Elation. Joy. Excitement. All of those things rushed through Sabrina and for a moment, the cold disappeared because she was so hot and flustered.
He loved her. Loved her. And it was about time she told him how she felt.
Whatever Richard said was lost to Sabrina as another gust of wind caught at her. Shit. Her fingers dug into the siding of the building but it was rain soaked and slippery. And just as she took a step back-her intention to run up to the house and wait for Teague-her foot slid on the dock and the next thing she knew, she was ass over kettle and free falling into the lake.
The water was cold, a complete shock to her system and she clawed her way up, head bursting above the water in time to gasp for air. Teeth chattering she glanced up but all she saw was gray. Gray water. Gray rain. The boathouse was nothing more than a shadow among the gray.
And she was sinking.
"Help," she shouted, going under and gulping water. Fear shot through her as she struggled, and along with it, a shot of adrenaline to boost her energy. She reached upward, frantically kicking her legs. Why couldn't she touch the bottom? She couldn't remember a thing that Teague had taught her, but her body was struggling to survive and she managed to breach the surface again.
"Help," she screamed, her fear doubling because she was several feet out now and the water was deep.
And God she was cold. So very cold.
The rain continued to pound down on her as Sabrina struggled to stay afloat. But it was hard. She could barely swim and with her waterlogged jeans and sweater she was losing badly.
She screamed as loudly as she could, desperately trying to stay above water but she slipped under again. And this time when she tried kicking her legs, when her hands clawed toward the surface … she just sank lower.
She kicked. And clawed. And kicked some more. She managed to get her hand above the surface. You can do this. The words screamed inside her mind and anger rolled through her. She wouldn't end like this. She had too much to live for.
But the water was cold. Bone-chilling cold. And her lungs were on fire. And for one heart wrenching moment, she thought of her kids. And of Teague. And of what they could have had.
But then strong arms wrapped themselves around her and hauled her up to the surface. Sputtering, she gasped for air, eyes focused on the one face she needed to see. She didn't take her eyes off him as he pulled them both in and hit the shore.
"I love you," she managed to say, voice hoarse from screaming, teeth chattering so badly she barely got the words out.
"I know," he said, voice full of emotion. "What the hell, Bree? How did you … If I hadn't heard you scream … " He caught himself and shook his head. "Never mind. Doesn't matter."
Teague kissed her forehead. "I've got you," he said, holding her close and jogging up to his house. "I've got you."
Chapter Twenty-nine
Teague closed the door to his bedroom and headed for the stairs. Sabrina was still out cold, but that wasn't surprising considering her tumble into the lake. He paused at the top of the landing and had to take a moment, because never in his life had he been more terrified than when he'd heard her voice and seen that small white hand break the surface of the water.
Heart still pounding, he took the stairs, smiling when he heard the excited babble of the twins. Allie had dropped them off earlier and they were jumping all over their "Uncle Jack". Donovan watched from the sofa, feeding her daughter, while his parents were snuggled up together in the oversized chair near the fire.
The rest of his family had left earlier in the morning, missing the dreary fall day by hours.
A little dark head popped up from behind Jack. "Tigger! You didn't tell me that you had a mommy!"
"Well where did you think I came from?" he asked with a smile.
"I don't know," she replied with a giggle. "But you have the same mommy as Uncle Jack."
"I do." He glanced at his brother who had Harry in a headlock. "He's the old guy though."
"He's not old," Morgan said. "He's a prince"
Jack grinned at that and tickled her until she fell at his feet in hysterics.
"How is Sabrina?" his mother asked.
"She's still sleeping, but I think she'll be fine. I'll suggest a visit to her doctor tomorrow just to be safe."
"That sounds like a good idea," Eden said. His mother paused and he saw the wheels turning. "So what did your friend Richard Bowen want?"
Donovan was done feeding the baby and she got up, smiling down at the twins. "Who wants to help me bake some cookies?"
Jack glanced at his wife as if she'd lost her mind. "You don't bake."
Donovan's eyebrow shot up. "That's not the point, darlin'." She held her free hand out. "Come on. Chocolate chip or peanut butter?"
The kids dashed after her and she got them busy in the kitchen, looking for ingredients and such.
"Teague," his mother prodded.
"He wants me to go to the Ukraine with him."
Silence met his confession and he saw his mother glance warily at his father. Noah wasn't a man of words-he usually left that up to his wife-but the older Simon got to his feet and walked over to Teague and Jack.
"What did you decide son?"
"I'm not going."
Noah Simon didn't even bother to hide his relief. He enfolded his son into a hug and kept him there for several moments, his touch fierce.
"I'm glad," his dad said simply when he pulled away.
"Bowen must have been pissed," Jack said.
"He'll get over it," Teague replied, his face darkening. The guy hadn't given up, even after Teague had rushed into the water for Sabrina. Bowen had followed him up to the house and if Teague hadn't threatened him with bodily harm, the guy might still be here.
"So what are your plans?" Eden asked, coming over to join her husband. A small smile lit the corners of her mouth. "Are you coming back to Florida?"
"No."
"No?" Noah asked. "Where to then?"
Teague hadn't been to Florida in ages. He had a condo in the keys, but even he couldn't remember the last time he'd been there. It hadn't been his home in a good long while and if anything, Teague had learned that home is where your feet are planted.
And right now, his were planted firmly in Gravenhurst.
"Well, I've got a job lined up in New York."
"New York? But … " He saw the confusion in his mother's face and slid his arms around her.
"I only have to be there three days a month for taping."
"Taping?" Jack asked.
"A news show I'll be collaborating on and hosting. It's something new and I decided to give it a shot."
"Sounds like a good opportunity," his brother replied.
"It will be different, that's for sure."
"So when you're not in New York City you'll be … " Eden Simon arched an eyebrow. His mother wouldn't give up.
Teague smiled and dropped a kiss onto her cheek. "I'll be right here. I can work remotely on the stories we'll be using for the show and I can concentrate on other things."
"Like what?" Jack asked. There was concern there and Teague got it. Jack cared a lot about Sabrina and the twins.
"Photography for one."
"Photography," Jack repeated, a small frown on his face.
Teague was enjoying himself. "Yeah. I like to take pictures."
"We know," Jack said.
"Thought I might work on a book. I've had a few publishers bugging me to write about my experiences. Thought I could call it Hot Zone ." He arched an eyebrow. "What do think, Jack?"
"I think you're being a dick."
"Boys," Eden groaned. "Language. There are children in the house." She hugged Teague once more. "And you! Don't tease us like this. We're glad that you're in a good place right now. We just want you to be safe and happy."
"I know," he murmured. "I only need one more thing in my life and I'm done looking for that elusive piece of me."
"And what's that?"
The words were hoarse, kind of breathless and he jerked his head up. Teague's eyes slammed into Sabrina's. She stood on the top stair, her hair a disheveled mess, her cheeks pink, and his old Seal sweatshirt hanging down to her knees.
His heart leapt at the sight of her and he took a step forward.
"That's a good look for you," he said roughly.
Sabrina came down the stairs and paused on the bottom step. She looked scared and unsure and he needed to make that go away. Teague strode over to her, his eyes focused, because this was it. He paused at the bottom step, his eyes softening and his heart pounding.
"You are that piece. I need you in my life. I need you in my heart. I want you Sabrina. All of you." He took a moment because he was so damn emotional. "I want a life with you. I want the dog and the house. I want the whole thing."
Tears filled her eyes and she shrugged. "I have a dog."