She moaned as she pulled free, her ankle scraping a sharp edge.
“Gently, love.Gently.”
With a final pull, she freed her foot.Michael caught her hand before she fell back, then held her against his chest.
“Are you all right?”he said.
“I think so.”She breathed in, listening to the sound of his heartbeat, then remembered herself and her rules, and sat forward.Mercy a mighty, this relationship was complicated.
“Give me your hand.Let’s see if you can carry on?”He peered into her eyes.“Or if I’ll have to haul you round on my back.”
“Michael, I’m sorry—”
“The rocks are slick.I almost took a tumble myself.”
“No, about the other night.The kiss, the Belly of the Beast, my rules speech.I was—”
“Never mind, lass, you brought me back to reality.”He bent to inspect her calf and ankle.“There’s a mark but no blood.Your trail shoes saved you from a more serious fate.”
“I promised my dad I’d come home the same girl who left.”Was she informing him or reminding herself?She looked up, into his blue eyes.His granite features were set with the expression of one carved from a thousand-year-old family devoted to the service of others.
“Then you must do as you promised.”He returned to his professional demeanor.“Can you walk?How’s the ankle?”
Scottie hobbled forward where the ground was level.“It’s sore, but as my basketball coach used to say, ‘Rub some dirt on it and get out on the court.’”
He laughed softly.“I truly understand you a bit more now, Lady Royal.”
“Does that mean we’re friends?”She glanced up the hill, then back at Michael.
“Of course we are friends.”He offered his hand as she took up her trekking poles.“Tally ho, up the hillside we go.”Michael retrieved his rucksack, secured the shovel, then took up the machete.“We don’t have all day.”
“We literally have all day to accomplish this mission.”Scottie grinned, leaned on her trekking poles, and started up the path.“But you’re the boss, Officer Cross.”
High and higher until it seemed like they’d never arrive at the mysterious Wenthelen Chapel when around the next bend, they broke into a clearing of thick green grass, perfectly maintained with every blade the same height.A stone path cross the lawn and along the side of weathered grey stones stacked unevenly and laced with ivy.The high-pitched roof was covered with slate tiles and supported a tall filigree spire.
“Michael—” Scottie stepped onto the stone path and into an aura she’d never encountered.A rich, thick peace perfumed with a sweet fragrance.As if the fairylands told in stories had come to life.
“It’s safe to say someone has maintained the chapel,” he muttered, tucking the map into his rucksack.“How does the Royal Trust not know what’s going on here?”
The surrounding forest was wild but stopped on the edge of the lawn as if by an invisible barrier.
“It’s magical,” she said, following the path to the front, where a portico, supported by heavy beams trimmed with ivy, flickered with light from oil lanterns.
“Someone’s smoothed the pebbled path to the garden.”Michael motioned to a shaded area with a bench between two trees.“And the door—” He reached for the iron latch of the dark, wooden door.“Hinges are oiled.The lanterns have fuel.”
“Can we go in?”she said.“Are we allowed?”
“The door is unlocked, so I daresay we’re allowed.”He moved aside for her to enter first.“Considering our path up the hill, I’m flummoxed over the immaculate maintenance.”
In the bright narrow vestibule, Scottie slipped her rucksack to the slate floor, and her aching ankle seemed less gripping.
“Look at the beams, Michael.”Overhead, wide, roughhewn beams crisscrossed the room and were supported by cream-colored plaster walls.Each end contained a tall stained glass window.
“I think we have little Highcrest elves maintaining the chapel.”
They entered the nave through another set of intricately carved doors.There were no pews or chairs.Nothing but a presence.A hush.Walls of the same cream-colored plaster boasted more stained glass windows.More dark beams crisscrossed the pitched ceiling.
Their footsteps echoed in harmony as they walked toward the front, where a simple table sat under the light from the spire.On the table was a cloth-covered basket, a chalice, and a bottle of wine.The fragrance of fresh bread hung in the air.
