One Thousand Years to Forever Read online

  A knock came to the door.

  “I’ll get it Mom, go sit down, don’t look eager…”

  “Oh my God, have you been talking to your grandmother... wait till I talk to her.”

  John laughed as he walked towards the door. “She said she would call later tonight.”

  Katherine shook her head and chuckled as her oldest son went to open the door. She heard him say hello and Colum’s deep voice saying hello in return.

  When they came back into the kitchen she was shocked at the size difference of her son next to this giant. Her son was staring up in awe at the man who had saved her and somehow also lived in the same town she now lived. She was going to have to ask him about that... ”

  “I see you got the roses I sent.”

  Katherine blushed at the thought of when they arrived. “Yes, they caused quite the furor when they arrived. I was on the phone, conference call with my mom and my brother’s wife.”

  “Aunt Issy?” Sally chimed in.

  “Yes... ”

  Colum walked up to the table where the vase that held the flowers sat and picked up a blossom. “I picked them out myself. I hope it wasn’t too much of a problem with your family.”

  Katherine felt like a moth to the flame. Getting up she walked up and touched the blossom that Colum held out. A vision flashed in front of her eyes. She looked up and saw him but again, it was him but in another time. She shook her head and blinked her eyes and the vision was gone but Colum stood there watching her.

  “Are you OK, Katherine? If you don’t feel well... ”

  Katherine shook her head. “No, I’m fine, just something floating in front of my eye, that’s all.”

  Colum smiled down at her. “I’m glad you are OK, I would be lonely at dinner at the restaurant by myself.”

  Katherine felt like there was just the two of them but she knew her children were watching and listening to everything that was being said. “Somehow, I don’t know if you would ever be lonely.”

  “Mooomm... earth to Mom... are you going out or not? Olivia is coming to pick me up and I’m staying over there. Remember?”

  Katherine smiled at Colum and then turned to her daughter. “Yes, I remember. Have fun, be respectful and help out.”

  “Oh Mom, you know I do.”

  Pat came up and gave his mom a hug. Whispering in her ear, “Have fun Mom, you deserve it.”

  Katherine hugged her son and when she pulled away she felt a tear sliding down her cheek.

  “OK guys, behave, see you soon.”

  She let Colum help her with her leather jacket, then he held the door for her. She felt the kids watching her so she turned to wave to them, acting like going out on a date was a normal occurrence.

  When they got to his Rover, he opened the door and held it till she got in. As she sat waiting for him, she watched him as he walked around the front. She saw him stand for a moment, almost as if he sniffed the air. He got in and smiled at her. She saw his teeth gleam in the lights of the car as he started it up. “Excuse me for a moment.” He picked up his cell phone and typed out a quick text. Then he turned back to her as he hit send. “I hope you brought an appetite because I hate eating alone.”

  Katherine snuggled down into the seat that was warming up despite it being leather. “Yes, actually I am quite hungry. Normally, I just nibble, but tonight out of nowhere, I am ravenous.”

  As Colum drove out of Mechanic Street he turned and smiled. “That’s good. You need a bit of meat on your bones. You look a bit smaller from the last time I saw you... ”

  “The last time?” Katherine looked up at him and then she knew what he meant. She had lost weight in the last few years. She had always been one hundred and thirty pounds, now she was lucky if she was at one hundred and fifteen.

  As Colum drove by the end of her wall that surrounded her property he saw a car parked just a car’s length from Katherine’s gate. He detected a foreign tobacco being smoked. He smiled at Katherine but his whole body and senses were in a heightened state. That was why he had sent a quick text to Travis, who was now on his way to check out whomever was sitting at Katherine’s at this very moment.

  Colum touched Katherine’s hand. “Promise me you will eat more then just a salad tonight.”

  Katherine smiled at him. “Don’t worry, I’m starved... ”

  Chapter 2

  They sat in a back corner of the restaurant. A few other couples were sitting further away from them. After they had finished a bottle of wine. Colum ordered a steak, rare. Katherine took one look at that and her mouth started watering.

  Colum could see her sizing it up like it was about to be devoured by her not him. He knew she wouldn’t be able to resist it if it sat in front of her, especially with her blood count and iron levels. He was taking in everything about her scent, and it was a wonder she was even walking.

  “It’s really too much for me to eat alone,” Colum said as he watched her watch him. It was funny how she had always loved rare meat.

  So she finished his steak and her scallops. Now they were on to dessert. “How about we do a dessert crawl after?”

  “I don’t know if I will be able to fit any more in.”

  Colum smiled. “You will... ”

  Katherine sat back and held her teacup. She studied the man who sat in front of her now. Who, when talking with him, was cultured, well-read, but also a battle hardened warrior. He had been the head of a Special Forces Units in quite a few places. She now remembered having heard his name when she worked for the Times.

  “Now, tell me how you happened to come live in Rockport, Maine of all places?”

  Colum stretched out his long frame. “A piece of property came up at the right time. I could show it to you tomorrow if you like.”

  Katherine had to pinch herself. Here was the man, one of the wealthiest men in Europe, who had rescued her, was now seated across from her, lived just down the road from her, and had come across her on her run. It also appeared he liked her company, too.

