29° (Twenty-Nine Degrees) (Twenty Nine Book 3) Read online

  “You wanted to protect me. I get it.” Lucas took my chin and turned me to face him. “We are not discussing this again. It’s over. We’re starting a new chapter in our lives.”

  I leaned over to kiss him as the van pulled up to the airline terminal. “We’re here,” I whispered. “Just when it started getting good.”

  As we boarded the plane, Nate greeted me. His reddish-blonde hair that used to stick out in all directions had been neatly cropped close to his head. His golden brown eyes met mine and I saw the love and trust he sent my way.

  “Hey, how are you doing?” He gave me a bear hug. “Just want you to know I disabled all the parents’ phones. Yours won’t be able to call Doug on the way to the airport.”

  All of our parents had special phones, gifts from us, which could be controlled and monitored by the Niners. I felt a little guilty that I had once suspected my mother was Doug’s spy, but the phones were a necessary evil.

  I touched Nate’s face. He still bore the faint scar from the explosion at the STF complex, the day we'd rescued Zak from Doug. “You’re the strongest, bravest person I know,” I whispered.

  “Don’t let your husband hear you say that.” He chuckled as he gave me a wink.

  Rosanne joined our little group and put her hand on my back. “Are you going to be okay, Allie?”

  “Yes, I’m grateful you’re coming with us.” I always had to take a second look when I saw her. Rosanne was Oliver’s guinea pig for a youth serum. The recipient gained back twenty years in age and would remain that way for fifty years. Then, the aging process would begin again. Rosanne was in her fifties but looked thirty. Oliver told Lucas he was positive it could only be used once. Trying again might kill a person, and that was a chance he’d never take. It was a great invention for the Niner community. The serum would keep their loved ones alive longer.

  Rosanne and Oliver were very much in love, his motivation for the project. They'd tried to have children, but even with Niner technology, they hadn't been able to conceive. So Rosanne decided to get her degree in counseling to help the community.

  The bond between Rosanne and Nate was strong. He'd seen her for his PTSD after returning to Montana from California. The explosion had burned half his face and shrapnel from the van had created a large gash on the same side. But Niner technology had made him whole again, except for the scar that traveled from the bottom of his ear to under his nose. He saw Rosanne as a mother figure, and she treated him like a son. I hoped his mom wouldn't see the connection as clearly as I did.

  “Hey, let’s get the party started!” Sean boarded the plane, cane in hand. He, too, had been injured during those days in California. First, his leg was caught under a metal fence at the STF complex, then crushed a few days later when he was pinned between a van and a house in Spanish village during the bombing.

  “Sean!” I waved him into the cabin. “Join us.”

  His limp seemed less pronounced as he walked toward me. The Niners had replaced most of the leg with synthetic parts, and he was determined to throw the cane away one day. He had lost weight during the ordeal but still had a strong, muscled body. He’d let some of his black hair grow in, but kept the unshaved look. He winked at me and there was a twinkle in his brilliant green eyes.

  I searched the cabin for Ashley. We made eye contact, and she lifted her hand. She’d cut her long brown hair to shoulder-length, layered in front, after the wedding. My heart skipped a beat as I held her gaze. We had been through so much together, and here she was still with me on this incredible journey. She patted the spot next to her on the leather sofa.

  “Excuse me,” I said to the group and joined her. “I feel better you’re here.” I sighed as I sank down beside her.

  “And I love that we’re all going to Hawaii! I can’t wait.” Ashley squeezed my hand.

  Nate came down the aisle and sat next to Ash. I leaned over her and asked, “Are you ready to explain the new people in your life to your parents?”

  “Yes … and no. I don’t want to hurt my parents, but on the other hand I can’t wait for everyone to meet.”

  Ashley turned to him. “Nate, you’ve discussed this with Rosanne, but you need to practice. Tell Allie what you plan to say.”

  “Really?” He wrinkled his nose.

  Ash kept staring at him until he raised his hands in defeat. “Okay!” He looked at me. “Mom, Dad, this is Rosanne and Oliver. I met them at UCLA, and we’ve remained close. They’re philanthropists, patrons of the Arts at the college. I applied for a grant to make a student film, and they funded my first attempt at a movie.” He chuckled. “We clicked, and they took me in as their second son.”

