Dark Tide

by Susan Sleeman

  She slowly shrugged into the vest and offered a prayer. If she failed now, not only might she die at this crazed man’s hands, but if Derrick was in the boat behind them, he could lose his life, as well.

  TWENTY

  As they moved in sight of McClain’s boat, Quentin slowed.

  “What’re you doing, man?” Derrick reached for the throttle. “They’ll get away.”

  Quentin blocked his hand. “Trust me. I’ve done this many times and I know what I’m doing.”

  “But he has Gina. I saw her in the binoculars. We have to get moving—now!”

  Quentin ignored his plea and moved to a storage box where he pulled out two rifles, both with night vision scopes. He handed one to Derrick along with a box of cartridges. “These are copper sabot slugs designed to pierce the boat and kill the engine.”

  “You can do that?” Derrick asked, hope coming to life.

  “Oh, yeah.” Quentin grinned.

  “What if an aggressive action like that makes McClain hurt Gina?”

  “He won’t.” Quentin finished loading his rifle and snapped it closed. “Once his boat is disabled, he’ll have no way out other than through us. She’s his only bargaining chip.”

  “But then we have to talk him into surrendering.”

  Quentin grabbed his boat radio and held it up. “That’s where the Coast Guard comes in. If he doesn’t surrender to them, you or I can take him out. That is, if you’re a good enough shot.”

  “I can take him, so let’s do this,” Derrick said and added a prayer for help.

  Quentin radioed in their location and Derrick tried to call Kat and Dani, but he had no signal. He heard the operator promise to dispatch a boat, and he forced himself to believe this would work.

  Quentin picked up his rifle. “You take over the controls and get us as close as you can. If McClain starts firing on us, use the rifle to return fire. Got it?”

  Derrick nodded.

  “What are you waiting for?” Quentin asked. “We’ve got a damsel in distress to rescue.”

  Derrick rested the rifle next to his leg then throttled the boat into high speed. They flew over the water and slowly gained on the other boat.

  “That’s close enough,” Quentin shouted. “Now hold her steady.” Quentin planted his arms and sighted his rifle. He cracked off a shot, and Derrick heard the other motor cut out.

  Grinning, Quentin looked back. “We better hope it’s McClain’s boat or we’ll have an expensive engine to repair.”

  Suddenly a rifle retort fractured the quiet, and Derrick lifted the binoculars. The shooter lurched to a standing position, and Gina flew into him, sending both of them overboard.

  “No!” Derrick dropped the binoculars. “Gina’s in the water. I’m going in after her.”

  “I’ll go, I’m trained for this kind of rescue,” Quentin argued.

  Derrick ignored him, shed his jacket and grabbed a life preserver.

  “Fine, but wait until I bring us closer.” Quentin grabbed the throttle and shot the boat forward.

  When they neared the other craft and Quentin slowed, Derrick plunged into the icy water. Keeping his eyes out for McClain, Derrick stroked his way toward the spot where he saw Gina go in.

  “Gina!” Derrick screamed. “Call out.”

  “Here,” she said, her voice weaker than Derrick would like to hear.

  He pummeled the water with his hands and kicked his legs though his muscles screamed in protest. Nearing the boat, he couldn’t see Gina anywhere nor did he see McClain.

  “Where are you, sweetheart?” he called again.

  “Here.” Her voice came from the back side of the boat.

  He swam to her. The cold should have slowed him, but a burst of adrenaline fueled his body.

  Derrick heard a splash and soon Quentin shouted. “McClain’s out cold. Must’ve hit his head on the boat. I have him.”

  Great. Now Derrick didn’t have to worry about that threat. He used the edge of McClain’s boat to pull himself around the corner. Gina clung to a landing pad on the back.

  “Thank You, God,” Derrick shouted and pulled her into his arms.

  “You f-f-found me-e-e,” she said, her words broken by chattering teeth.

