Teague

by Juliana Stone

“I—”

  “Go! I’ll pick up the kids from Sunday school.”

  Sabrina hesitated and then flung her arms around her friend. “Why are you so good to me?” she whispered into Allie’s ear.

  “It’s because I’m your Tonto.”

  “My what?” Sabrina pulled away, confused.

  “You know, your Robin.”

  “I—”

  “Jesus, Sabrina. I’m your Christina.” Allie’s eyes widened. “Your person? Like Christina Yang to Meredith on Greys ?”

  “Oh,” Sabrina laughed. “Okay. Now I get it.”

  Allie made a face. “Who doesn’t know who Tonto is?”

  “Apparently me.”

  Allie gave her one more hug and then nodded to the door. “Go get him.”

  Sabrina scooped her purse off the hall table and had her car revving less than ten seconds later. The day was dull, cool and gray and she shivered because she’d forgotten a coat. By the time she reached Lake Road, the rain started and pelted her windshield with large drops.

  She parked in her driveway, noting that there were still a good many cars at the Simon cottage, including Teague’s truck. Hunching her shoulders, she exited her car and was about to head over to the house when she heard raised voices.

  Sabrina wiped rain from her eyes and took a step toward the house but then paused. Ears straining, she turned to the boathouse. One of the voices was definitely Teague. Uncertain, she stood there for a few moments but then dashed through the rain, nearly falling on her ass as her running shoes hit the slick dock.

  “You’re fucking kidding me.” Not knowing whose angry words those were, she paused, shivering as a gust of cool, fall wind blew in from the lake.

  “I’m not,” Teague replied.

  “Un-fucking-believable.”

  A large gust came out of nowhere and nearly knocked her over, but Sabrina grabbed hold of the edge of the building, and tried to peek inside.

  “This is Pulitzer Prize material. How in hell can you pass this up?”

  “Richard, I told you yesterday that I was done. You’ve wasted a trip out here. I’ve met someone and—“

  “You’ve met someone? So what? Tell your little bird that you need to fly away for a few weeks. A month tops. And you’ll see her when you get back.”

  “Not gonna happen.”

  “You’ve lost your mind.”

  “No,” Teague replied, voice dangerously low. So low that Sabrina could barely hear him. “I’ve finally found the missing piece and there’s no way in hell I’m giving her up or doing anything to jeopardize our future.”

  Elation. Joy. Excitement. All of those things rushed through Sabrina and for a moment, the cold disappeared because she was so hot and flustered.

  He loved her. Loved her. And it was about time she told him how she felt.

  Whatever Richard said was lost to Sabrina as another gust of wind caught at her. Shit. Her fingers dug into the siding of the building but it was rain soaked and slippery. And just as she took a step back—her intention to run up to the house and wait for Teague—her foot slid on the dock and the next thing she knew, she was ass over kettle and free falling into the lake.

  The water was cold, a complete shock to her system and she clawed her way up, head bursting above the water in time to gasp for air. Teeth chattering she glanced up but all she saw was gray. Gray water. Gray rain. The boathouse was nothing more than a shadow among the gray.

  And she was sinking.

  “Help,” she shouted, going under and gulping water. Fear shot through her as she struggled, and along with it, a shot of adrenaline to boost her energy. She reached upward, frantically kicking her legs. Why couldn’t she touch the bottom? She couldn’t remember a thing that Teague had taught her, but her body was struggling to survive and she managed to breach the surface again.

  “Help,” she screamed, her fear doubling because she was several feet out now and the water was deep.

  And God she was cold. So very cold.

  The rain continued to pound down on her as Sabrina struggled to stay afloat. But it was hard. She could barely swim and with her waterlogged jeans and sweater she was losing badly.

  She screamed as loudly as she could, desperately trying to stay above water but she slipped under again. And this time when she tried kicking her legs, when her hands clawed toward the surface…she just sank lower.

