Starseed (23 page)

Kole’s eyes twinkled
. “Sara, I have a feeling your soul mate is near, not far out on the horizon. You have a place in our journey as well.”  He grinned. “But back to your question, being a soul mate means a lot of things to many different people. For me, it means that we have lived many past lives together in many places from the beginning of time.” 

He turned back to Elle, and took a deep breath
. He placed her hand over his heart and gazed into her eyes giving her that hypnotic look. “With each heartbeat, I know we are meant to be together through many lifetimes. Today, on this planet, in front of everybody, I ask if you will have me. Be my wife forever and a day.”

Elle’s mouth fell open
. Did she hear him right? Was he playing with her? Did he just propose to her? Could she actually marry a Martian? What would he expect of her? What was he doing? “Did I hear you right? Wa . . . was that a proposal?”

“
Yes, Elle. “I’ve been told this is how you do it on Earth.”  Letting go of her hand he got down on one knee by the side of the booth and gazed into her eyes. He pulled out a little black velvet box from his pocket and opened it. There, sitting on the black velvet cushion was the most gorgeous star-shaped diamond solitaire ring she had ever seen.

Dotty stood behind him, hanging on his every word with tears clinging to her eyelashes as Kole gazed into Elle’s eyes
. She sniffed and pulled the edge of her apron up to her face to wipe away the tears.

Sara and the rest of the diner listened to Kole’s proposal
. There wasn’t a sound in the diner as he spoke.

“
Elle, I’ve searched for you in my dreams and throughout the universe. Now that I have found you, I never want to let you go. Please, be my life mate forever and always.”  He held her hand and waited patiently for her answer.

She gazed into his eyes
. “There are so many unanswered questions between us.”  She bit her lip. There was no getting around it, she had to face facts. She was in love with an alien, then she realized she was one, too. She laughed in happiness. “Yes, yes, yes, I’ll marry you.”  Without a doubt in her mind, she jumped into his arms.

“
Wahoo, we’re going to have a wedding.”  Dotty danced around the diner, shouting it to everyone in sight.

Kole kissed and hugged Elle and placed the ring on her finger
. “That’s my Starseed,” he whispered in her ear as he hugged her again. “All your questions will be answered in time. Together, we will accomplish great things.”  She hugged him back and glanced at Sara who sat there grinning from ear to ear.

“
Congratulations.”  Sara stood and hugged them. “I’m so happy for you guys. I knew it the first time I saw you together.”  She laughed. “I’m not psychic, but when something is right you just know it.”  She frowned. “You know some people will say this is awfully sudden, but like you guys, I know it was meant to be. I’m so happy you’ve found each other.”   

“
Oh, I have to tell Dad before it’s all over town.”  Elle reached for her cell phone prepared to meet any resistance he might give for this sudden announcement.

“
That’s not necessary.”  Kole smiled. “He already knows. I met with him earlier this morning and asked for your hand in marriage. I told him everything. He said he’d be honored to have me in the family.”

“
Everything?”  He sat down with Elle still holding her hand. How did her father feel about giving her away to an alien? About her being half alien? Where would they live? She didn’t know if she could leave Earth again. However, if she was with Kole it didn’t matter where they lived. But what about her father? She couldn’t leave him alone. Her thoughts whirled and tumbled.
I accept my place in the universe and I realize that this thing called life needs love and patience. Kole is my life, my love, my heart and soul. I feel so alive. I’m so happy my heart could just burst.

“
Yes. Everything.”  Kole said and grinned at Elle.

Dotty held a tray and deposited the hearty meals on the table between them
. “This is the best news this town has had in a long time.”  She sniffed, holding the tray to her side. “My girls are growing up. I remember when you and Sara were little and came in here with your dad for pie after the Saturday afternoon matinee.”  She brushed a tear from her eye with the corner of her apron and sighed. “Those were good old days.”  She wiped her nose with a Kleenex from her pocket and grinned. “When is the big day? You’ve got to let me bake the cake. I can make a beautiful wedding cake.”  She smiled. “You’d better invite me.”

“
Oh, Dotty, of course you’re invited.”  Elle turned and gave her a hug. “You’ve always been there doing stuff for me since I was a kid. It wouldn’t be my wedding if you weren’t there.”  She hugged her again. “We haven’t set a date yet, but you’ll be one of the first to know. And I’d love it if you’d make the cake.” 

Dotty hugged them both and then went to deal with her other customers and Elle snuggled next to Kole
.

