Page 28 of Brave Horizons (Barrington Billionaires #19)

The fallout had been fast. Her words had gone viral within minutes.

The accusation few across the globe and she could practically feel the moment her father found out she’d gone public.

There seemed to be a shift in the planet.

Something shoving it off it’s axis. And then like it had been since the start of this, everything moved too fast to feel any certain way about it.

That had been a good thing. Their transportation and movement over the border took precedence over her raging anxiety and the unease around what she’d done.

It wasn’t just what this did to her father’s life.

It’s all the other people she might be putting at risk.

Alex continued to tell her she’d done the right thing. The only thing they could do.

Then it happened. The quiet crept in. They’d been given the keys to a car and an address to the spot they’d be staying.

A cottage perched on a lake in the peaceful outskirts of Nova Scotia.

There was a dock that swayed in the wind.

A swing on the front porch. A library of book clearly left behind by former renters.

This was the kind of place some creative type would go to write their novel or paint their masterpiece.

She had none of those skills or the desire to sit in her own thoughts and ponder.

By the second day, when they were stocked with food and clothes and the to do list had dwindled down, she sat on the porch and stared out at the water. The bugs jumped and the birds swooped.

“I got you something,” Alex said, generously pulling the breaks on her run away thoughts. “You don’t strike me as someone who likes flowers or jewelry, so I hope I did ok.”

“You bought me a gift?” she asked, crinkling her face up. “How we’ve been together the whole time. I didn’t see you buy anything.”

“It’s not something I bought. I pulled a few strings at Kinross and spoke to Carmen. I had a feeling you’d get a little bored out here. That’s not good for anyone.”

“Did you buy me a 3000 piece puzzle or something?” She tried to peek at what was behind his back. She’d like to think a puzzle might be enough but it was unlikely. She’d give him an A for effort though.

“It’s a type of a puzzle. A problem really that needs solving. It’s not a quick fix though. It’ll require some of your masterminding and planning.” He pulled a stack of files around from his back and laid them in her lap.

“What is this?” she asked, a little thrill about what it might be.

“The Kinross organization is trying to evolve with technology and innovation. This is a layout of their current policies and procedures as it relates to protection and transportation of people at risk. You spent time in Verde Lago. You understand what they’re doing there.

They’d like you to look at what they’re doing from a strategic standpoint and as a consultant.

Carmen said if there is more you need after you get through all of this she’d be happy to send it your way.

And before you ask, this isn’t busy work.

You have an expertise and they need the help. ”

“This is…” her voice cracked with emotion. “This might be the nicest thing anyone has ever done for me. It gives me purpose and I can feel like I’m paying forward all they did for me. And I’m good at this. I can actually help.”

“I know you can. I know you will.” He took a seat on the swing next to her and draped an arm over her shoulder. “We just need to ride this out. It’ll take a while but there are worse places to be stuck."

"And the company isn’t too bad either. Thank you so much for getting this for me.” She clutched the files like they were a lifeline and frankly, they were. “I just hope Russ and Hillary are in a place this nice.”

“I’m sure they’re doing just as well as we are. If they don’t kill each other, they should be fine.”

“This can’t be right.” Hillary looked around the boat cabin they’d just been ushered into. “There aren’t even any seats. Are we supposed to sit on those crates?”

“They were apologizing as they pointed in this direction,” Russ said as he tossed their bags down and a cloud of dust puffed up. “I’m assuming this was the best they could do on such short notice.”

“How long are we going to be on this boat? I get kind of queasy on boats. Are we going to have to sleep on here?”

“Those guys didn’t seem like they were ready to answer many questions.

At least they’ve stocked us up with clothes and food.

I’m sure this won’t be too long of a trip.

” He shuffled around the space trying to arrange things more comfortably.

“And they’re letting your sister know where you are. But you know if you want?—”

“I’m not trying to get out of this,” Hillary asserted. “I started this and I’m going to see it through. I just didn’t realize there would be a boat.”

“Nice, they tossed Dramamine in this bag,” he said, pulling it out like it was bar of gold. “And apparently enough beef jerky for this boat ride to last a month.”

“The beef jerky might last a month, but I won’t.” She popped some of the Dramamine into her mouth and settled onto a crate, trying to get comfortable.

“I’m guessing by these clothes we’re going North. It’s all clothing for cold weather. But something definitely shifted an hour or so ago. Did you notice that? The guys got serious and urgent all the sudden. I’m guessing Topeka’s news statement went viral. Maybe this boat wasn’t the original plan.”

“I’m guessing the original plan had better furniture than dusty crates.”

He took a seat next to her and patted his shoulder for her to rest her head. “I make decent furniture. You should get some rest. Who knows where we’ll be when we wake up.”

Without any protest she leaned against him and sighed. “Beef jerky for breakfast.”

“See there’s so much to look forward to.” Some kind of loud horn blew and Hillary jumped to a sitting up position.

“Totally normal boat noise,” he assured her. “We’ll be out at sea soon I’m sure and it’ll be quiet. You might actually love the sway of the boat. It’s like being rocked to sleep.”

She settled back against him and closed her eyes. “I wish I had a giant coffee and my pillow top mattress right now. How about you?”

“I mean, it’s a strange way to invite me to your bed, but ok. I wish I was in your bed too.”

She jabbed her elbow into his ribs. “You wish.” The horn blew one more time and this time she didn’t jump quite as much.

“You really should consider going home. They don’t know anything about you yet.

They have no clue your involved. After the public statement Topeka made whatever risk there existed before, just tripled.

You can tell by this impressive form of transportation, the people in charge understand that.

Wherever we dock, you might want to consider going your own way. ”

“And what about you?” she asked, her voice getting sleepy. “You just go it alone? That’s dumb. You’ll screw it all up if I’m not around.”

“I just don’t want?— ”

“Russ, shut up. I’m going to sleep and when you talk you make a terrible pillow.”

He chuckled before quieting and shifting so she could make herself more comfortable.

They felt the engine of the small boat come to life and soon they were moving.

Moving toward what, neither of them knew.

When the doubt would creep in Hillary would shove it aside.

There was no turning back now. She wasn’t going to let Russ go through this alone.

She was completely confident in her choice…

but hopefully there would be coffee wherever they were going.

Continue Reading with Book Twenty Enduring Promise