Chapter 18

Ellie paused before her father's office door. He'd called her a few days ago to ask her to join him at Carlstern, but she needed to finish a few meetings in Mara as well as the final updates to her own study at the cottage, so several days had passed.

Perhaps she'd wanted the distance too.

Her last conversation with her parents had been a study in their trying to contain their disappointment, along with a clear message that her reputation couldn't weather any hint of scandal at present.

Give her another year, and she'd have shown her new track record.

But before she'd even been officially reinstated as a working royal? Not the right time.

Father clearly respected Luke, which softened him to her situation, but Mother held to her pensiveness and long-held expectations that the royal family should come first. Of course it should. It was a choice Ellie made, even as her heart pulled toward picking up her mobile and texting Luke again. Her parents had made it clear that her future should focus on finding a man who understood their culture and history, who could bring a love for the country into their marriage. A Skymarian.

And Mother pushed against finding a spouse among the commoners, in contrast to her own past. All the expectations, failures, and embarrassments she'd had to overcome to finally find her place among the royals had stiffened her resolve not only to keep as far above reproach as possible but also to try to protect her children from the long years of adjusting to a life so different from her childhood.

Perhaps over time, as Ellie proved herself, Mother would soften to a broader array of romantic choices instead of a narrow wish list of candidates from the aristocracy. If not, Ellie might have to choose never to marry at all. An ache branched through her chest.

But, oh, how she wanted a family.

After spending so much time at Cambric Hall with those children, the desire to build her own home and family settled deeper. Images of Luke flipped through her mind like a movie montage of his good-natured teasing of the workers, his focus on his craft, his easy laugh and patience in teaching the boys, the way he focused on her when she spoke and found ways to show he cared. Her eyes drifted closed. The feel of his arms, his kiss. The rough patches of his hands as they caressed her cheeks.

Warmth pooled beneath her lashes, threatening to turn into another session of silent crying, but she had to stop.

Move forward.

She'd made her choice, and so had he.

She drew in a breath and dashed the tears away, righting herself before giving the door a quick knock.

At her father's summons, she entered. He sat behind his desk, poring over some papers, a familiar silhouette. His smile brightened his eyes as she entered, and he stood, gesturing her forward. With a brief kiss to each cheek, he moved with her to one of his couches, settling himself down beside her.

"How was all your business up north?"

She rested against his shoulder, welcoming his affection, especially after her weak moment just outside the office door. "Very good. It seems none of the current publicity has hurt any of my connections in the North Country or Mara, and I adored getting to watch the new football team of Kae defeat Hartington."

"Now, now, be nice, my dear. Your uncle is quite proud of his footballing days at Hartington."

Ellie chuckled, releasing a long sigh at the comfort of being with her da.

"I saw your numbers from the Board Luncheon. Dozens of new donors," Father said. "You've doubled the giving from last year."

"Lots of hard work and good people," she said. "I've loved getting to know them and show them what we can all do together for our communities. It feels right and good."

Father nodded. "You're stepping into what you're meant to do, my girl."

"The more I spend time there, the more I want to know about these places for which I am patron. And I think it would be good to become more acquainted with their histories. Knowing where someone or something has come from can make a difference in planning for its future."

"Very well said." He nodded, bestowing on her one of his proud looks.

"It would explain why I feel such a connection to that part of Skymar, I think." She smiled. "That and this journal I found at Cambric."

"A journal?"

She pulled it from her bag, glad to have the opportunity to show it to her father. "It was written by a scullery maid who had been an orphan and later took up employment there."

Father took the book and opened to the first page where the owner's name was scrawled across the front.

"Blair MacKee." His gaze rose to hers. "Dear girl, I believe this may be linked to the MacKees who own one of the largest textile businesses on the island and provide some of the greatest charitable donations to many places across Skymar, including Cambric."

Ellie relaxed back against the couch, shaking her head. "Uncle Roth married into that family?"

"Aye." Father grinned, offering her back the book. "'Tis not wise to disregard the power and influence of small beginnings to make the greatest changes, is it?"

She raised the book. "It's a simple, beautiful story about a sweet yet powerful romance that shows how the right person makes us stronger and braver and more hopeful. No matter their origin. In fact, sometimes what we need most comes in the most unexpected ways, and I think that includes royalty too."

