Page 83 of Noel Secrets

He picked up his pace, pulled up his phone app, and clicked on Detective Thayne’s number.

Four rings and finally the man picked up. “’lo?” He sounded groggy.

“Thayne! Someone’s outside Addie’s house.”

“Take them out,” Thayne responded.

“I can’t. I went on a run.” He gasped for air as he ran off the sand and onto the road, wanting to get to Addie faster.

Thayne cursed and said, “I’ll get the closest patrol headed that direction. Call Addie and tell her to get out.”

“And run right into the person’s arms? She’s safer inside.”

“You’re right. Hurry.”

“I am.” He slid the phone into his pocket and ran. Should he call Addie and warn her? Would that just terrify her? She could get a weapon to protect herself if Price didn’t get there in time. With what? A kitchen knife? Why hadn’t he left her a pistol?

Sprinting toward Addie’s house, he prayed he’d get there in time. There weren’t any lights on and he saw no vehicle, nobody on the front porch. Sirens sounded in the distance. Oh, thank heavens.

Light split the night sky a fraction of a second before a crack louder than thunder ripped through him. A fireball exploded from Addie’s home, and Price was knocked off his feet.

A bomb. Addie’s house had just exploded.

He hit the pavement hard on his backside. Grunting in pain, he scrambled back to his feet, staring in horror at the debris raining down, the hole ripped in the side of Addie’s house. It was her bedroom. He knew it. Flames shot out of the hole, fed by the oxygen.

“No!” he hollered, racing toward the house. “Addie! No!”

Why hadn’t he called her? He could’ve gotten her out. No. Oh no.

He raced toward the fire, but there was no way to gain access to the house. The bedroom was fully engulfed in flames. Darting around to the front porch, he pumped up the stairs. He rippedopen the storm door, popping the flimsy lock on it. Stepping back, he rammed his shoulder into the wood door and bounced back off of it.

“Addie!” he hollered, wetness on his face and horror churning his gut.Not Addie. Please, Lord, please let her survive.“Addie!”

He backed up—should he shoot out the lock or a window instead?—and raced at the door again, shoulder down, aiming for a spot two feet past it. Just before the moment of impact, the door swung open and revealed Addie’s shape outlined in the darkness. Too late to slow down, he instead scooped her into his arms as he spun around to protect her from the impact of their landing. He cradled her and took the blow on his side.

They settled, and he stared at her in wonder. “Addie? Are you …” Was she a ghost? Was this miracle even possible? There was smoke and heat and he blinked it all away and stared at her.

“Price,” she cried out, her voice thick with fear. “My house exploded.”

He lifted her to her feet and jumped up, rushing her out the door and onto the front porch. She was only in socks. He swept her off her feet and against his chest.

“Addie, you’re alive.” He wanted to bend down and kiss her, fiercely, but she needed to be somewhere safe. He had no idea where the perp was, and he wouldn’t risk Addie for anything. Price had watched friends die and he’d seen miracles. This miracle of Addie being preserved was more than he could’ve hoped for.

Thank you, thank you, Father above.

He raced with her in his arms toward his rental home. She clung to his neck.

“Price,” she whimpered. “What’s happening?”

She was disoriented and nobody could blame her. Was she in shock?

“An explosion,” he gritted out. “But you’re alive. You’re safe. Addie … I’m not leaving your side until we find the perp. I will keep you safe, Addie, or die trying.” He felt those words deeply. A vow to Addie and to heaven above.

“Thank you. I never want to leave your arms.” She said the words like a desperate cry, then burrowed into his chest as if it was the only safe space on earth and held on tight.

Price felt his heart swell. Addie was his. Heaven above agreed. He would be here for her. Protect her. If it was God’s will and Addie someday agreed, he would love her too.

She’d agreed when he said he wouldn’t leave her side, and she’d passionately declared she never wanted to leave his arms.