Nate swam slowly over to the side of Trevor’s boat, not stopping until he was directly behind him. He had a knife in his pants, but he had to get out of the water before he could unsheathe it. With any luck, he’d distract Trevor enough that the psycho would aim the gun at him instead of pulling the trigger on Lauren.
He made a quiet plea to all the guardian angels and guiding angels in the world to assist him with this attempt.
He just couldn’t lose Lauren.
Trevor launched into another rant about the unjust world, so Nate decided it was time for him to make a grab for Lauren.
He threw himself over the side of the boat, and chaos ensued. Somehow he managed to yank out his dagger before Trevor turned around. He knocked Trevor’s arm up in the air, hoping it would destroy his aim, and sunk his knife into his belly.
“Lauren, go below!” he shouted. He watched her struggle at the steps with her hands and feet bound, but all she managed to do was slide to the steps and sit on the edge. Fortunately, she could duck out of sight.
As soon as she was out of the way, gunfire burst from the two police boats. Nate was afraid to move, so he stayed put until Trevor dropped to the ground, at which point he swung his arms in the air to make sure they didn’t keep shooting. He picked up the gun and hurried over to Lauren.
Desperate to have her in his arms, he dropped the gun to the floor and hugged her close, burying his face in her hair, her scent calming him, assuring him she was all right. He worked at her bindings while she babbled, “How did you know? I was so scared. He wanted to marry me and run away, and…”
“Hush, it’s done. Finally done.” His lips melded with hers, and he said a silent prayer of thanks to whoever had watched over them. Hell, he’d believe in ancient spirits and angels if they’d saved the love of his life. He pulled back and reached for her hands, finally untying the cords on her hands and feet. Lauren’s sobs called to him, but the only thing that mattered to him was that she was free.
Finally free, or so he hoped.
When he had her hands out of the bindings, she wrapped her arms around his neck and sobbed into his shoulder, mumbling a volley of phrases, from which he made out “I love you,” and “I was so scared.”
He sat on the single cot below deck, taking her with him, and pulled back to inspect her for wounds. “You are all right? He didn’t hurt you?”
“No,” she said, gripping him tightly. “I’m fine. He’s the one.”
He was going to ask her “the one, what?” but Ryan appeared in the staircase. “Lauren, you’re all right?”
“Yes. Ryan, he’s the one.”
Ryan stared at her in silence, waiting for her to finish.
“He’s my rapist. He wanted to marry me, take me to Florida. As soon as his voice turned angry, I recognized him right away.”
She leaned against Nate and said, “It’s over. It’s really over.”
***
Lauren discovered that it wasn’t completely over, but at least the immediate threat on her person had ended.
With her help and the chart, Ryan and Jake were able to piece together a pattern in the attacks, and they finally discovered the other fraternity they suspected, Chi Theta had been responsible for many of the abuses.
The university shut down both frats and issued stern warnings to the remaining Greeks, both fraternities and sororities, about their purpose on campus.
The police chief met with several people at the university to rewrite the school’s policy on suspected rape and abuse cases, making it mandatory to involve the outside police department. The security force on campus was not large enough to handle all the cases. New protocols were put in place to guide security on the handling of abuse cases, including how to contact family and how to deal with suspects and victims. Lauren was more than pleased with the progress the school made. She sent an email to the women in her group, explaining all that had happened and posting a date for their next meeting. After everything that had happened, she was eager to continue her work.
Lauren lay on the shore of the lake on the chaise lounge she’d pulled out of the boathouse an hour ago. In shorts and a tank top, she’d rushed down to enjoy what was bound to be one of the last warm days on Orenda Lake until spring. They’d been blessed with a warm day in mid-November, and she’d even skipped one of her graduate classes to wallow in the heat of the autumn sun. She’d cut a class. Never in her life had she cut a class, not even as an undergrad. The pull of the sun and the magical waters of the lake had won her over. She’d decided she was a new Lauren Grant, baptized by the horrors of what had happened on this lake. That meant taking risks and accepting—no, reveling in—her own lack of perfection. She’d even ducked her mother’s request that she wear sunscreen.
