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Chapter Eighteen

Molly ended the call and looked at Sharon. She’d never felt so lost or weak. “We can do this.” It came out more like a question.

“Damn straight,” Sharon agreed. “Go wash your face. I’ll get the beach bag.”

“And between now and the exchange?” She’d go mad with worry during the next five hours.

“We’ll find a way to cope. Money first,” she said. “If Miles wants us to give this bastard a show, that’s what we’ll do.”

At the bank, Sharon and Molly went inside. Sharon chatted with everyone from the customers in line to the teller. She made the withdrawal, making up some nonsense about a cash deal on a new car. Then she popped into the bank manager’s office where she talked about the next book club book for a good five minutes.

Back in the car, they drove home. Molly went straight to the bedroom and cuddled Bryce’s favorite stuffed animal—a teddy bear wearing a life jacket. She cried and hoped and cried some more. She jumped when her alarm chimed for after-school pickup and discovered she had more tears to shed .

As if the kidnapper knew her misery, a text message popped up. It was a new image of Bryce. His tearstained face broke her heart. She ran out to find Sharon, but neither of them could discern anything about his location from the simple gray wall behind her little boy.

Another text scrolled across the screen: Bring the money to the marina now. Come alone. Make a scene and it’s over for the kid.

Sharon gripped her hand. “Go get your son.” She shoved the beach bag full of money into Molly’s arms. “I’ll tell Miles.”

Nodding, she hurried to the car and drove with care to the marina. Whatever the kidnapper said, she’d do it. Anything to have Bryce back. Miles had promised Bryce wouldn’t be hurt, and she wanted to believe that.

Had to believe it. She believed in Miles. In herself. They would get through this somehow. She had to focus on a happy outcome. There would be more school days. Another brunch at Roxy’s house. More strudel from the Bread Basket. Trips to the marina and—hopefully—more boat picnics. Bryce would grow and thrive and eventually this horrible day would be a small blip in his memory.

She parked the car and cut the engine. Her phone rang.

“Hello?”

“Come to the dock where your boyfriend keeps his boats.”

“Okay.”

“Try anything and the boy is done.”

“Don’t hurt him.”

“Just bring me my money.”

Hands shaking, she slung the beach bag over her arm. She couldn’t help it when her gaze shot to the sailing school. There was no sign of Miles, though she recognized plenty of local, friendly faces in the area. Doing her best to wave and smile, she kept moving toward the meet.

She expected her fear and nerves to be on full display as she neared the docks, but something inside her just went completely quiet. Her steps were strong and sure. It wasn’t a matter of hiding her fears for Bryce’s benefit. This was a previously unknown inner strength.

Motherhood had tested her with the basics of mild illness and injury during the last five years. This was different. A certainty that no matter what happened, she would save Bryce and make sure he had a normal life from this point forward.

Or maybe it was a wild hope that Miles would suddenly sweep in, save Bryce, and whisk them away for an afternoon picnic.

Not today. But soon. Standing here among the boats her son adored, she promised that when this was over, she’d let them teach her to sail. Or at least how to be a good guest aboard a sailboat.

And still she waited while everything around her seemed way too normal.

From his hiding place on the boat, Miles could see Molly. He hated that she was out here alone waiting for more instructions. He understood what it was like to feel alone in a crisis. But she was surrounded—just as he had been during the Vedras takedown.

He desperately wished he could give her a sign, some kind of reassurance that everyone involved was ready to jump in to rescue Bryce. She’d be reunited with her son soon. He had to be patient or he’d blow it.

Everyone had rushed to get in place so they could put an end to Clinton’s scheme for good.

After upping the timing of the exchange, Clinton had to be close. Bryce was surely with him. There’s no way Clinton would believe Molly would give him the money without seeing the boy. When Miles heard the soft putter of an outboard motor coming in, he knew the exchange was about to go down. Aside from his own boat and occasionally an emergency rescue crew, there weren’t many motors at this end of the dock.

Had to be Clinton.

Miles didn’t dare peek too soon for fear of spooking Clinton. He waited, biding his time until he heard Clinton shout more orders at Molly.

“Come across that boat there!”

Miles gulped. Could she manage that?

“Where is Bryce?” she asked.

He couldn’t make out Clinton’s reply, but Molly’s gasp was clear enough. “Are you okay?”

“You can see he’s fine.”

Miles heard a thud and assumed Clinton had shoved the boy down. He’d pay for that.

“Come on, now. Get across that boat and toss me the money.”

“I want Bryce first.”

“You’ll get him. Move it,” he snapped.

Miles hadn’t anticipated the way he would use the other boats, but it made sense. Unfortunately, it put him too far away for a direct intervention. He had to rely on Caldwell and Knox for the takedown. His priority was rescuing Bryce. Protecting Molly.

Clinton’s clever tactic put Molly in a precarious position. Miles worried her fear would prevent her from following the instructions.

He braced to intervene, halting when he heard Molly’s footsteps on the dock. Of course she’d manage it. She was the strongest person he knew. Stronger still when her son’s life was in the balance .

