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Across the tavern, the castle steward raised his voice and asked the room at large to keep an ear to the ground for anyone looking for work. “I’m requested to find a gardener to update and expand the gardens around Muncaster. The baronet seems to believe that improvements will entice the fashionable set to our district.”
Since when did his father wish to entice the same people he used to call pretentious snobs?
The farmer closest to Nicholas scoffed. “Sir Thomas, were he still alive, would never stand for such pageantry.”
Were he still alive?
Nicholas’ heart stopped, then pounded in his chest.
His father was dead?
He cleared his throat to mask the emotion and turned to the men. “I’ve been away too long if I missed that news. How long ago did Sir Thomas die?”
The bearded farmer grunted. “Happened last fall.”
He quickly did the calculations, then sighed. His father had probably received the news of his presumed death after the prison break. That would shock any father’s heart.
His own chest squeezed in sympathy.
If only their reunion had not been stolen by such incomplete news. But at least they had exchanged enough letters over the years to assure him that his father was not completely disappointed in Nicholas anymore.
He spooned a few more bites of stew as he struggled to maintain his composure and sorted out the ramifications.
His father was not waiting at the castle, which meant there would be no joyous homecoming. But there was still a home waiting for him. Safe walls within which to heal and grieve as he assumed the role of baronet.
Wait. The steward had spoken of a current baronet in that position.
It must be a distant relative who had assumed the title with Nicholas presumed dead on the continent.
Someone who might not appreciate his resurrection.
Nicholas needed to be prepared before he showed up on the man’s doorstep.
He reached out to tug on the farmer’s sleeve. “Who lives at Muncaster now?”
The man rose and began to move away as if to avoid more conversation, then tossed his reply over his shoulder. “Sir Nicholas and his bride.”
Nicholas’ breath caught in his lungs and he almost choked on his tongue.
Someone—somehow—was impersonating him to the point that the townspeople believed the ruse.
Who looked enough like him—?
Heat rushed through his veins until he was lightheaded.
There was one man.
And the last time Nicholas had seen him, the scoundrel was wearing Nicholas’ officer’s coat and they were both on their way to a lifetime as slaves.
He must have gotten himself ransomed by impersonating Nicholas.
He pushed away the remnants of his meal, thoroughly sickened by the betrayal of a supposed friend.
And then the rest of the farmer’s revelation finally sank in.
The impostor had taken a bride.
Any bride or Nicholas’ bride?
He recalled all those nights when he’d told his crew about the castle and the few when he’d spoken of a bride to come home to.
If the knave were bold enough to steal a title, he would certainly have tried to steal a wife as well.
But if that were true, how could his Susannah have married another? Not when his memories of the girl and her song had kept him sane all those years. Why couldn’t she have remained faithful to him...and not yield to one claiming his name?
A simple meal in a pub should not have upended his world in such a manner...and yet it was better to have discovered the shocking news before reaching Muncaster’s doorstep.
To have lost his father, name, home, and betrothed in a single blow was more than he could comprehend and his hands shook with barely contained rage.
Justice had to be done before he was fully avenged and the Pennington name restored. And like war, he needed to infiltrate the enemy’s camp to get information.
For now he would keep his beard and humble clothing as a disguise.
Nicholas eyed the steward busy talking with the other townsfolk across the room and knew God had given him an opportunity.
###
NO! IT HAD TO TURN out okay.
The hero of the book she was reading deserved his rightful inheritance. Deserved to find happiness in the home he’d grown up in.
But even the intrigue of the Regency era tale had nothing on reality when it came to occupying her thoughts. Was that what Drew meant about living her own story?
After spending weeks at the Glen Eyrie castle, she was finding joy again. And not just because she’d indulged her love of history. It had everything to do with Drew and the developing romance she prayed would translate beyond a vacation connection.
The amazing man deserved more than her baggage, but if he was willing to overlook her scars, she’d do all she could to support his dreams. To not let distance become a hindrance no matter if he stayed in the Air Force or trained to be an EMT.
Even if his plans eventually took him back to the mountain town she’d loved years ago.
What were the odds that he was from Pine Ridge? Was God somehow redeeming even the most painful moments of her life?
Grace smiled as she drained the last dregs of her iced mocha. She’d have to ask Drew what he thought tonight.
