Spellbound by Michelle M. Pillow Read Free Book Online

at the nape of her neck.
    “You are on borrowed time. Soon you will be sleeping fine.” The children sounded closer.
    Wroosh. Wroosh. Wroosh. The scrubbing quickened and became louder. Something kept drawing Jane’s eyes to the old woman by the stream.
    “We know your secret,” a young girl whispered in her ear. Jane couldn’t see the spirit, but she felt the cold chill of its breath on her cheek. It hit her like ice.
    Jane gasped, finally able to sit up. Breathing hard, she looked around a lush bedroom. Would the hallucinations never end? The white walls, woodwork, and bookshelves were pristine. High ceilings towered over her, an intricate arching of dark wood showcasing a large chandelier. Nothing made sense. The books on the shelf were well kept, and the antique leather bindings indicated they were expensive. Blue and silver accents appeared in the coverlet, the closed curtains, the wide reading chair, and ottoman.
    Tears filled her eyes. She had known this was a possibility. The doctors had said her mind might deteriorate. All they could do was manage the symptoms as they happened. But since they didn’t know what was wrong with her, there wasn’t anything else they could do but send her for more tests. The closest she’d come to an answer was that she had some kind of rare genetic disease that didn’t yet have a name. Rare disorders didn’t receive funding for research because not enough people had them.
    She’d known the end would come sooner rather than later. The fact she’d managed a reprieve from her illness for so long was a miracle. Paying off those medical bills had become her purpose in life, a goal before she died to leave the world unburdened by her passing. The nursery gave a means to accomplish that purpose, which made her feel better. It was probably a stupid goal, but what else could she live for? It wasn’t like Jane could have a husband and kids, knowing she would abandon them like her mother had abandoned her child and husband. Jane used to wonder if her mother left because she knew her daughter was sickly. Not that it mattered now.
    Jane had come to terms with her shortened years. She couldn’t risk someone like Dana swooping in to take care of those she left behind. Besides, if what she had was genetic, let that gene die with her.
    What Jane didn’t expect was to feel so lucid in her delusion. Her mind was clearly playing tricks on her—singing ghosts, a washerwoman, Iain MacGregor about to kiss her. Yeah, that kiss was clearly a hallucination, a nice one, but a hallucination nonetheless.
    An orange glow caught her attention. Where did the fireplace come from?
    “You’re awake.”
    Jane directed her attention to the doorway. Iain. And he still wore his parade attire.
    “I’ve had ladies fall into my arms before when I tried to kiss them, but none have fainted.” Iain gave a small laugh as he glanced to the floor.
    “I fainted?” She blinked slowly, confused. Was this real or a delusion? For lack of a better test, she pinched her forearm. She felt it. Iain smiled. She pinched herself a second time just to be sure. “What am I doing here?”
    “I carried ya. I couldn’t very well just leave ya on the ground.” He stepped inside and swung the door closed behind him. His presence suddenly made the spacious room feel very small.
    “I live at the nursery.” She sat up straighter on the bed.
    “I didn’t have a key.” Did his voice dip? “And a fainting spell didn’t seem to warrant a trip to the hospital. Your vitals were good. I brought ya here so I could keep an eye on ya.”
    “My vitals? Are you in healthcare?” When she rubbed her hand nervously over her leg, she realized she still wore her dirty work clothes. “Oh, your bed, I’m sorry, I…” She scrambled off the side.
    “It’s only a little dirt. I’m the one who laid ya down on my bed.” Surely he didn’t mean that to sound as intimate as it did? “And, no, I’m not in healthcare though my family does