Page 53 of The Unseen
“E VERYTHING’S ALL RIGHT, LOVE . Y OU’RE SAFE . H E CAN’T HURT ANYONE now.”
A sob escaped as she clung to him. There was blood on her clothes, but she looked away from the body on the floor.
“How did you know?”
“Detective York called. He said the police tried to execute a warrant for Villard’s arrest, but he managed to escape.
From what they knew of his animosity toward you and Rachel, and from what Christian had told them, there was a very good chance he would head for Belle Reve.
I arrived outside at the same time as the Baton Rouge PD SWAT team. ”
Nicole looked at him through a haze of tears, loving him more than ever, wishing there was something she could say to mend things between them. She clung to him even tighter, unable to let him go. Then she turned to see Maggie bending over Rachel on the settee.
“Rachel!” Nicole rushed to her side. Her aunt’s breathing was little more than a whisper, her hands icy cold, her face sheet white.
Lucas pulled out his phone and dialed 911 for the medics, spoke in quiet tones to the dispatcher. “They’re on their way.”
The parlor was overflowing with armed police and the scene was one of blood and violence.
“She needs to be somewhere else.” Lucas bent and scooped Rachel into his arms.
“The den!” Nicole led the way to the room, off the kitchen, with the big-screen TV and overstuffed leather sofa. Lucas carefully rested Rachel on the sofa and Nicole hurried to her side.
Reaching out, she took hold of her aunt’s cold hand; Rachel’s pulse was so weak it was almost nonexistent.
“Everything’s going to be all right, Aunt Rachel. The ambulance is on its way. Just hold on until it gets here.”
Rachel forced her eyelids slowly open. “Take care of yourself … and our family.”
Nicole swallowed past the tears clogging her throat. “Save your strength. The ambulance will be here any minute.”
Rachel’s gaze went to Lucas, and he moved to her side.
“I know you … love Nicole,” Rachel said. “And she … loves you. She’s just … afraid.”
Lucas’s features softened. “I know.”
Rachel took a shallow breath, the effort to speak too much. Lucas eased away, allowing Nicole to move closer. Rachel’s breathing was no more than a whisper of air, barely enough to lift her chest. Then a last sigh feathered out and the movement stopped altogether.
“Aunt Rachel, no!” Nicole could hear the blare of the siren as it grew louder, but Rachel’s wishes were firm, as the doctor had reminded her. Rachel was ready to accept whatever God had in store for her.
A sob caught in Nicole’s throat. She felt Lucas’s arm go around her, gently lending his support. Maggie wept quietly in the background. Tears burned Nicole’s eyes, but Aunt Rachel was no longer struggling.
Something stirred the air in the room. Nicole looked up to see a shadowy figure hovering near the ceiling. It was the vague image of a man in breeches and knee-high riding boots. He was tall and handsome, with the bluest eyes she had ever seen.
It couldn’t be happening, but it was.
Rachel’s eyes opened and her face softened into a smile.
Her transparent image lifted upward, out of her body.
No longer in jeans and a T-shirt, her white nightgown and long black hair floated around her.
Francois took her hand, and a look that could only be love passed between them.
An instant more, and then they were gone.
Nicole bit back another sob, her heart aching. Lucas’s arms tightened around her, holding her close.
“She’s where she wants to be,” he said. “Francois came for her. They’re together now and she’s happy.”
Nicole’s heart ached and yet she believed Lucas was right. She nodded against his shoulder and Lucas kissed the top of her head.
He drew her a little away. “I love you, cher. If you love me, too, you can have all the time you need. I’ll be waiting whenever you’re ready.”
Nicole swallowed past the tears in her throat. He was taking a chance on her, a chance on both of them. “I don’t need any more time. I’ve seen love in its purest form. It lasts through time and beyond. I love you more than life itself—and I’m not afraid anymore.”
Lucas pulled her back into his arms and buried his face in her hair. The ambulance arrived, and silently he led her out of the den. The house was a crime scene now. Lucas led her past the EMTs, who rushed into the room; past the police, who were yellow-taping the building.
He left her long enough to speak to Maggie, who stood on the terrace, wiping her eyes. He explained that he was taking Nicole back to his town house in Baton Rouge; then he stopped for a moment to speak to the officer in charge, telling him where they could be found to give their statements.
Weaving their way through the maze of police vehicles, they headed for the carriage house. Lucas waited while Nicole packed a bag; then he helped her into the Jeep for the ride to Baton Rouge. Instead of starting the engine, he reached for her trembling hand and brought it to his lips.
“I love you, cher. So much.” Lucas pulled out the blue velvet box, took out the beautiful diamond engagement ring, kissed her, and slipped the ring on her finger.
The pain in Nicole’s heart eased. Lucas was there. Everything was going to be all right.