy for the women just like the cover models.

I was pleased to see that Kelly had returned in time for the party and she looked great as a pregnant fairy, wings and all and, of course, Danny was a woodsman.

“Thanks for helping Danny out while I was gone,” Kelly said, giving me a peck on the cheek. “You look fabulous, and Ian is gorgeous.”

I smiled. I loved Kelly. She was perfect for my brother Danny. “How is your father?”

“He’s doing well, and the doctors are pleased with his recovery. He and my mom should be back on the golf course soon.”

“Looking great, sis,” my brother Thomas said, his eyes darting to Lola who was too busy mingling to pay him any mind. She was dressed as a witch, a sexy witch, which, of course, had most of the men talking with her. My brother on the other hand was supposed to be a warlock draped in a dark cloak. Leave it to Lola to shine while making certain Thomas didn’t. His dark cloak and unattractive makeup didn’t do anything for his good looks, which I was sure was intentional on Lola’s part.

Zelda came as a futuristic queen and looked dazzling in the outfit Amy picked out and the makeup, she had Ian’s makeup artist do for her.

“I feel like a queen,” Zelda said to me and hurried off to look for a king.

Everyone looked great even Vera, who I was shocked to see.

“Amy insisted I come, even provided the costume. She’s such a dear girl,” Vera said.

I stared at her, completely dumbfounded, as she took the arm of Bill Parson’s with a smile—a smile! Never had I seen that woman smile. Amy had dressed her in a regency style dress, and I had to admit Vera looked fabulous as did Bill Parson in a matching period outfit. Leave it to Amy to be a matchmaker while solving the problem of her nosy neighbor.

I laughed when I saw Burke dressed as the god, Adonis.

“We have to talk, Pepper,” he said. “Now that you own Willow Lake Lodge and all that land, I can make you a fortune.”

“I’ll think about it,” I said.

“Think hard. I’ll be in touch,” Burke said and wandered off, snatching up one of the female models to dance.