  “I would love to, but it would have to be early in the morning. I promised Sally I would take her to Freeport and the Mall to shop.”

  “You’ve got it. How about breakfast at my place, say at seven? There isn’t anything like seeing the water come alive with the sunrise.”

  “Yes, it’s beautiful. I’ve become quiet spoiled living here after living my entire life in the city.” She took another sip of her tea. “I’d love to have breakfast at your place.”

  She leaned in towards him. “So tell me, why Rockport? I know the property was available but from what my Mom told me, you and your family have homes and estates all over the world.”

  Colum picked up his coffee cup. Taking a sip he studied Katherine. Her hair, like polished copper, falling in waves, layers cascading off her shoulders. Her eyes, sending off sparks. Those emerald green eyes, that were so very common amongst her folk. Making him want her like he had always wanted her and loved her.

  “Yes, I’ve been all over the world and once you find a spot that speaks to you, well, you never quite forget it. I came here many years ago... on a sailing trip... ”

  He remembered that time, it had been right after he had lost Katherine the last time. He had been beside himself, inconsolable. He had been looking for someone to kill, even tried self-destruction, but his father had caught him and had banished him to the new world. His father had always had his hands full with his heir every time after Colum lost her. That last time had been in 1710. He had come here and found peace but it had taken many, many years. He had become a soldier for hire in the years leading up to the Revolution. It had taken the Revolution to get him back on an even keel...

  “Colum, where are you? You seem so far away.”

  Colum straightened up. “Let’s go to that little restaurant called Fresh and have another dessert.”

  Katherine laughed. “Do you really think I am going to be able to eat anymore? God, I am about to burst.”

  Colum signaled for
the check. “We’ll walk for a bit... ”

  They walked along the harbor on the boardwalk. Walking side by side, their arms just brushing each other, occasionally their hands. Katherine noticed that most of the boats were covered in shrink wrap. The windjammers looking like giant ghost floating on the water.

  Colum looked down at Katherine and saw her shiver. Taking off his leather bomber jacket he placed it on her shoulders. It was the real deal from his World War II days.

  Katherine looked up. “Thank you, I was getting a bit cold.”

  Colum took her hand and led her down Bay View Street and then down to Fresh. “We will have dessert then I will get you home.”

  He kept ahold of her hand as they walked into the restaurant. While they waited to be seated he rubbed her fingers. Looking closely at her. “Have you always had such cold hands?”

  Katherine shook her head. “No, just the last year or so. I just can’t seem to stay warm. You would think I was a vampire or something.” She laughed lightly and smiled up at Colum as they walked to their seat.

  As they sat Colum leaned in close. “Maybe I should be on my guard then... ”

  Katherine looked over at him, puzzled, then she laughed. “God, I was joking... ”

  Colum had to laugh at the look on her face. She was being so serious. “I know.”

  They each had tiramisu and another cup of tea. Katherine finally got to the last bite but couldn’t finish it. Colum looked over at her and smiled. “See, you could eat a lot more than just a salad.”

  Katherine groaned. “But I am going to pay for it. I probably gained ten pounds with this supper and desserts.”

  Colum grabbed his leather bomber jacket and put it back on her shoulders as they walked out into the night. “You could stand to gain some weight.”

  They sat in his Range Rover and watched the lights twinkle on around the harbor. There were a few brave souls who were living on their boats. “I don’t know how they do it... ”

  Colum looked over at Katherine. It was all he could do to be a gentleman. He wanted to gather her up in his arms, hold her all night, make love to her. If only she knew...

  “Do what?”

  “Live in those tiny boats even when it’s cold. Me, I need warmth. I guess I never thought about it much before. Maybe it’s only with me being cold all the time. It’d be one thing if I were used to it but right now I feel the cold.”

  Colum pushed a button. “You should start to feel the heat in your seat. I’ll have you home in a few minutes and if you want I can build a fire in your fire place.”

  “That would be great but I haven’t split any wood so I will just run up and climb in under all the covers. Get snug as a bug in a rug, as my Grannie would say. I’m sure I will fall asleep fast enough and the furnace will be on.”

  “I’ll take care of it, nothing like heat coming from a fireplace.”

  Katherine looked over at her dinner date. “How?”

  “I’ll chop some wood.” He glanced over quickly and smiled as he drove. She watched his face as he took the corners but kept his eyes on the road. Once they had to stop quickly as some deer came out of nowhere. They just stood in the road. Staring into the headlights.

  As he started to drive by, Colum opened the window and breathed in deeply, taking in their scent. His mouth started to water.

  Katherine saw him as he turned towards them, she saw his nostrils flare, and a low sound came from his throat. Then the strangest thing happened, a large huskie or some kind of large, wolf-like dog came out of the trees, and gave chase.

  Katherine saw and watched the drama unfold, watched as Colum tightened his hold on the steering wheel, like he was trying to control himself.

  “Colum, are you OK?”

  Colum could hear Katherine off in the distance. He shook his head and came out of the red fog that had misted over his eyes. He hadn’t realized till he saw the deer how hungry he really was. He would have to hunt later. He took a deep breath and smiled as he turned towards Katherine.