She leaned back in her favorite chair in the corner of the bookstore, closed the reading app, then re-read yesterday’s text message.
Would love to take you to dinner and continue our conversation since we were interrupted. There’s something I need to tell you before you return to Castle Rock.
The fact he’d been serious about getting together again left her giddy. Especially when the rest of their exchange involving the time to meet and what to wear made it abundantly clear their dinner was indeed a date.
But the butterflies roaming her midsection weren’t only anticipation but an unsettled tension that bordered on dread. A sense that something was about to change.
Was she a fool to put so much hope in his words? In the fact he still wanted to spend time with her? Or was she getting ahead of herself?
Because no matter what Drew needed to tell her, his text almost felt like a goodbye. Like things were ending before they began. Mostly because he mentioned her leaving.
Could he be holding her at arm’s length to protect his heart? Was he unsure of her feelings?
She might have to send a few clear signals tonight. Especially since Drew was becoming as special to her as the heroic Andy from her past and she hoped—prayed—he might be a part of her future.
Learning to trust God’s plan was still a struggle, especially with her past and insecurities. But she had to believe—hope—for a good outcome. For love.
Her phone buzzed in her hand and she quickly silenced both the alarm and the ringer before tossing her coffee cup into the trash on her way toward the office. After all, there were tours to lead followed by a rush to get ready for her dinner date before a quick shift covering the front desk while Mallory ate.
Hours later, she watched from inside the Carriage House as Drew strode toward their arranged meeting place. How could he get more handsome every time she saw him?
Once inside the door, he pulled her into a hug. “Hello, Grace.” He eased back and scanned an appreciative eye over her dark blue knit dress and heels, before focusing on her face and loosely curled hair. “You look extra beautiful tonight.”
“Thank you.” The warmth in her face spread through her veins as he helped her into her coat and then clasped her hand as they walked out to his Jeep.
Crossing the cobblestone courtyard at his side was so romantic, especially since the white lights on the trees illuminated the snowflakes that had begun to fall. The effect would be even more dramatic once the sun fully set.
She sighed, her breath creating a puff of white in the chilly air. “It’s almost magical.”
“It is.” Drew squeezed her hand and tingles spread. “Thanks for agreeing to tonight.”
“My pleasure.” Could her smile get any bigger? Then again, based on the way he already made her feel treasured, she couldn’t imagine the night getting any better.
Had it really only been two weeks since they’d met?
Drew helped her into the passenger side and soon they were on their way. As he paused near the gatehouse to give incoming traffic the right-of-way, he slipped his Jeep into four-wheel drive. “I didn’t think this snow was going to stick, but better to be safe.”
She eyed the road where tire tracks left darker lines through the white glaze already coating the pavement. “I didn’t pay attention to the forecast, but did overhear a few of the staff joking about it being April First so they weren’t inclined to believe the weatherman anyway.”
He shrugged. “It’s Spring in Colorado so anything can happen no matter what the calendar says.”
“So true.” She chuckled. “As they say, just wait fifteen minutes and the weather will change.”
He nodded and pulled onto the main road, expertly navigating around the Friday evening traffic.
A semi-awkward silence settled as he drove across town toward the restaurant they’d decided on. Was he concentrating on the road conditions? Or were his thoughts circling the mystery topic he’d wanted to talk about? Should she bring it up now or wait until they were seated?
With nerves climbing up her throat, Grace was glad when Drew took the lead. “So, how was your day?”
She turned slightly to soak in his profile. “Pretty good. Especially with tonight to look forward to.”
At that, he winked her direction. “Ditto.” His perfect lips curved into a smile that made her wonder what they’d feel like if—when—he decided to kiss her.
Seeking a distraction now that the ice was broken, she told him how she’d talked to someone about the summer camp position and how it looked like she might get to stay in the area after all.
His answering nod didn’t tell her much of what he really thought. Then again, he’d been busy merging onto the interstate.
Filling the silence, she continued with a few stories about the day’s tour guests.
Including the exuberant older woman who had dragged her entire extended family along for the tour. “Picture a put-together fashionable lady with a thick Southern accent pointing out every intricate architectural detail to her children and grandchildren who were obviously indulging her based on their grunted replies.”