  She kicked. And clawed. And kicked some more. She managed to get her hand above the surface. You can do this. The words screamed inside her mind and anger rolled through her. She wouldn’t end like this. She had too much to live for.

  But the water was cold. Bone-chilling cold. And her lungs were on fire. And for one heart wrenching moment, she thought of her kids. And of Teague. And of what they could have had.

  But then strong arms wrapped themselves around her and hauled her up to the surface. Sputtering, she gasped for air, eyes focused on the one face she needed to see. She didn’t take her eyes off him as he pulled them both in and hit the shore.

  “I love you,” she managed to say, voice hoarse from screaming, teeth chattering so badly she barely got the words out.

  “I know,” he said, voice full of emotion. “What the hell, Bree? How did you…If I hadn’t heard you scream…” He caught himself and shook his head. “Never mind. Doesn’t matter.”

  Teague kissed her forehead. “I’ve got you,” he said, holding her close and jogging up to his house. “I’ve got you.”

  Chapter Twenty-nine

  Teague closed the door to his bedroom and headed for the stairs. Sabrina was still out cold, but that wasn’t surprising considering her tumble into the lake. He paused at the top of the landing and had to take a moment, because never in his life had he been more terrified than when he’d heard her voice and seen that small white hand break the surface of the water.

  Heart still pounding, he took the stairs, smiling when he heard the excited babble of the twins. Allie had dropped them off earlier and they were jumping all over their “Uncle Jack”. Donovan watched from the sofa, feeding her daughter, while his parents were snuggled up together in the oversized chair near the fire.

  The rest of his family had left earlier in the morning, missing the dreary fall day by hours.

  A little dark head popped up from behind Jack. “Tigger! You didn’t tell me that you had a mommy!”

  “Well where did you think I came from?” he asked with a smile.

  “I don’t know,” she replied with a giggle. “But you have the same mommy as Uncle Jack.”

  “I do.” He glanced at his brother who had Harry in a headlock. “He’s the old guy though.”

  “He’s not old,” Morgan said. “He’s a prince”

  Jack grinned at that and tickled her until she fell at his feet in hysterics.

  “How is Sabrina?” his mother asked.

  “She’s still sleeping, but I think she’ll be fine. I’ll suggest a visit to her doctor tomorrow just to be safe.”

  “That sounds like a good idea,” Eden said. His mother paused and he saw the wheels turning. “So what did your friend Richard Bowen want?”

  Donovan was done feeding the baby and she got up, smiling down at the twins. “Who wants to help me bake some cookies?”

  Jack glanced at his wife as if she’d lost her mind. “You don’t bake.”

  Donovan’s eyebrow shot up. “That’s not the point, darlin’.” She held her free hand out. “Come on. Chocolate chip or peanut butter?”

  The kids dashed after her and she got them busy in the kitchen, looking for ingredients and such.

  “Teague,” his mother prodded.

  “He wants me to go to the Ukraine with him.”

  Silence met his confession and he saw his mother glance warily at his father. Noah wasn’t a man of words—he usually left that up to his wife—but the older Simon got to his feet and walked over to Teague and Jack.

  “What did you decide son?”

  “I’m not going.”


  Noah Simon didn’t even bother to hide his relief. He enfolded his son into a hug and kept him there for several moments, his touch fierce.

  “I’m glad,” his dad said simply when he pulled away.

  “Bowen must have been pissed,” Jack said.

  “He’ll get over it,” Teague replied, his face darkening. The guy hadn’t given up, even after Teague had rushed into the water for Sabrina. Bowen had followed him up to the house and if Teague hadn’t threatened him with bodily harm, the guy might still be here.

  “So what are your plans?” Eden asked, coming over to join her husband. A small smile lit the corners of her mouth. “Are you coming back to Florida?”

  “No.”

  “No?” Noah asked. “Where to then?”

  Teague hadn’t been to Florida in ages. He had a condo in the keys, but even he couldn’t remember the last time he’d been there. It hadn’t been his home in a good long while and if anything, Teague had learned that home is where your feet are planted.