  Katherine found her heart skipping a beat as she looked into the eyes of the man, this giant of a man, who sat next to her. She hardly knew him but she felt like she knew him. How? She hadn’t a clue but she felt like she had known him forever. It was one of those things that couldn’t be explained away too easily like her Grannie used to say. She had been a woman of more than a lifetime of strange happenings and she told her granddaughter to always believe…

  “Even if you are having a hard time believing... it may be in your life or a certain someone may come into your life for a reason. There may be no explanation of why something has just happened or who that person is, but don’t discount it. It may be there for a reason or part of your life for a reason... ”

  They both studied one another.

  Colum was the first to break the silence. “Let me get you home and warmed up.”

  They drove into her yard. He was over to her side of the Rover in a flash. She let him take her hand and walk her up to the door.

  “You go in and get some tea water going and a hot water bottle. That will fix you up while I get some wood chopped.”

  Katherine was about to protest but felt her self being propelled in the house. “Go,” was his gentle but firm command.

  She went in and turned on the teakettle to heat up water. Then she ran up and changed into PJs and then ran back down. She puttered around the kitchen getting her tea mug ready. As she poured the tea water she heard the chop, chop, chop sounds of Colum cutting firewood for her. She filled her hot water bottle then made her tea. She turned out the light over the counter but left the stove light on and was about to head up the stairs when she heard her door open. Turning, she ran back to help Colum.

  She stared in disbelief at the amount of wood he had. “How in the world?”

  Colum heard Katherine but couldn’t see her because of the wood in his arms. She was still so stubborn when she should be in bed.

  “Get to bed.” He shifted the weight of the wood and lightly slapped her ass.

  She did a mock salute and ran up the stairs.

  She got into bed, pulling the covers over herself, and tucking the hot water bottle in at her feet.

  “Good to see you’re listening... finally.”

  She smiled a very sleepy smile.

  As Colum knelt down and built a fire in her fireplace, visions of Katherine, the deer, the wolf and a need to feed all crowded his thoughts.

  “I’ll get this fire going and you can just go to sleep unless you want to keep it going. I will get one going downstairs in the wood stove too so that will help get the house up to a nice temperature.” Getting up after the fire started to blaze, he could see Katherine was already drifting off to sleep.

  He walked over her and pulled her covers up. “Get some sleep. Don’t worry about tomorrow morning, you need sleep more than breakfast with me.”

  Katherine’s eyes popped open. “I’ll be fine, I’m just so tired now.”

  Colum reached and brushed hair out of her eyes. Her eyes had closed again. He stayed there for a moment until he heard her breathing even out and knew she had fallen sound asleep.

  “Sweet dreams, my dear Katherine.”

  * * * * * * *

  Cormac came striding into his son’s study. Seeing him stretched out in front of the fire he closed the door quietly.

  “I’m not asleep, Sir.”

  Cormac came and sat down next to his son. “I didn’t think you would be, not after that chase you gave the deer tonight. Have you had your fill?”

  Colum stretched and turned so he looked at his father from upside down.

  “No, but better than I was. I hadn’t realized I was that hungry till I saw you chase those deer out in front of me.”

  Cormac stretched his long legs and enjoyed the warmth that the fire gave off. “Well, it’s not too often we get a herd that size in this area. To have four young bucks... ”

  Colum smiled. “It was satisfying, though I can tell you, i
t was very hard not to jump out of the Rover as you drove them past me. Katherine was a bit shocked by my behavior and it was all I could do to control myself.” He groaned. “I’ll have to watch myself more closely and keep myself fed, especially with her being so needy. I could have easily dragged one back to her and in my frame of mind, with the red haze glazed over my eyes, I would have said ‘drink’ and not even known... ”

  Cormac pondered his son. “Yes, there is no sense taking chances. If you get to change her this time then she will understand. Until then you are to keep yourself fed.”

  Colum sat up. “Did Travis find out about that tobacco scent by Katherine’s home?”

  Cormac gave his son the read out. “We found the butt and analyzed it. It’s a brand that is a mixture of Sumatra and Cuban blend. Not readily made. He probably rolled it himself about fifteen minutes before smoking. Trace amounts a saliva and the DNA was Middle Eastern.”

  Colum sat and looked at the readout then balled the paper up and threw it into the flames. “I want guards set up around the clock at her home and the children, when they are at school.”

  Cormac nodded. “I think her little speech from nine years ago has finally brought some rats out of the gutters. It will be our job to put them back.”

  “I’ll need your help, father, as she isn’t feeling well... ”

  “Yes, your mother told me what you said, and I was looking at her levels. Something is robbing her of her store of iron.”

  Colum stood and stretched. “I think it’s from whatever she breathed in at the site on that day. There have been more and more cases of cancer and sickness from first responders and people who were trapped in the buildings who made it out.”

  “Maybe you should mention something to her, have her go to the doctor and then we can take it from there.”

  “I’ll try. For now, I have that shadow to watch and keep away from her.”

  “Well, a team will be set up so don’t worry about that. Also a Council meeting for my abdication is being set up. They want you there in two weeks time.”