Chapter 20 #2
She searched his face for any sign that he was lying to her, but there was nothing but honesty in his clear gaze.
Angelina suddenly had a desperate need to sit down because her legs were weak and her head filled with a strange buzzing sound.
She stumbled across to the bed, and flopped down, where she sat staring aimlessly into the distance.
***
Richard knelt in front of her. Taking her hands in his and bringing them to his lips, he kissed the palms of both.
“This is not the way I would have chosen to tell you my story. There is more to tell, if you care to hear it.” He was afraid to tell her the whole of it, but knew honesty would be best and if he lost her because of this, then so be it—it was no more than he deserved.
“Knowing you’re really from the sixteenth century is about all I can handle right now. That would make you over five hundred years old!” She exclaimed in disbelief. “Can we save the rest for another time?”
She seemed weary to her bones and more vulnerable than he’d ever seen her.
Since he’d known her, Angelina had always been so strong and in control.
It took every ounce of his self-restraint not to scoop her up and cradle her in his arms, but he was frightened of how she might react.
“May I hold you in my arms while you rest?” He’d never felt the need to ask before, but his respect for her was deeply felt and if she didn’t want him near her, he would not force the issue.
Angelina nodded and lay down on the bed, making enough room for Richard to join her. He wrapped her in his arms and cradled her head on his chest. “Sleep if you can. Tomorrow may require us to be at our best.”
“What about Malcolm?”
“Don’t worry about him, I don’t think he’ll be bothering us tonight.
It’s late and after the beating Nick and I gave him and his friend, he no doubt needs his rest as well.
Close your eyes, love.” Once again, he kissed the top of her head.
As he nuzzled her hair, Richard closed his mind to all thoughts of Malcolm Granger and their predicament and breathed deeply and steadily, knowing that if he was relaxed, it would help Angelina to relax.
The smell of her perfume wafted around his nose and when the sound of her breathing grew deeper and rhythmic, he knew Angelina would soon be asleep.
He closed his own eyes, knowing the morning would be with them too quickly.
***
Nick paced back and forth in front of Angelina’s truck.
The parking lot of the tournament was empty, with the exception of his team.
They had refused to leave him, but he was at a loss as to what he should do next.
Where could they be? Why didn’t they tell me they were leaving?
Their disappearance made no sense whatsoever and the fact that the truck was still here only served to increase his unease.
“What do you think happened?” Zeke questioned.
“I have nae idea, but I dinnae believe it to be anything good. Neither of them would up and leave without telling someone. When last I saw them, Richard was having his arm tended to by the EMT. I had to go and accept the award we won and when I came back, they were gone. Did any of ye see where they may have gone?”
“Afraid not,” Wade answered. Kyle and Jason shook their heads.
“So, no one saw a thing. I suspect our Mr. Granger may have had something to do with this, though I cannae be sure. The bastard hates my guts, and he went out of his way to cheat during the tournament, I wouldnae put anything past him.” Nick threw his equipment into the back of the truck.
“If it was him, where would he have taken them?”
“I heard Granger just remodelled an old restaurant, one that looks like a medieval castle and he’s living in it. Maybe he took them there. But what do you think he wants with them?” Zeke’s puzzled expression mirrored everyone else’s.
“He told Angelina that he believes I’m a time traveller and he wants to go back in time to recover a special sword for his collection–” Nick stopped abruptly and pressed his thumb and forefinger to his temples.
He was so frazzled, he’d spoken without thinking, and now his group were looking at him as though he’d grown a tail and two horns.
The expressions around him ranged from completely puzzled to outright curiosity. “So, are you? A time traveller, I mean?” Wade asked slowly.
Nick wasn’t sure how to respond, but he’d already said far too much, and there was no taking it back. He felt the need to be honest with these men. “Aye. I am.”
Silence descended on the group as they all digested what Nick had said.
“Well, say something,” Nick pleaded. “Dinnae just stand there, looking bewildered.”
Kyle was the first to find his voice. “Wow,” he said. “So, how’d you end up here?”
The others all nodded their apparent satisfaction with Kyle’s initial question and Nick leaned back against the truck and told them everything. When he was done, he was surprised that they were all still there and hadn’t taken off for the hills upon hearing his outrageous story.
“So how do we get them back?” Jayson questioned.
“I didnae think it would be ‘we’,” Nick admitted with a faint smile.
“We’re going to help you, of course. Angelina and Richard are our friends, too,” Kyle said.
“I’d be verra grateful for your help. I have an idea, but I think we need to wait for Granger to tell us what he wants, to be certain we’re on the right track. I should go home and wait to hear from him, but I dinnae ken how to drive this blasted truck.”
“Do you have the keys?” Zeke questioned.
“I’m afraid not.” Nick peered in the driver’s side window, hoping one of them had accidentally left a door unlocked, but to no avail.
Zeke stepped forward. “Lucky for you, I know how to get inside, and I also know how to hot wire the truck.”
