Escape To Love: Banished Saga, Book 6

by Ramona Flightner

  She dropped her hand and scooted back, out of his touch after her whispered words. Her huge eyes met his, filled with fear and shock.

  “What did you say, Vivie?” he asked, following her retreat across the bed until he had her caged underneath him by his larger body. He held himself off her, balancing himself on his knees and elbows, but he held her immobile.

  “It was nothing. Meaningless,” she panted out. “Forget I ever said it.” She flinched at his gentle touch along her jaw.

  “Why?” he growled. She had closed her eyes, and he touched his forehead to hers. “Oh, Vivie, please tell me that you meant it. Please,” he whispered as his voice broke. When she remained resolutely silent, he pushed himself away and moved to the side of the bed.

  He spoke in a low voice, filled with defeat, sitting with his back to her. “I know you won’t believe me. For some reason I thought you’d begun to trust me.” He turned to look at her with devastated eyes. “I love you. Not because you’re Parthena’s sister. Not because I pity you. Not because I feel a duty to protect you. I love you because you see me. Because you are brave when others aren’t. Because you are you. Infinitely precious.”

  Her eyes filled with tears as she listened to his words. “Lucas,” she whispered and reached for him. She shimmied over the covers in their bed and tugged at him until he’d turned toward her. She gave him a full-body embrace, crawling into his arms. “I’m not brave. I try to be, but I’m not.”

  “You are, my Vivie. You are.” He kissed the top of her head and held her tightly to him.

  She leaned away from him and clasped his cheeks. “I love you.” Her voice shook with emotion as she spoke the words. “I love the man you are, how much you love your family. How you see me and don’t find me wanting. Your loyalty. Your kindness. You,” she said before she arched up to kiss him.

  He kissed her with weeks’ worth of pent-up passion. He pushed her backward, nearly crushing her beneath him, only remembering at the last minute to balance his weight on his elbows.

  She broke the kiss, her hands roaming over his back. “You’ve shown me the pleasure that can be had from your touch. Show me all the pleasure you can give me. Please,” she whispered as she kissed him again.

  “Oh, God, yes,” he said as he deepened their kiss.

  Lucas lay on his back with Vivie sprawled on his chest. He didn’t have the energy to stroke a hand down her back but merely lay there, panting. He held her in place when she seemed to slip away from him. “Stay with me, my Vivie,” he whispered. He mustered the strength to raise his head and kiss her on the top of her head.

  After he’d caught his breath, he searched with a hand and found the blankets, yanking them over the top of them. “What are you thinking, Vivie? Are you all right?”

  She shook her head, rubbing her cheek into his chest. He frowned when he felt moisture on his chest. Tracing her cheek, he felt tears. Rolling them both gently to the side, he studied her. Her brown hair was in riotous disarray, and her cheeks were a healthy pink. “Vivie, love, why are you crying?”

  She arched up and kissed him, pushing him backward with her forceful movement. She clasped his head with her hands, holding him in place. “Thank you, for being kind and gentle, when I know you wanted more.”

  He smiled at her. “More? How could I? You …” He kissed her again, groaning as he broke the kiss.

  “Why are you stopping?” she whispered, scooting closer to him.

  “We can’t make love again. Not tonight. I refuse to cause you any more pain.” He kissed her cheeks and ran hands over her breasts, before flopping to his back. He grinned when she rested her head on his shoulder. He played with her hair, and a peaceful lassitude filled him.

  “Lucas, may I ask you something?” she whispered. He grunted his agreement. “You meant it, didn’t you?”

  He smiled at the wonder he heard in her voice. “Of course I did. I love you. I love my wife.” He lowered his head and met her gaze. “My turn. Why were you afraid to tell me?”

  Her smile faltered as she leaned on one elbow, her hair tickling his abdomen as she half covered him. “I feared you didn’t feel the same. And, if you didn’t, that would have been more than I could have borne.”

  He swiped away a tear. “You’re so brave, Vivie,” he whispered.

  “I think you are.” She met his startled gaze. “You know what it is to love and lose, and yet you dared to love again. Thank you.”