"Aye." He studied her. "I can't imagine life without your mother. And I know she's been harder on you throughout all of this, but it's because she's trying to ease the hurt she experienced coming into this way of life. Pairing yourself with someone who understands our world makes it easier on the both of you."

"But sometimes the easiest way isn't the best."

Her father chuckled. "Well said again. Most of the time, it's not." She basked in another of his tender looks and then he nodded. "You are doing so well, Ellie, despite the recent situation. You are on your feet and I have every faith in you."

"I appreciate your confidence in me, but I need to know that you and Mother will continue to trust me, even when unfortunate headlines appear. I was not capable of making good choices three years ago, but because of your love for me and the support of this family, I am not who I was."

His eyes narrowed. "And I suppose part of this stems from the desire to make your own choices in partners without our interference?"

"I want your opinions because I know you have my best interest at heart, but it is also my future. I'm not under the same microscope or expectations as Stellan or even Rosalyn as the Crown Prince and Princess Royal. My path can remain more to the shadows, as I would wish it. And over the past months, I've come to realize I am capable of making my own choices, both publicly and privately."

Father winced in a good-natured way and then dipped his chin. "You are right. It is your life, and your mother and I have seen you step into a confidence you've never had."

"Thank you." A sudden weight lifted from her shoulders.

He raised a brow and then sighed. "Speaking of lists and a certain American carpenter..."

She'd not said anything about Luke!

Her father stood from the couch and stepped over to his desk, gesturing for Ellie to follow. "Luke left a gift for you when he met with me Saturday."

"You met with him?" Ellie moved to her father's side as he reached for a rectangular gift box on the shelf behind his desk. "Was it about the photograph?"

"No, no." He waved her words away. "He's the good sort—both Cameron and Gordon Frasier say so, as well as the staff at Cambric. No, I wanted to discuss some other building sites with him." Her father turned toward her, offering the gift. "But he brought this and asked me to deliver it to you when next I saw you."

She searched her father's face for a clue to the contents, but he merely shook his head with a shrug. With careful hands, she placed the box down on the desk, the pale blue bow atop lined with gold to complement the color of the box. It was an unusual shape. A little longer than a boot box. Narrower as well.

With a grip to the sides of the lid, she slowly lifted the top. Inside waited a...

What was it? It took a few seconds to scan the words and make out the gift.

A fishing rod?

A laugh escaped her and she slid her fingers over the box, her shoulders shaking as she looked up at her father. "He bought me a fishing rod."

"Not the usual romantic gift and, you are well aware, we have great stores of fishing rods handed down from my father, so I feel there is a special story behind this one." Her father's brows rose expectantly.

She rested her hip against his desk and smiled down at the gift. How on earth a fishing rod proved one of the most romantic gifts in her life, she couldn't exactly explain, but somewhere during this more candid conversation with her father, and sharing with him how she'd found and connected with the journal of a cherished love story, she decided perhaps Maeve had been right.

"I'd like to hear the reason behind the gift, my dear girl. If you're willing to share."

Ellie met her father's gaze—her wish list fresh in her mind as she cradled Luke's gift in her arms. She nodded and returned with her father to the couch.

If she could spend one more day with Luke Edgewood, she would find a way to do it. And since she had to be back in Crieff in two days for the Donors' Banquet, she knew exactly what she would do.

***

Pete was a great guy, but on the weekends he spent either at home in Scotland or with friends in New Inswythe, Luke always seemed to sleep a little better. The night sounds didn't have to compete with Pete's sleep talking or late-night gaming.

The scent of fresh coffee and a wood-burning fire warmed the air, giving the day a little brighter outlook than the previous one. He only had a few open shelves to hang before giving the cabin a quick check, and then, after the banquet tonight, he could leave in the morning for Skern.

He poured some coffee and walked to the new sitting room to stare out over the view. But before he flew back to the States, he'd return to Crieff to visit Cambric Hall and the Frasiers. Take those moments while he could, at least.

The sun barely rose above the distant mountains, its light filtered through a view of low-lying clouds. Darker ones hovered in the far distance and the weather app hinted at cooler temps for the afternoon and evening. Nothing frigid, especially for this part of the world, but below freezing.

He'd checked the news, and even some of the meteorologists weren't too happy about the longer-lasting cold temperatures. "The coldest May in thirty years."

Luke grinned. Just to his liking.