  “Of course, I did.” He wanted to press the hair from her face and kiss her until they were both breathless, but getting her out of the water was his top priority. He lifted her onto the landing pad and pulled himself up. Love for this amazing, strong woman filled his heart. Now she just had to survive the frigid cold so he could shower her with those kisses and tell her.

  * * *

  The Coast Guardsman poked his head through the cabin door. “We’ll have you on shore in no time, ma’am.”

  “Thank you.” Gina sighed at the warmth of the cabin, where she sat all alone. The Coast Guard had arrived shortly after Derrick hoisted her into McClain’s boat. She’d wanted to stay with him, but he and Quentin were dealing with her kidnapper’s arrest.

  Bo McClain, Derrick had told her, was the man who’d held her captive for a terrifying ride. The man hadn’t killed her brother, but had made it possible for Ontiveros to escape prosecution for killing him, and would be charged with Lilly’s murder as soon as the district attorney could draw up the papers.

  Derrick stepped inside the small room, his presence filling the space. “Quentin’s staying with McClain until he’s turned over to local authorities.”

  “I still can’t believe you figured out what he was up to and then actually found us.”

  “I have to admit it was a challenge, but I wasn’t going to give up until we had you home safe and sound.”

  She took his chilly hand. “I owe your whole family more than I can ever repay.”

  He shrugged. “What can I say? It’s just what we do.”

  “And what you do is amazing.” She squeezed his hand. “You’ve become a man I could never have imagined when we were together.”

  “I can say the same thing about you.” He tucked a soggy strand of hair behind her ear, sending shivers down her back.

  “So I’ve become quite a man then?” she joked to deflect from the love burning in her heart that she hoped he returned.

  “Trust me.” He gazed into her eyes. “There’s nothing manly about you.” He slid his fingers into her hair and cupped the back of her head. “Nothing at all.”

  As he lowered his head, his lips inches from hers, she heard a male clear his throat near the door and pulled back.

  “I hate to interrupt,” the same guardsman said from the doorway, this time with a grin on his face. “We’re preparing to dock, and I thought you’d want to get out of here and into some dry clothes as soon as possible.”

  “That we do.” Derrick stood and helped Gina to her feet. His gaze lingered on her face then, with a long exhale, he turned and stepped onto the deck.

  Her heart and mind a mass of confusion, she trailed behind him as they pulled into the Coast Guard station to find Kat and Dani standing on the dock.

  Though Gina was grateful to them for all their help, she wished they weren’t there. She wanted to ride back to the house alone with Derrick so she could tell him that she wanted him in her and Sophia’s life. Now she’d have to wait until they were alone and she only hoped with the passing of time she didn’t lose the courage to be honest with him.

  * * *

  In a funk, Derrick paced the deck at Tracy’s house. Normally he’d stop to enjoy the wooded ravine. To let the peace and tranquility calm his angst—but there was no calm for him now. He was hopelessly and totally in love with Gina. He wanted to tell her, but fear clung to him like a spider web, tangling him in confusion.

  God had made it clear that his life had mirrored Gina’s, and instead of dealing with the loss of his parents, he�
��d let his guilt and insecurities control him. Gina had let her father’s actions control her, too. They differed only in that she’d searched for someone who would put her first in his life while he’d put up a wall to avoid all serious relationships.

  She walked past the window, cradling Sophia in her arms, reminding him of how successful she’d been in moving on. He wanted the same thing. He also wanted her and Sophia in his life so badly, he ached and yet, he was too afraid to do something about it.

  Kat stepped outside. “Mind if I join you?”

  He shrugged, knowing she was coming out here to lecture him for being so standoffish with Gina.

  She marched right up to him. “Remember when Dani and Luke were clearly smitten but avoiding each other?”

  The memory of the two of them refusing to acknowledge their feelings last year came back to him as he nodded.

  “Do you remember what I told you?”

  “Not really.”

  “I promised that when you had someone perfect in your life that you were avoiding, I’d tell you to let go of whatever excuse you were using not to get involved.”

