No matter. It was a Sunday, so she yawned and closed her eyes, just for a few moments.
As she drifted off to sleep, she thought of what Ryan had said about Caitlyn believing in angels and a fanciful idea formed in her mind. If only guardian angels were real, and someone who’d moved on to the other side could help her.
How she wished such angels existed.
If they did, she’d call for their help.
***
A peacefulness came over Lauren unlike any she’d ever felt before. She had no fear, no worries, only curiosity. The colors around her were magnificent, and as she twirled around to take in her surroundings, they washed over her body, warming her insides and making her giggle with giddiness.
“I like that. ‘Tis much better to see you happy,” a female voice called out to her.
Lauren came to an abrupt halt and searched out the voice, her gaze falling on a lovely woman. The colors she’d been enjoying fell away to reveal a royal chamber, the likes of which she’d never seen before other than in drawings of the Scottish castles of old.
“We agreed ‘twould be best for me to deliver our message.”
“We?”
“Aye, your ancestors, your angels. You called for us. Aye, you opened your heart and asked for help from your angels.” The woman had long blonde hair and blue eyes, and the aura of kindness that surrounded her made Lauren want to move closer and settle her head on her shoulder.
She started to move toward her, but then took a step back when the woman said, “You may, if you like.”
“I may?”
The woman laughed. “Put your head on my shoulder. Your thoughts are strong enough for me to hear them sometimes. You have earned the comfort you yearn for.”
How was it possible that this stranger could read her mind?
Lauren shook her head, not knowing what to say. Was this a dream, or was she really here?
The woman took two steps toward her, her hands folded in front of her. “I don’t have much time. I have two things to tell you. They are both important. The first is that you must give that chart to Ryan.”
Lauren stared at the woman, unable to believe the words she’d just uttered. “What chart?”
“The chart you’ve so carefully crafted. I know you wish to keep it, but unfortunately you cannot see it. You need the help of another. Relinquish it to Ryan.”
“I can’t…” she whispered as she took a step back, unable to believe they were discussing something she’d revealed to no one. She’d never told anyone about her chart. It had been her secret. And how did this woman know about Ryan?
“Mayhap not yet, but you will be ready soon. ‘Tis time to move forward with your life, my dear. Your burdens have been very heavy, but we are here to help you, guide you, so to speak.”
“You speak with a Gaelic accent. What time period are you from?” Her heartbeat sped up. “I would love to know more about it.”
“Child, I do not have the time to tell you about the Grants in medieval Scotland. Continue your research and you’ll find out all you wish to know. I have only a few moments to speak with you, and there are far more important topics for us to discuss.”
“You said there are two things you need to tell me…”
“I did, did I not? The other you are not ready for yet, but I’ll tell you anyway. You may not give me the opportunity to visit you again.”
“The second thing?” Something told her it was important, and she felt compelled to push the woman.
“Aye.” She paused before she spoke, holding her outstretched hands flat, palms up. “Nate is your Alex.”
“My Alex? What does that mean?”
“It means that Nate has the three most important characteristics a lass could want in a partner. I’ll only tell you one, though your stepbrother already spoke with you about it. Nathan is honorable and that is an essential part of love.”
“Who are you? Please tell me so I can research your family, your descendants.” Lauren had the frantic urge to grab the woman and never let go.
As if she read her mind again, she said, “Nay, my dear. ‘Tis not your time yet. You have much to do.” The woman smiled and blew her a kiss, fading into a vapor and disappearing from view. “You’re verra fortunate that you have found your Alex. Many never do.”
***
When Lauren awakened, she checked the clock. She’s been asleep for over an hour. Rubbing the sleep from her eyes, she hopped off the bed and headed toward the bathroom, but something stopped her dead in her tracks.
Her chart. She spun around, relaxing a bit when she noticed it remained in the same place she’d left it. She frowned, her fingers reaching up to knead her forehead. Something…
A dream. That was what it had been. She’d dreamed of a beautiful blonde woman, older than she was but younger than her mother. The woman had given her two messages.
Fleeting images forced her to stop and sit in a chair, trying to recall every bit of the dream, but she could only summon bits and pieces—a beautiful woman who’d said something about ancestors and Nate being her Alex. What in blazes did it mean?
She’d also reiterated that Nate was honorable—and that it was one of the most important characteristics she could look for in a man.
Yes, that strange bit about Nate had been one of the messages, but what was the other one? No matter how she tried, she couldn’t conjure up the rest of her dream.
Nate is your Alex. The words ran through her head again, persistent.
She hoped that meant something good. She fell back onto her bed in a huff, folding her chart up and restoring it to its place in the lockbox. Nate had been wonderful on Thursday. He’d gone to that frat house with her in the middle of the night—all because she’d asked him. And he’d protected her and treated her like she was precious to him.
He’d also given her the best kiss she’d ever experienced—a kiss that had almost made her forget her past for a few moments. A tear slid down her cheek at the memory of how wonderful it had felt to be in his arms, to feel his hands on her skin—to feel.