  And right now, his were planted firmly in Gravenhurst.

  “Well, I’ve got a job lined up in New York.”

  “New York? But…” He saw the confusion in his mother’s face and slid his arms around her.

  “I only have to be there three days a month for taping.”

  “Taping?” Jack asked.

  “A news show I’ll be collaborating on and hosting. It’s something new and I decided to give it a shot.”

  “Sounds like a good opportunity,” his brother replied.

  “It will be different, that’s for sure.”

  “So when you’re not in New York City you’ll be…” Eden Simon arched an eyebrow. His mother wouldn’t give up.

  Teague smiled and dropped a kiss onto her cheek. “I’ll be right here. I can work remotely on the stories we’ll be using for the show and I can concentrate on other things.”

  “Like what?” Jack asked. There was concern there and Teague got it. Jack cared a lot about Sabrina and the twins.

  “Photography for one.”

  “Photography,” Jack repeated, a small frown on his face.

  Teague was enjoying himself. “Yeah. I like to take pictures.”

  “We know,” Jack said.

  “Thought I might work on a book. I’ve had a few publishers bugging me to write about my experiences. Thought I could call it Hot Zone .” He arched an eyebrow. “What do think, Jack?”

  “I think you’re being a dick.”

  “Boys,” Eden groaned. “Language. There are children in the house.” She hugged Teague once more. “And you! Don’t tease us like this. We’re glad that you’re in a good place right now. We just want you to be safe and happy.”

  “I know,” he murmured. “I only need one more thing in my life and I’m done looking for that elusive piece of me.”

  “And what’s that?”

  The words were hoarse, kind of breathless and he jerked his head up. Teague’s eyes slammed into Sabrina’s. She stood on the top stair, her hair a disheveled mess, her cheeks pink, and his old Seal sweatshirt hanging down to her knees.

  His heart leapt at the sight of her and he took a step forward.

  “That’s a good look for you,” he said roughly.

  Sabrina came down the stairs and paused on the bottom step. She looked scared and unsure and he needed to make that go away. Teague strode over to her, his eyes focused, because this was it. He paused at the bottom step, his eyes softening and his heart pounding.

  “You are that piece. I need you in my life. I need you in my heart. I want you Sabrina. All of you.” He took a moment because he was so damn emotional. “I want a life with you. I want the dog and the house. I want the whole thing.”

  Tears filled her eyes and she shrugged. “I have a dog.”

  He smiled. “You do.”

  “And I have a house.”

  “That’s right.” He cleared his throat. “I want babies.”

  “That sounds nice,” she whispered.

  He leaned in closer. “It sounds better than nice. It sounds like heaven.” Teague cupped her head in his hands and traced her mouth with his thumb. “Marry me, Sabrina.”

  A heartbeat passed.

  “Okay.” A simple answer, but it was all he needed. With a groan, Teague pulled her in and kissed her with all the passion and want and need inside him. Everything faded away, everything except this woman in his arms. He tasted the salt of her tears and wiped them away while raining kisses all over her face.

  He only stopped when someone tugged on his leg.

  “Why are you kissing my mommy?” Harry asked with a frown.

  “It’s what you do when you love someone,” Teague said with a grin.

  Harry blinked a few times and then made a face. “That’s gross.”

  “You can kiss me, Tigger!” Morgan shouted, eliciting a round of laughter from his family.

  “There’ll be time for that,” he said, slipping Sabrina’s hand into his. “Lots of time.”

  Teague Simon was finally ready to claim the life he’d always been looking for. And for the first time in his adult life, he was content to stay in one place. To love one woman and her kids. He was looking forward to making some of his own babies—of having a family of his own. And as he held the three of them close the rest of that afternoon, he knew that he was finally home.

  And damn, if that wasn’t the best feeling ever.

  Epilogue

  Late November, Lake Muskoka

  The snow came early to the north, bringing with it one major storm that dumped nearly a foot of the white stuff in the region. Schools and roads had been closed for two days and so were the local businesses. But that was fine with Teague. It just meant that he had his family and his wife all to himself.

