“Let’s do this,” she said.
She stepped outside where microphones had been set up around a podium. Already, dozens of reporters were present, along with numerous fans. Thankfully, Bree had been in front of people enough to know how to handle herself.
Mayor MacArthur introduced her. Chief Chambers had defaulted to the man, insisting she was camera shy. Afterward, Bree gave a brief statement on what had happened. But it was what she had to say at the end that she was most excited about.
“Sometimes, I think we have it all messed up in our society. I am just a girl who can sing and entertain people, and I am hailed as a hero. I make entirely more money than I deserve. Meanwhile, there are men and women who put their lives on the line to fight for our country. They’re sadly underpaid, and they don’t get nearly the respect and attention that they deserve. I’m not the one who needs to be applauded or who needs to be on camera right now. But it’s these people who are behind me who deserve all of the applause—former members of the US military.”
Bree stepped back and clapped her hands. All around her, the crowd joined in.
She smiled, loving that she could use this moment for good.
When she’d first arrived here in Lantern Beach, she’d asked herself: is this all there is?
Now she knew the answer was no. There was so much more to life. She just had to seek it out.
Dez heard what Bree was saying, and his admiration for her only grew. Bree could have easily made this day about herself, and instead she had chosen to give attention to the military. He had to respect that.
As everyone applauded, Dez looked at Bree and winked. She rewarded him with a huge smile.
As the clapping died down, she stepped back up to the microphone.
She was nothing like Leah, Dez realized. He’d used that as an excuse for entirely too long. But he was so glad that the truth had become clear. He’d just needed to give love another chance.
He never thought he would feel this smitten with somebody. It was a word that his mom liked to use, but it felt appropriate for this situation. Bree had captured all his thoughts and filled his desires for the future in a way he’d never experienced before.
He wished he could fully enjoy this moment and revel in his new relationship. But his visit with Brian Starks still hung over his head. Brian was still in a coma at a hospital in Raleigh. However, none of the Blackout team had forgotten his words.
They needed to decide their next step before there were more casualties in this unseen war.
Maybe he would think about that tomorrow. For now, he just wanted to enjoy this moment.
“Just one more thing until I take your questions,” Bree said. “As a result of everything that has happened, there have been donations pouring in. Some of those have been coming in for the victims of the shooting here in Lantern Beach. Other donations have been pouring into the new nonprofit that I have set up.”
New nonprofit? What was Bree talking about?
“I’m still in the process of getting all the paperwork signed, but, until then, I was able to set up an account online that will be overseen by a third party. The fund will be for people who are out of the military and who need help, so they can get what they need. All the donations that you make will be going to organizations like Hope House here in Lantern Beach, North Carolina. It was started by a former Navy SEAL, and the organization works to help people adjust to civilian life after serving in the military.”
Pride swelled in Dez’s heart. If he had his way, he would never let Bree go.
Epilogue
As Skye started down the aisle between the white foldout chairs set up on the beach, Bree began to play a new song that she’d written. She’d sung it for Skye earlier, and the bride-to-be loved it. She’d told Bree this was the one that she wanted played at her wedding.
Bree had thought she might think that.
The event was small and cozy but wonderful. The sun set behind the happy couple, smearing beautiful colors across the sky. The day was temperate, and the weather couldn’t be any better. A small archway had been set up on the beach where Skye and Austin would say their vows to each other in a few minutes.
The event was casual, with no one really dressing up. It was more beach casual with khaki pants and white linen shirts. Skye wore a beautiful vintage white gown that fit her Bohemian style.
There were probably only fifty people at the ceremony, but these were all the people closest to Skye and Austin. Briar, Skye’s nine-year-old son, stood up for them as ringbearer.
The sight brought tears to Bree’s eyes. It was truly beautiful.
Dez sat in the third row. As his eyes met hers, he winked again. Bree loved that the wink seemed to be reserved just for her.
She cleared her throat, knowing it was time for her to sing. Dez had yet to hear her new song. She wanted it to be a surprise for him also.
“You’re my safe harbor,
The right kind of partner
To get me through the storms of life.
You’re like an anchor,
And I want to say thank you
For keeping me grounded in the midst of strife.