Then she’d pushed him away, and he’d been wonderful about that, too. She moved over to the window, noticing her car in the driveway. Ultimately, she’d asked her mother and stepfather to retrieve it for her, not wanting to answer the dozens of questions Mallory would inevitably ask. Her mother hadn’t commented on the strangeness of the situation. She’d just looked at her with hope in her eyes.
Hope that Lauren felt, too.
She picked her phone up and punched in a text to Nate.
Sorry. I should have called.
He answered quickly. Not on a call, but working.
Maybe another night?
Absolutely.
She thought hard before she punched in the next thought.
Don’t give up on me?
Never.
Have to go to the library.
Be careful.
Still daylight.
Meet someone?
I’ll try my friend Stacy. Talk later?
Yes.
She texted Stacy, surprised to discover her friend was already on her way to the library. She lived closer to Cornell, but she did have family nearby and often went to the library. She was also working on an advanced degree.
Lauren, are you all right? Haven’t heard from you in a while. I’ve been worried.
Yes. Difficult times. I’ll fill you in.
I’ve missed you. If you ever need anything…
I know.
She regretted hiding from her friends the way she had. It was time to engage with life again and stop hiding. One step at a time. Stacy, first. She understood exactly what she’d been through.
They made arrangements to meet at a row in the parking lot, so she grabbed her books and threw them in her bag, not wanting to miss her. She made a quick explanation to her mom so she wouldn’t worry, then rushed out of the house.
Almost to her car, she nearly dropped her bag when another thought popped i
n her mind.
Gaelic.
The woman had spoken in a Gaelic accent and mentioned the Grants in medieval Scotland. Now she had a new reason to throw herself into research about Clan Grant. All the way to the library, she thought about her research on Scottish history in the 1200s, specifically around the time of the Battle of Largs, but she couldn’t recall anything about an Alex. Or an Alexander maybe? She pulled into the parking lot, pleased to see Stacy waiting for her as promised.
As soon as she locked her car, Stacy strode over to her and wrapped her arms around her. “I’m so sorry you were hurt, Lauren. Anytime you want to talk about it, punch a pillow, whatever, I’m here.”
Lauren said, “I’m okay. Thanks for waiting for me. How long will you be here?”
“Probably an hour or two.” As they walked toward the entrance together, Stacy said, “I’ll text you when I’m ready to leave, or you can let me know when you’re ready. Were you able to use any of the moves we learned in self-defense class?”
“I did. But it didn’t do much against seven men.”
“I’m so sorry.” She stopped and rubbed her friend’s arm. “I can’t imagine how terrifying that must have been for you. Seven…wow. I hope your stepbrothers find those assholes. Just text me when you’re ready. I can walk you out to your car even if I’m staying.”
“Thanks, Stacy. It means a lot.” They moved toward the library again, and Lauren was glad. She didn’t want to fall apart in public. Once they were inside, they split up and Lauren climbed the stairs to the history section. Her favorite table was empty, so she settled her things before she moved through the many tomes, her fingers lightly caressing the spines of some of her favorite books. When she located the two she needed, she brought them back to the table and opened one, checking the table of contents for the sections on The Battle of Largs.
It didn’t take long for her to become immersed in the now-familiar saga. The Norse raiders. The Scots’ last stand…
An hour later, she bolted out of her chair without thinking about her surroundings. A few people stared at her, so she took a few deep breaths and settled back in her chair.
There in front of her was the answer to her question. She’d thought her dream had been about Clan Grant only because it was her family’s surname, but the connection was deeper than expected. Pulling her phone out, she took a picture of the section she’d just read in the old book.
“Most accounts of the battle claim the turning point was when the chieftain of Clan Grant rode onto the beach in a gold helm atop his mail-clad destrier. The tales agree that Alexander Grant swung his sword with a fury the Norse had never seen before, sending many of them racing back to their galley ship. Grant had two brothers, Robert and Brodie, who fought by his side. The Grant brothers had trained one of the most formidable and skilled army of warriors ever seen. In fact, many attribute the victory of the Scots to the fighting skills of Clan Grant. They were mightiest with their swords.”
Lauren read the section two more times before she rested her head down on the desk, pushing the book aside. What did it all mean? She closed her eyes for just a moment, wishing the woman would come back to explain everything.
But when she drifted into a state between wakefulness and sleep, someone else appeared in her mind’s eye. A young boy of about ten jumped out from behind a tree in a forest of old-growth trees and said, “Dinnae forget my slinger! I took care of those pignuts.”
She jerked back up, her eyes flying open, though at least no one seemed to notice her this time. Was all the stress causing her to lose control?
She leaned back in her chair, crossing her arms to slow the shivers now coursing through her body. Alex Grant was the great chieftain of Clan Grant…her Gaelic ancestors, if she believed in such a thing, wanted her to know that Nate was her Alex.
The thoughts were so overwhelming, she didn’t even notice Stacy’s approach until her friend took the seat across from her.
She whispered, “Lauren, you look like you did that time we went to the haunted house during your junior year. Are you all right?”
