Through the Darkness Read online

  Hanging his head in defeat, he turned to leave; and that's when he heard the one sound he hadn't heard in over a year that had the power to cause his heart to pound in anticipation.

  His breath lodged in his throat. He turned, his gaze going immediately to the source of the beloved tap tap tap. His eyes flew open wide in disbelief when they came to rest on a breathtaking red-haired woman twenty feet away. It was her!

  The air left his lungs in a rush the closer she came to him until suddenly she passed by leaving the achingly familiar fragrance of vanilla and roses in her wake. He stood there for several heartbeats in slack-jawed amazement, then sprung to action and followed after her.

  Twenty-Two

  Three days! Elyria groaned and shook her head. Everything that could go wrong had gone wrong. She'd missed her first connecting train due to a delay on the tracks between Idaho and Chicago. Then while waiting for the next train from Chicago to Pittsburgh, there'd been another accident; one of the passengers fell off the platform.

  Shocked and horrified whispers had suggested it hadn't been an accident and that the poor woman jumped right when the train pulled into the station, others said someone pushed her. Once they removed the body, almost five hours had passed before Elyria's train finally departed for her next stop.

  But, upon arriving in Pittsburgh, the misfortune plaguing her trip home didn't show signs of stopping. An engineer had to be rushed off after being scalded so badly that pieces of flesh hung from his face and hands when a pressure release valve exploded.

  Elyria gave herself a mental shake and forced herself to concentrate on the sounds reverberating off the walls to help navigate her way through the station.

  The last thing she needed was to walk into a wall or bench instead of turning the corner that should be somewhere up to her right.

  Out of nowhere, a familiar voice said, "Care to take a real short walk with me? I can't promise not to lead you into a wall."

  Her feet suddenly became rooted to the spot, and she replied, as if in a dream, "Never fear, Captain, I enjoy living dangerously."

  He laughed and crossed the distance between them, standing close enough behind her that his body heat seeped through her clothing and made it difficult for her to think, let alone make coherent speech.

  A breath caught in her throat and goosebumps erupted on her skin. Captain Rattlesnake! She slowly turned to face him, wishing—and not for the first time concerning Captain Everett Montrose—that she wasn't blind. Oh, what she wouldn't give to see his face at that moment. Her heart raced so fast she feared she might faint.

  Millions of butterflies took flight in her stomach, making every nerve in her body sing with excitement. His name formed on her tongue and escaped on a sigh, "Everett…"

  "Hello, Pegleg." The nickname sounded like an endearment, filling her with an overwhelming desire to launch herself into his arms.

  She didn't, of course; the chance she'd miss him entirely, and land face-first on the ground was far too high. And that was not how she wanted this reunion to begin.

  However, she needn't have worried. Within the next instant, Everett scooped her up in his arms, enveloping her in his pleasing masculine scent when he clasped her to his chest so tightly her ribs creaked.

  "Red hair," Everett whispered, pulling away and setting her back on her feet. He kept his hands at her waist and continued softly, "I always pictured you with brown or blonde for some reason."

  "Oh!" She reached up a self-conscious hand to her cropped curls, "I guess I never thought to mention it, I'm sorry."

  "Don't be sorry, Pegleg." He touched a curl resting along the left side of her face. "It suits you…"

  "I met Marcus…" Oh, why on earth had she blurted that out? She cringed. He must think her an absolute dolt.

  Everett lowered his hand back to her waist, his voice quiet—almost reverent—when he said, "You did?"

  "He told me you were on your way to get married."

  "Did he?"

  Elyria nodded, her heart in her throat making it impossible to speak just then.

  "Remind me not to share my secrets with him in the future," Everett murmured with a wry chuckle. Releasing his hold on her, he took her bag in one hand, its rigid handle clanking softly against the wood of his cane, then took her free hand in his. "I have a car outside…what do you say we get out of here?"

  She smiled and gave a little nod. "Alright."

