“And just so you know, there isn’t anyone else in my heart but you…”
“I’m sorry I ruined your birthday present…”
Gabe sat up with her in his arms. “I think you should put it on and show me how it looks…”
Isabel held still while he fastened the chain on her neck, her fingers holding the tiny figures. “Gabe…about the prenup….”
“Honey, it’s gone. It’s just you and me, Isabel…”
“Well…” Isabel looked for a long silent minute into his eyes. “I love you…I’ve been…I didn’t know how to…because it wasn’t part of our agreement…and…and it’s not something we ever talked about…accidents…”
“What wasn’t?” Gabe’s eyes went from her face to the hand she put over his, lifting his palm and placing it on her stomach. His mouth opened, wide eyes flying between his palm and her face.
She nodded and smiled softly.
“You…we…”
“Two months…”
“How…no, no, don’t giggle like that…” Gabe groaned, his palms framing her face and they lips touching. “I know how…”
“Are you sure? Maybe you should show me…”
“You’re…we’re…”
“Pregnant, Gabe,” Isabel whispered softly.
“A baby…wow…” His eyes glowed with the miracle of it all.
“I didn’t know how to tell you…I didn’t want to lose you…and I was so afraid…”
“You’ll never lose me, Isabel Hightower…never,” Gabe whispered against her mouth.
Chapter Seventeen
Jack waited for Emily to come out of the house, watching the smile on her face. Neither Isabel or Emily had said a thing when Jack and Gabe returned from looking around the empty house. He drove the short distance along the road and pulled into the driveway, nodding to the paper on the dash.
“I wanted to show this to you this morning but was…a little distracted,” Jack listened to the soft giggle. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah…I like Isabel…she’s sweet and so very smart. She told me she might not be able to help…I didn’t forget because of something bad…it was the accident kind of dented me a little,” Emily slid to the ground and walked around the front of the SUV. “You wanted to show me a house?”
“I like your dents,” Jack took her palm and walked along the driveway. “It’s empty…and it seems Chloe, Jane and Isabel own the houses along the road here. Kind of taking over the neighborhood,” they walked behind the house. “You know I don’t care about your past, Emily. We have now and tomorrow.”
“You know I’m crazy about you, Jack Garrett?” Emily wrapped her arms around his neck and hugged him. “So tell me about this house…”
Jack came in from his run and was stepping into the shower when Emily came around the corner, dressed in jeans and a tee shirt. His mouth opened, the frantic look in her eyes making him freeze.
“There’s a bug in the kitchen,” she informed him.
“I will get it in a few minutes…” He gestured to the shower.
“It has eight legs and is huge!” She exclaimed.
“Emily…”
“No problem,” she turned and left the bathroom. “I know where the gun is…”
Growling, Jack whipped a towel off the counter. Long legs carrying him into the kitchen, glaring at the pointed arm aimed at the floor.
“That was…”
“I don’t live with bugs,” Emily informed him, her glare matching his.
Jack got a glass down and put it over the offender, looking around for a piece of paper, he slid it beneath the opening and carried it to the front door.
“You’re gonna let it live?” She asked incredulously.
“Emily…I am going to take a shower. Then I am going to escort the spider to the fields behind us,” Jack slammed the front door and disappeared into the shower.
Chet looked at Jack as he poured another cup of coffee. “You okay?”
Pale lashes narrowed. “I had a really good run this morning…and come in to shower and she wants to use a gun on a spider…”
“Jack!” Grace burst in the front door, looking frantically around. “Emily is gone!”
“Grace…” Jack was up, Chet following behind as they followed her back to the shop.
“Someone came to the back door…” She moved to the door and pulled it inward. “Emily went to see who it was…she had this on her wrist,” Grace held up the little red pincushion. “And I found this on the ground outside. I know she’d never take it off, Jack!” She handed the slender opal studded bracelet to him.