“Hmm. Did they remind you of me during my tour?” He raised an eyebrow in her direction as he turned into the restaurant’s parking lot.
She laughed. “A bit. But I had mercy on them.”
“How so?”
“I started sharing so many historical tidbits that she was too busy asking questions—and taking notes on her phone—to keep bothering them. In fact, her son slipped me a nice tip at the end of the tour.”
“Sounds like you earned it.” Drew grinned as he escorted her inside, his steady hand at the small of her back.
“It was a good thing I’d been doing so much extra research lately, because I almost ran out of topics.”
Their shared laughter faded as they followed the hostess to a candle-lit table near a wall of windows. Ever the gentleman, Drew helped push in her chair, then sat to her left instead of across the linen-covered expanse.
After placing their orders—including a starter of vegetable-laden minestrone soup that would justify a guilt-free dessert later—Grace picked up the conversational crumbs.
“I know I’m already a tour guide, but today was special because it’s like my history-loving-self had an opportunity to really shine. Knowing other people’s stories came in handy.” She winked.
As she’d hoped, Drew chuckled.
However, too soon, his smile faded and his caramel eyes bored into hers. “Speaking of stories, I’m discovering that God always has a plan to weave our past experiences—even the painful parts—into a future for His glory.”
What pain had Drew faced in the past? Oh, right. His friend’s death a month ago.
But before that?
She stared into his eyes and realized she didn’t know much of his past at all...
Grace took a deep breath and braced herself for the truth. “Was that what you meant by your text? That you had something else to tell me?”
###
YES, HE DEFINITELY had something to tell her. A lot of things.
Including how glad he was that she’d agreed to a date. And how, God-willing, he already wished for more time with her in the future.
Drew gazed deep into Grace’s violet eyes, a view he knew would come back to fill his dreams in nights to come.
Which only made it harder to officially tell her that he wouldn’t be staying in the area after the first of the year.
But first, he had to thank her...
The waiter appeared with their bowls of soup, but as soon as the man disappeared, Drew plunged in. “Before we were interrupted yesterday, you were telling me about the fire and the girl you saved and your crush...” He winked. He couldn’t help but hope she’d transfer those lingering feelings to him once she knew the full story.
Grace blushed as he expected, before she furrowed her brow and deflected. “And then you figured out Cherry was the same girl you met when she came for tea.”
Right. When he’d gotten too close to the truth. Feeling unsettled, he picked up his spoon and scrambled for a different angle. “On our hike, you told me about your healing process and the nightmares. How did she handle the aftermath?”
“I was transferred to a different hospital almost immediately, but I heard she had a mild cough from smoke inhalation for a few days. Otherwise, she recovered quickly. Kids are resilient.” Grace looked lost in thought as she blew on a spoonful of her own soup.
He waited and a few bites later she continued.
“Physically, she was fine. Then there was the grief. And the survivor’s guilt that hit us all. Why did we survive when others hadn’t?”
Including her family, even if the fire wasn’t her fault.
He nodded. Wasn’t that part of what he’d felt after hearing of Brian’s death? That it should have—could have—been him? That he should have done something to prevent it?
Grace lifted her gaze to his. “I think the guilt was worst for Cherry’s dad—my guardian—since it was his accidental negligence that caused the fire in the first place. Don’t get me wrong. I was blessed to have a place to live and recover with a father figure there to guide me. But I’ve never been completely sure how much of his care for me was motivated by gratitude for saving his daughter’s life...and how much was guilt like he had to make up for my family’s deaths.”
“That’s a brutal position to be in.”
“And one reason that now that I’m out of college—even though I’m not all that excited about teaching as a career—I want to get out of his household so we can move on. So I’m not a constant reminder of the past. An obligation.” She sighed and pushed away her mostly-empty bowl. “Which is why these past few weeks at Glen Eyrie have been such a blessing. It’s been so freeing to explore God’s love for me and to stand on my own out of that shadow.”
He could only nod at the wisdom of her words.
A smile curved her lips. “I’m ready to close that chapter and write my own story despite the scars. I know my parents wouldn’t want me to stay stuck in the past.”
He smiled at her obvious reference to his words on their hike, then reached over to squeeze her fingers. “I’m glad for you. Survivor’s guilt is such a hard thing to work through.”