  “Oh, that,” he said and turned toward the ravine.

  She grabbed his arm and jerked him around. “That time has come, and if you don’t get over whatever is keeping you from Gina, she’s going to walk out of your life again. Permanently. And that adorable little girl is going with her.”

  He glanced inside the family room, and a longing to be with her sent a raw ache into his gut. But he couldn’t move.

  “Remember what Dad always said when you hung back at new adventures?” Kat asked, her tone softer now.

  “It’s time to fish or cut the bait.”

  “Yeah, it’s that time now. Enough of your indecisiveness. It’ll only lead to a lonely life filled with anxiety.”

  “I know, but...”

  “Trust that God has brought Gina back into your life for a reason.” Kat rested a hand on his shoulder. “Don’t let her go. Tell her how you feel, and let God work on whatever’s bothering you.”

  “You make it sound so simple.”

  “Simple?” She laughed. “No, but well worth it. I oughta know. Life with Mitch is so much richer than it ever was without him, and I almost threw that away just like you’re doing. Learn from my mistake.”

  He studied his sister for a moment and thought of all of his siblings and their lives filled with joy. He wanted that. She was right. He had to go for it, and no matter the outcome, let God work it for their good.

  “Thanks, Kit Kat,” he said, hugging her hard. “Now make yourself scarce. I have to tell a woman I love her.”

  Kat giggled like a child on Christmas. “My work here is done. With all of us in a committed relationship, I lay down my job as the family matchmaker.”

  “Thank goodness.” He dramatically wiped a hand across his brow. “I don’t think we could’ve survived any more of it.”

  Laughing together, they entered the house. Gina was heading for the bedroom with a sleeping Sophia on her shoulder.

  “Wait, Gina,” Derrick called out. “Can I talk to you before you put her down for the night?”

  She faced him, a big question in her eyes.

  “I’ll keep everyone out of your hair.” Kat stopped to squeeze Gina’s hand then hurried out of the room.

  Derrick joined Gina. “There’s something I need to tell you.”

  “Okay,” she said hesitantly.

  “You must know by now that I still have feelings for you.”

  She smiled shyly. “I hoped you did.”

  He pressed his hand over hers where it rested on Sophia’s back. “For this little one, too.” He shook his head. “Surprised me, but she took over my heart when I wasn’t looking.” He lifted his hand to cup the side of Gina’s face. “A heart you’ve always had.”

  She leaned into his hand. “You’ve always had mine, too.”

  “I love you, Gina, and if you’ll give me a second chance, I’ll work night and day to prove I’m here for the long haul. For you and Bug.”

  “I love you, too.” She moved closer to him, her eyes brimming with tears. “And I don’t care if you can’t make a firm commitment right now. My time with McClain made me see life is too short to let worries stop me from enjoying life. We’ll just take things one day at a time.”

  Derrick kissed Sophia’s soft curls. “Then maybe we should put Bug down for the night so we can start to work on that.”

  “What did you have in mind?” Gina asked in a breathless whisper.

  He leaned forward and settled his lips on hers, kissing her the way he’d wanted to the first night they’d reconnected.

  After a long kiss, she pulled back. “Hmm. We most definitely need to put Sophia down for the night and get started on our life together.”

  EPILOGUE

  Derrick brushed his hand down the sleeve of his new suit and looked in the mirror in the church dressing room. The men in his wedding party were standing around talking sports and looking about as uncomfortable in their formal attire as Derrick felt. The group included Ethan, Cole, Mitch and Luke. They all wore black suits chosen by Gina with crisp white shirts and muted ties. She’d selected a tie for Derrick with hints of red to go with the wedding colors.

  Derrick took a deep breath and exhaled out his prewedding jitters. He’d never been more certain of anything than marrying Gina, but the waiting was making him crazy. He slipped his finger behind his tie to loosen the knot.

  “Don’t tell me.” Cole came up behind him and clamped his hand on a shoulder. “You’re rethinking this decision and you’re gonna choke.”