Jack went through the door, his phone pulled out and tapped on. “Chloe…you have video in the back alley behind the shops? I need you to find this morning…Emily is gone…and I don’t think she went voluntarily,” he said sharply, pacing heatedly over the concrete.
“Hold on…” Chloe moved her hands expertly over her keyboard. “Got it…two guys in a black SUV…registration…Tri-Seas Shipping.”
“What’s the home address?” Jack pulled his keys out of his pocket, sliding into the SUV and putting the phone in the dock. He tapped it into the GPS. “Is it gated?”
“It is…I’m sending the video to Kate…she’ll meet you there with a couple uniforms…it’ll be unlocked by the time you get there,” she promised. “You know this confrontation isn’t beach boy attire.”
“I know,” he said through his teeth. “I’ll be back in a few minutes,” he told Grace, locking the SUV and running to the apartment.
****
Emily opened her eyes and closed them against the bright light of the room. Her head was pounding and spinning at the same time. She didn’t move. At least her stomach wasn’t churning. She opened her eyes again, slower, taking in the colors and décor she could see without moving.
This was not their bedroom.
Her head was still throbbing as she eased her elbows behind her, very slowly levering her body up a little. One eye closed in defense of the bright sunshine streaming through the open patio door. She lay in the center of a large four poster bed with a crème and pink canopy over her head. Definitely a girl’s room.
Emily sat still for a long couple minutes, studying the room. A door led to the private bathroom. Another opening was into a large walk-in closet. Hanging on the large, old armoire was a long, full skirted wedding gown.
“Oh god…” she knew where she was. Not from memory, though, she realized. Just from logic. Nothing looked familiar. Two large suitcases sat beside the closet. Emily pushed her legs to the edge of the bed and let gravity take them to the floor, wincing when she moved too quickly.
She wasn’t sure which made her madder, the headache or the inconvenience. She stood up carefully, glad her breakfast stayed down. She tentatively touched the door knob.
She was locked in. She wanted to kick the door, but didn’t really want people to know she was awake. When she found the guy who put the cloth over her face she planned to bite him. She moved across the floor, gazing over the railing of the patio. She didn’t see guards, but it was a long way down.
Emily tentatively lifted one of the cases, it was full and heavy. She looked down at her feet and then at the closet, finding a pair of comfortable chunky heels that looked good with her knee length jeans. Heels made a good dent, she thought with a growl, searching the bathroom and finding some generic painkiller with a large glass of water.
Her head came up sharply at the sound of voices.
“I said open this door and let me in to speak with my daughter,” a rigid, feminine voice demanded.
“I’m sorry, Mrs. Temple, I’m under orders that no one is to go in there.”
“Get out of my way,” came the order. “Just where do you believe your orders come from, you idiot?” The lock turned and the door was pushed inward. Marie Temple stepped into the room and slammed the door behind her. She stared at the young woman in the middle of the room in knee length jeans, a bright orange tee shirt and pair o
f chunky two inch heels. “What has happened to you, Elizabeth?” Her head shook back and forth, her sigh long.
“I…nothing has happened to me. I was fine,” she answered quietly, trying desperately to find a place in her memory for this woman. “You’re my mother?”
“You honestly don’t recall? Anything?” The woman asked tentatively, sadness in her eyes.
“I’m sorry…” Emily stared for several quiet minutes. “You taught me to ride,” she whispered. “And father…taught me to shoot…”
“Your father always wanted a son,” Marie said with a sad smile. “But I was only able to have one child.”
“Why have I been kidnapped?” Emily kept herself out of arms-length, circling the bed and watching the older woman. She wore a nice blouse and crème colored slacks, her amber colored hair a shoulder length cap and her make-up, flawless.
“We brought you home so you can get treatment. You were in a car accident, do you remember?” She explained gently, simply.