“You too?”
He released her hand and sat back. “I haven’t faced it like some of my friends in the Air Force since I was never on the front lines with combat. Never saw comrades ambushed. But I have lost...”
“Your friend.” It was her turn to offer a sympathetic touch. “The one you came to the castle to mourn.”
“Brian.” He grunted. “He made his choices. And even though we went through the same life-changing event, he chose to stay in his old habits.”
Grace leaned forward and propped her elbows on the table. “What life-changing event?”
Finally. He smiled. “Let me tell you a story. Once upon a time, about eight years ago, two stupid drunk high school seniors were headed home after a party when they stumbled upon a cabin that was on fire.”
Her eyes widened.
“I saw a couple cars parked outside and got closer to investigate. Then I heard someone shout for help.”
“You?” She gasped and one hand fluttered up to cover the scars on her neck.
“Me.” He grasped her free hand. “I didn’t figure it out until I was home last week and drove by the site with your stories fresh in my mind. And now I get to share how you changed the course of my life forever.”
“Me? You were—”
“You were so brave.” He ignored the shake of her head. “Even though you were trapped by that burning beam, you were shielding the little girl from injury. Sacrificing yourself and pleading for me to save her.”
“You did.”
“God did.” He swallowed hard. “You were also praying and somehow that gave me the extra strength to lift that beam.” He released her hand, then pointed out the slight scarring on his palms. “Even with my shirt as a temporary shield, it was just too hot and too heavy.” He smiled at the next memory. “But something happened in that moment that I can’t explain as the beam lifted.”
“You’re really Andy?” Awe and something more ignited in her eyes as they swept over him.
“Andrew.” He pushed his bowl aside and reached to grasp both her hands. “The next morning, I looked in the mirror and knew I had to change. Started going by Drew instead of that old nickname as a reminder that God had saved my life even while using me to save yours and the girl you saved. Then I enlisted after graduation so I could pay it forward and be a hero for someone else just like you were for me. Even if it hasn’t worked out quite like I thought...”
“I still remember being carried out of the fire and feeling safe despite the pain.” A slight smile curved her pink lips. “There’s no doubt in my mind. You are my hero.” She lifted their clasped hands and kissed his scars, sending a jolt of heat straight through his chest.
Unable to stand the distance any longer, he pulled a hand free and cupped her cheek instead. “You’re mine.” My hero. And mine...
Her lips parted in surprise and he brushed his thumb across their softness.
Forget about restraint or going slow. She needed to know what a treasure she was.
He leaned in and pressed his lips to hers, pouring his admiration into first one kiss...and then another.
Nothing felt quite as perfect as this moment as she kissed him back.
Except they were in a public restaurant.
After one last quick peck, Drew eased back and dropped his hand from her flushed face.
Grace’s eyes shone with emotion. With awe. And the hint of...tears? “What are the chances we’d run into each other again?”
Of the millions of people on the planet and the many places he’d traveled with the Air Force, what were the odds their paths would intersect at a castle miles from where she lived? And that they’d actually take the time to forge a connection rather than passing by as mere acquaintances?
His heart swelled with gratitude. “Only God...”
“Only God.” She breathed out the words, then sat in almost-worshipful silence.
Their waiter picked that unfortunate moment to deliver their meals and remove the soup bowls.
But even as they ate, Drew’s gaze kept straying to Grace’s sparkling eyes, her flushed face, and the hint of scars just barely visible from his position to her left.
He cleared his throat. “I know you try to hide them, but you need to know that your scars are beautiful to me.”
Her eyes widened in shock, but he hurried on. “They’re proof of how strong and courageous you are. But they’re also a sign of God’s grace that saved me from a path that could have ended up like my friend’s. I still wish I could have made a difference for him even though I know he made his own choices.”
“Your friend.” Her forehead wrinkled in confusion, then her realization dawned. “I’d almost forgotten there was someone else there. He’s the one who called you Andy.”
He nodded. “Brian called 911 for the first responders while I was inside with you.”
“And afterward?” She twirled her fork through the pasta on her plate. “You said it was a life-changing event, right?”
“He changed for a little while, but after graduation he stayed there. Fell back into his old patterns and choices.”
Grace reached a comforting hand to squeeze his forearm. “Only Jesus saves. And we have to leave room for Him to do His part.”