“I’m coming,” she called. “Hold on, Bryce. Let me get the life jacket.”

“Hurry it up!”

“Mom—”

“Safety first, that’s right!” She called out as if she didn’t have a care in the world. Miles marveled at her acting ability.

Miles had to assume she’d grabbed one of the jackets from the bench he built for Bryce and Sharon. Soon he heard her moving unsteadily across the small sailing boats tied to the dock.

He would find a way to make Clinton pay for torturing her this way.

“Momma! You gotta?—”

“Shut up!” Clinton cut off whatever advice Bryce had been trying to give.

“It’s fine, baby. Hang in there, I’m coming.”

Miles was going nuts waiting and imagining the worst.

“Toss the bag over,” Clinton demanded.

“Give me my son,” she countered.

“On three.” But Clinton didn’t count. There was only a splash followed by Molly’s scream.

Miles leapt from his hiding place just in time to see Molly jump into the water. Clinton was turning the boat. Miles caught the bright pattern of the beach bag near his feet. Where the hell was Bryce?

Before Clinton realized what was happening, Miles danced across the moored boat and jumped. He caught the gunwale and hauled himself aboard before Clinton could speed away.

But Bryce wasn’t on the small boat. Miles looked all over, there weren’t any hiding places. Twisting around, he spotted Bryce in the water. The boy clung to the life jacket, wriggling it over his head.

There was no sign of Molly .

Miles burned precious seconds struggling with Clinton. They battled for control of the boat. Impatient, he grabbed the fire extinguisher and used it like a battering ram, knocking Clinton flat. Then he dived off the stern to save Molly and Bryce.

Caldwell was poised nearby to make the takedown. Miles had more important concerns.

He powered through the water, swimming hard for the bright orange life jacket bobbing in the water.

“Bryce!”

“I’m okay.” The boy was floating on his back, his head resting on the life jacket, just as he’d been taught.

Miles came up close, treading water. The boy looked no worse for the ordeal. “Where’s your mom? Molly!”

“She gave me her life jacket,” Bryce said. “She threw it to me.”

“Where did she go?”

“Under.” Bryce pointed, his face scrunching up with worry.

Miles kicked, lifting himself up as high as possible to get a better view.

“Miles!”

Hearing the faint call, he saw Molly trying to drag herself up onto one of the small sailing boats. “Come on, kiddo! Kick your feet.” He caught the handle of Bryce’s life jacket and the two of them made their way over to Molly.

Miles lifted Bryce up on the boat first, then Molly. Digging deep, he hefted himself up beside them. He was shaking with relief and adrenaline. “You’re okay?” He held Molly’s shoulders, looking for any injuries.

“F-fine.” She shivered and then wrapped her arms around Bryce. “Oh, baby. Are you okay?”

“Uh-huh. He was a bad guy. ”

“Yes, he was.” Molly kissed her son’s face. “He didn’t hurt you?”

“No. He was mean. And his truck smelled funny. That’s all.”

There were shouts from the shore. Miles saw Jess and Sharon running down the dock to meet them.

Miles knew he needed to get them warm. Let them reunite as a family. And he would in just one more minute. He clung to Molly. Molly clung to Bryce. They were wet and cold and his ribs were protesting the exertion.

And none of that mattered as much as having them safe. “It’s over, Molly. You’re safe. You’re both safe.”

“Thanks to you.” Her voice was muffled against Bryce’s hair. “You were so brave, honey! I love you so much.”

Miles felt her burrowing closer. “And you.” She tipped up her face. “I love you too, Miles.”

The words knocked the air out of his lungs. He thought he was ready to hear it. To say it.

“Me too! I love you, Mr. Miles.” Bryce squirmed between them. “When you knocked him flat it was like a movie.”

“One you shouldn’t be watching,” Molly scolded without any heat. She met his gaze. “You’re our hero. Forever. We’ll never forget this.”

He was still lost. Trying to get the words past the emotions lodged in his chest. Finally, he just kissed her. Kissed her with everything he had until Bryce begged him to stop.

When he did, Molly grabbed his face and kissed him again. Then she grabbed Bryce and peppered kisses all over his cheeks until they were all laughing.

Did she have any idea how beautiful she was sitting on a boat, laughing with joy and relief?

“I love you, Molly.” He blurted it out. Finally feeling free and filled with hope. Her eyes positively sparkled in response. “I love you both so much,” he said. “Will you be my family? ”

“You want to marry us.”

He had no idea how the kid knew that. Joey probably. “I want to marry your mom,” he admitted. “And in my heart that would make you my son. But it has to be all right with you and your mom.”

“I would love that more than anything,” she said.

“Does that mean we’re all getting married?”

“Yes,” she and Miles said in unison.

On a joyful screech Bryce jumped up and down. The boat rocked but Molly didn’t even flinch. “Yes! I get a dad. The best dad ever!” he sing-songed loud enough for the world to hear. Then he threw himself into Miles’s arms and they hugged each other as a family.

Miles never wanted the moment to end, but a crowd was gathering and they needed to get warm.