  “Second?” I lifted my brows.

  “Ryan’s playing the part of their son this weekend.” Ashley said. “We didn’t know how else to introduce him.”

  “Yeah, that makes sense.” I nodded. “You can’t say this is Ryan Gilchrist. He’s fifteen but really sixty. His parents just passed away and we adopted him.”

  “Shhh, here he comes.” Ashley gave me an elbow to the ribs. “Hey, Ryan! Sit here with us.”

  “Don’t you mean go sit with your fake parents?” He ran his hand through his dark blonde hair, his blue eyes filled with pain, as he slumped in a chair across from us.

  “We discussed this, Ryan,” Nate said. “Let’s see how things go. Ash and I have been a couple since high school, but we’re barely twenty-two.”

  “Sorry,” Ryan said with a shrug. “I’ll be good.”

  “You better be,” Ashley said in her best mom voice.

  Nate looked at me. “So do you think my mom is going to pick up on all of this? Be jealous?”

  Yes! “Maybe you shouldn’t say the second son thing.” I cringed.

  “I have to tell her something close to the truth. I’ll try to spoil her this weekend and be the best son possible. I talk to my parents whenever I get the chance.”

  Now he made me feel guilty. I'd neglected my parents for long periods of time. I hadn’t seen my dad since the summer I was pregnant with Zak, and it had been a year for my mom. She'd flown to California to see Zak when he was a baby and led Doug right to us. He'd kidnapped my son while visiting Mom at my apartment., telling her he’d take the baby for a walk and never returned. I tensed, trying not to show my fear.

  “Allie,” Nate leaned over Ashley and patted my knee. “Are you okay?”

  “Just thinking, that’s all. It’s nothing.” I touched his hand. “You’re a good son.”

  “And I don’t blame you for not being a good daughter.” His expression showed he meant it. “Your dad did some unspeakable things when he let Doug drag you off to that old motel when we were in high school. I know he feels guilty now and so does your mom. She’s blames herself for Zak’s kidnapping and yours. They’re not as clueless as you like to believe.”

  “Doug’s still in their lives.” I wanted to scream, but it barely escaped my mouth.

  “He’s their son. I know it’s hard to accept, but it’s a fact. They need all their kids. Aren’t they almost social security age?”

  I laughed at his joke, which in reality was true. They were social security age. Nate was always able to get through to me in the darkest moments. “Yes.” I nodded.

  “See, we’re all good.” He leaned back in his seat and looked at Ashley. “Now get me to Hawaii so I can make this beautiful woman my wife.”

  “What?” Ashley looked as if her eyes could pop from her head.

  Nate lifted his shoulders and held out his hands. “Surprise?”

  Chapter Two

  Ashley looked at me, hazel eyes on fire. “Did you know?”

  I shrugged. “I’m just as surprised as you are. But it’s a pretty good one.”

  “Did he even ask me?” Her eyes widened so I saw the whites around her pupils.

  “That’s why it’s called a surprise,” Nate said.

  “And I suppose he has a ring and set up arrangements at the hotel,” Ashley said, still not look
ing at him.

  I panicked, not knowing how to answer.

  “Well?” She glared at me.

  “I don’t know! Why don’t you ask him?”

  When we turned to Nate, he was gone. Then he cleared his throat. Nate was on one knee in front of Ashley, ring box opened. A square cut diamond surrounding by tiny ones glittered under the lights. “Will you, Ashley Donovan, marry me in Hawaii?”

  Ash looked at me. “You just got married. We’re going on your honeymoon. This should be about you.”

  Tears filled my eyes. “I would love it if you got married on my honeymoon.” We hugged until we heard another clearing of the throat.

  “Nathan Kalas,” Ashley said. “I have loved you since high school. You showed you loved me even when I tried to brush you off. You have been faithful, kind, loving and protective. How can I not marry you?”

  “Are you saying yes?” Nate’s voice held a tone of uncertainty.

  “Yes! I’m saying yes!” Ashley hopped from her seat into Nate’s arms.