  He growled, rolling her beneath him. “It may take me years, but I will convince you that you are the woman I think about when I have you in my arms. No other.”

  Her wondrous smile eased the tension in his arms. “I believe you. I trust you.” She brushed the hair off his forehead.

  His brown eyes lit with joy at her words. “Good.” He relaxed next to her. “I know we’ll have difficult times, Vivie. All couples do. All I ask is that you always tell me what you feel. What you fear. As long as we have honesty between us, I know we can face anything.” He pulled her close as she whispered her agreement. “I love you,” he whispered when he heard her breathing had turned to one of deep slumber. He joined her in sleep, a peaceful smile on his lips.

  Genevieve knocked before entering the suite of rooms Gabriel and Clarissa McLeod had used for two weeks. She looked around at the uncontrolled chaos. Open trunks—some half filled, others looking as though they had been ransacked—were haphazardly placed throughout the sitting room of the suite. She shrieked as Billy lunged from one of the trunks, a toy sword in hand.

  “Halt, thief!” he shouted as he waved his sword about. “You are my captive now and must do as I say.”

  Genevieve giggled as she arched away from his erratic swordplay, then grunted when the sword hit her on her upper arm. “Ouch,” she rubbed at her arm as she took a step back.

  “You weren’t supposed to hit her,” Geraldine said with an exasperated sigh, her head emerging from a pile of clothes in another trunk, followed by Myrtle’s face appearing from within a third one. “Now, Uncle will be furious with us and won’t play for us on our last night here.”

  “Where is your mother?” Genevieve asked. “I’d hate to interrupt your pirating for long.” She winked at Billy.

  “She says she despairs of us and is in the bedroom,” Billy said, thrusting his sword high as he let out a battle cry.

  “Billy, that’s enough,” Gabriel said in a deep authoritative voice as he emerged from the bedroom. “Give me that sword now, and I want these trunks put to rights within ten minutes.”

  “But, Father, we have our first captive,” Billy cried out. At his father’s implacable stare, he collapsed to his knees in utter dejection.

  “If you’re good, Billy boy, I’ll see if we can sneak away for some sledding.” His father winked at him before holding his hand out for the sword, which Billy handed over with a theatrical sigh. Gabriel pointed to the room, including Geraldine and now Myrtle in his edict for cleanup duty.

  He focused on Genevieve. “It’s lovely you stopped in for a visit. Unfortunately our life is utter chaos.” He smiled. “It’s always chaos.”

  “Mama says that’s my middle name!” Billy said with pride as he dumped a pile of clothes into one trunk.

  Genevieve shared an alarmed look with Gabriel over the packing, and he shrugged his shoulders. “At this stage, as long as everything gets packed, and Clarissa has to do the least amount of work, I don’t care. It will all have to be washed anyway.” He motioned for Genevieve to follow him. “Come. Rissa’s resting but always enjoys company.”

  They entered the bedroom to find Clarissa on her side with pillows around her to give her support. “Gabriel, what is going on out there? I had the trunks nearly packed when I decided to take a break.”

  “Everything is under control,” he soothed. “And look who came for a visit.”

  “Genevieve, how lovely,” Clarissa said. She motioned for her to sit on a chair near the bed. “How are you?”

  Genevieve laughed. “I’m fi
ne. I should be asking you that question.”

  “If no one asked me that question again, I’d be happy,” Clarissa said with a glare in Gabriel’s direction. “I’m fine, although I don’t have the stamina I once did. It’s harder to stay on my feet for extended periods than before.”

  “When is the baby to arrive?” Genevieve asked.

  “The doctor says the middle to end of January,” Gabriel said, studying his wife’s face.

  “Oh, that is soon. I understand why you were hesitant to travel here,” Genevieve said as she met Gabriel’s concerned gaze.

  “I now must merely travel to Missoula, and everything will be fine,” Clarissa grumbled. “I wouldn’t have missed Christmas with our family for anything.” She speared her husband with an intent look before he could say anything. “I’m having no signs of labor, Gabriel.”

  At his relieved sigh, he nodded, and she relaxed. “Good. I’ll leave you to chat as I attempt to corral our children.”

