Page 35 of The Curse of McMillan Castle
Her mom needed this. And she needed her mom to be truly happy once again.
Rosie looked over at Cooper, knowing she owed an apology to the sweet boy who always did so much more for her than she ever did for him.
“Hey, Cooper.”
“Yeah?”
“I’m sorry that I’ve dragged you into stuff you didn’t really want to do lately. I want you to know that you really are pretty much my best friend at this point. I know I’m not as kind to you as I should be most of the time.”
Cooper smiled big before giving her a wink and waving a dismissive hand. “It’s okay, Rosie. Things have been weird lately. I know you’re my friend. I’ll always have your back, no matter what.”
Rosie grinned at him, hoping that those words were true and he would help her one more time. “So, you’re in on my next plan?”
Cooper sighed and crossed his arms. “Can we at least wait another month before getting in trouble again?”
Rosie laughed and shook her head. “We can definitely wait another month to get into any more trouble, but we aren’t going to get into any with this plan.” Rosie paused and leaned in close to whisper. “We’re only going to step in to make sure that all of what Morna has already done doesn’t go to waste. We’re going to do all we can to make sure Mom and Duncan stay together.”
Cooper pulled back, smiled, and gave her a thumbs up. “I’m in then. One hundred percent.”
Chapter 22
Duncan
Hours of silence from Madeline tormented him. What could he possibly have done to upset the lass so? The first car ride from the hotel to Morna’s had been difficult enough to bear, but at least then, he believed her silence was to keep from speaking in front of Rosie. But now, as the two of them rode alone on the way back to McMillan Castle, he knew Rosie had nothing to do with it.
Each time he opened his mouth to speak, he thought better of it. The stern expression on Madeline’s face made it clear she had no desire for conversation.
How could things have turned so quickly?
Mayhap she worried over what might happen once they returned to the castle? If the old witch’s spell didn’t take, there were few options left to them.
That must be it, surely. Nothing else had occurred that should’ve soured her mood so completely.
Bracing himself, he reached up to gently caress the back of her head, hoping she would appreciate his attempt to comfort her.
“I truly do believe ’twill be all right, lass. The witch seems confident she can break the curse that binds Osla here. We should be excited for this night. It means the poor lass may finally rest.”
Madeline’s brows pulled together as she glanced over at him. “Huh?”
“Madeline, ye’ve said nae more than five words to me since I woke this morn. I thought ye might be worried o’er the spell we intend to cast this eve.”
She shook her head once and returned her gaze to the road. “No. Morna’s entirely capable. I honestly haven’t thought much of it.”
Frustration replaced his anxiety and worry for her. Could she not see how hurtful her behavior was?
“Then, do ye wish to tell me what is wrong, lass? Have I done something to anger ye that I’m nae aware of?”
Again, the same curt shake of her head. If not for the unbearable confines of the jeans he found himself bound in and the heavy sweater he wore, Duncan was certain he would’ve been able to feel frigid air wafting right off of Madeline’s skin.
“No. You didn’t do anything. I’m fine.”
Duncan laughed and shook his head, shifting in his seat so he stared right at her profile.
“I doona claim to be an expert on women, lass. But I do ken enough to ken that when women deny being upset in such a way, they usually are verra upset indeed.”
Madeline sighed, and her shoulders relaxed just a little. “I’m not upset, Duncan. You didn’t do anything. I’m just sitting here trying to figure out how to tell you what I’ve decided.”
“What ye’ve decided, lass?”