She felt a bit naughty about that, especially since she still liked to mostly keep her mother happy, but it was a gorgeous autumn day in Western New York and she was unlikely to burn.
Closing her eyes, she tipped her head up to the sun, welcoming the warm rays across her body. The only thing that would make this moment more perfect was if Nate were beside her. These last months with him had been the best in her life. She’d never felt freer or more at peace.
She’d researched more about Alex Grant, though it had proven to be a difficult task. He’d been the laird of his clan, and they had a strong tie to Clan Ramsay, which had thrilled her to no end. Alex’s sister had married the chieftain of the Ramsays, but everything she found out about them indicated they were dark-haired. She hadn’t uncovered anything about Alex’s wife, to her disappointment. Her mother and stepfather had been delighted to hear about her discovery.
A knocking sound interrupted her thoughts. She peeked out, but when she didn’t see anything, she closed her eyes again and repositioned herself on the chair.
The knocking continued. She lifted her head again, closing one eye to see if she could keep the glare of the sun from interrupting her view of the water. Perhaps it was a stone banging against the dock or something like that.
Sighing, she leaned back, but the noise became even more obnoxiously loud, so she finally sat up and glanced around. Yep, she was definitely alone, and the sound was definitely coming from the water. Giving up, she got out of her chair, slipped into her flip-flops, and moved down to the water.
She padded across the dock, but there didn’t appear to be anything in the water, though the noise hadn’t abated. When she reached the end, she determined she was farther away from the sound than before, so she spun around and headed back toward shore, finally locating the sound when she reached the rocks by the dock. Something sat in the lake, knocking against the rocks with each lap of the water against the shoreline.
Shrugging, she headed back to her lounge chair, only to stop and turn around to stare at the object. Curiosity finally propelled her back to the shore. It was a glass bottle with the label missing. She bent over to retrieve it, telling herself it was the right thing to do, when something caught her eye up close.
A rolled piece of paper sat inside the bottle. It was probably something a ten-year old boy had sent across the lake. Spencer had done the same thing several times. She opened the bottle and pulled out the rolled-up scroll. Dropping the bottle onto the grass for a moment, she opened the paper and read:
I’m not very good with words, but I think you know that by now. Here goes: I love you and I want us to be together forever. Lauren Grant, will you make me the happiest man alive and marry me? Love, Nate
She squealed and twirled around, looking for Nate. How could she have missed him? He stepped out of the boat-house and said, “Well?”
She took off on a dead run toward him, launching herself into his arms with a screech, saying, “Yes, yes, yes, Nate Patterson.” She kissed him and said, “I love you more than I thought was possible. Thank you for showing me what love is supposed to be.”
She kissed him again, sighing with satisfaction as he teased her with his tongue. When he ended the kiss, he said, “I love you, and
I promise to cherish you forever, but it took you long enough to get out of that chair to find the bottle. I was on pins and needles out here.”
She threw her head back with a laugh. “The sun is so warm. I was thinking of you when I was lying there. Where did you put it in the water? How did you know it would come to me? Oh, and where did you park? I didn’t see your truck.”
He took her hand and headed to the shoreline. “I had a little help from someone I met before. I didn’t know who he was at the time, but he’s the one who told me to look for you in the lake when you were missing.”
He had his arm around her, rubbing his hand up and down her hip. “Loki, where are you?” he asked.
Lauren stared at him, wide-eyed. “Loki? What kind of name is that?”
“Norse, though he’s Gaelic. Oh, never mind. Loki? Don’t make me look like a fool.”
Out of nowhere, two objects landed in the water at the end of the dock. A moment later, a dog’s head popped out of the water, and the dog, a Scottish deerhound, paddled toward shore. A second head, that of a young boy, popped up next to him. He raced out of the water with a loud yelp. “Och, ‘tis almost as cold as the Scottish lochs Papa used to make me bathe in. Come on, Growley. We have a few minutes.”
