Bloodstone Heart (46 page)

When they found nothing they headed eastward around the island to where Mark and the others had landed at the arch. They thoroughly searched the swan pond and continued around the point to where the Alster Tower could be seen.
 
The east and west points of the island were much, much narrower than the south and north sides. Now that the long southern side had been searched and the eastern short side, it was time to move on to the long north side.
 
They hugged the shoreline closely looking for any sign of a boat, but there was a whole lot of nothing on this side of the island. As they started around the western tip and were almost within view of the dock where they started, Mark said, "What is that huge building over there?"

Josh asked, "Where?"

"There, across the water to the north."

"Oh. I think Dominic said that it was part of the tour once - the old boathouse."

Like lightning struck them both at the same time, they shouted, "Boathouse?" Josh turned the boat north and threw the throttle all the way forward. The tiny boat engine whined and the front of the boat came up high as they flew to the dock near the boathouse. A minute later they were both running down the dock and towards a door near the rear of the building.
 
There was a padlock on the door that looked fairly new.
 
They both looked at each other and on the count of three, they ran at the door, hitting it hard and splintering the doorjamb, lock and all.
 

The boathouse was huge. How would they ever find a sinking boat in this place?
 

Mark said with a sigh, "Aw geez...that's a lot of boats!"

But something came over Josh like he had never known. Was it Lanie communicating with him? Was it the stone helping him again from a distance? Before he knew what he was doing, he was running. Maybe something was guiding him or he had just finally lost his mind, either way, Mark was right behind him wherever Josh was going.

He ran down a long dock then turned left and then a quick right and then left again. When it dead-ended, he took another left to a dark corner of the boathouse and there he saw an old dinghy just about three quarters full, and Lanie there under the water. Her hands were tied at the wrist and a long rope attached her to the bow of the boat. Another rope tied her feet together to the stern. Her hair splayed out in the water like it was caught in a gust of wind and then photographed. Before anything could register in his brain that she may not be alive, Josh was in the boat with his pocketknife furiously attacking the ropes at the bow.
 

Mark remained on the dock completely stunned by the image of beautiful Lanie unmoving under the water.
 

"Don't just stand there; cut the ropes!" Josh screamed at him. But Josh's added weight in the sinking boat was the tipping point and the stern submerged, dragging Lanie with it. Finally the ropes gave way and with a huge breath, he dived down under the water to attack the ropes at her feet.

The reality of what was happening snapped Mark into action and he pulled out his pocket knife and dove in after Josh. Once Mark made it to Josh and the ropes, Josh had to come up for air, but before he could take a breath and dive back down, Mark's knife had done the trick and he was headed up, grabbing Lanie’s elbow on the way. When Josh met him at the surface, Mark pulled himself up onto the dock where Josh helped push Lanie up to Mark.

By the time Josh pulled himself up onto the dock, Mark had pulled the duct tape off her swollen, cut mouth. With Josh on one side of her and Mark on the other, Josh gave her his breath, and Mark performed CPR.
 

"One, one-thousand, two, one-thousand, three, one-thousand...." Mark spoke to himself. Josh pinched her nose and blew air into her lungs. Mark continued, "One, one-thousand, two, one-thousand, three, one-thousand..."

"Come on, Lanie...breathe...breathe, damn it!" He pinched her nose and blew air into her lungs again. Mark started again, "One, one-thousand, two, one thousand..."

Tears rolled down Josh's face, "You can't die, Lanie. Not after all we've been through.” He bent down pinching her nose again, and blew another breath of air into her.

"One, one-thousand, two, ...."

Josh thought of the stone that had saved his life from the explosion and all that Lanie had done to try and keep him safe, only to lose her in the end. He wished he had the stone now to give to her and keep her safe. He touched her pale face with his hand, wishing he could feel that comfort he had always felt when he was with her - the instant silence from all the chattering minds around him.