  Genevieve laughed again at the thought and listened to his muffled voice through the closed door as he spoke to his children. “He’s quite good with them.”

  “He’s a wonderful father and husband,” Clarissa said. “I’ve realized, with every year, how fortunate I was in my choice of him.” Before she could say anything further, the door opened again, and Savannah entered. “Sav.” Clarissa held out her hand to her cousin, who settled on the bed by her. They shared a long look, and after a few moments Savannah gave a satisfied nod.

  Savannah focused on Genevieve. “How nice of you to think of visiting Clarissa on our last day in Butte. Lucas tells us you are quite busy with your own concerns.”

  Genevieve frowned, uncertain if there was criticism in that statement. “I would like to ensure the children of this city, of every city and town, receive a proper education and aren’t forced to enter the workforce when they are still so young.”

  Savannah smiled indulgently. “A little hard work never hurt anyone, Genevieve. It’s what the country was founded on.”

  “Yet I believe that, if we want to continue to advance and thrive as a society, we must be educated. We must allow children to be children without expecting them to grow up too soon.”

  Clarissa tapped Savannah on her leg. “When have you ever done a hard day’s work? At least I worked as a teacher before I married.” She rolled her eyes at Savannah. “She’s giving you a hard time.”

  Genevieve studied the two cousins with uncertainty.

  “Sav is slow to embrace change or reform. However, when she does, she is as zealous as I am.” Clarissa smiled at Genevieve, moving around to find a more comfortable position. “I had hoped you’d utilize your energies for the suffragist cause.”

  “I believe in enfranchisement for all. And that, once women have the vote, more interest will be paid to issues that we champion. However, my main concern will always be the well-being of our youth. I want to ensure they aren’t at work too soon in the mines. I’m appalled at the number of young children peddling on the street corners here rather than learning at school.”

  Savannah smiled. “Lucas told me how you had a reformer’s soul. You’ll fit in well with us.” She studied Genevieve. “How are things between you and Lucas?”

  Genevieve flushed and broke eye contact. “Better. We’ve talked and … and …” Her blush became more pronounced as she stammered.

  Clarissa and Savannah giggled. “And we know why you’re blushing. Good,” Clarissa said. “I’m happy for you and Lucas.”

  Genevieve met his sister’s worried gaze. “I love your brother, Savannah. He’s a good man. I hope you can come to believe his reckless actions were not a terrible decision for him.”

  Savannah smiled, reaching out her hand for her sister-in-law. “If what you say is true, then his decision was sound. I’ve despaired of his nomadic ways, always alone.” Her frank gaze caused Genevieve to still. “He was devastated at the loss of your sister. However, I think that was a theoretical love. Not a real love. During these past two weeks, I’ve come to see the depth of his regard for you.”

  “Then why are you worried?” Genevieve whispered.

  “Our father loved our mother, but she had little regard for him. She feigned her love well enough throughout our childhood, but her disdain bubbled to the surface after I married the first time.” She clamped her jaw tight at the mention of her life with Jonas.

  “My love is not feigned,” Genevieve stated in affront at the suggestion.

  Savannah watched Genevieve’s indignation and obvious pain a moment before relaxing. “Good. Lucas needs someone who sees him, not the musician. Who cares for him, not the fame his talent brings. I can see you do. Thank you, Genevieve.”

  Genevieve released a stuttering breath and swiped at her cheek as a tear leaked out.

  “I’m afraid I’m terribly protective of my brother,” Savannah said with a wry smile. “Just as he wants to protect me, I want to protect him.”

  “It’s how we all are in this family, Genevieve. Now that you are one of us, you’ll find yourself included in our protective instincts,” Clarissa teased but quickly frowned when Genevieve fought her tears.

  “That sounds wonderful. I’ve only ever had my eldest sister who cared about me,” she whispered as she rubbed at her cheeks. “I can’t imagine what it will be like to have a whole family involved.”

  Clarissa laughed. “Overwhelming.” She smiled at Genevieve. “Whenever you need help or want to talk, you know you can count on any of us.”

