Chapter 19

To Have

Raven grabbed the armrests of her seat and pinched her eyes closed. She'd been in Noah's float plane before, but this was different. The helicopter didn't offer the same smooth ride or peace of mind. Sure, she was being silly, but with her stomach in her throat it was hard to think rationally.

After his rather cryptic announcement back at her apartment, Noah had told her to change into comfortable clothes and then ushered her out the door. God. He had a helicopter. His own helicopter. At his disposal. They'd taken off in Anchorage and were heading to destinations unknown somewhere north. He refused to tell her where.

She wondered what he meant by meeting his family. Having been introduced to his parents a few times in college before their fatal car crash, she'd known he had no other living relatives besides some distant cousins on his mother's side. What could he possibly have meant by that statement?

From the seat beside her, Noah patted her hand. "You okay, baby?" His voice came through her headset as he yelled over the noise.

Up front, Max turned to offer her a reassuring smile. "Almost there, Miss Crowne."

She nodded and faced the window. Several mountain ranges, lakes, and villages passed as the copter ventured overhead. They were low enough to make out some vegetation and lights from the houses at their elevation.

"I didn't know you could fly, Max."

He turned and grinned again. "Yes, ma'am. I have a license and everything."

"Ha," she barked. "Funny guy."

His shoulders shook with a chuckle, but he said nothing more.

Noah rubbed the back of her hand with his thumb, the coarseness of his skin causing her to shiver. The touch succeeded in calming her a bit. "Max flies me up to the estate once a month. He was an Air Force pilot before finishing his last tour and coming to work for me. You're in good hands."

Max threw a thumbs-up over his shoulder.

The next twenty minutes passed with nothing but the wide expanse of the rough Alaskan terrain. He was truly taking her to the middle of nowhere. She couldn't even make out any roads. Questions filled her mind, too many to voice. Noah wouldn't answer them until he was damn good and ready, so she bit them back and focused on the view.

The helicopter dipped left and Max's voice filled her headset. "We're here."

She didn't see anything but mountains. "Where are we?"

"The northern Kuskokwim Mountains, on the western facing ridge." Noah leaned forward. "Circle in from the other side so she can see."

"Yes, sir."

They were way west of Fairbanks, then. Though she'd never ventured out this far, she knew the land was too rugged for roads and no major communities were within range. Was this why he chose the location? To make it near impossible for others to get to him? Or-his family? The family she knew nothing about.

The helicopter dipped right, and Noah tapped her hand, pointing to her window. "Welcome to Aubrey Castle."

The breath caught in her throat. Though the structure didn't look anything like a castle, it was just as massive. With the rear snug against the base of the mountain, it seemed to be an extension of the land. Resembling a log cabin in design, the color of the exterior indicated redwood. Nearly the entire front was glass. Three stories tall, she could make out a launch pad on one side of the roof, balconies on the south end, and a wraparound porch at the base. Thick forest with spruce and birch were directly north, and a small lake with a spring to the southwest. It was-breathtaking.

They said nothing as Max brought them down onto the roof, shifted some gears, and stepped out to get Noah's door. A crisp, biting wind shoved into the passenger hold, causing chaos with Noah's blond hair. The whirl of the propellers overhead slowed and stopped.

Instead of getting out, Noah turned to her. "No one but my security team knows about this place. You need to understand that. Once we're inside and settled, I'll tell you everything. Just-be patient."

His clear blue eyes held hers, more exposed than she could ever remember seeing them. He'd never brought anyone here before, never trusted them enough. Emotion clogged her throat. She'd passed some test in his mind if he was taking this leap.

He cupped her cheek and kissed her mouth. "Come on, baby. There's someone I'd like you to meet."

She nodded, fighting tears, and stepped out after him.

Taking her hand, they crossed a windy tarmac and entered a door. Warmth immediately enveloped them. Pine and wood polish filled her nose as she glanced around. Telescopes lined the wall with windows, all directed up to the glass dome ceiling. A desk and a drafting table rested in the opposite corner. Globes and models of the solar system filled the shelves and tables.

Before she could get her bearings, the interior door opened and a girl rushed through. Raven caught a glimpse of wavy strawberry blonde hair before the girl ran right past her and launched into Noah's arms.

Noah released Raven's hand to wrap his arms around the bundle clinging to his neck with skinny arms and his waist with her legs. "Easy, my love."

Raven stilled, hand at her throat. "My Love" was ten, maybe eleven years old, and had her face buried in Noah's shoulder. She was wearing a long nightgown as if she'd been preparing for bed before they'd intruded.

Raven's heart started to pound, dread swirling in her gut. What in the hell was going on?

"I missed you," the girl slurred.

Noah closed his eyes and kissed her head. "I missed you, too. So much." He ran his hand up and down her back. "I brought you a visitor."