Then something hit him like a shockwave from a huge explosion. It oozed warmth all over him, enveloping him like a soft blanket then dispersing and shooting out of him, making his skin tingle and glow and he noticed the same sparkling glow on Lanie's skin. He looked up at Mark and he looked like a lovesick pup with the goofiest smile he'd ever seen and he too had a glow about him.
 
He looked back down at Lanie and her eyes fluttered open and she began to cough out water and gasp for air. He grabbed her and held her in his arms as he rocked her while they sat on the ancient dock. He kissed her head and said over and over, "Oh thank God, you're alive, Lanie, you're alive. I thought I lost you...Oh thank God.”
 
He'd pull her away once in a while to look at her then pulled her to him again repeating, "Thank God, you're alive!"

Mark cut the ropes that bound her hands and feet while Josh just held her, thanking God and his lucky stars that she was finally safe. Mark let him do this for a long while before he finally said, "Josh? Is everyone else okay? Should we go back and help them?"

"Oh, God, you're right..." But before he could finish what he was saying he could hear Blake and Devon congratulating him on rescuing Lanie. They told him that, miraculously, the stone had blasted Dimitri and his army into oblivion. All was okay. Josh relayed this news to Mark and he suggested they head back to the island. Lanie was in no shape to walk, but even if she were, Josh wouldn't let her. He cradled her in his arms, carrying her to the outside dock and to the boat waiting there. He sat down in the boat with Lanie on his lap and Mark took care of untying the boat and driving it back to the docks by the tunnel where all were waiting to greet them.

It was a happy scene at the docks with introductions to new friends and happy hellos from old ones. Alyssa wrapped the picnic blanket around Melanie and Josh who had finally set her down on her feet, but he kept close, acting as her crutch since her legs were still rubbery and she was very weak.
 

Darby hugged her hard and long and noticed right away that her gloves were gone. "No gloves?" Darby asked, holding her hands in hers.
 

Melanie smiled weakly and answered, "No gloves!"

Astonished he hadn't realized, Josh jumped in and reiterated, "No gloves? Really? When?"

"I'll tell you about it later."

Devon walked over to Darby's side and she introduced him to Melanie. "Melanie, this is Devon, Blake's brother and my fiancé." She beamed when she said it. "Devon this is my oldest and dearest friend, Melanie Harper."

Devon took her hand gently into both of his, noting the bruising and deep cuts from the ropes and kissed it softly.
 
"It's a pleasure to finally meet you. I feel like I know you after all that Darby and Josh have told me."

Melanie smiled and said, "I feel the same, especially after practically living in your car for the last two and half weeks. You learn a lot about a person from their car, what they keep in it and the music they listen to."

"Nothing bad I hope."

"Not at all. Loyal, loving, and romantic, I would say."

Darby laughed, "She's got you pegged."

"Well, it does help to be a psychometrist - you do pick up on things."

 
They all laughed.
 
Dominic was over by the boat looking like he might be feeling a bit out of place, when Josh yelled for him. "Dominic! Dominic, please. I'd like you to meet Lanie."

Dominic was tickled that Josh was so eager to include him. As he walked through the crowd, he could hear Josh explaining to Lanie just how much he had helped in finding her.
 

Dominic stopped in front of her and said, "Ah, Miss Harper, it’s a pleasure to see you alive and well and to finally meet you.
 
Josh didn't tell me just how beautiful you were."

Melanie blushed and said, "It's so nice to meet you too. Thank you for all you've done for Josh and me."

"Not at all, my dear. Not at all. I'm just glad it all worked out. So what do you say we head back to Connecticut and get some of these wounds looked at?"
 

Eagerly, everyone moved towards the boats. It seemed everyone was more than ready to leave this place, no matter how beautiful it was.
 

The group filed into two boats and headed back to the mainland. As they pulled away from the island, Anton thought he saw -
No, it couldn't be
- but it looked like the Dark Angel watching them leave with its arms folded across its chest, following the boats’ motion with its head.
 
Anton shuddered for a moment and looked away, and when he looked back, the image was gone - but then maybe he had imagined it.

