WindSwept Narrows: #10 Eloise Paddington Read online

  Eloise Paddington

  WindSwept Narrows

  Book Ten

  Karen A. Nichols

  Copyright 2011 by Karen A. Nichols

  Smashwords Edition

  Published by Karen Nichols. Copyright, Karen Nichols. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. This book contains material protected under International and Federal Copyright Laws and Treaties. Any unauthorized reprint or use of this material is prohibited. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system without express written permission from the author.

  This is a work of fiction. The characters, incidents and dialogues in this book are of the author’s imagination and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events or persons, living or dead, is completely coincidental.

  This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

  Chapter One

  Morgan Kelley stood beside the large SUV, quietly watching those around him as he filled the tank for fuel. There were several cars there at the same time, so he didn’t think anything of it when he heard a door open before capping off the tank and going inside to get his change.

  He thought about the meeting as he climbed behind the wheel, heading down I-5 to Portland, Oregon. It had been a good meeting. Solid. His presentation included everything from teacher expectations, to class size to a rounded curriculum and even a dress code. He’d been working on gathering the data he wanted from several good, solid charter schools around the country. This one would be cutting edge, money and talent would see to that, hopefully producing a generation that would be capable of continuing the message they’re beginning.

  He was single and thanks to frugal parents and grandparents, he had the money necessary to buy into the project. Morgan was just short of the state line when a shadow fell across the mirror. He looked up, his body freezing and hands tightening painfully on the steering wheel.

  The black hood came up slowly into his view, the upper part of the face covered with what looked like a velvet hood. He could see a corn silk red tassel hanging down the side. Then two very slim, very fine, almost delicate hands came up and lifted the hood from a pair if amazingly wide blue eyes.

  And she smiled at him.

  An oval face with high cheeks, reddish brows, pale lashes and ribbon straight red-gold hair framing it all.

  They stared and blinked at one another in the large rear view mirror of the SUV. He felt all moisture in his mouth evaporate.

  “Hello.”

  “You certainly don’t resemble the typical car jacker,” he said dryly, looking toward his phone and swearing. He’d forgotten the charger and it was dead.

  “A car jacker? Seriously?” Came the lilting feminine voice, her head shaking as she lay the hood of her cloak on her shoulders. “I am not a car jacker,” she sighed. “Although, I can easily see how you might think that.”

  “How the hell…”

  “Shhh…Lili is sleeping. It really is quite comfortable on the floor back here. And very warm,” she noted with a little nod, small, full lips pulled into a tight frown, one slim finger tapping her lips thoughtfully.

  “I’m glad you were comfortable,” he answered coldly. “One more time…what the hell are you doing in my car?”

  “I can explain…but I’d appreciate it if you didn’t stop driving until you reached wherever you’re going. I can call someone...well…I don’t suppose you have a phone…”

  “It’s dead.”

  “It’s been that kind of day,” she said tiredly. “Mine fell in the toilet,” she saw the look in his eyes and shrugged.

  “Why…when…how…” Morgan shook his head, drawing in a long slow breath when he heard the little voice behind him.

  “Lili…it’s okay, baby…” Eloise lifted her from the floor, sleepy red head resting on her shoulder. “This is Lili…she’s barely three…do you think we might stop at a restroom? Please…”

  “Why should I…”

  “Because two men abducted us outside the Windswept Narrows and…and when I had the chance…” She licked her lips. “I created a diversion at the gas station and got into the back while you were paying for your gas. I’m sorry…I…I didn’t know what else to do,” she finished in a long, low rush. “It was the first chance I had to get Lili to safety.”

  He had to admit, the rushed, helpless sound in her voice, added to the moisture ridden blue eyes sunk him. Morgan closed his mouth and pulled off the highway, down the long ramp and into a fast food parking lot. He parked near the entrance, his nod stiff at the grateful gleam in the blue eyes.

  “Thank you! We won’t be a moment, I promise you,” Eloise opened the back door, jumping out and lifting Lili in her arms, heading at a fast clip into the restaurant and straight to the restrooms.

  Morgan Kelley put his head back against the headrest and closed his eyes. He looked up when the sound of the handle turning caught his attention. She looked like someone who had escaped from another century. She wore a cloak that was a deep blue outside, with a stark white lining. The dress she wore stopped mid-calf in a skirt that swirled as she walked. Gold lace edged the low front that had buttons down the center to the waist, the same gold lace around the bottom of the deep green skirt. He saw heeled ankle boots on her feet. The little girl was dressed in typical kid clothing, jeans and a warm jacket. She also had red hair and wide blue eyes.

  “You can come up front, Miss…do you always dress like that?”

  “Thank you,” she slid into the back, setting Lili on the floor with her pack of toys. “But there isn’t a car seat here. I don’t want you to get a ticket because we’re doing something illegal. And…she’s already been frightened enough for one day, I think. Leaving her back here alone…” She shook her head, choosing to ignore his other question.

  Morgan looked around the four corners of the large shopping area, starting the car and heading them carefully through traffic to a large store.