Lauren pulled herself out of her historical stupor so she could respond to her friend. “I’m fine. Some things in history are so interesting. I was just reading about the Battle of Largs.”
Stacy gave her a puzzling look. “Never heard of it.”
“I know. Maybe that’s why I find it so interesting. It’s pretty obscure.”
“Sooo…I’ve been thinking about something for a while. I just moved into a new apartment, and I have a spare bedroom. Would you be interested in rooming with me again? It’s in downtown Summerhill, not Ithaca, but it’s on the south end of town, so it would be closer to the university than your house on the lake. The rent is pretty reasonable, but I could use some help with the bills. Besides, it would be fun to have you around.”
Lauren perked up, surprised by the offer. She and Stacy had been good friends since they were undergrads. They’d even shared a dorm room for two years. Now Stacy was getting her masters’ degree in social work at Summerhill, while she continued working at the Center. “That sounds great. If you’re serious, I might be interested. When would you like me to move in?”
“Anytime. I don’t have any classes tomorrow morning. Why don’t you stop over and take a look then?”
“I’d love to, and thanks for the offer. I think it’s just what I need. Living at home has been fine, but I’m ready for something different.”
Her life had just taken a turn for the better.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Two nights later, Lauren sat in Nate’s truck after dinner with him at the restaurant at the local winery. The venue had been his idea—and the new experience had delighted her.
“Your food was good?” he asked as he backed out of the lot.
“Yes. The salmon was done perfectly. Thank you for inviting me.”
He reached for her hand as he drove, hanging on to it lightly, his thumb caressing the inside of her wrist at her pulse point. Nate did that often, she noticed, just a slow caress with his thumb. She’d never realized something so soothing could also feel sensual. The only thought that filled her mind was that Nate was her Alex. What could it mean?
“My friend Stacy met me at the library and offered me a place to stay. I don’t want to keep living with my mom and Ryan Sr. I’d rather be independent again.” She wondered what he would think of it. For some reason, she hadn’t told him over dinner, wanting to keep their conversation light and easy, like a normal couple on a normal date.
Her mother had been hesitant to accept her plan, but Stacy’s place was in a nice apartment complex. There was even a small deck off the back.
“Oh, that’s nice. Where is it?”
She explained the location, and he held her hand all the while, caressing her in that same way, the warmth of his touch traveling up her arm in a tingle that she found strangely erotic. Was it because of her pulse?
“Do you need my help? I’m off on Thursday and Saturday this week.”
“I don’t have much left, mostly clothes and books. Most of my things were lost to the fire. I’m sure my brothers can help me.”
He grinned and caught her gaze. “I’m sure they could, but they wouldn’t enjoy it as much as I would. Allow me to help. Please? I know you’ll deny it, but I’m guessing you’re still sore. Carrying clothes and heavy books will only exhaust you.”
She couldn’t help but laugh. “And how do you know I’ll deny it?” He was right, but she didn’t want to admit that to him yet.
“Because I think you and I have a few things in common. It’s not easy for you to admit when something’s bothering you.”
“Now, why would we avoid mentioning something like that?”
“Because we don’t want to be a burden to anyone.” He caught her gaze again. “I’m guessing you feel you’ve burdened your mom and stepfather too much. Am I right?”
She pondered his uncanny ability to sense the truth about her. He claimed it was
because they were alike. Were they? She stared straight ahead when she answered. “Yes, you’re right.”
Honorable…that was the word the angel and her stepbrother had used to describe Nate. No description could be more appropriate. Every ounce of him screamed of respect and decency. Didn’t the incident in his truck the other night say it all?
His voice lowered to a whisper. “Does that mean you’ll allow me to help you?”
She peeked at him, a warmth spreading through her again as his fingers wrapped around hers. “Yes. I would appreciate it.”
They’d almost arrived at her house, and she was surprised to see her mother’s car was gone. In fact, no one appeared to be home. They had the place to themselves.
The woman in her dream had told her Nate was her Alex. Though it was ludicrous to believe the blonde woman had been Alexander Grant’s wife, that her ancestors were actually trying to help her, she believed it nonetheless. And she knew they were right about Nate. While she wasn’t ready to tell him about the dream, she did want him to be part of her future. And that meant trusting him.
“Nate,” she said as he parked, “I just want you to know that I’m committed to this relationship, also. I know I act a little…well, odd at times, but I do like you. Very much. You’ve been so patient with me, and I hope you’ll continue to be. I wish I could tell you how long it will take me to get past all this, but I don’t have any idea. What I do know is that I want this. I want us.”
“I do, too,” he said, staring into her eyes. “I’m not going anywhere.”
“I’d like to share something with you, but I would need you to keep it to yourself for now. I especially don’t want you to share this information with my family.” She chewed on the corner of her lip, hoping he’d agree. If not, where would she go next?
He gave her a thoughtful look. “I can promise that, as long as keeping quiet about it doesn’t mean putting your life at risk.”
She considered it for another moment before nodding. “Come inside and I’ll show you.”
He helped her out of his truck and walked inside with her, her heart speeding up just a little at the prospect of sharing her secret with this man, her Alex.
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