  Genevieve nodded, then rose when she saw Clarissa fighting sleep. “I’ll leave you to rest. I’ll see you later at Patrick’s.” She slipped from the room to find the sitting room tidy, with the trunks lined up against the wall. The room was empty with a scrawled note left behind that read Gone sledding. She smiled as she eased out the door to find Lucas.

  Lucas stood on the platform, watching the controlled chaos as Gabriel and Jeremy ensured their numerous trunks were destined for Missoula. The children raced around them, playing a boisterous game of tag, and the adults attempted to ignore the passing of time. Fiona and Rose had remained at home, while Patrick was at work. He had said his goodbyes the previous evening. “I can’t bear for you all to leave,” Lucas whispered. “I know you were here for an extended stay, but it will never be long enough.”

  Savannah caught his gaze, having overheard him. “I know. I wish you’d decided to return to Missoula with us. Then we could have been together.”

  Clarissa attempted to force a smile, although she blinked away tears and sniffled. “Now there are even more of you to convince to move. It was hard enough with just Patrick!” She pulled Lucas close for a hug before corralling her galloping son. “Billy, that’s enough. Time to say good-bye to your aunt and uncle before we board the train.” She smiled apologetically at Lucas and Genevieve. She grinned with motherly pride as Billy, Myrtle, and Geraldine said proper good-byes to all.

  Gabriel pulled Lucas close and whispered in his ear, “Be happy.” He hugged Genevieve and then hefted first Billy and afterward Myrtle into the train. Geraldine insisted on boarding on her own. He waved to them as he helped Clarissa up the tall steps. Araminta nodded her good-bye to them and followed Clarissa and Gabriel onto the train.

  Colin shook Lucas’s hand before tugging him into a hug. “Good luck in Butte, Lucas,” he said with a slap to his back. He then enfolded Genevieve in a gentle embrace. “If you have any problems, don’t hesitate to let us know.” He winked to them both and boarded the train.

  Melinda threw herself into Lucas’s and then Genevieve’s arms. “Oh, I can’t wait to come for a visit!” She shrieked with laughter as her hat almost blew off in a gust of wind and then rushed up the steps to the train.

  Lucas shook his head at her exuberance. “You’ll have your hands full with her soon,” he murmured to his sister.

  Savannah smiled her agreement before she clamped her jaw shut in an attempt to forestall crying. “I hate to say good-bye.”

&n
bsp; He pulled her close, rocking her to and fro. “I live nearby now, Sav. I’ll see much more of you.”

  “We’ll see so much of him, we’ll get sick of seeing him,” Jeremy teased. He shook Lucas’s hand once Lucas released Savannah and nodded to Genevieve. “You know without me saying it that you’re welcome in Missoula anytime. No invitation is required.”

  Lucas nodded, his eyes brightened by tears. Genevieve gripped his arm and smiled at her brother-in-law. “Thank you. It’s the same for you here in Butte. We have plenty of room for all of you with our new home.”

  Lucas placed his hand over Genevieve’s arm looped with his and held her close to him. “Be well, Sav. Be happy.”

  She smiled at him and nodded as she boarded the train just as the conductor called “All aboard.”

  Lucas stood with Genevieve as the train slowly lumbered from the station, waving to his family.

  “You are a very fortunate man,” Genevieve whispered as she placed her head on his shoulder.

  “I know,” he said as he kissed her head. “I have a wonderful wife. A loving family. A new home. A profession I love.” He turned them and walked toward the station door. “Are you happy, my Vivie?”

  “Wonderfully and ecstatically so.” She beamed at her husband. “Are you?”

  “I’m happier than I ever imagined, and I couldn’t ask for more.” He halted and faced her, her hand clasped in his. “The only way I could be happier would be to have a few children to join in with our nieces’ and nephew’s antics.” He raised her hand and kissed it.

  “We’ll have to see if that can be arranged,” she teased.

  He hugged her and laughed. “We’ll talk it over tonight, in bed.”

  She laughed and blushed, and walked outside with him to catch a trolley as they headed home. Together.

  Author’s Note

  Thank you for reading Escape to Love! This is a novella I had never planned to write, but once I finished Unrelenting Love, the idea for this story grew. At first, I thought I’d write a short story, but as you know, I don’t write many short stories!