  “Kid store…how much does she weigh?”

  “I…perhaps twenty-five…she’s not very heavy at all,” Eloise looked at the store and than at the man. “This is really…I have money…please, we’ll come with you,” she quickly stepped from the back seat, accepting the child in her arms. She held out her palm when he came around the front of the SUV, her gaze quickly sweeping over the professional suit, vest and tie. He was big. Tall and lean. His hair was short cropped and a pale brown. He had a scar on his jaw that was a little tensed as they appraised one another.

  “Eloise Paddington,” she said brightly, offering her palm politely. His hand was very warm and large as it surrounded hers with a firm shake.

  “Morgan Kelley,” he said quietly, his hand taking Lili’s next. “What’s your name?”

  “Lili.”

  “Pleased to meet you, Lili,” he said with a crooked smile.

  “He’s like Noah,” Lili said, watching him stride next to them. “Are you a doctor, too?”

  “How do you know that, Lili?” Eloise asked curiously.

  “On the car window,” she pointed and looked over Eloise’s shoulder at the emblem on the back window.

  Eloise took a quick look back. “You were military?”

  He looked from
one to the other with a small frown. “Yes. Noah…Madison? And no, I’m not a doctor.”

  “Yes,” Eloise said easily. “He’s her stepfather. He married Hannah almost two months ago. They're very much in love. Do you know him?”

  “We’ve worked together,” was all he said, offering her the cart and watching as she buckled the little girl in securely.

  “Do you have art on your arm?” Lili stared at him intently, meeting the amber eyes without wavering.

  “Art?” Morgan looked to Eloise with an arched brow.

  “Noah has an angel,” Lili said with a bright smile.

  “Ahhhh…a tattoo,” Eloise interpreted. “I’ve heard the story. He made an excellent exhibit at show and tell one day,” she met the honey colored eyes with a bright smile. He didn’t look happy. She just sighed and read aisle signs. “This way.”

  “Which one?” Morgan brought one hand up, rubbing his neck tiredly.

  “I have no clue, Mr. Kelley. When I borrow children, they come complete. I have a car seat in my car for such occasions,” Eloise explained simply, reading the boxes and looking at the examples set out. “Let’s test, Lili,” she unbuckled the child and lifted her to the floor, smiling as Lili knew immediately what to do, wiggling her little butt in the seat.

  “That one might be a little small,” Morgan said, chuckling despite the aggravation he’d been feeling.

  “I think so,” Eloise helped Lili out and they moved to one of the larger ones.

  “This one has good buckles…looks easy enough to put in,” Morgan dropped to his heels, reading boxes and examining the connections. He was relieved when a clerk came and offered to help.

  Eloise paid for their choice and followed the clerk and Morgan to the SUV, half listening as she held the small package of books she had bought for Lili.

  “You have been a very good girl today, Lili,” she told her, kissing her as she buckled her into the seat, handing her the books and opening the child’s backpack, sitting a bottle of water in the holder for her. “Look…you can see everything…and no one can see you…” She whispered with a teasing laugh to the little giggles she got.

  “Alright,” Morgan said after he’d gotten them back onto the highway again. “What happened?” He looked over at her, sitting primly with her hands in her lap, staring down at them for a long minute.

  “I was taking Lili for the weekend so Hannah and Noah could have some couple time,” she began quietly, cautiously peeking toward the back, but Lili was busy with her new books. “It’s nice to be with someone who doesn’t judge you by appearances and kids are free spirited and open minded. I picked her up at the play care a little after twelve, got her pack and we were headed for the car.”

  “I wasn’t judging you,” he said when she took a breath.

  “It’s perfectly alright, Mr. Kelley. I’ve grown up accustomed to it, either because of my clothing or how I chose to live my life,” Eloise offered and quiet sigh. “And before you even say it, I am not careless, I am not stupid nor am I irresponsible.”

  “Eloise…I wasn’t thinking those things…” Morgan frowned, glancing over at the obvious distress on her face.

  “It’s what I’m feeling, Mr. Kelley. Hannah entrusted Lili to me and I…I let her down,” she whispered hoarsely.

  “Eloise, you got her away…she’s safe here, with us. Tell me what happened,” he asked firmly.

  “We left the play care and were headed to the car,” she gripped the edges of her cloak around her, staring straight ahead, but emotionally back at that instant. “Two men…about twenty-five…casually dressed like they were playing in the casino…came at me, one on each side and took my arms. He said…to be quiet and behave and the kid won’t be hurt,” she whispered, all the fear she felt in her words and her head all over again. “I…what should I have done? I’ve been over it and over it…trying to think…trying to…”

  “You did what you had to do at the moment,” Morgan told her evenly. “How did you get away?”

  “They…they put us in this car…four doors…and started driving…they were headed south. They said…I think they believed I was Hannah…they said they were taking me to see my relatives and get this inheritance thing handled. If I did what they wanted, they’d set us free on the highway. I…I didn’t believe them,” she said quietly, looking up from her twisting fingers to meet his eyes.