  Wife. He grinned at the thought. Man, he liked that handle.

  He and Sabrina had decided there was no point in waiting to get married. Once the necessary paperwork was in order they’d had a small wedding with only Sabrina’s mother-in-law Louise, Allie and Paul in attendance and Teague’s parents in attendance.

  That was nearly four weeks ago and he’d had a hell of a lot of fun practicing the husband thing.

  “Did you lock up the cottage?” Sabrina asked, snuggling into the blankets he’d pulled from the leather chair. The kids were asleep on the sofa curled up with Bingo and he’d claimed an area on the floor just in front of the fireplace.

  “Sure did.” He’d taken a ski-doo out to the lake before the snow got too bad to make sure his new photography studio was secure. It was the perfect use of Sabrina’s cottage and he’d been happy to set up base there.

  The Simon cottage had been in darkness. “Mom and Dad weren’t able to make it up because of the storm.”

  It was thanksgiving weekend in the United States and his parents usually headed north.

  “I’m sure they’ll be up as soon as the weather permits,” Sabrina murmured, digging in with her toes.

  “Hey,” he said with a chuckle. “Your feet are freezing.”

  She giggled and rested her head against him. Teague glanced around the room and felt his chest swell with emotion. He’d never been this content. Ever.

  Shadows from the fireplace flickered, lending an air of warmth to the room as Harry and Morgan slumbered.

  “They’re tuckered out,” he murmured, pressing a kiss to Sabrina’s forehead.

  “Three hours outside building a snow fort will do that to you.”

  “True.” He grinned. “That daughter of yours is one bossy little lady. She had Harry running mad getting the damn fort perfect.”

  Sabrina sighed. “I hope she tones it down a bit.”

  “Nah,” Teague replied. “I like her just the way she is. She’s just like her mama.”

  The two of them cuddled in silence, listing to the wood crackle and enjoying the heat. Outside the wind moaned and ice pellets smacked against the window.

  “We might be stuck in here for days,” Teague said, hands car
essing his wife as he turned slightly so that he could see her face.

  She smiled up at him, her eyes shiny and full of love. This woman had no fear. She felt what she felt and it was there for everyone to see.

  “That sounds kind of perfect,” she whispered.

  “What the hell are we going to occupy ourselves with?” he asked, nipping at her neck.

  She licked her bottom lip and something in her eyes changed. They got dark and smoky. “I’m sure we’ll think of something,” she said lightly.

  “I’m sure we will.” He snuck another taste of the corner of her mouth.

  “We could read.”

  “Uh huh.”

  “Play cards.”

  “Sure.” God, she tasted better than ever.

  “Make up ghost stories.”

  “Or we could just have as much sex as we can manage until the storm lets up.”

  Sabrina bit his bottom lip. “Is that all you think about?”

  “Pretty much,” he responded with a grin.

  She was silent for a few moments and then sort of sighed. Teague nudged her. “Hey. Is everything all right?”

  She nodded. “Everything is…” Her voice trailed off and Teague sat up straighter, pulling Sabrina onto his lap.

  “Bree?” He watched her intently, searching her face for any sign of trouble. “What’s going on?”

  “Do you like Christmas?” she asked suddenly. “And presents?”

  Christmas? He frowned, not understanding. “I do.”

  Sabrina smiled, a slow sensual kind of thing. “Good,” she whispered, moving a bit so that she was able to press her lips to his mouth. It was gentle touch and gone much sooner than he would have liked. “I have an early Christmas present for you.”

  Okay. He still wasn’t getting this.

  She took his hand, the one that was currently buried in the thick hair at her nape, and slowly dragged it down her body until she pressed his palm into her stomach.

  Teague’s throat closed up and for a moment his mind went blank. He felt her warm skin, there beneath her shirt, and he had to work hard to get rid of the lump in his throat.

  “Bree,” he said. “Are you…what the hell is going on?”