Sheltered. Protected.
You’re everything I never knew I was longing for
Right in front of me.
You’ve opened my eyes to what I really need.
You’re my safe harbor.”
When the wedding was over and the reception on the beach began, Dez pulled Bree toward him, and they swayed in each other’s arms on a wooden platform that had been placed on the sand. String lights hung overhead, and the crashing of the waves soothed Bree’s soul like only nature could. The night was perfect.
“That song was really beautiful,” Dez murmured in her ear.
“You inspired it. Just like I said.”
“Whoever thought that I could inspire a song. Can you tell my mama that? She’ll put it on her wall of Dez.”
“Her wall of Dez?”
He shrugged. “Yeah, you know—the one with all my school pictures, awards, trophies.”
She chuckled. “I’m sure she’s proud of you. But I bet you’ve inspired people way more than you ever even realized.”
“You’re going to make me blush, Bree Jordan. Or trip. Or spill something—things I never did until I met you.”
She chuckled again. “I think it’s adorable.”
“I’ve always wanted to be adorable.”
Her smile faded. “There’s one more thing I wanted to tell you.”
His smile faded. “What’s that?”
“I’ve decided to stay on Lantern Beach for a couple more months. There’s a lot that I need to figure out, and I had planned on taking a little break anyway. The new label I’m talking to wants me to do some of my own stuff, so I figured I would take some time to write some songs and have some downtime.”
“That’s great news.”
“A private accounting firm has looked at Emerson’s books. He owes a lot of people a lot of money. The good news is that he has cash in his accounts.”
“I have a decent-sized check coming in, and I would like to donate some of it to Blackout.”
“What do you mean?” He twisted his head.
“I mean, I know that you guys are looking for a place to set up a permanent base. I don’t know exactly what you’re thinking or where or any of the details, but that’s okay. When I finally get the payout that’s coming to me, I’d like to donate money to you guys to help you out.”
“You don’t have to do that, Bree.”
“You guys saved my life. It’s the least I can do.”
He lowered his voice. “Thank you. I’m sure the guys would really appreciate that.”
“And one final thing,” she added as they continued to sway. “Guess who called me this morning?”
“Who?”
“One of my sisters. She’s actually away at college, and she’s been watching all of this unfold on the news. She said she was at my parents’ h
ouse one night watching the news when this story came on and that mom got all teary-eyed.”
“Your parents still love you.”
“Maybe there is hope. Either way, my sister would like to come here to visit me.”
“That’s great. But will it get her in trouble with your parents?”
“She doesn’t know, and she’s okay with whatever the outcome is. She said she’s ready to make her own decisions. I don’t want to cause a rift between her and Mom and Dad, but I would love to see her.”
“Maybe this is the start of restoration.”
“I hope so. I really hope so. Because I’m ready for a new start.”
Dez leaned closer. “So am I.”
He began singing Bree’s new song in her ear, his soothing tones filling her with delight.
She never wanted this moment to end.
Don’t Miss the Next Book in the Blackout Series:
Ripple Effect
DOING THE RIGHT THING WAS HIS HARDEST TASK YET
Griff McIntyre never expected his ex-wife, Bethany, and three-year-old daughter, Ada, to show up on his doorstep. After someone tried to abduct Ada, Bethany is desperate to find safety. Now Griff’s not letting either of them out of his sight.
DESPERATION BINDS THEM
Bethany knows Griff is the only one who can protect them, despite the fact that he broke her heart. But she’ll do anything to protect her daughter—even if it means playing nicely with Griff. Maybe in the process she’ll learn why he really left.
A SHOCKING SECRET THREATENS EVERYTHING
As danger ripples through their lives, Griff and Bethany must work together to protect their daughter. But an unseen enemy wants something from them . . . and will stop at nothing to get it. When disaster strikes, can Griff keep his family safe? Or will past mistakes bring the ultimate failure?
Order your copy HERE.