The diner had turned in to a din of conversation
. She knew everyone was talking about her upcoming wedding and that was okay with her because for once they were happy for her. Kole had made many things right for her.

He leaned in and whispered,
“In my heart and on my planet we are already married. I would like to have the Earth ceremony as soon as possible. Remember, we have things to do.”  He grinned. “And to answer that question running around in your mind, your dad is a believer and he wasn’t too surprised about me.”

“
He’s a believer? That’s news to me.”  She realized what Kole said was truth as she noticed the heart rendering tenderness of his gaze. Can this really be true? If so, why did he have such a hard time with my psychic abilities?

Kole looked deep in her soul
. “Open your heart and you’ll know why.”  He held her close for a quick hug.

Then it dawned on her
. Her dad loved her so much that he wanted to protect her from the unknown. He was afraid if she used her talents that someone would notice and come and take her away from him. That’s why he had always discouraged her using her abilities. He couldn’t stand the thought of losing her. Elle glanced toward Sara and grinned.

“
Well, it appears I have a wedding to plan.”  “Sara, you’re my best friend and I can’t imagine getting married without you helping me with the details. Will you be my maid of honor?”

Sara squealed and came around the table
. “Of course, you silly goose, I’d love to be your maid of honor.”  They hugged each other. “Congratulations. I’m thrilled for both of you,” she said. To be a part of this with you means everything to me. We’re going to have so much fun planning it.”  She brushed a tear from her eye. “I’ve got tons of information about wedding planning at the bookstore. Come over this afternoon and we’ll get started on it.”  Tears streamed down her face unchecked.

“
Great. I’m so lucky to have a friend like you.”  Elle hugged Sara again.

“
How did I get to be so blessed?” Elle said and reached for Kole with her other hand. Things were happening so fast she could barely believe she was going to be planning her wedding to Kole, her Starman with her best friend.
Life is good.

Chapter Eighteen

Later that afternoon, Elle walked toward the bookstore to meet Sara to work on wedding plans
. The air was cool and crisp, the sky bright blue, a nip of fall in the air, a perfect day to plan a wedding. Even her walk had a sunny cheerfulness as she nearly skipped down the street. A warm glow flowed through her as she made a mental list of who she wanted to invite. The only people she wanted to attend the ceremony would be a few close friends and family. She’d never wanted a big wedding. The girls from the salon, a couple of her favorite customers and her family would be enough.

She started ticking things off in her mind
. Rose had phoned and said they could hold the wedding in her gazebo at Yesterday’s Rose and that she’d wanted to take care of the food for their wedding present. The town florist would take care of the flowers. Dotty would bake the cake.

Oh, my goodness, I have to find the perfect dress before Friday
. Maybe Sara and Rose and I can make a fast trip to Denver. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed Lee Bales hurrying down the sidewalk in front of her. He was acting strange. He’d glance back at her and kind of run away from her as if she frightened him.
What’s with him
?

She ignored him and stopped in front of a store admiring a gorgeous floor length white silk dress with a beaded jacket
.
Something like that might work. I want to look absolutely gorgeous for Kole on our wedding day
.

From the reflection in the glass, she noticed Lee scurry around the corner
. At that moment a familiar shiver of awareness came over her. The tall alien in the cave wearing the disguise had been Lee. Her heart caught in her throat. That’s why he’s acting so strange.

A sense of strength filled her
. She’d follow him and let him lead her to his accomplice. She rushed to catch up with him. When she saw where Lee went then she’d tell her father.
There he is.
Wanting Kole to be proud of her, by doing this, she’d make up for being such a wimp with the Ant People. Keeping her distance she trailed Lee down the side street and dialed Kole on her cell phone.

“
Kole, I saw one of the men from the cave who tried to kill us. I’m following him. I’ll call when I find out where he’s going. Bye.”  Glancing up she didn’t see him.
Damn.
Where did he go? He wasn’t anywhere in sight. She’d lost him. She tucked the phone into her jean’s pocket and turned around searching for him.

An arm shot out of nowhere and grabbed her around the waist pulling her toward the alley
. The other covered her nose with something smelling of chemicals. Her breath seemed to be solidified in her throat.
Chloroform, oh no, it’s chloroform
. She threw her purse away to free her hands and scratched at Lee’s face, fighting him with everything she had. He gripped her around the throat pressing against her windpipe. She couldn’t breathe. Not being able to overcome the dizziness swamping through her brain she kicked out at him. Black spots formed before her eyelids and sucked her under. Her limbs were going limp as her mind fogged. Lee picked her up and through bleary eyes she saw the dirty white cargo van just before he tossed her into the back of it.