Lauren whispered, “Who is that? Where did he come from?” She clutched Nate’s arm.
“Lauren, meet Loki and his dog Growley. They know Ryan and Caitlyn. Tell her where you’re from, Loki.”
“Aye, we’re from Scotland. Growley and I travel whenever we’re needed. I prefer to come as a ten-year-old. But I could have turned eleven waiting for you to pick up that bottle.” Loki glanced up above toward the sky, “Aye, Papa. I recall my manners.” He moved over to stand in front of Lauren, then bowed to her and said, “Greetings to you from the Scots. I’m from the Highlands. The year 1263 was my favorite. That one and then twenty years later in the 1280s with my sweet Bella. I’m glad you went back for the bottle. I was tiring of hiding under the dock and pushing it your way. Aunt Maddie and Uncle Alex made me promise to help you.”
He spun around, but then pivoted back to say, “Watch this.” He charged down the dock and jumped off the end as high as he could, gathering his legs tight to make a large splash.
Lauren was right behind him. She could swear the lad had said 1263, and something else caught her attention. “Don’t go, please don’t go. Not yet.” She said a quick prayer to God and any angel who would listen to her. “Please, please send him back. I couldn’t understand everything he said.”
Loki’s head popped up, sputtering and laughing. “Was that not a big one? I haven’t left yet. You need not pray.”
He swam to the ladder and started to climb out, but Lauren loomed over him, tears in her eyes. “Did you say 1263? Do you know anything about the Battle of Largs? Uncle Alex and Aunt who?”
Loki climbed up the ladder, squirming around her. “Aye, I fought in the Battle of Largs. Did you not know that? Does it not say in your history books that the Scottish warriors used slingers?” He ran to the start of the dock and grabbed a couple of small stones from the shore, producing something from his pocket that he held up, demonstrating how far he could fling the rocks. “I felled a few of my own Norsemen. But Uncle Alex was the best. He had his golden helm on. He swung his sword like this,” he shouted, imitating a warrior battling.
He quit his play suddenly and started toward the end of the dock. “‘Course Papa was also a fearsome presence in that battle. Come on, Growley.” The large deerhound got up from his spot in the lawn, lumbering behind Loki down the dock. “We must go before we’re discovered.”
“Wait, please!” Lauren shouted. If she could only talk to him for half an hour.
“One more question, my lady.” The lad stopped halfway down the dock to turn to her, waiting for her question.
Lauren had at least a thousand. “Alex Grant’s wife. What does she look like?” Tears poured down her cheeks. “Please?”
“Aunt Maddie? Aye, she’s got yellow hair and a heart of gold and a mark right here near her eye.” He pointed to his right eye. “Uncle Alex loves her. We all do. She’s verra special. She’s your ancestor. We’re all related from many moons ago.”
Loki yelled, “Watch this one!” With one more leap, he landed in the water and disappeared, Growley behind him.
“Nate, is he a ghost or something? He didn’t die in the water, did he?”
“No. that’s what he does. He appears out of nowhere and then disappears. He did the same with Cait and Ryan. She saw him when she was in an accident. What’s wrong?”
Tears flooded her cheeks. “I’m not crazy. I saw this woman when I fell asleep. Twice. She told me that you’re my Alex…Alex Grant was who she meant. I thought I was losing my mind at first. I thought…but her hair was blonde and she had a mole right where he said.” Her finger reached up to rub the spot, still unable to believe that she’d actually communicated with someone from medieval times. How was it possible?
Nate kissed her, stopping her from communicating her worst fears out loud. “There’s nothing wrong with you, Lauren Grant. Have I told you what my middle name is?”
“No. What is it?”
“Alexander. I was christened Nathan Alexander Patterson.”
“Oh, Nate. You are my Alex.”
She rubbed her thumb across his bottom lip as she repeated Maddie’s words. “Forever honorable. Always trustworthy. And a most gentle and loving man. I love you.”