Down below, the lake showcased a patchwork of frozen and thawed spots thanks to the warmer weather of last week, but these mountains didn't let go of winter very easily. Kind of like home, only the North Country's grip held much tighter than the Blue Ridge Mountains'.

The sound of a car door closing pulled his attention back toward the front of the house where the front door stood. He glanced down at his phone—7:00 a.m.? Who would be up here at this hour? He peered out the side window only to see a gray car leaving down the gravel drive and back through the forest.

The car looked vaguely familiar.

Strange.

And then a knock sounded at the door.

Luke froze.

The knock came again.

With slow steps, he set his cup down on the kitchen counter and approached the door, his body on alert. Contemplating the type of individual who would unexpectedly visit a secluded cabin an easy half hour away from town left him wary.

Running a hand through his morning hair and unbolting the lock, he pulled the door open to find the last person he imagined seeing, especially at the cabin.

Princess Elliana St.Clare.

He blinked a few times, trying to make sure his eyes worked.

"Good morning."

Well, his ears heard her voice and his eyes saw her beautiful face, and she looked especially nice wearing a blue puffer jacket and matching toboggan. Made the color of her eyes deeper.

But she wasn't supposed to be here. Had he hit his head in the shower this morning?

"I... I know it's early."

He nodded, comprehension dawning by degrees.

"But I brought scones and cream from Bree's." She held up a white paper bag.

He slowly moved his attention from the bag back to her face, thoughts coming much too slowly. He needed another sip—or cup—of coffee to take all this in at an adult rate.

"But since I have to be in Crieff tonight for the banquet, I thought... well, I thought we could mark off some more things from my list, as you'd suggested a few weeks ago."

His gaze dropped to the box beneath her arm, the gift box he'd left with her father. She hadn't even taken it out of the box yet?

He flipped his focus back to her face, still trying to figure out if he'd really woken up yet. He'd spent the good part of a week trying to reconcile himself with the fact that they weren't going to have any more sweet moments.

"You always said you were an early riser, and I thought if I showed up early, it would give us more time together." Her gaze searched his. "Because everything ends tonight. Us being at Cambric Hall and... you being here."

She wanted to spend this last day together? The two of them? Alone?

The reality of the situation finally sank in and he sent a look toward the neighboring woods. Maybe there should be a more responsible adult available, because being alone with her... sounded wonderfully dangerous. "Ellie, are you sure this is a good idea for you? I don't want anything to happen where you get hurt or you think I've not respected your—"

"Luke, you can say no. Of course." She offered a wobbly grin. "But then you'll have to drive me down to the Frasiers' because Nessa's left me here with you."

He stared back toward the narrow road through the woods. It was Nessa's car!

"I've made this choice and take full responsibility for it, but only if you are amenable." Various expressions made a small wrestling contest across her face, almost like she was trying to figure out which emotion to embrace. "There are a lot of things I missed in life, and I know I'll miss more in the future." She held his attention. "But we have now, and I don't want to miss this last day with you, because I would rather have a memory than only have the wish of one."

Everything in him softened and he gave his head a shake, pushing the door back fully and ushering her inside. "Who all knows you're here?"

"Gordon and Nessa, of course." She pulled off her toboggan and her hair curled in various directions, almost inspiring his grin. "If Father can't find me, he'll probably have an excellent idea where to look. And, of course, Maeve."

"Your best friend who likes my shoulders?"

She paused in removing her jacket to offer him an impish smile. And he nearly lost his train of thought. "You do have very nice shoulders."

Maybe he should wish Pete were here.

But he didn't.

"What about Cameron?" He assisted her with the jacket removal, and daggone it if she hadn't worn a baggy, soft green sweater and black leggings with some sort of fuzzy boots. Thoughts of snuggling her close by a fire started jumping around in his head.

He tried to squelch them.

Those thoughts tended to slide right into a rascally direction awful quick. And being alone with her in a remote cabin by a cozy fire tempted all sorts of those.

"He thinks I'm with Nessa and Gordon." She squinted up at him. "I failed to correct his assumption, so he plans to collect me from there to escort me to the banquet this evening."

He stared at her as he went to hang her coat on a hook by the door, and completely missed the hook. Stupid brain. "So... we really do have the whole day."

She held his gaze. "Yeah, we do."

His grin rushed onto his face so fast, he didn't have time to catch it. "All right then. Let's make a few memories, Princess."