  They walked in silence, Elyria's nervousness and anticipation escalating with each step. Upon leaving the station, he led her down the sidewalk for a short walk before slowing to a stop and opening a car door. "Here we are, just a little step up."

  She climbed inside, and he set her bag on the seat behind her before closing the door. A minute later, he had the car started and jumped in beside her. "Where to?" He asked, maneuvering the vehicle onto the road.

  "Anywhere…"

  He fell quiet for a second and then murmured, "I think I know just the spot."

  A heavy silence descended, growing more uncomfortable with every passing moment until she cleared her throat. "I didn't know if you'd be here, at the station that is…I hoped…"

  There was a smile to his voice when he replied, "Where else would I be?"

  Elyria smoothed a nervous hand against her skirts, her tone sarcastic when she said softly, "At home perhaps, in Idaho?"

  Everett chuckled, "Touché." He paused and then murmured, "Daphne persuaded me to stay and wait."

  "I'm glad."

  He settled his hand atop hers where it rested on her lap and squeezed her fingers but remained quiet until he brought the car to a stop several minutes later.

  His voice trembled when he turned to face her and whispered, "Pegleg…" he snapped his mouth shut and cleared his throat before continuing, "How about some fresh air?"

  She nodded, flinching when he leaped from the vehicle and slammed his door shut. A moment later, he swung her door open and helped her out.

  The sound of crickets, frogs, and insects filled the night around them, blending with the soft, familiar lapping of the Anacostia River.

  He held her hand and walked with her away from the car. A gentle sway marked his walk that hadn't been there at the station, evidence that suggested an absence of his cane.

  Tall grasses caressed her claves, and her shoes sunk slightly into the soft soil with each step. The crickets suddenly quieted when Everett pulled her to a stop and turned to face her.

  Electrifying silence infused the air as his hands drifted up her arms and over her shoulders. A fiery trail of sensation seeped through her clothing and marked his path until he cupped her face in his palms. "Pegleg…I…"

  "Yes?"

  He didn't answer. His fingers traced the rise of Elyria's cheekbones, the bridge of her nose, and the arch of her brows.

  Elyria's chest rose and fell with anxious breaths, her eyes slid closed, and she gave herself over to his feather-light touch.

  When his thumbs brushed against the fullness of her lips, a soft gasp escaped her, and she feared her knees would buckle from the pleasure of it all.

  Suddenly, he pulled her into a tight embrace that threatened to knock the breath out of her. "I've missed you."

  Elyria froze for the briefest of seconds before wrapping her arms around his waist in return with a heartfelt sigh of relief. "I missed you too."

  Twenty-Three

  They stood in the shelter of the massive weeping willow; the very same tree Anne had mentioned earlier that day to be her Auntie El's favorite spot. Its long branches swayed gently in the breeze and offered a modicum of privacy, creating a haven.

  Everett closed his eyes, giving himself over to the rightness of the moment. He'd dreamt of this, pined for it with alarming desperation, and still it didn't compare to the reality of finally having her back in his arms.

  "I can't believe you're really here with me," He breathed, pressing his lips to her forehead.

  Cradling her face in his hands, he planted soft little
kisses along her cheeks and tipped her chin up. He bent his head, their breath mingling in soft gasps of anticipation.

  His hands trembled at her waist; so, he clenched her dress in his fists and pulled her closer.

  The erratic thump of his heart rang loudly in his ears as he threaded his fingers through the hair at her nape.

  He wanted to take this slow, to savor the moment and draw it out. But after he bent his head and settled his lips on hers in a gentle kiss, she moaned softly and moved her right hand to the back of his neck, pressing his lips more firmly to hers.

  In that precise moment, he ignored and quickly forgot all intentions he had of unhurried exploration. Everett cupped the back of her head with his right hand, angling her mouth to drink of her lips in an explosion of passion and demanding hunger.

  She gasped against his mouth, curling her arms around his neck and clung to him. He took full advantage of her parted lips, helpless and buffeted against the waves of desire crying out to be sated.