  Morgan was silent.

  “After an hour…Lili said she had to use the restroom…I told them…at first, they refused…so I told them fine, she was going to pee all over their car…” Eloise saw the corner of his mouth tilt. He had a cute smile. “They pulled into the gas station where you were…we went to the restroom…I…had our packs with me, saying I had to change her clothes…I…I pulled the fire alarm…and ran out. I had seen your SUV with the black windows and thought it would be safe. They couldn’t see us…and the back door was unlocked. We climbed in and laid on the floor, covered with my cloak,” she sighed tiredly, her head shaking. “I didn’t intend to fall asleep, Mr. Kelley…I wanted to tell you…I think all the…I was so afraid,” she whispered. “And suddenly it felt like it was all okay…”

  “It’s okay…believe it or not, I understand,” Morgan told her honestly.

  “I fell asleep,” she said with a sigh. “When they put us in the backseat, I’d slipped my phone into Lili’s pocket on her jeans…I hoped they wouldn’t be…so crude as to…to search a child…”

  “They searched you?” He looked over to see a dark tint of red on her cheeks, swearing softly.

  “I don’t suppose kidnappers are overly trusting,” she answered without looking up from the hands in her lap. “But then when we went to the restroom, I’d forgotten…and the phone slipped into the toilet…like I said…It’s been that kind of day, Mr. Kelley.”

  “Eloise, you can call me Morgan,” he watched her look up from her hands, a small frown on her features as she studied him.

  “No offense…but you look like several principals I’ve had during my life,” she offered with a small shrug. “And it wasn’t an overly fun acquaintance.”

  “I was in some business meetings,” he told her casually, a small part of him wondering what she had been like to be acquainted with the principals of her schools.

  “In Seattle?”

  “The WindSwept Narrows, actually.”

  “You know Logan and the others?”

  “I’ve met with them several times now,” he answered easily.

  “It’s an absolutely amazing reclamation they’ve begun,” Eloise leaned back in the comfortable seat, her eyes closed. “There’s so many plans in the works…and so many yet on hold. It’s taking time to find the right merchants and individuals to fit the grand scheme. But it will happen. I think it’s the next evolution, a workable cross between socialism and capitalism.”

  “Interesting assessment,” he commented, glancing at her more closely.

  “If we don’t create a workable alternative, we’re doomed as a society. All the grand rich people don’t realize that their low wage earners must have living quarters, utilities and food to remain their wage earners,” Eloise shook her head. “It just…how do you force out heavy greed and a stark competitive nature for the well being of all? Humans…such a difficult species at times.”

  “A principal, huh?”

  “Sadly, it’s just dawned on me that I’ve made a judgement based on your attire,” she said with a long sigh. “Not that I believed I was immune, but…I’m sorry.”

  “How long ago were you in school, Eloise?”

  “Depends on which one you want to speak of,” she said with a shrug. “I take regular courses at the university because computer languages are constantly adjusting to the new technology being created. I’ve attended college in Great Britain and here.”

  Morgan decided he’d try another line of questions. He looked like she was barely twenty but her behaviors were far above that.

  “Do you work at the resort?”

/>   “I work for Paddington’s Emporium. We’re about two miles north east along the coast of the Sound from the Narrows. Gwen and I have been working on acquiring property over the last fifteen years with a long term renovation planned,” she explained proudly. “You’re not from the area, though, so you aren’t familiar with the Emporium.”

  “I have a feeling I’m going to become very familiar with it,” Morgan said, frowning at the gate that didn’t respond. “Stay in the car, Eloise,” he ordered, leaving the SUV running and stepping onto the gravel.

  Eloise looked nervously around them. The space was wide open at this point in the driveway and thankfully, no one was near. She felt her hands chill as she gripped the seatbelt, swallowing in relief when he pushed the heavy iron gate wide and was back behind the wheel. He drove through, clear of the gate and then left the car again, closing and latching it securely behind them.

  “What’s wrong?” Eloise met his eyes when he climbed behind the wheel again.

  “Seems the power is out,” he tried to sound casual as he maneuvered the SUV along the gravel to the garage.

  Eloise sighed heavily. “No power. No computer. No charger for phone…yeah, it’s been that kind of day, Mr. Kelley.”

  “I have a generator for the alarms and a huge fire pit for heat, Eloise, we’ll be alright until morning. I’ll take you back to the resort then,” Morgan got out of the SUV, opened the garage and drove inside. “Stay here until I lock this…we can go directly into the house and no one will see you.”

  “You think someone is watching us?” She asked in a hushed voice.

  “I don’t know and I won’t be taking chances,” he said simply, striding to the door and manually locking it into place. He closed his door and opened hers, opening the back door and unbuckling Lili. He grabbed up both packs while Eloise carried Lili close behind him into the large A-frame house.

  “Can we eat now, Elle?” Lili stood still while Eloise removed her jacket, laying it on the chair she stood beside while Morgan went around lighting oil lamps hung on the walls.