"Thank you, Luke." Pink crept into her cheeks and she looked away, lowering the bag of scones and the gift onto the nearby counter. "I also want to thank you for my gift. It left my father somewhat befuddled at first, but after I explained the reason, well, I don't know. He seemed touched and pensive about it all. I don't think he realized how much the past truly impacted me."

"I'm sure he wishes you'd have told him your hurts a long time ago."

"Yes." She sighed. "But I don't plan to keep those sorts of things from my parents anymore. I just felt as if... well, with my mother, I've always felt as if the privileges of my station warranted no complaints. She made so many missteps along the way to finding her place among the royals, small things which I feel seemed much larger to her than they actually were, and then she had to bear the brunt of some harsh media opinions about Father's choice of a commoner bride. I think all those difficulties, the hurtful press, and the struggle to constantly prove herself permeated the way she parented us."

"She didn't want you to have to struggle the same way." He nodded. "Sounds about right for a parent."

"And, as an imperfect creature, she may not have always enacted those desires in the best ways."

He folded his arms across his chest and studied her. She sure was beautiful with all that long hair and those big eyes and her pretty lips. But more than that, she glowed with an inner determination to do good. It was real hard not to like her a whole lot. Even if she was a princess. "So it's a bit early to go fishing just yet. Have you had breakfast?"

"I brought breakfast." She grabbed the bag and shook it in front of him.

"Scones and cream?"

"Yes."

"No." He gave his head a slow shake and heaved a sigh. "Scones and cream are a side to breakfast. If there's no meat involved, it can't count as breakfast."

Her smile flared. "Is that so?"

"It's the rule where I'm from, so it's the rule in this cabin." He waved toward the room. "Why don't you take a look around and I'll cook us up some real breakfast to go with your fancy muffins."

"Scones." She sent him a mock glare. "I smell coffee. Would there be enough to share?"

"There's always coffee to share." He nodded toward the coffeepot. "And lucky for you, Pete likes to drink perfume too, so we have all that frou-frou stuff in the fridge for you to contaminate your coffee to your heart's delight."

***

The cabin looked even better in person than the photos Luke had shown her. In the new mantel, he'd carved delicate shapes of mountains across the top, the design matching the two paintings she'd encouraged him to purchase and place on either side of the fireplace.

The little tips she'd mentioned to him at his request had come to life. He'd taken every suggestion, as if her ideas mattered enough to place faith in them.

In her.

The views proved some of the best she'd seen in the Crieff area, but Cairn Haar was one of the tallest mountains in the North Country, so almost anywhere gave a stunning vista. Well, likely a much better vista when the clouds weren't rolling in from the east.

Her coffee mug warmed her palms as she toured the three bedrooms, one used as an office and living space. A loft offered additional sleeping areas and showcased a little more of Luke's handiwork with some built-in bookcases.

"I don't know what type of fishing we'll have since it's so cold out," Luke announced from the kitchen as she made her way down the winding wooden staircase.

She sidled into the kitchen and rested a hip against the counter, watching him work. He looked great in those black slacks at the luncheon, but sweatpants fit him just fine too. She took another sip of her coffee and ogled like one of the greatest oglers on the planet.

He turned, plate in one hand and bowl in the other, with a towel tossed over his shoulder. "But if we can get the lines deep enough, we may catch some luck."

Her brain said, "You are one of the hottest men I've ever seen." However, her lips said, "Thank you so much for the gift. I can't wait to use it."

His grin broadened and he gestured with the plate toward the two barstools at the counter. "I'm glad you like it. Probably not what most girls want, but it seemed to fit... you and me."

She slid down on the stool. "You're right, but I'm not sure how."

He chuckled and placed the items before them on the counter, then took the spot beside her. As she'd expected from their previous meals together, he offered to say "grace," as he called it. At her nod, and without ceremony, he wrapped his big hand over hers on the counter and offered a sweet, simple prayer of thanksgiving.

He ended by asking God to bless Ellie's future and her hard work, so that others would be encouraged and helped by her innovative thinking and kindness.

She looked over at him while he finished the prayer, emotions growing so large within her, she thought they may burst her heart wide open. After all her failings and stupid mistakes, she'd learned to rely on the faith of her childhood in a way she'd never understood before her prodigal life, but to catch a glimpse of what life could look like from a man who understood that faith—and the very sweetness of such a love—it humbled her and renewed the ache of their impending goodbyes.