A couple of hours later, Kole listened while the sheriff questioned the teenager who had found Elle’s purse
. His gut twisted in turmoil. He knew she was in trouble and had to find her before it was too late. Maybe this kid could point them in the right direction. His heart rebelled against the thought of those crooks having her. He couldn’t stand it if they harmed her.

“
I was on my way to work at the movie theater and I found it over there on the ground.”  The young boy pointed to the far corner of the brick building. “I looked at the driver’s license and saw it belonged to Elle so I called you on my cell phone.”  With nervous energy, he kicked the dirt with the toe of his shoe. “I didn’t take anything. All the money is there. I’ve just been waiting here for you.”  He glanced at the sheriff and back down at the ground. “I need to get to work or I’m gonna be late,” he mumbled and stuck his hands in his pockets.

“
Son, I know you didn’t take anything,” the sheriff said. “I’m concerned about Elle.”  He casually pushed the brim of his Stetson back on his head. “Did you see anybody around here or anything that didn’t look quite right to you?” he asked. “Stop and think about it for a minute or so.”

He frowned
. “Yeah, now that you mentioned it, there was this dirty white van speeding down Main Street when I came by.”  He grinned, pleased that he had remembered something useful. “Maybe they took Elle. Other than that, there wasn’t anything going on.”

“
Okay, thanks for your help. We’ll check that van out. Now you go on to work.”  The sheriff patted him on the shoulder and gazed into his eyes. “Nick, I appreciate your honesty. Some folks would’ve taken the money and thrown the purse in the trash.”  He shook Nick’s hand. “It takes a real man to do the right thing.”  He pulled a business card from his side pocket.

“
Sometimes people remember things later in the day. If there’s anything else that comes to your mind, give me a call anytime day or night.”  He handed him the card. “My personal number is written on the back.”

“
Okay, sheriff, I’ll do that.”  He took the card and stuffed it into his back pocket and walked away.

The sheriff turned to Kole
. “I don’t know what to make of it.”  He scratched his head. “Do you have any idea what’s going on here?”  He turned his steely gaze on Kole.

“
Yeah, I think so.”  Kole swallowed the huge lump in his throat and put his emotions in check. He had to stay focused and find her. “It was like I told you. She left me a message saying she was following some guy she thought was one of the guys that accosted us in the cave. She said she would call me when she found out where he was going.”

“
Damn, that girl. I’ve told her and told her not to get involved in all this.”  The sheriff shook his head with frustration glittering bright in his worried eyes. He clutched her purse as if it were his best lead.

Kole frowned
. “The kid mentioned a white van. There are a lot of white vans out at the High Mountain Array and I’d bet a month’s supply of Rocky Mountain Chocolate bars that they have her at the cave. I think that’s where we need to be looking to find her.”

“
I agree. Come on, let’s get out there—take my car.”  The sheriff’s car screamed out of town with the sirens blasting.

Kole gritted his teeth and tried to bite back his Earthly emotions
.
I’ve came all this way. No way am I going to lose her now. Oh, Ancient One, please don’t let any harm come to Elle.
At the thought of losing her he made his heart cold and still. There was no way he would ever let that happen.
I’ll find her
. He closed his eyes and concentrated.
Ari. It’s an emergency. Elle is in danger and needs our help. Get to the caves. I think she’s being held captive there. I’m on my way.

* * *

Elle awoke to find herself in familiar territory and choked back a frightened cry. She was strapped to a metal table in the fake alien lab. Like before, she tugged at the straps. Nobody was around, but she could hear the mumble of voices in the next room. A cold knot formed in her stomach. She knew too much. This time they wouldn’t let her go. Once again her vision had proved right. She was in danger. She glanced around to make sure there were no big yellow bulldozers to smash her to bits with their blade. She wouldn’t let her life end this way. She and Kole had just gotten together and they had many things to do to save Earth.
This won’t be my end.
Determined to escape she pulled at the straps holding her down.

The angry voices coming near her increased in volume
. They were arguing about her. Her hands came to an abrupt halt, her heart jumping in her chest. She stopped struggling to get free and pretended she was asleep.

“
I told you, Lee, you were stupid to bring her here.”  Benny hurried toward the room and glanced in her direction and shook his head. “You should have taken care of her back in town. A hit and run or something of that nature.”  He sighed and looked the other way then started yelling at Lee.