  Derrick shook his head. “I’m not used to wearing a tie anymore, and I tied it too tight is all.”

  Cole met Derrick’s gaze in the mirror. “If you feel like running, it’s nothing to be ashamed off.”

  “Stop it, Cole.” Ethan joined them. “We’ve been waiting a long time to get this one hitched, and you’re not helping.”

  Derrick turned and looked at his wedding party. “You can all relax. I’m not running.”

  “That’s good,” Mitch said. “Kat would have my hide if I let you out of my sight.”

  “She tasked you with watching me?” Derrick asked.

  “Yeah, but don’t tell her I mentioned it.”

  “Dani gave me similar instructions,” Luke admitted with a wry smile.

  Derrick shook his head and looked at Ethan and Cole. “You two get the same thing from Alyssa and Jennie?”

  “Not me,” Ethan said. “But then Jennie’s too busy trailing after a toddler these days to notice much else.”

  “Alyssa’s had her hands full getting the twins ready to be in the wedding party.” Cole frowned. “Who knew it took so much work to be a flower girl and ring bearer?”

  “Like I said, you can all relax,” Derrick said. “I get that my past makes you think I might want to bail, but I’m not going anywhere except to the front of the church.”

  An alarm dinged on Ethan’s watch, and he grinned at Derrick. “Nice to be the one in charge of time around you, man.”

  Derrick had gladly given up his time obsession and relaxed in a way he never had. But today was no time to relax. He was getting married. At the thought of seeing Gina in her dress and finally calling her his wife, his heart turned over.

  “Let’s do this.” He tugged his jacket, looked at his reflection in the mirror one final time and went to meet his bride.

  He couldn’t choose between his brothers for the best-man role, so he opted not to choose at all. All of the men would stand in front with him as the bridesmaids and Gina walked down the aisle. That meant he’d have to hold on to the rings himself, but he liked the feel of them in his pocket, as if they somehow guaranteed that Gina would be his.

>   She’d followed his lead and hadn’t selected a maid of honor either, but embraced Derrick’s sisters and sisters-in-law equally. Gina’s father would preside over the service, but first he’d walk her down the aisle.

  As the men took their places near the altar, Bobby slipped away from Mitch’s sister, Angie, and bolted toward Ethan. “Daddy!”

  Ethan picked him up and gave Derrick an apologetic look. “Sorry, man. He may have refused to walk down the aisle today, but looks like he wants to be in the wedding after all.”

  “No problem.” Derrick smiled at his brother. “He’s just proving he has the Justice stubbornness.”

  “As if that was ever in question.”

  Derrick laughed and ran his gaze over the sanctuary filled with friends and family. He caught familiar faces and smiled. He was here to declare his love for Gina before God and his loved ones, and the moment couldn’t be more perfect for him.

  The preservice music stopped and the string quartet played a familiar song that Gina had often performed on her violin in college as her mother and grandmother came down the aisle and sat in the front pew.

  As Jennie rounded the corner wearing a black bridesmaid gown and started down the aisle, Derrick cast a glance at Ethan, who beamed with happiness. Bobby squirmed from Ethan’s arms and ran to Jennie, who took his hand and continued to the front of the church as if Bobby’s impromptu role had been planned.

  Wearing a similar gown, Dani entered the sanctuary, and Luke drew in a deep breath before a broad smile took over. Next came Kat, her belly swollen with her first child. Her eyes immediately went to Mitch’s. Usually a tough guy, his expression softened at the sight of her. Alyssa entered last so the twins, Brianna and Riley, could follow her down the aisle.

  “Breathtaking,” Cole whispered, then smiled.

  Brianna and Riley trailed behind, Sophia’s hands firmly clasped in theirs. She’d mastered walking two months ago, and Derrick hoped she’d handle the event well.

  Shy, Brianna’s steps faltered, but Riley said something that urged her forward.

  “You can do it, Bri,” Cole whispered, giving his recently adopted daughter the encouragement she needed to keep going.