  Arms that had ached from months of loneliness were at last able to clasp around the woman who had come to mean the world to him, and he never wanted to let go.

  His mouth devoured hers, demanding a response which she eagerly gave. Then his lips left hers, tasting her skin as he trailed kisses along her jaw and down her neck.

  He needed to get ahold of himself and slow down; if not, he worried he might scare her. "Wait…"

  "Is something wrong," she panted, resting her hands on his chest.

  "No," He groaned with a shake of his head and a quick kiss to her lips. For the first time in his life, everything was exactly right. And he didn't want to ruin it.

  Keeping a firm hold on her hand, Everett directed her back to his rented car and helped her inside.

  After closing her door, he squeezed his eyes shut and took a deep breath before going to his side to climb in beside her. The wisest thing for him to do right then would be to take her home.

  His self-control around Elyria was weak at best. But despite the noblest of intentions, a problem remained. He didn't want to be wise, and he definitely didn't want to be away from her. "I should drive you home."

  He expected her to quietly agree with him, or perhaps murmur something that he would then assume meant she agreed. What he did not expect was for her to say, "Do you have to?"

  "No," he whispered, staring at her and reminding himself to keep his hands planted firmly on the steering wheel; otherwise, he'd be tempted to pick up where they'd left off. He forced a swallow down a suddenly tight throat, and asked, his voice hoarse, "What would you rather do?"

  She scooted closer and turned to face him, "Talk?"

  "About what?"

  Her lips curled in an alluring smile, "It doesn't matter, but I'm not ready for this night to end yet."

  He relaxed his grip on the steering wheel and let out a deep breath. "Alright, you first…ask me anything."

  "Anything?"

  "Yes," He nodded, adjusting his position to rest his arm along the back of the seat so that his fingers could brush against the material covering her shoulder. He played with fire and knew it, but he couldn't help himself.

  She chewed on her bottom lip, an action he found both endearing and alluring, "What's your favorite color?"

  He grinned. "Purple. You?"

  "Yellow. Why purple?"

  "It reminds me of lilacs—they were my mom's favorite flower. Why, yellow?"

  "Buttercups…I've always had a partiality to them. Favorite food?"

  "Hmmm," he murmured, inching closer to her, "that's a tough one… but I think it's gotta be bread fresh from the oven slathered in butter. You?"

  "Eggs Benedict." Elyria grinned, scooting across the seat until their thighs brushed.

  He rubbed his thumb across the seam in the upholstery of the back cushion and bit back a smile. "I hate eggs."

  "You do?" She said, surprise and delight plain on her face. "I've never met anyone who hates eggs. Why?"

  Everett shrugged, "Mostly because they remind me of my father." When her brow creased in a delicate frown, he knew he couldn't just leave it at that. "He owned a fireworks factory and always came home smelling of rotten eggs from the sulfur." Letting out a sigh, he stared down at his lap and allowed a foggy memory of his father to come to mind.

  "He was a harsh brute of a man, especially compared to the frailness of my mother. Everything had to be done exactly his way, but even then it was never good enough—I was never good enough…no matter what I did. Eventually, I gave up trying."

  "I'm sorry," she whispered, taking his hand in hers. "We don't have to talk about him. I shouldn't have asked."

  "It was bound to come up sooner or later." Speaking barely above a whisper, he continued, "We didn't get along very well when my mother was alive. After she died, I went to live with her younger sister Mable."

  "How old were you?"

  A humorless smile curled his lips. "Thirteen…she hadn't even been buried a week when he woke me up and drove me to the station. Never heard from him again other than the telegram informing me of his death two years later." Clearing his throat, he stared at her and pushed the image of his father from his mind. "He left me the factory in his will, held in trust until I turned twenty-one. The moment I could, I sold it and used some of the profit to buy my house and the land it sits on."

  "New question?" She said with a kind smile.

  "Yes, please, something frivolous."

  "Frivolous, hmmm?" Her eyes narrowed, and she pursed her lips together for a moment, giving the impression of being in deep thought. "What…is…your absolute most favorite thing to do?"