She noticed that Benny had an air of authority and the appearance of one who demanded instant obedience
. He wasn’t one to be taken lightly. Her nerves tensed immediately. She was so afraid of being at their mercy. She watched them through her veiled eyelids trying to figure out how to get away.

“
I thought you’d want to do it out here away from prying eyes.”  Lee stepped back to avoid Benny hitting him on the arm.

Benny glanced toward Elle and she shut her eyes
. “Damn you, Lee. This is such a bad idea. It reeks to high heaven.”  He turned away not waiting for Lee to answer. “It’s just like that stupid crap I had to do for grandpa when he blew the mine that time with those people in it. I’m not going there for you.”

The sound of his voice carried away from her and she opened her eyes and saw his back in the open doorway
.
His grandpa killed my parents. He helped cover it up. That’s what happened. I will make you pay
. She swallowed hard, trying not to reveal her anger. It took every bit of her self control not to rush at him and claw his eyes out. Furious at her vulnerability, she realized she had to be smart to beat them at their own game.

He stood there arguing with Lee
. “I’m not going to be responsible for killing anyone. It was you that knocked off Herman, not me.”  In fury, he hit the wall with his fist. “You brought this on yourself. She’ll be out for a few more hours. Take her deep in the cave and fix it so it looks like an accident. Throw her down one of those dark dank bottomless caverns. Nobody will find her there.”

Inwardly, Elle cringed and felt as if a hand had closed around her throat
. She was on her own. Her stomach churned with anxiety and frustration as she kept her breathing even. They had to think she was asleep.
I will be Kole’s wife. I have a purpose and it’s not dying over a gold theft, never to be found at the bottom of a dark cavern
. She lay still, barely breathing, listening to the men plan her demise and it really made her angry. They had killed Herman and now they were going to get rid of her.

“
I thought you’d do it. I don’t want to kill anybody, either. Herman was an accident.”  Lee shuffled out of Benny’s reach and sounded like he was about to cry. “He wouldn’t come out of the house. I was just trying to destroy his paintings like you said,” he whimpered. “Maybe we should just tie her up in the cave and get out of town,” he whined. “Maybe we should let her live. She’s magic. She ran through that wall in the cave. I . . . saw her do it.

“
It’s too late for that. You dumb ass. She can identify us. You can do it. Now get to it.”  His voice rose in anger, his patience growing thin. “I don’t have time for this nonsense.”  He slammed down a coil of rope in the doorway by Lee. “Tie her up and or throw her down a hole. I don’t care, just get rid of her.”  He turned on his heel to leave. “I have to get back up to the office or Bill will miss us. We can’t let him become wise to our secret.”  He glared at Lee. “Now is not the time to be greedy. I’d rather enjoy what we already have on a beach in Mexico than in a prison cell. Get it done,” Benny said.

“
Yeah, a beach in Mexico, that’s where I want ta go. I’ve never been out of Colorado. I’ll do it,” Lee chimed in and an evil grin spread across his face.

Elle closed her eyes feeling a momentary panic as Lee came toward her
. He threw her over his shoulder like a big sack of potatoes. Fear and anger knotted inside her as she waited for his next move. She cracked her lids open and let her arms hang limp over his back, thanking her lucky stars he didn’t tie her hands. Given any opportunity she would make this bastard pay and his good buddy, too.

Her mind was racing at warp speed as she tried to keep her fragile control
. When he put her down, she’d use some of the self-defense skills she’d learned with Sara. Her confidence surged. I can do this. By all that is sacred I will do this. He carried her deep into the caves. She turned her head slightly so she could see where they were going. He was shining a flashlight in front of them. Making mental notes of the way he was taking her, she bit her lip, determined to find her moment to escape. She would get out of this.

He mumbled to himself
. “I’ve never killed anyone on purpose. Never got close to it. Benny should be the one doing this, not me. This poor woman never did nothing except fly through those rocks. Oh, Lord, what if she does that again?” 

She felt him shiver
. Her mind clicked. The guy thought she had super powers. Somehow maybe she could use that to her advantage. Her cell phone dug into her leg from inside her pocket. When she got away, she could call Kole. Her heart leapt at the thought of him holding her in his arms. Her memories of him were pure and clear. She would never forget a single detail of his face. In spite of her situation she would get out of this mess and back to Kole.

She blinked back tears not wanting to be here
. All she had ever wanted was to find love and adventure. Well, she had found more than she bargained for. They could keep this part of it, she wanted to be with Sara planning her wedding.
Enough of this. I’ve got to get it together and save myself
. Determination flowed through her veins giving her more strength by the second.