“I remember the accident. I remember I was leaving here. I remember an arrogant creep trying to rape me and my family doing nothing about it,” Emily shot back without pausing. “I also remember that I am thirty-three years old. I do not need you or anyone else making decisions for me about my health. I am okay. Why am I here?”
“I just told you,” She moved to the vanity and sat down. “It won’t do any good to get all worked up. And as far as Alex is concerned, I think your father sees him as the son he didn’t have. They’re both…determined.”
“Ruthless?” Emily corrected sourly. “Unethical and ill-mannered.”
“If you like. Perhaps you might have become a little too emotional and misinterpreted his…intentions. As a fiancée, surely you realize that a man like Alex has needs….”
“I am not his fiancée,” Emily hissed furiously. “I was never his fiancée! And now, I am married!” She held up her hand to show off the ring. “I don’t like him. I don’t like it here and I want to leave. Now.”
“You can’t expect me to believe you’re actually involved with that…that beach boy? Really Elizabeth,” her mother shook her head. “I think your judgment has been seriously impaired by that accident. We have attorney’s. The marriage isn’t a problem. Right now, we’re waiting for the physician to come and examine you.”
“This is a bad dream,” Emily paced the floor. “This is like my nightmare…no one listens…no one hears me…I’ve seen a doctor…”
“And what have you done to your hair?”
Emily stared at her in disbelief. “This isn’t happening. I am thirty-three years old. I am not senile. I am not…in need of a keeper…okay, well, Jack has his suspicions, but that’s not the point…it’s a new look for me!” Her hands flew up into the air in frustration. “That’s all it is! It’s hair coloring! And I like it! The point is that it’s my choice! I went to college! I have a brain…”
“That was our mistake. I should have said no after you completed finishing school,” the older woman shook her head in dismay.
“Finishing school? Oh lord…that must have been a load of fun…” Emily paced before the patio door. She needed to think. Her head was still throbbing and this woman…her mother… “What do you want from me?” Maybe the direct approach, speaking each word very slowly.
“We simply want you to return to your home, dear. Alex has been quite concerned…” She stopped when Emily whipped up a palm, her face drawn and cold.
“Do not…you sent him to my shop, didn’t you? And…and took pictures of us?” Emily demanded in disbelief. “But why? I’ve been working…living away from here for a long time…I packed…I was leaving…I am leaving,” Emily pulled the door wide, glaring at the solidly packed guy in a suit standing in her way. “You do realize you will be arrested for this? Illegal detainment…illegal imprisonment…kidnapping!” She shouted at the top of her lungs.
“Yes, ma’am,” the man simply nodded, matching each move she made.
“I’m supposed to be meeting with a real estate agent!” She shouted loudly. Emily slammed the door, her hands thrown into the air. “I can’t believe this. Maybe if I keep telling myself this is a dream, I’ll wake up. God, I wish those pills would kick in…”
“Sit down, Elizabeth. You’re working yourself up over nothing,” she patted the bed, a little frown in place when Emily just glared at her.
“Why are you doing this to me? Why aren’t you listening?” She whispered painfully.
“We are only interested in your well-being, Elizabeth. You were in an accident. Did you ever seek treatment? We’re concerned…”
“I’m fine! And, yes, I did see a doctor…do I look unfine? I’ve never felt better and I want to go home!” She shouted with every octave in her voice.
“I’m going to leave you alone, Elizabeth. You need to calm down. The doctor will be here in a few hours,” she stood up and moved to the door. “I’m sure he can give you something to help with these emotional bursts. Rest, dear…”
Emily stood gaping at the departing figure. The upside was she didn’t hear the key turn in the lock. She started digging in drawers and in the closet and bathroom. She needed something big and heavy.
She brought her body to a sharp stop, her head up and eyes closed. No. She needed to think. They’d expect violence. She needed something unexpected.
Amber eyes scanned the room, landing on the vanity and collection of perfumes. She lifted a few bottles, sniffing and looking for alcohol contents and a spritzer. She tucked one into the pocket opening of her jeans, wandering into the bathroom next. A few household chemicals in the proper proportion…her memory recalled with a chuckle. Cleaners…good source.