  That was easy. "Kiss you."

  A nervous laugh escaped her, and she rolled her eyes, "I'm serious."

  "So am I."

  Her lips bent in a shy smile, "Mine too."

  Their questions, some frivolous and others of a more serious nature lasted into the early morning hours. They talked of their fears and dreams, sharing thoughts and feelings that had never been spoken aloud to another soul.

  By the time the faint oranges and blues of dawn painted the sky, Everett sat relaxed against the door frame with Elyria tucked against his chest. His fingers drifted aimlessly up and down her back tracing imaginary designs.

  "Everett?" She said drowsily.

  "Hmmm?"

  She pulled away from him and whispered, "Do you believe in love at first sight?"

  His heart pounded in his chest, threatening to jump out and answer her itself.

  If he'd been asked such a question before meeting her, his answer would have been a firm no. Attraction at first sight, yes, but anything to be labeled ‘love' he'd believed needed time to evolve.

  However, none of this proved to be the case where Elyria was concerned. "I didn't before, but I do now." Already missing the feel of her in his arms, he scooted closer and cradled her cheek. "You?"

  "I wanted to believe in it, but in my case, I worried it would be more complicated."

  "Complicated, how?"

  She sighed and leaned into his touch, lowering her voice as though divulging a deep dark secret, "Because I'm blind." Her throat convulsed on a swallow before she added, "I should have told you sooner…"

  "I know," he said gently. "I've known since before we started writing."

  Her entire body stilled, but she didn't pull away. "And it doesn't bother you?"

  "Did it bother you when I was blind? Or that I'm crippled for that matter…?"

  "No," she said without hesitation.

  He tucked a lock of hair behind her ear and pressed a kiss to her forehead. "Then why should it bother me?"

  Slowly, she relaxed. "I had to make sure…before…"

  Eyes focused on her mouth, he threaded his fingers through her hair at the back of her neck and pulled her closer. "Before?"

  She licked her lips, her eyelids sliding half-way closed when he bent his head and pressed a kiss to the side of her neck. "Before I told you, I love you."

  Hi
s stomach flipped, and his heart gave a funny little kick. He'd hoped it to be the case, but to actually hear her say it to his face filled him with incandescent joy. Trailing kisses across her jaw, he pulled slightly away and watched her. "You do?"

  "Most definitely," she said, her mouth a single breath away from his.

  "Good," He swallowed convulsively and whispered against her lips, "because…I love you too."

  Twenty-Four

  "Are you sure you don't want to rest here?" Elyria murmured. They stood at the bottom of the front steps to her home, where they had been for the past twenty minutes, unable to stop kissing or touching and dragging out their goodbye. "Daphne won't mind."

  "It's tempting, but I better not," Everett whispered against her lips and hugged her closer.

  She returned his kiss, then sighed and pulled away, "You'll be back later?"

  "Yes," he paused for a minute and pushed his sleeve up. Tilting his wrist, he said, "How does noon sound?"

  "Terribly far away…"

  "I agree," He chuckled, "but it's only four hours, and you need your rest." He squeezed her hand gently and lowered his voice, "Anne has spotted us …oh, and there's Daphne," he waved and called out, "morning, you two." Laughing softly, he leaned in close and whispered in her ear, "They've ducked out of sight, I don't think they expected to get caught."

  "I better go in," Elyria said with a smile. "You promise you'll be back at noon?"

  He pulled her into his arms, "Not even battle-ax Winters and her minions could keep me away."

  She laughed. "One more kiss before you leave?"

  "You read my mind," He murmured before delivering a kiss that stole her breath and left her legs wobbly when it ended. Resting his forehead against hers, he said, "I love you, Pegleg."

  "I love you too," she sighed. After a moment, she straightened and took her walking stick and bag firmly in hand. "Just so we're clear, I expect to see you here promptly at noon."

  He clicked his heels, "Yes, ma'am."

  "Not a moment later or I'll send out the hounds," she warned, making her way up the steps to the front door.