She pushed the thought away. Do not ruin this memory by thinking too far ahead. Just enjoy being with him.

"You really are such a good man, Luke Edgewood."

He looked over at her, those deep brown eyes examining her face. "And you're a good woman, Ellie St.Clare."

She drew truth from his words and his gaze. If he saw the best in her, even when he knew so much of her past, then maybe the one most holding her back was... herself.

They delved into their breakfast, her praising his work on the cabin and him accepting with a simple nod and turning the conversation by asking about her siblings. She responded in kind, learning more about Izzy and Penelope, the siblings closest to him emotionally, and then Josephine, the eldest, who was the mother of his niece and nephew.

At one point, when she started sharing some stories from her college experience, Luke's attention dropped to her lips. Her words slid to a stop at the intensity in his gaze. Would he kiss her? She certainly wouldn't mind.

"You have some cream on your cheek." He gestured toward his own mouth. "Right there."

"Ah." She released a nervous laugh. Of course he wasn't thinking of kissing her. Silly. The man knew they had to part ways—why would he want to add more kissing to the complexity of things? She took a serviette and wiped at her face.

He shook his head. "No, up a bit."

Her grin quivered. "You could just complete the entire Hallmark moment and remove it yourself."

He searched her eyes and then leaned close, snatching her breath as he did. "Ellie, if we were in a serious dating relationship, I'd find a way to remove that cream in a much more enjoyable way than any movie."

Her jaw loosed and heat rushed from her shoulders all the way up to her scalp. With a little hitch in her breath, she shakily recovered. "I would dare you to make good on that plan, Luke Edgewood, but I'm not certain I would recover."

His attention dropped to her lips again, his body shifting a little closer as if he wanted to make the scene in their heads a reality, but then he rocked back and drew in a breath. "Maybe we ought to try some of that fishing." His gaze moved back to her lips, and then he gave his head a shake and pushed back from the counter. "The cold air might do us both good."

"You're probably right." She took another bite of the scone just to have something else to do besides breach the gap between them.

"I'm gonna go back here and change into something warmer, then we can put together that rod of yours, stoke up the fire, and make the walk down to the lake."

"Mm-hmm," she murmured, taking another bite to keep from saying anything about stoking fires and kisses in a cabin. She pushed down a hard swallow. "I'll... I'll clean up."

He narrowed his eyes at her, creating more distance, maybe for the same reasons she kept taking too-large bites of the scone. "Princesses know how to do that kind of stuff?"

She nearly choked. "What?" She reached for the nearby hand cloth to throw at him, but he disappeared down the hall, leaving a wink in his wake.

Almost two hours later, they came to the lake after walking down the hillside from the cabin. Ellie looked back behind them, the porch of the cabin visible above the tree line and promising a leg-aching climb to return, but she didn't care.

She'd already enjoyed herself more in the past few hours with Luke, doing simple things like eating breakfast, putting a fishing rod together, and having excellent conversations, than she had all week doing other things. She'd take what she could get and hold on to the sweetness as long as possible.

A few times during their walk, the hairs on the back of her neck rose as if someone watched her. In her world, the paranoia of the paparazzi permeated private or secluded experiences, especially with her history, but the surrounding forest gave no hint of anyone except her, Luke, and the pervading wildlife.

She pulled her jacket more tightly around her and tucked her hat more closely around her ears. Luke walked with his jean jacket open to reveal a layered flannel shirt and undershirt, as if the air bounced off his body like bullets. The thought sent her right back into ogling like a fool. He turned to offer his hand as they stepped close to the lake's edge, his gaze catching hers.

"What?"

"I can't believe you're not freezing. Your ball cap isn't even covering your ears."

His brows crashed together. "I wore my jacket."

"But I think the temperature is dropping even since we left the house." She shook her head. "And here I am covered from toes to head like some snow monster."

"You're not a monster. Maybe more like a snow... bunny?"

"Bunny?" She laughed and took his hand, allowing the touch a special place in her mind. So secure. Strong yet gentle, just like the man himself. He paused at the edge of the icy water. "Okay, there are a few larger places where the ice has thawed and we can cast your line in that direction." He gestured out to the deeper part of the lake where the water shone in parts surrounded by the ice.

"Let's practice a few casts first, all right?"

She'd watched a few clips online to get an idea of what to do while fishing, but when he came up behind her and covered her arm with his, she forgot everything she'd viewed. One of his hands rested on her waist and the other guided the arm that held the rod.

