by Candace Colt
"Right. We should." Rachel ran her fingers through her hair and straightened the dress.
They went through the front door expecting to meet someone. But the usually noisy house was quiet as a church and not a soul anywhere.
Rachel's heart slipped down a notch. She'd half-way wanted to see their faces when she came in, wearing Jess's dress, with Ian in tow. But when she ran her tongue over her kiss-swollen lips, she welcomed a little delay.
Ian squeezed her hand. "I'll go up to the nursery while you go to your apartment. I expect you'd like to change into something more appropriate for baby care."
She watched Ian disappear up the stairs then turned to see Solange approaching.
"Good morning," Rachel said in a chipper voice hoping she didn't notice the dress.
But, Solange's face was gray and tense. Something was wrong. One of the twins?
"What's going on?" Rachel felt like a fool standing here in a party dress.
"Would you please join us on the patio?" Solange's voice was heavy and flat.
Bile rose in Rachel's throat. "Certainly."
No matter how hard Rachel tried to pry something from Solange, the woman remained silent.
Would Solange act like this over Rachel's night flight? Not enough to warrant this icy reaction.
When they reached the patio, Solange took a seat next to Jess at the table. Ryan stood behind Jess, his hands on her shoulders.
Rachel tried to read Jess's expression. Was she confused? Hurt? Or in pain?
If this was about the twins, Ian would have been back downstairs by now. With all her heart, she wished he was.
Standing beside the table was a man she'd met at Solange's birthday party, her first night in Nocturne Falls.
Hank Merrow, and the town Sheriff was a wolf shifter who lived in Wolf Creek, too. He must be on the way to work, but where was his car?
He didn't have his happy face on either.
Relief showered over Rachel when Ian appeared next to her. She took his hand and held on tight.
"Morning, all. Hank, I saw your car out back. Good to see you again," Ian said.
Hank briefly caught Ian's eye, nodded, and snapped his gaze back to Rachel.
He rested his hands on his holstered firearms. "Miss Ortega, the US Federal Marshall's office in Atlanta has been in contact with us."
Miss Ortega? Since when did people address each other so formally around here?
"What? Has there been an accident?" God forbid this was about her brothers. Or her parents.
"No ma'am." He cleared his throat. "Some information has come to the Marshall's office regarding your travels through Europe and back to the states."
Her heart throttled. "What information?"
"I can't go into all the details here, but their warrant charges you with drug smuggling."
Rachel held up her open hands. "This is a joke, right?"
"I'm afraid it is not," Hank said. "I would advise you to refrain from any further conversation about this until you've had time to speak with an attorney."
This had jumped from the crazy end of the pool into deep-as-hell.
"I also need to inform you we have a search warrant. We've already entered your apartment," the Sheriff added.
"And you discovered I have three T-shirts, a pair of pants, a dress, two pairs of shoes, a few toiletries, a phone, and a passport." The sleepshirt was upstairs at the Carpe Diem.
Hank reached down by his side and raised her backpack.
"Oh, and my luggage." She tried to hide sarcasm, unsuccessfully.
Hank put the backpack on the table and reached inside. "And this?"
He held the knife she'd shoved into her backpack the day it arrived.
"Okay. Big deal. I carried a knife with me in Europe but not on the plane. I left it in England, and my friends sent it back to me. I haven't carried it since."
"Miss Ortega, I am sorry, but I'm here to take you into custody. Tomorrow morning two Marshalls will come up from Atlanta to drive you back with them where you will be formally charged."
Rachel's head was about to implode. Had she heard him right?
Sure, she'd done some stupid things in her life. But smuggling?
"I don't get it. None of this is true." She looked at each of the Fords.
"Solange. Ryan. Jess. You have to believe me." Hot tears welled. "Jess, please use your psychic thing. You'll see it's all false. Every bit of it."
"Rachel, I believe you. You'd never be involved in this sort of thing," Ian said.
Only one ally? "Thank you," she said.
"Stay strong. I'll get to the bottom of this. I promise," he said.
She touched her fingers to his cheek. "I'll hold you to it."
She tore her gaze away from Ian and turned it to the Sheriff.
"Miss, we need to go," Hank said.
Right now? Like this?
Rachel looked at her party dress and almost laughed out loud at the irony. The only time she wasn't wearing black, and she's arrested in a dress.
"Can I change first?" She asked.
"It won't be necessary," Hank said.
"I don't look good in stripes," she said.
The lousy joke shattered at her feet.
TWENTY-TWO
A flight risk? Were they serious?
Why would they put her in a holding cell with spaces between bars? She could shift and fly out of here so fast their heads would spin.
But escape would be an admission of guilt. She needed to stay put and fight this to the end.
Still in a borrowed dress, Rachel sat on the bed with her back against the wall. A prisoner. Or as they phrased it here, a detainee. Same difference.
A hundred scenarios played through her mind about how she ended up in here. It had to be a bureaucratic blunder. Or a case of mistaken identity.
