Read Online Through the Maelstrom by Rebekah Lewis - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Rebekah Lewis
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washed over his features as though recalling the time lost if his story was true, and that his father couldn't be governor any longer since he was long dead.
He was good. She'd give him that.
"We were visiting Savannah when I was taken from a pub on the river. Jones is the name I adopted to protect my family." He placed both palms flat on the table. "You see, a common last name doesn't draw attention. I refused to force my family to pay any ransoms that could have been requested at my abduction. Instead, I was merely pressed for service. Escape is much more difficult than you'd think it would be."
Even if she wanted to believe him, how could she? Time travel? Wishing on stars? People did so because it was a relief to wish freely for all they didn't have in that moment. His story couldn't be true. Knowing it was a farce made it a flight of fancy and nothing more. If she could simply wish for someone extraordinary to love, people would be doing so all the time.
"You don't believe me." Christophe sat back in his chair with a frown. He seemed disappointed but resolute. "If our places were reversed, I don't think I would believe either. I'd have laughed at your boldness and creative mind, but I would have protected you from anyone who would do you harm." He sighed. "If there was a way to prove it... I'm afraid you'll have to take my word on the matter."
He regarded her with a smile. It didn't light up his face like some of his others. She couldn't fathom how he'd think she'd take it seriously.
"You're asking me to accept time travel as fact." She shook her head. It would be amazing if such things could be real, but they weren't. They just couldn't be. "It's science fiction."
Mrs. Baker held up a hand to interject. "Have a leap of faith, child. Situations like this are very rare. If you pass up the opportunity to at least hear him out—"
"But time travel? Seriously?" Serena couldn't believe what she was hearing. Of all the crazy explanations they could have given her to justify his actions, this was not the way to convince her of anything. She glanced at the exits again. Would they follow her if she bolted?
"I didn't believe it either, and it happened to me." Christophe said, his voice soft. "One minute, I was fleeing a shipwreck. The next, being dragged beneath the ocean. Then I'm surrounded, phrases shouted at me I don't understand and lights flashing in my eyes." He met her stare. "And then...there you were. Nothing else mattered but you."
Her lips parted. When he looked at her like that, her blood heated and it made it difficult to think.
"I was confused, unsure of where I was. I reacted poorly, and I apologize more than you can ever know for insulting you. I know how mad it sounds." Pausing, he leaned forward. "Let me court you. If you wished me here, if we are soulmates like legends tell of this circumstance, will you allow skepticism to prevent our coming together?" Oh sure, pull legends and fate into it and attempt to guilt her into something crazy. Who bought this stuff?
But oh, that it could be true. That she could throw caution into the wind and accept him on his word. If he could prove his story, would she accept his offer?
All she'd be doing was setting herself up for disaster. Truth had a funny method of making itself known. His intentions would come to light one way or the other.
"That has to be," Serena said moments later, "the absolute worst line I have ever heard." She stood, throwing her napkin on her untouched salad. She hoped he had some way to pay for it since he was "from the past" and had absconded with her without her bag containing her wallet—which hopefully hadn't been stolen off the beach.
How could anyone fall for it? Why would they think her dense enough to believe it? Tears stung her eyes, and she blinked them away before they could make their presence known. She would love for nothing more than some grand adventurous romance like in the movies. That wasn't how reality worked. If it
He was good. She'd give him that.
"We were visiting Savannah when I was taken from a pub on the river. Jones is the name I adopted to protect my family." He placed both palms flat on the table. "You see, a common last name doesn't draw attention. I refused to force my family to pay any ransoms that could have been requested at my abduction. Instead, I was merely pressed for service. Escape is much more difficult than you'd think it would be."
Even if she wanted to believe him, how could she? Time travel? Wishing on stars? People did so because it was a relief to wish freely for all they didn't have in that moment. His story couldn't be true. Knowing it was a farce made it a flight of fancy and nothing more. If she could simply wish for someone extraordinary to love, people would be doing so all the time.
"You don't believe me." Christophe sat back in his chair with a frown. He seemed disappointed but resolute. "If our places were reversed, I don't think I would believe either. I'd have laughed at your boldness and creative mind, but I would have protected you from anyone who would do you harm." He sighed. "If there was a way to prove it... I'm afraid you'll have to take my word on the matter."
He regarded her with a smile. It didn't light up his face like some of his others. She couldn't fathom how he'd think she'd take it seriously.
"You're asking me to accept time travel as fact." She shook her head. It would be amazing if such things could be real, but they weren't. They just couldn't be. "It's science fiction."
Mrs. Baker held up a hand to interject. "Have a leap of faith, child. Situations like this are very rare. If you pass up the opportunity to at least hear him out—"
"But time travel? Seriously?" Serena couldn't believe what she was hearing. Of all the crazy explanations they could have given her to justify his actions, this was not the way to convince her of anything. She glanced at the exits again. Would they follow her if she bolted?
"I didn't believe it either, and it happened to me." Christophe said, his voice soft. "One minute, I was fleeing a shipwreck. The next, being dragged beneath the ocean. Then I'm surrounded, phrases shouted at me I don't understand and lights flashing in my eyes." He met her stare. "And then...there you were. Nothing else mattered but you."
Her lips parted. When he looked at her like that, her blood heated and it made it difficult to think.
"I was confused, unsure of where I was. I reacted poorly, and I apologize more than you can ever know for insulting you. I know how mad it sounds." Pausing, he leaned forward. "Let me court you. If you wished me here, if we are soulmates like legends tell of this circumstance, will you allow skepticism to prevent our coming together?" Oh sure, pull legends and fate into it and attempt to guilt her into something crazy. Who bought this stuff?
But oh, that it could be true. That she could throw caution into the wind and accept him on his word. If he could prove his story, would she accept his offer?
All she'd be doing was setting herself up for disaster. Truth had a funny method of making itself known. His intentions would come to light one way or the other.
"That has to be," Serena said moments later, "the absolute worst line I have ever heard." She stood, throwing her napkin on her untouched salad. She hoped he had some way to pay for it since he was "from the past" and had absconded with her without her bag containing her wallet—which hopefully hadn't been stolen off the beach.
How could anyone fall for it? Why would they think her dense enough to believe it? Tears stung her eyes, and she blinked them away before they could make their presence known. She would love for nothing more than some grand adventurous romance like in the movies. That wasn't how reality worked. If it
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