She tested the spray, turning the tip to full stream and aimed at the shower. Perfect. Perfume in her pocket and backup in her hand, she wandered to the balcony, looking down with a grimace. It was too far to drop and be certain she wouldn’t break something. She could barricade herself in the bathroom, she thought as she paced the large balcony.
Grace would know she was missing. Grace would tell Jack.
Jack would come for her, he promised her that.
Then a spark of sunlight bounced off a bright cherry red car and caught her attention and the smile on her face grew. Two police cars and a smaller SUV trailed behind the sports car. Emily moved quickly to the door, listening and barely breathing.
Jack brought his fist up, thumping on the heavy door with great restraint.
Kate Fletcher stood to his side, the warrant in her hand and two officers behind her. She had briefed them on the ride over on what they could expect. True to form, a housekeeper answered the door.
“Mrs. Douglas,” Jack said with a nod, surprise on the woman’s face. “Please let your employers know that Jonathon Garrett is here and wants to speak with him immediately in regards to Elizabeth Emily Temple.” He moved his foot quickly when she moved to close the door. Jack shook his head slightly, his mouth pulled into a tight frown. He felt he was doing amazingly well considering he wanted to just storm through. “We’ll wait inside.”
“I…Mr. And Mrs. Temple aren’t in residence…”
“We know that’s a lie, Mrs. Douglas,” Kate spoke up firmly. “We have a warrant to search the premises, with or without his presence.”
Jack stood stock still in the center of the foyer, listening. Kate watched him, his feet apart and hands clasp before him, a stance she’d seen in Dylan many times. Only this time, in this instance, she knew that discipline was the only thing keeping him from violence in his effort to find Emily.
The commotion began on the second floor with a loud, piercing scream. But Jack shook his head, his palm up to stop the officers behind him from moving. The smile on his face grew slowly when he saw her aiming a squirt bottle and running, only to be caught at the top of the stairs.
“Jack! Let me go, you pig!”
“Jack…” Kate looked at him expectantly.
“No…she needs to do this, I think,” he sai
d quietly, watching an unfamiliar pair of heels come down with extra force on the foot of the man attempting to hold her. The spray bottle hit the floor and her feet never stopped moving. She took the steps two at a time and launched herself off the lower one into his arms. He caught her tightly against him, holding her with a force he’d never used before, his palm up on her head.
“Oh, god! I knew you’d find me! I knew you would!” Emily breathed, her arms tight around his neck.
“Gotta breathe, Emily,” he cleared his throat and eased her back, very aware of the confusion and fascination in her eyes.
She knew it was his voice. She let him ease her to the floor, brows knit.
“What happened to your face?”
“It’s called shaving, peasant,” he growled softly. He reached into his pocket, holding up the small bangle bracelet. “You lost this.”
Emily smiled and took the bangle, snapping it around her wrist.
“Officers, you can arrest them,” Kate instructed, looking at the man who had tried to detain Emily. “Illegal imprisonment, for starters.”
“I’ve seen four of them. Two down that hall where my room is and these two,” Emily winced slightly. “He might need an eye wash…”
“My daughter was not imprisoned,” came a gruff voice from a side room. “Exactly what is going on here, officer?”
“Kate Fletcher, with the prosecutor’s office,” Kate stood to the side, looking around as she spoke. “We’re here on a complaint of kidnapping and illegal imprisonment. You’re Clarence Temple? And Marie Temple?” The couple were dressed as if to go out for a day on the lake.
“Hello, Elizabeth,” The older man addressed her with what could be called a loving smile. “We’ve been searching for you since your accident. Your mother just informed me that you had returned.”
“And you knew nothing about it,” Emily stated carefully, grasping the path he was taking immediately.
WindSwept Narrows: #3 Emily Temple Page 15
