Page 58 of Rescued By the Operative

Ennis looks hurt. “That wasn’t a cave. It was a tunnel off a mineshaft. And there were explosives involved.”

I turn to Dani, the former ranch hand, who joined the Wiley gang’s efforts soon after meeting Olivia and learning about everything she’s been through in the polygamist cult. “Can you handle this?”

I don’t need to be specific. Dani and Ennis have known each other long enough that she knows exactly how to distract him. She nods at me and then turns to Ennis. “Hey, how about you dance with me instead?”

An acoustic band on the beach is playing Bob Marley’s “No Woman, No Cry.” Ennis is taken aback at this request.

Nelly leans into me, hugging my arm and squeezing as we watch Dani lead Ennis onto the beach.

My brother is dancing with a good woman in the moonlight, and it makes me feel some kind of way.

“When I think about how I almost lost that guy…”

Nelly stands and pulls me to my feet. “Come on. We’d better practice for tomorrow.”

I hold her close to me as we sway on the sand.

Nelly can feel me shaking.

“Hey,” she says. “We’re getting married tomorrow.”

I sigh and let out a breath, inhaling the scent of her hair.

“I know. I just can’t stop thinking about what could’ve happened. I’m still waking up sweating about it.”

“Me too.”

This gives me pause. “You are? You never said anything.”

Nelly scoffs. “Are you kidding me? My former career really forced me to keep my shit to myself.”

I pause.

“Wait a minute, former career?”

She nods. I’m taking some time to figure out what I want to do next. I just want to be with you and do nothing else for a while.”

I squeeze her closer. “OK. But you have to tell me when you’re having a hard time.”

“I will if you will.”

“It’s a deal.”

“I love you, Jake.”

Cupping the back of her neck, I kiss her mouth as the singer on the stage repeats the chorus.

“I love you too, Nelly.”

My wife-to-be kisses me back.

“Everything is gonna be all right.”

Everything is going to be all right.

Epilogue

Six yearslater