  He spun her around and shouted, “Hey, everyone, we’re getting married in Hawaii!”

  Rosanne dabbed her eyes with a tissue. I had a feeling she'd known his intentions, but the rest seemed genuinely surprised. Applause and laughter filled the cabin until we landed.

  Sean was at my side before I made it down the plane’s stairs.

  “Where’s your cane?” I asked.

  “I’m trying to go without it.” He took my hand. “I’ll be right by you the whole time, Allie. You know I’d protect you with my life.”

  I bit my lower lip, trying not to cry. “There’s no way Doug knows about this, right?”

  “No. If he shows his face I’ll kill him with my bare hands.” Sean gave me a sly look.

  Somehow I found this funny and smiled. I squeezed his hand. “I have two brothers with me, what more could I ask for?”

  Sean and Nate were more like my brothers than my own. I still loved Dean and talked to him often, but he lived on the Atlantic coast with his wife, Autumn, painting for a living.

  “And don’t forget me, your husband,” Lucas whispered in my ear.

  Sean stayed behind to coordinate the luggage as we walked to the waiting hotel vans. I had no idea what to expect in Hawaii, but hoped it was just another day in paradise.

  We checked into a five-star hotel on the beaches of Maui. Private residences dotted the grounds, and five had been reserved for us. Sean did a quick sweep of the area before we moved in then, hopefully, we could relax on the beach for the rest of the day. Ashley and Nate made plans to meet with the hotel wedding planner after their parents arrived. The news of her parents coming to the island didn’t seem to surprise or unsettle her. She beamed with happiness, and that made my day.

  I nervously paced through the rooms of the suite barely noticing the lush accommodations.

  “Allie, come and sit next to me. Enjoy the view.” Lucas called from the living room. The large picture window framed the Pacific Ocean, and we could see the waves come in and out, foaming into a frothy white on the beach. A slight breeze came through the open windows. I breathed in then out, taking in the fresh, warm air.

  “Where’s Sean?” I asked. “He’s supposed to stay here with us.”

  “Giving us alone time before the parents get here.”

  “He doesn’t have to do that.”

  “He wants to, Allie. Anyway, you know Sean. He’s checking the beach, the pool, anywhere Doug could hide.”

  I giggled at the thought of Sean in a Hawaiian print shirt wandering the grounds trying to look inconspicuous.

  “What’s so funny?” Lucas kissed my forehead.

  “Sean … wearing an island shirt and shorts?” I snorted as I laughed. “He’s traded in his black t-shirts and jeans to fit in.”

  “Yep, I can see him now.” He kissed me again. “You forgot the sandals.”

  A knock came at our door and Lucas covered his mouth with a finger. He tapped his wrist, indicating he was connecting to Sean. “It’s okay,” he whispered as he hopped up and opened the door to expose my parents on the other side.

  I jumped from the sofa. “Mom! Dad! Come in!”

  Mom had tears in her eyes, but Dad was more reserved. Less hair covered his head from the last time I'd seen him, but he still had his crystal blue eyes which looked a little cold at the moment. Hugging them, I grabbed their hands and led them into the room.

  “Sit, please.”

  “Allison, it’s been too long.” Dad finally spoke as he sat with his back to the ocean view. “Your mother misses you and so do I. I haven’t seen my grandson except for on camera.”

  Something appeared off with him, but I couldn’t say what. “I’d love to come home, but it’s hard.”

  “Zak’s so darling, Allie,” Mom said, trying to make things better as always. “He knows who I am, doesn’t he?” She pushed back a strand of her hair that had been freshly cut and dyed to her natural brown.

  “Yes, Mom, he does.”

  “So,” she looked back and forth between me and Lucas. “When are you two going to make it official?”

  My heart skipped a beat. I glanced at Lucas and said, “We’re already married, Mom.” I saw the shock, then the color drained from her face. Dad’s expression remained unchanged.

  Mom put her hand to her mouth. “Oh,” she said softly. “My little girl got married, and I wasn’t even invited.”

  Rising from my seat, I knelt in front of her. “Please forgive me. It was spur of the moment. That’s why you’re here. To celebrate.” A little white lie wouldn’t hurt. “And I have pictures to show you.”