She pressed back into him, his beard tickling her ear.

"I don't think you're paying attention, Princess."

"Oh, I'm paying attention, just not to the casting lesson."

"All right." He drew out the word so long she got a whiff of the peppermint on his breath from brushing his teeth. "We just need to get this out of the way." Without hesitation, he spun her around to face him, and giving her only a second to prepare herself, he pulled her forward and caught her gasp with his mouth. He caressed her lips with his own as one of his palms cradled her face and the other pressed against her back. She nearly dropped the fishing rod, but managed to hold it aloft while gripping his jean jacket with her free hand.

All the tension from the morning, and the ache from the past week, burst through her, finding some sort of sweet balm in his touch. His fingers took a little detour over her ears and into her hair, moving to hold the back of her head as they kept enjoying making a belter of a memory.

She pulled back but kept her hold on his jacket.

"Your kiss is dangerous, Mr.Edgewood." Her breath came shallow, gaze roaming from his lips back to his eyes. "Not at all like one of the good guys."

"You need more practice then, Princess." His hand tightened on her back, tugging her back toward him. "All good guys have a little bit of rogue for the right woman."

He kissed her again, thoroughly taking her breath away and leaving her warm from the forehead down. Heaven and earth, she'd never been kissed like this... but those kisses had all been from the wrong men.

He drew back this time and put her at arm's length. "Now let's focus on fishing."

She narrowed her eyes at him. "You know, you could have done that a lot earlier and saved us both the extra agony."

He narrowed his eyes back at her. "It's less likely to cause us as much trouble while we're out here in freezing temperatures as it would in that nice cozy cabin, Princess."

She cringed a little, half at the truth of his statement and half at the fact of how much she wanted to head right back up to the cozy cabin and practice a little less self-control than she ought.

Thankfully, the past three years had given her a better perspective and longer-term goal than she'd had before. The right man was worth the wait.

She paused on the thought. And maybe, whether in months or years, she and Luke could find a way to be together?

"Well, good news. I'm feeling much warmer now."

He dipped his head as if bowing. "Glad to be of assistance, my lady."

"Oh, stop!" She waved him away and returned her attention to the rod. "All right, let's do this and then return to the cozy cabin."

After a few tries, the cast landed in a large open spot of the lake. The quiet of the day should have calmed her, but the sense of being watched resurfaced again and again. She didn't want to mention it to Luke and appear paranoid. He seemed oblivious to any such disturbance.

They'd been waiting for one bite from a fish when she spotted the first snowflake. Nothing too concerning, as snow stayed in the higher elevations as late as mid-May during some years. But the added chill started to deepen her concern.

She glanced up at the sky. Those dark clouds from earlier crowded overhead and moved much more quickly than usual. As if to make a point, the breeze picked up, misting her face with snow and dampness.

"I think we might want to head back to the cabin." Luke studied the sky. "Maybe you can try again another day."

"I think you're right. Let me just reel it in."

She shifted closer to the edge, looking out toward the nearest bank, something green moving into view. Green?

Her line jerked just then, and she turned to Luke. "I... I think I have something."

"Well, don't just stand there with that pretty mouth of yours hanging open." He grinned. "Reel it in."

"But... but will you record it so I can show Father?" The line jerked with such force she stumbled a step forward. "And have it for my own memories."

"Sure." He looked over at her, as if waiting for direction. "With my phone or yours?"

"I can't give you my phone right now or I'm afraid I'll lose hold of the rod."

"All right, I got it." He pulled his phone from his pocket and stepped back to capture a better view, she supposed.

Ellie shot him a grin, turned back to the task at hand, and began reeling in the fish. It tugged and pulled, and she tried to dig her feet into the damp ground but couldn't get a steady footing.

The green came back into view and then... was that a flash?

A camera flash.

She looked up and caught sight of a man in a green hat and coat poised just across from them on the narrower portion of the lake, but in the distraction of the moment, several things happened at once. The fish pulled her forward while another flash caused her to turn back in his direction, making her feet slip forward from the wet, grassy embankment onto the ice.

A horrible noise groaned beneath her feet, and she knew what would follow. In synchrony, she released the rod and turned toward Luke, making eye contact with him just before the ice gave way beneath her with a loud crack.

With a scream and a flailing of arms, she was swallowed by the frigid lake water.