She wouldn't vouch for all her traveling companions, but never once had she witnessed any of them take a drug, let alone sell or smuggle them. Even if they did, what would they get from lying about her?
Her one phone call was to her father, and it had gone to voicemail. Too dang busy running for office to call his daughter back, he'd probably refer the case to one of his law firm's underlings, anyway. She couldn't remember the last time when he'd personally represented a client.
She would have to let the system play this one out. What a waste of taxpayer money to haul her down to Atlanta for nothing.
No matter what, the horrified look on the Ford's faces when the Sheriff pulled the knife out of her backpack convinced her the job was toast. She was tainted goods now. They'd never again trust her around the girls.
The idea of never seeing the twins again devastated her. Ari and Cat were developing their little personalities. And they were such fun to watch. She and Ian would have had a blast with them while the family was on vacation.
Sheriff Merrow had hustled her into the car so fast she'd only had a minute to speak to Ian. He'd vowed again to help her. She had hated to tell him goodbye in Solange's driveway about to be driven off in the back seat of a cruiser.
It was going to be a long day and night waiting for her escort to Atlanta.
Processed and ready for transport, the next day Rachel walked between a male and female US Marshall. The distance from the jail's back door to their parked vehicle wasn't more than twenty feet, but it felt more like a mile.
At least they'd been gracious and skipped the handcuffs. She wanted to hang on to every shred of dignity she could.
Doubtful she'd ever return, she made a silent thank you to the little town that had almost become her new home.
This reeked. Shifting was not an option with the three armed officers nearby. No more running. She would face this mess straight on.
While the male Marshall had a few final words with Sheriff Merrow, the female made sure Rachel's seatbelt was secure.
How thoughtful.
Someone had pulled int
o the lot, horns blaring. Rachel positioned herself to look in the rearview mirror to see the commotion.
She blinked and looked again.
Solange's SUV and the old pickup?
Jess, Ryan and Solange hopped out of their car, waving to get the Sheriff's attention. After they huddled a moment, Ian got out of the truck.
Rachel wanted to run into the man's arms more than anything. But she was firmly packed into this government vehicle.
Hank came to the drivers' window and asked the Marshall to step out.
"What's going on?" Rachel asked.
"Heck if I know," the remaining Marshall said as she exited the car.
Ian stood near the truck but kept his eyes on Rachel.
If somebody didn't tell her soon what was going on, she would pitch the loudest fit the town had ever heard.
The female Marshall came around, unlocked Rachel's door, and helped her out of the car.
Ian came toward them and gave two bottles of water to Hank, who in turn brought them to the Marshalls.
She caught a glimpse of the label. Moonbow. What gives?
As each took a long drink, Ian came to Rachel's side and gave her a tight hug.
"Are you okay?" He asked.
She was now with Ian's voice reverberating against her chest.
"I'd be better if you told me what's going on. And why you gave those Marshalls Moonbow water?"
"Later. I told you I'd get to the bottom of this. Come with me." He kept his arm around her as they walked toward the pickup.
"But I'm in custody."
"Not for much longer."
"Huh?"
Rachel recognized Echo in the passenger seat, but who, or what was the person next to her?
Ian crossed his arms and nodded to Echo.
She opened her door and shocked everyone when she yelled some choice words at the passenger. When the woman didn't move, Echo reached in and grabbed the woman's pointed ear, pulled her out, and walked her toward Merrow and the assembled Ford family.
Ian stepped closer to the woman with the strange painted eye mask.
"Everyone, I'd like you to meet my sister. Elle, say hello to these nice people."
Elle squirmed and jutted her chest in defiance.
"Tell them." Echo yanked on Elle's ear again. "You tell them right now what you did. Or I'll—"
Ian talked over Echo. "My sister was responsible for this. She fabricated the entire drug smuggling story and contacted the US Marshall's office."
Relief and anger chased in a circle around Rachel. "I told every one of you I didn't do anything."
"Hang on, people." Merrow turned his attention from Rachel back to Elle. "Miss Hunter, is this true?"
Elle whipped her head in a pitiful attempt to escape Echo's hold.
"Maybe I did. So, what. Her." She pointed to Rachel. "She's a no-good woman."
Solange, Jess and Ryan came to stand beside Rachel.
"I've never seen my grandmother this mad in all my life," Jess whispered in Rachel's ear.
"My dear woman," Solange began. "I know a good person when I see them. And Rachel Ortega is the epitome of good. And judging by your actions and appearance, you have much to learn about the concept of good."
Solange noticed Echo's hold begin to fail and came to her aid, taking Elle's other ear.
Rachel hoped Elle didn't try anything stupid. An angry falcon on one side and Echo on the other, Elle didn't stand a chance.
"We appear to have some wrinkles to straighten out," Hank said. "I need everyone to come inside."
Solange and Echo tugged Elle by the ears, followed by Jess and Ryan, and the Marshalls, who should be freaking out at this.
Ian whispered something to Hank and went back to Rachel's side.
Everyone else went on ahead.
Rachel stretched her arms to the sky and took a breath. Freedom rocked.