Nick furrowed his brow at Zeke’s response but had to admit he was impressed when within seconds, the door to the truck was open and Zeke had positioned himself under the steering wheel where he fiddled with some wires.
The truck roared to life and Zeke settled into the driver’s seat with a wide grin. “Get in.”
Nick sat in the passenger seat, while the rest of the group got into the back. “I’ll nae ask how you knew what to do with the truck,” Nick said wryly.
“You probably don’t want to know,” Zeke replied.
Once they reached Nick’s home, the men piled into the living room. Wade pulled out his cell phone. “I’m going to see if I can find any info on that castle.”
“Good idea,” Jayson said, making himself comfortable on the sofa. “The more we know, the better it will be for us.”
“Here it is,” Wade said a few minutes later, as he showed everyone the display on his phone.
“We’re not going to be able to see much that way. Nick, do you have a computer we can use?” Zeke asked.
“I dinnae have one, I’m afraid. But I think Angelina left her laptop here earlier today. She didnae want to take it with her to the tournament.”
“Where is it?”
Nick went out to the hall table and retrieved the laptop, handing it to Wade. “Do you know her password?” Wade asked.
Nick frowned. “Password?”
“I’ll take that as a no. Don’t worry, I’ll figure it out.” Wade strode over to the breakfast bar and opening the computer, went to work.
Nick had no idea what to do next, but he was learning some things about these men that he hadn’t known before.
They perhaps had less than perfect backgrounds, but he was swiftly learning they were honourable and loyal.
He hoped he wouldnae have to use their skills to retrieve his friends, but he would do whatever was necessary.
“Do you have anything to eat?” Jayson asked a few minutes later. “I’m kinda hungry.”
“Me, too,” Kyle added.
“I usually order takeout, so the refrigerator is nae verra well-stocked, although I think Angelina did bring some food over with her this morning.”
“Let me see what I can rustle up.” Jayson headed to the refrigerator and started pulling items out. Next, he opened the cabinets and retrieved a few more jars and cans. “You’ve got plenty here to cook something. “You wanna give me a hand Zeke?”
“Sure.” Zeke headed into the kitchen and between the two of them, they found managed to prepare what Jayson called “breakfast for dinner.”
“I’m guessing Angelina was planning to make you guys breakfast tomorrow, so that’s now become tonight’s dinner.”
“I’ve got it!” Wade announced. “I’m in. I’ll log onto the internet, and we’ll have the info we need in no time.
” Nick came to stand behind Wade and peeked over his shoulder while he retrieved an image of the castle on Angelina’s computer.
“I’ll bet I can get the building plans. When Granger remodelled, he would’ve had to file for permits with the city. ”
Nick was beginning to think he might be the luckiest man in San Francisco.
He wouldnae be able to do any of this, without this group of men.
His team. They were proving to be so much more than that.
“I’m grateful to each and every one of ye fer yer help.
Zeke, I’ve been wantin’ to speak with ye about becoming a partner in the martial arts school. ”
Zeke appeared stunned at this announcement.
“I’ve been thinking about this for a while and even took the liberty of having papers drawn up.
I’ve been holding onto them, waiting for the appropriate time to speak with ye about it.
Now, with all that’s happening, I’m nae too sure I’ll be here after tomorrow.
I may be able to return home and so I’d like to have a plan in place that would put ye in charge of the school.
First thing tomorrow morning, I’ll take the prize check to the bank, it’s to be used for all the repair work that needs to be done. ”
Zeke seemed humbled by Nick’s announcement. “You’d really do that for me?” Zeke asked, his voice choked with emotion. “No one’s ever given me a chance like this before. I won’t let you down.” He threw his arms around Nick and crushed him in a hug.
“I’ll be counting on the rest of ye as well, to help him as best ye can.” Nick gently disentangled himself from Zeke. The warmth he felt for these four men was not easy for him to put into words, but he hoped they knew he respected each of them and valued their friendship.
“Foods up!” Jayson called. They all grabbed a plate and helped themselves to eggs, bacon and hash browns. “I made coffee, too. I thought we might need to stay awake a while longer, so we can make a plan.”
“Good thinking,” Nick said in acknowledgement. “And good food.”
As they ate, Wade found the information he’d been searching for and before long, had the blueprints to the castle on the computer screen.
“Eat, Wade. We’ll look at those in a minute.” Zeke shoved a plate at Wade. “Get some food and sit down with us.”
Nick was reminded of his brothers, Rory and Duncan, who were always ready to help at a moment’s notice.
These men were not brothers by blood, but they were brothers just the same and he was proud of them.
They had won their battles today and they were determined to help him win the freedom of his friends.
That was, if in fact, they were with Malcolm.
He hadnae stopped to think of any other scenario, but as the thought popped into his head, he quickly dismissed it, knowing intuitively exactly where they were.
He just prayed nae harm had come to them.