She lifted her head, still not having seen Raven, and waved at Max. "Did you bring me something?"

Max shoved his hand in his pocket and held out his palm. On his outstretched hand was a penny. "1956. Don't think you have that year, Miss Aubrey."

Aubrey. As in Aubrey Castle? Just who was this girl and why had Noah named an entire mansion after her? Not only that, but so far away from civilization it required them to fly to its destination.

As if sensing her confusion, Noah glanced her way and carefully set the girl on her feet. With her back to Raven, Aubrey took the penny from Max and held it up, examining it.

With his gaze still on Raven, Noah cleared his throat. "What do you say, Aubrey?"

"Thanks, Maxie. It's awesome."

Maxie looked like he was biting the inside of his cheek. "Very welcome, Miss Aubrey."

At that moment, Aubrey turned toward Raven. The girl froze in place. Her face was pale with freckles sprinkled over her nose and cheeks. Her eyes were a bright aqua blue, shades lighter than Noah's, and she was very thin for her height. When she turned to Noah, Raven's gaze lowered to her neck, where red, twisted scars ran from her ear down until disappearing under the nightgown. Her hand had the same scarring, indicating it covered the whole arm.

Burn scars.

Noah smiled and wrapped his arm around the girl's shoulders, dragging her to his side. "Aubrey, I'd like you to meet Raven. Raven, this is my niece, Aubrey."

Niece. But Noah had no siblings.

They stared at each other for a beat before Raven realized she might be scaring her. "Hi, there! It's so nice to finally meet you."

Aubrey looked up at Noah. "But you never bring strangers." The words were once again slurred, and her mannerisms indicated someone much younger than she looked.

Noah's expression was pained, but he kissed her hair. "She's not a stranger, my love. She's very special, just like you, and I'd like you to be friends."

Aubrey regarded her before she stepped out from under Noah's arm and crushed Raven in a hug. "I like friends."

"Me, too." She wrapped her arms around the girl, careful not to squeeze too hard for fear she'd break her. She smelled like baby powder, innocence. Typically, Raven wasn't fond of touch, but something about the girl called to her.

Raven met Noah's gaze over Aubrey's shoulder. Tenderness and apprehension filled his eyes. This moment obviously meant a lot to him.

He rubbed his neck and nodded at Max. The bodyguard stepped back outside and brought in their luggage, Aubrey holding Raven in her death grip hug the whole while. Max moved past them and into the hall, their bags in his hands.

Noah sighed. "Come on, my love. It's getting late. How about we get Frances to whip you up a snack and then it's off to bed."

She let go of Raven and turned to him. "But you just got here."

He ran a hand down her soft waves. "We'll be here all weekend. Lots of fun to be had."

"Really?"

"Cross my heart." He swallowed, glancing at Raven and quickly away. "Scoot. We'll be down in a few minutes." When they were alone in the room, he kept his gaze down. "She's excited. Let's get her calmed down and we can talk."

After the five dollar tour, Raven could do little more than gawk. The house had a library, solarium, indoor pool, gym, and media room, all in addition to the observation deck from which they'd arrived. The live-in caretakers, Frances and Jeff Brisbin, were in their mid-sixties and regarded her with friendly reserve. There was more security throughout the house, who never engaged her outside of a nod.

The living room, den, and kitchen were all front-facing, with floor to ceiling spectacular views of the lake, spring, and forest. Massive wood beams in the slanted ceilings, hardwood floors with decorative rugs, stone fireplaces with raw-cut mantles-it was a decorator's dream. Even the candles and throw pillows were tasteful, the kitchen a mix of slate and stainless steel. The second and third floors weren't just bedrooms, but suites, each one complete with its own bath, kitchenette, and living room. The house was bigger than a freaking hotel!

Frances gave Aubrey a snack and dished out some soup for her and Noah, since they never did get dinner. Though Raven didn't have the stomach for food, she ate to be polite. While she did, she watched Noah and Aubrey together from across the long dining table big enough for a White House press conference. Aubrey was a delightful, if not somewhat lonely child, who obviously loved her uncle a great deal. In turn, Noah was crafty and funny around her, illustrating none of his usual intensity.

More questions than answers pushed around in her skull, shoving for space and attention. He had a girl-a niece supposedly-hidden away in the middle of nowhere, who had burn scars on her arm. Though the girl seemed educated, she was socially awkward. Bodyguards were everywhere, milling about. The house had a security system that could trump NASA. There was a panic room, for goodness sake!

After an hour, Noah sensed her growing unease and bid everyone a goodnight, claiming they'd tuck Aubrey in for the evening. Raven didn't know whether to be relieved or worried she'd finally get her answers.

Just who the hell was Noah Caldwell?