In the lingering quiet, Drew contemplated the truths he’d embraced over the past weeks that had released him from his guilt, then eyed the scar on his hand with a new awareness. He held it out. “Only Jesus saves. And He bears scars too.”
A powerful moment passed between them.
Another moment interrupted by their waiter coming to refill water glasses and ask about a dessert order they declined.
Overall, the evening had gone much better than he’d planned. Especially that romantic interlude he couldn’t wait to recreate when he dropped her off at the castle.
Except there was still one topic to discuss.
Drew faced it head on. “Like I said earlier, I believe God has a plan to weave our pasts—including the pain—into the future. To give us a chance to help someone else.” He pushed his empty plate aside. “I read somewhere about this Japanese art where they use gold to put broken pottery back together. The result is not only functional but beautiful as well.”
Grace tilted her head as if trying to imagine what the outcome might be.
His gaze dipped to the scars on her neck, then rose in time to catch another blush blooming across her cheeks. He winked. “It’s like you were saying with your love of history. I can see how God used that to bring you to the castle where you met me.”
“And now how He might use that to inspire my future students. Somehow. Maybe.” A slight frown marred her lovely face before she forced a smile. “But God also used the loss of your friend to bring you to the castle—”
“Where I met you.” His gaze dipped to her lips. He just couldn’t seem to help himself.
She laughed. “Where you were there at just the right time to help Timmy when he fell.”
It was his turn to nod. “There’s that. Especially since it made me start to think about being an EMT. But before that, I know my love of the outdoors opened the door for me to teach survival skills in the Air Force. And now...” A buzz of excitement grew in his chest, spreading to fuel the smile on his face. “Now I’ve got a chance to use all of that to help others reclaim their futures. Did I tell you about my friend with PTSD?”
“No.” She shook her head.
“Right. Our coffee date got cut short before I got the chance.” He pursed his lips as he considered how to summarize the event without breaking any confidences. “On our hike, you said something about your nightmares and that made me remember a buddy from SERE training.” He quickly recapped the urge to call his friend and how he was able to get him help. “And now the guy is going to attend an outdoor camp to heal alongside other wounded soldiers.”
“That’s so cool that you were able to help him.” Her eyes shone as if she was proud of him.
“And now I’ve really got the chance to do the same for others. To help save the ones who matter most like injured children who don’t see a future...or our nation’s heroes and their families.” He propped his elbows on the table. “Remember me telling you about my mom’s neighbor and all his ideas to turn his ranch into a camp? Well, yesterday after our coffee date got interrupted, he called as I was walking back to my Jeep. And long story short, he wants me to be his partner and help make it happen.”
As he filled Grace in about the details of their conversation including gaining ownership in the ranch, he couldn’t help but get even more excited about the possibilities.
Until he caught the dimming in her eyes and considered how his words could sound.
As if he was excited to leave her behind.
He winced, then reached out a hand. “I don’t think it’s a mistake we were brought back together. That we’d already started a relationship before even realizing our past connection. And I would love nothing more than to see what might develop here before I discharge in May.”
A light flickered in her eyes and he forged ahead. “Evan wants me to check out a few camps this summer to gain experience, but if you end up at Eagle Lake Camp, I could visit you sometimes. And then there’s this fall and my EMT classes somewhere in this area. We’ve got time.”
Time to fall in love...before he chose to leave her behind? Was that fair to either of them? Then again, with the memory of their kiss lingering in the air, he just couldn’t let her go so easily.
She pressed her lips together as if thinking things through, but the tension appeared to have eased from her shoulders.
As for after his training was complete, why couldn’t she find a job of some sort in Pine Ridge? Except she might be locked into a teaching contract in Colorado Springs.
Leaving them in a long-distance relationship for months.
If that happened, he’d do all he could to make it work and have to trust God had a plan.
God.
He peered into her eyes. “Only God knows what might happen after that, but we have to trust that if He brought us together again, there’s a reason.”
“I agree. Trust is everything.” Her smile grew and he considered sealing the moment with another kiss.
Until he caught a glimpse of the heavy snow falling outside the window.
The spring storm was intensifying and feeling the responsibility to see her safely back to the castle, Drew waved down their waiter and requested the check.