EPILOGUE
Lauren was especially nervous today, though she did her best to hide it. After all the times she’d hidden her true feelings from her family over the last few years, this should be easy.
Nate leaned over her shoulder to pick up the serving bowl of tossed salad he was about to carry onto the porch at the lake house. “You’ll be great, love.”
She sighed and smiled at him.
Thanksgiving Day had come so quickly, it had almost taken her by surprise. Her nightmares had receded so much that she was down to maybe one or two a month. Spending time in Nate’s protective arms had helped her to take control of her PTSD from her attacks. Yes, she knew she’d probably have them forever, but it was as her stepbrother had said—they no longer controlled her.
The door came open with a huff and there was a flurry of foot stomps to get rid of the dusting of snow outside. Sam and Tristan stood inside the door removing their coats and then handed Lorraine a bouquet of flowers and a bottle of wine.
Nate whistled. “Wow, I’m impressed. Two gifts. Well done, Sam.”
Tristan’s voice came out in a slight bellow. “Hey. The wine was my idea. That’s what my date last week said to bring.”
“Would she like to come?” Lauren asked. “You know we always have room for more.”
“No…” Tristan stuttered.
Sam chuckled, “Tristan can get dates, he just hasn’t figured out how to get a second one.” Tristan scowled, then stalked away from his brother to join the group in front of the football game.
Ryan Sr. came out of the kitchen with the turkey just then, setting it into the middle of the table, and they all helped carry out the rest of the feast. The porch was their largest room, so they dined there whenever the entire family was present. With three tables for all the guests, it took them a while for everyone to find their place, but once grace was finished, the large group of Grants and Ramsays and extras dug into the food with expressions of joy and anticipation.
“This looks wonderful, Lorraine,” Julia said.
Jake added, “Smells great, too.”
Mallory said, “I can’t wait to eat.”
It wasn’t long until the group quieted as everyone began to tuck into their food.
“Oh my,” Julia said.
Lauren knew exactly what she meant. Everyone followed her gaze to Tristan’s plate heaped with turkey, mashed potatoes, and stuffing.
The pleasant chiding began:
“What, no vegetables, Tristan?”
“Can you rea
lly eat all that?”
“I’ve never seen anyone eat that many mashed potatoes.”
“He’ll eat more…”
“No way!”
Tristan continued to eat, ignoring them all. The expression on his face told them all he was in his glory, enjoying every bite, and that he wouldn’t allow anyone to interfere with the pleasure he was taking in the food on his plate.
Once they finished, Tristan pushed back from the table with a smile. “That was great, Lorraine.”
“Would you like more?”
He shook his head.
The chorus immediately piped up:
“Have some more, Tristan.”
“He can’t eat any more.”
“I can’t believe he ate two platefuls.”
“He did eat something green on the second plate.”
“Won’t he get sick from eating that much?”
They all laughed and teased Tristan, but he didn’t seem to mind. If anything, he seemed to enjoy being the center of attention.
Lauren finally stood up and waited for everyone to quiet down. “I have so much to be thankful for this year. Your assistance and support are so appreciated. I’ve never been happier than I am now. I wanted to share some news that Nate and I have…”
Lorraine gasped and brought her napkin up to her mouth, her eyes misting.
Lauren pulled Nate up to stand next to her and she gazed into his eyes as she made their announcement. “Nate has asked me to marry him and I have accepted.” She pulled the ring from her pocket where she’d hidden it, sliding it onto her finger so all could see it. He’d chosen a beautiful setting, a round halo setting in white gold.
Cait squealed and jumped out of her chair, pulling Ryan with her. “I’m so excited! You two are wonderful together.”
The group broke into applause and cheers, everyone getting up out of their seats to congratulate the couple. When they finally settled back into their places, a quiet voice interrupted them.
Tristan said, “Congratulations to you, but would someone mind passing the potatoes?”
Three Reasons to Love Page 19