  Mom smoothed my hair and placed her hands on either side of my face, pulling it up to look at her. “There’s nothing to forgive. I’m glad we were invited to Hawaii. I missed this face and your beautiful aqua eyes.”

  “Like yours, Mom.”

  She kissed the tip of my nose. “Yes, like mine. Now where’s my grandbaby?”

  “We left him at home, Clair, with good friends.” Lucas stood. “We felt the trip might be too much for him. If you’ll excuse me, I have some last minute wedding details to go over with Nate.” He left the suite with a wave of the hand.

  “Well, now that we have that settled, let’s pick a date when you’ll come home for a visit.” Dad cleared his throat, acting stiff and uncomfortable.

  “Daddy, why don’t we have some fun now? A day at the beach? Mai tais and pina coladas?” What did I just say? The Hawaiian air is getting to me.

  “Oh, that sounds like fun, doesn’t it, Jim?” Mom stood and offered him her hand. “Let’s go to our bungalow and let the Kalas’ know. We can call them from there.”

  “Don’t forget Ashley’s parents. Mom,” I said.

  “I won’t, but who are those people Nate brought?”

  “Good friends from California. You’ll like them.”

  “All right, we’ll round everyone up and meet you on the beach.” Before they got to the door, Mom turned back. “I love the no cell phone policy, although it was a little strange to hand them over to that large man before we checked in.”

  I laughed as if it was a joke. “That’s Sean, Lucas’ friend. He takes this vacation seriously. See you on the beach?” I waved as they headed out the door.

  After they left, I flopped into a chair. My mind spun in every direction. Safety was my number one priority, and I’d love for this vacation to happen without drama. No kidnappings, no running for our lives, no fighting.

  I let the negativity flow out of me. You’re in Hawaii for God’s sake! Enjoy! “Time to get ready for the beach.”

  I popped out of the chair, headed for the bedroom to look for my new aqua bikini. It came with a wraparound floral skirt, very Hawaiian. After I dressed, I tucked a flower behind my ear from a vase on the dresser. As I started to slide on my sandals, familiar hands slipped around my waist. His lips were on my back, traveling down my spine, sending shivers through my body. I turned in his arms and kissed his lips
. We backed up slowly toward the bed.

  “Aren’t we headed for the beach?” Lucas whispered between kisses.

  “The beach can wait.”

  * * * *

  “You’re late,” Dad said in a gruff voice as Lucas and I settled into our beach chairs.

  “Sorry, Lucas was late getting back from the hotel.” I smiled at my husband.

  A server from the hotel brought a tray of drinks down the path from the outdoor bar. Looking around, I realized everyone was on the beach except Nate and Ashley. Our chairs were arranged in a semi-circle so I could see everyone clearly. As the drinks were passed, I watched Rosanne take a drink from Ryan’s hand.

  “Which one is the Virgin Colada?” She asked sweetly. The server handed her the drink, and she gave it Ryan.

  Mrs. Kalas whispered to Mr. Kalas. She must be discussing Rosanne and Oliver. Nate would have his hands full this weekend, juggling the families.

  “I’d love to walk along the shoreline.” I raised my eyebrows at Lucas, signaling I needed an escape.

  He jumped from his chaise, pulled me from my lounge chair and we headed toward the water. The sound of the waves grew louder the closer we got, and the crashing against the shore gave me a start. Then a flashback. A blast. An explosion. I froze, unable to take another step.

  “Allie? Are you okay?” He waved to Rosanne. She appeared at my side before I had a chance to turn and run.

  “I’ve got this, Lucas. Go entertain the troops.” She cocked her head back at the group. “Allie, didn’t you tell me you loved the ocean?” Rosanne put her arm around my waist and slowly nudged me down the beach. “You visited your brother Dean every summer and spent all your time at the beach. What did you love about it the most?” She took my hand with her free one, gently massaging it as she spoke.

  “The waves. I liked watching them roll in and out with the bright blue sky overhead. I loved to look out and find where the water met the horizon,” I finally answered.

  “Picture yourself there now. You’re on that beach, in your favorite bathing suit, sitting on a towel, taking it all in. How do you feel?”