Also by Christy Barritt:
The Lantern Beach Universe:
LANTERN BEACH MYSTERIES
You can take the detective out of the investigation, but you can't take the investigator out of the detective. A notorious gang puts a bounty on Detective Cady Matthews’s head after she takes down their leader, leaving her no choice but to hide until she can testify at trial. But her temporary home across the country on a remote North Carolina island isn’t as peaceful as she initially thinks. Living under the new identity of Cassidy Livingston, she struggles to keep her investigative skills tucked away. Can she bring justice to the island . . . or will the hidden currents surrounding her pull her under for good?
Hidden Currents
Flood Watch
Storm Surge
Dangerous Waters
Perilous Riptide
Deadly Undertow
LANTERN BEACH PD
When Cassidy Chambers accepted the job as police chief on Lantern Beach, she knew the island had its secrets. But a mysterious group that’s moved onto the island will test all her skills. Cassidy enlists the help of her husband, former Navy SEAL Ty Chambers. Not everything is as it seems, and, as facts materialize, danger on the island grows. Can Cassidy and Ty discover the truth about the shadowy crimes in their cozy community? Or has darkness permanently invaded their beloved Lantern Beach?
On the Lookout
Attempt to Locate
First Degree Murder
Dead on Arrival
Plan of Action
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The Squeaky Clean Mystery Series
On her way to completing a degree in forensic science, Gabby St. Claire drops out of school and starts her own crime-scene cleaning business. When a routine cleaning job uncovers a murder weapon the police overlooked, she realizes that the wrong person is in jail. She also realizes that crime scene cleaning might be the perfect career for utilizing her investigative skills.
#1 Hazardous Duty
#2 Suspicious Minds
#2.5 It Came Upon a Midnight Crime (novella)
#3 Organized Grime
#4 Dirty Deeds
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#6 To Love, Honor and Perish
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Holly Anna Paladin Mysteries:
When Holly Anna Paladin is given a year to live, she embraces her final days doing what she loves most—random acts of kindness. But when one of her extreme good deeds goes horribly wrong, implicating Holly in a string of murders, Holly is suddenly in a different kind of fight for her life. She knows one thing for sure: she only has a short amount of time to make a difference. And if helping the people she cares about puts her in danger, it’s a risk worth taking.
#1 Random Acts of Murder
#2 Random Acts of Deceit
#2.5 Random Acts of Scrooge
#3 Random Acts of Malice
#4 Random Acts of Greed
#5 Random Acts of Fraud
#6 Random Acts of Outrage
#7 Random Acts of Iniquity
The Worst Detective Ever:
I'm not really a private detective. I just play one on TV.
Joey Darling, better known to the world as Raven Remington, detective extraordinaire, is trying to separate herself from her invincible alter ego. She played the spunky character for five years on the hit TV show Relentless, which catapulted her to fame and into the role of Hollywood’s sweetheart. When her marriage falls apart, her finances dwindle to nothing, and her father disappears, Joey finds herself on the Outer Banks of North Carolina, trying to piece together her life away from the limelight. But as people continually mistake her for the character she played on TV, she’s tasked with solving real life crimes . . . even though she’s terrible at it.
#1 Ready to Fumble
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#3 Safety in Blunders
#4 Join the Flub
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#9 Wreck the Halls
#10 Glitch and Famous (coming soon)
About the Author
USA Today has called Christy Barritt's books “scary, funny, passionate, and quirky.”
Christy writes both mystery and romantic suspense novels that are clean with underlying messages of faith. Her books have won the Daphne du Maurier Award for Excellence in Suspense and Mystery, have been twice nominated for the Romantic Times Reviewers’ Choice Award, and have finaled for both a Carol Award and Foreword Magazine’s Book of the Year.
She is married to her Prince Charming, a man who thinks she’s hilarious—but only when she's not trying to be. Christy is a self-proclaimed klutz, an avid music lover who’s known for spontaneously bursting into song, and a road trip aficionado.
When she's not working or spending time with her family, she enjoys singing, playing the guitar, and exploring small, unsuspecting towns where people have no idea how accident-prone she is.
Find Christy online at:
www.christybarritt.com
www.facebook.com/christybarritt
www.twitter.com/cbarritt
Sign up for Christy’s newsletter to get information on all of her latest releases here: www.christybarritt.com/newsletter-sign-up/
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