Blake thought to Josh,
You know, Josh, you should tell her how you feel.

I will.

Butt out, Blake
, Devon interjected.

If this whole thing has taught us anything it’s that we shouldn't waste time - it's precious. Remember how you felt when she was away and you couldn't tell her? How you regretted not telling her how you felt before she left?

I do.

Blake...,
Devon reiterated.

I agree with Blake
, Anton commented.
You of all people should know, Devon.

I do know, Anton, but maybe Josh doesn't want to voice his feelings in a boat in front of everyone he knows.

Maybe...but who knows...the plane could go down on the way home and he never got the chance to say anything to her
, said Blake.

From the other boat came Dean's input,
Can we not talk about planes going down, fang face? Besides I remember having a similar conversation with you not too long ago, Blake. Devon and I practically had to drag you to Rowan to get you to do anything about it, so don't give Josh too much flack. And Josh, can we cut this link...I'm tired of hearing fang face whine.

Shut up, Dean, you're such a moron
, said Blake.

Josh could hear Dean mimicking Blake's rebuttal in a very squeaky almost girlish manner,
Shut up, Dean, you're such a moron......NOT!
 

All five of them laughed, making the others in the boats wonder.

Thanks, guys, for caring,
Josh said telepathically.
I will tell her when we find a little alone time. Lanie might find it as embarrassing as I do, to express something so intimate in front of you all. Although I will say that I don't feel that way as much anymore. Maybe it’s the link or maybe it’s just what you've all helped me through, but it's like being surrounded by a bunch of brothers and family I never knew I had. Annoying at times, but overall pretty great. I’ve spent most of my adult life so far alone - never thought I'd want a bunch of people in my life, but I suppose if I had to - I'd pick all of you.

Was that a sarcastic little joke from Mr. Quiet?
Dean asked.
Well, it's about time, kid. So now that we are done with the speeches...break this stupid link or I'll be calling you something you won't like.

All right, all right
, Josh said, and with a crack like electricity popping in a fuse box, the link broke and the imaginary red ribbons tying them all together floated to the ground and disappeared.
 

Josh pulled Lanie close to him, trying to give her what warmth he had, and rubbed her arm to keep her teeth from chattering. He kissed her wet hair and pulled some wet strands away from her face. Blake smiled at Devon as the dock on the mainland came into view.

Apparently Dominic had called for three taxis because they were waiting at the curb for them as they emerged from the docks. Very appreciative for his forethought, they all piled into the taxis for a snug and cozy ride to the waiting jet at the municipal airport.

Before they knew it, they were on the plane and headed back to Connecticut where a waiting Bernard stood next to Dominic's Mercedes and a larger town car limo. Bernard beamed as they all emerged from the airport door a little worse for wear, but all there just the same. Some brief introductions were made and Bernard gave an approving wink to Josh as they all piled into the cars.
 

Josh, Dominic, Melanie, and Anton rode in the Mercedes.
 
Bernard had the foresight to bring blankets so Josh traded out Lanie's wet one for a new dry one to wrap her in. As they drove to the house, Lanie looked over at Anton, touched his hand lightly, and said, "You must be Anton." She was still and quiet for a moment. Josh knew that she was taking in some of Anton's history, and then she continued, "You've been through so much heartbreak, I'm so sorry for your recent loss."

Anton smiled and patted her hand and said, "Don't worry yourself about it, just work on getting well. Besides, I expect I will be seeing a lot of you, Melanie. You see, I've grown quite fond of Josh.”

Dominic listened in as Anton continued.

“You don't get to pick your family, but if you could, I think Josh here would be a great choice for the little brother I always wished I had.
 
I've always envied the bond Devon and Blake had. I was hoping Josh would stick around for a while, and you too, of course.”

Lanie smiled at Anton then turned to Josh, who was touched by Anton’s words. The hand now caressing Lanie's shoulder, moved and patted Anton appreciatively. "I'd like that, Anton, as long as it's okay with Lanie and Dominic."