WindSwept Narrows: #10 Eloise Paddington

By Karen Diroll-Nichols

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...” Eliose 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,” Eliose 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.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Karen Diroll-Nichols
• Release date: Mar 7, 2012
• ISBN: 9781466049758

Karen Diroll-Nichols

At this time books are on AllRomanceebooks.com or smashwords.com or amazon.com. I write what I dream. I dream because I can't always be or do. And I always write to make people think and laugh and feel. I hope I succeed. I've been creating what I believe we're all in search of. Friendships and romance; communication and pure, simple fun. Throw in some misadventures and misunderstandings, not to mention a few not quite truths, and it should be a roller coaster of laughs, tears and thoughts. WindSwept Narrows Resort & Casino - Modern, contemporary romance with the occasional mystery and usually lots of family issues. They're building a community that's not greed based, but on the well-being of all. Hopefully. Yes, there's lots of romance - sometimes more than one per story. Yes, there's really sensual and sexy scenes. Devil Hills is a town between Seattle and Spokane, on the edge of the snow capped mountains on the Seattle side. It's a shifter town...and a few others. And of course, just like our world, there are those who believe they know what's best for everyone. Yep, lots of sex, arguments and laughter. Typical human mistakes and misunderstandings - but with a little fur thrown in to complicate things. Independence: Bailey is the first entry into this series that should fascinate and intrigue...what happens in a life when a little Dom and D/s are thrown into it. Definitely NOT for the faint of heart...but it'll make you laugh and maybe even identify. Breanna...slightly more spicy with 2 smart, caring guys falling for 1 slightly mixed up barista who makes wicked coffee and loves cooking. While I haven't a series name - there is a follow-up to her coming out before the end of the year, Danea...a fishy little tale on the coast of Washington. A Red Crystal Romance - well...what to say...imagine believing you're at the end of your life. You live in a retirement home. You're alone. The past in your memories and just fatigue in your bones. You visit a small metaphysical shop, buy some candles that smell good and are offered a chance to fish in a caldron of crystals. Free and for good luck. When you wake in the morning...nothing will ever be the same again. Yes, some of my stories have more than one romance in it. Because it's not a bad thing to have friends *************** A bio - wow - I live to the South of Seattle along the coast in a small town called Des Moines. Gorgeous Puget Sound as our backyard, with snow capped mountains in almost all directions. I've been writing for over 20 years and in that time I have noticed how hard it is for certain people to embrace their sexuality, and very very few have the backbone to even discuss it! I think sex is a very important attribute to our lives and is necessary in order to live a balanced, happy and healthy lifestyle. It exists for exploration and simulation; it exists for bonding and pure, simple happiness at the whirlwind of sensations that can overwhelm and take your breath away. I hope that my stories simply depict that, ignite the fires within and maybe even give some pointers on how to please your partner in some new exciting ways. Bottom line: they are here for enjoyment. So read, enjoy and live the happy healthy lives we are all meant to live. Now - a dedication: I can't say I grew up with anyone encouraging me, and that's fine, they had things in their life they were dealing with. My parents and 1st husband and current in-law said it was 'a nice little hobby'. When you get that kind of reaction from people who matter, it has the effect that you no longer tell anyone. And no one ever asked what I did for hours on end over a typewriter and then VIOLA! a computer keyboard! So no one knew. Until I met and fell in love with my 2nd husband. He found the large file cabinet filled with thick manuscripts, filed in alphabetical order by lead female name. And he talked to me about writing. My writing. The single thing in my life aside from my two grown children, that I adored and cherished. They became my community; my friends. It's an amazing thing what happens when someone believes in you. Maybe it rubs off and you begin to believe in yourself, too. So everything I've created and set free on the internet to share are thanks to him and his belief and love. He helps me with words I know but that are stuck in my head floating around somewhere; he helps me spot gaps in my stories and we bounce ideas off one another for covers for my girls. He encourages me and has also come to learn some interesting traits about himself that he'd submerged because of a bad relationship. So we've grown together and continue to explore all that we can. He has my love and my heart and my gratitude for sharing a little of his courage and belief. Email: [e-mail] Website: http://www.facebook.com

Book preview

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.

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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