"She's your sister, for real?" Rachel asked.
Elle's stark face paint and ragged animal skin clothing were the opposite of the nicely groomed man beside her.
"I am sorry to say, yes she is. Somehow, I think Echo and Solange will straighten her out, once and forever, if she isn't sent to prison first. But there is something more important we should discuss," Ian said.
A single butterfly circled inside her stomach. Where was this going?
Time to redirect. "In the middle of everything else going on, you made sure the Marshalls drank Moonbow before your sister got out of the car. Now will you tell me about it?"
"Our spring water has special properties. When non-magicals drink it, they don't see certain things. Imagine the show inside Hank's office if they hadn't.
Rachel slowly took all this in. "And if we drink it?"
"No effect at all. We give it out by the gallons at the Pub, freeze it for ice, and mix all the drinks with it. Some are bottled under the Moonbow label."
Finally, somebody explained it. She wondered how many more secrets this town held. Probably hundreds.
"We better go inside. Technically, I haven't been released," she said.
"I asked Hank for a few more minutes. Knowing my sister, her ranting, and Hank's settling her down, will take everyone's mind off where we are. So technically, I'm guarding you."
A much pleasanter prospect than going back inside the jail. Though she was anxious to see Elle Hunter's performance.
"Have I thanked you yet for saving my bacon?" Rachel asked.
Ian laughed. "Do you know how old that saying is?"
Rachel rolled her eyes. "I'll make a wild guess you do."
"It's from medieval days. Funny how it stayed around this long. It was actually something I remember my great-grandparents saying."
"Thanks for the history lesson. Now let's go inside before I'm booked for something else."
"One more thing." Ian put his hand on Rachel's arm. "Though it's only been a few weeks, you've brought such joy into my world I cannot imagine you not in it."
"Oh. Ian. Is this really the right place to talk about this?"
"Does the idea of a life with me disgust you?"
"Not at all. But I just spent the night in a jail cell on a cot. I'm not sure where my head is at, right now."
"You aren't running away from me again, are you?"
She looked down at her feet and back into his eyes. "Never. I promise. I won't ever do it again."
"Good. Now, will you give serious consideration to what I'm about to say."
"Of course."
Ian dropped to one knee.
"Miss Rachel Ortega, it would be an honor beyond measure if you would consider sharing your life with me."
On any other day, or in any other place, or with any other person, this would have sent her packing.
In an instant, the dark shroud around her heart she'd carried so long lifted, replaced with a quiet peace.
Destiny was a real thing, after all.
"I am the one who would be honored." She knelt in front of him. "Yes. Yes. And yes, a thousand times over."
Ian's smile brightened the sky. "There is one more thing."
The pavement was hard on her bare knees, but nothing would make her get up now.
He reached into his pocket, took out a small box and opened it.
Rachel's eyes sprung open. "Oh my gosh."
The box held two gold rings.
"How long have you had these?" She asked.
"After I cut my hair, I went to the jewelry store." With a shaking hand, he held the small one up for her to see. "In my culture, exchanging promise rings means we are bound to one another for all time. Are you sure?"
Rachel's words froze. All she could do was rapidly nod and clasp her hands around his. It didn't matter how long, or how short the time would be. Or who didn't approve, or who did.
He offered the small ring to Rachel. She hesitated. Accepting the ring would alter her life forever. This was real and permanent. And what sh
e wanted.
Together, they slipped it on her finger.
"I, Erurainon Beleg Erynion, the elf you know as Ian Hunter, pledge my life and love to you."
Though barely able to see through her tears, she removed the larger one from the box, and they slipped it on his finger.
"I, Rachela Maria Carmencita Ortega, the falcon you know as Rachel Ortega, pledge my life and love to you."
Their soft, tear-soaked kiss sealed their vows.
She gently pressed him away. "You wouldn't happen to know anyone who'd be interested in a slightly used backpack, would you? I'm pretty sure I don't need it any longer."
"And the knife?"
She shook her head. "No room in my life for it, either."
"I will take care of all this. But, my betrothed, would you mind terribly if we get up? My knees are killing me," Ian said.
She kissed his cheek. "I thought you'd never ask."
THE END
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Candace Colt lives on Florida’s Gulf Coast. When she’s not plotting the next novel, she’s practicing yoga, Tai Chi, or taking long walks on the Pinellas Trail.
As a former teacher, health care professional, librarian, and college administrator, she's met dozens of "real" characters. Many found their way into her stories. Maybe even you!
A genealogy addict, Candace discovered her ninth great-grandmother, Rebecca Towne Nurse was hanged as a witch in Salem, MA in 1692. And her 13th great grandfather, Sir Henry Norreys was beheaded in 1536 for betraying King Henry VIII. Peace be with you Rebecca and Sir Henry.
Other Nocturne Falls Universe Books and Novellas
by Candace Colt:
THE FALCON FINDS HIS MATE
THE FALCON TAMES THE PSYCHIC
THE FALCON SHIFTER'S HEART
THE PSYCHICS SAY I DO