Page 50 of The Deadly Shallows

Ted fidgeted with the cuffs of his shirtsleeves. “Her blindfold was on until just before she hit us and jumped in the water, and then I was too far back for her to see me in the woods. Saul, she saw.”

Dwayne sniffed, then pushed up on the metal arms of the chair. “Okay, that’s all I needed to know. She might be able to give a description to a sketch artist.” That’s usually how these things went. “But Saul’s identity is wiped, so we have nothing to worry about. Besides, the police or special agents,” he said with a mocking tone, “will be searching the shallows, working the boat. That’ll be a nice distraction from what’s really going on.” He took a sharp inhale, then released it. “So”—he clamped Ted’s bony shoulder—“you just redeemed yourself.”

The tension left Ted’s shoulders.

“But you only get one redemption. If you jeopardize the mission again, you know the consequences.”

Noah and Finn were about to split up to search the hospital for Brooke and Gabby when the two rounded the corner.

Noah’s chest loosened. Thank you, Lord. He kept telling himself that she was fine, that they’d just gone for a stroll, but after just getting her back . . .

“Hey.” Brooke offered a small smile. “We went to the chapel,” she said, clearly aware by his expression that he’d been worried.

“That’s nice,” he said. He could only imagine the tumultuous emotions roiling through her, but she quieted herself in the Lord. He’d seen it as she read the Bible in her room. She trusted God, and what happened at the hands of those men hadn’t dented her faith. Rather, it appeared she leaned even more heavily into the Lord.

“You guys all wrapped up?” Gabby asked.

“Yep,” Finn said, slipping his fingers between hers and clasping her hand. “You ready to head out?”

“Sure.” She took the few steps to Brooke’s side. “I’m just a phone call away. Anytime.”

“I know.” Brooke smiled as Gabby gently hugged her.

Noah wanted nothing more than to envelop Brooke in his arms and never let her go. He flat-out loved her, but love was supposed to be selfless, to put the others’ needs before your own. He had to keep that fixed in his mind. She deserved the best, and he wasn’t it.

Gabby grabbed her purse and slid the strap over her shoulder. “Love you guys.”

“’Night,” Finn said, nodding his head at Brooke.

Gabby looked back and waved before they slipped out the door.

Brooke’s gaze landed on Logan’s bag.

Noah smiled, hoping to affirm this decision was up to her. “Do you feel up to describing the men who took you out on the boat? I’d like Logan to do some sketches.”

Her jaw clamped, but she nodded.

“Are you sure? We can wait. . . .” Though they all knew the sooner, the better.

“I’ll be fine,” she said.

Wanting to be close to her but knowing they had work to do, he leaned against the wall, giving them space. “Logan,” he said, gesturing to the chair, “why don’t you take the recliner.”

“Thanks,” Logan said as he lowered into it. He pulled his sketch pad and pencil bag out of the bag. Resting one foot on the opposite knee, he propped up the blank pad. “I always recommend taking a deep breath, shutting your eyes if you feel comfortable, and just walking me through what you remember of their faces.”

Taking a steeling breath, Brooke tried to get comfortable in the bed, but it was useless. She couldn’t shake the terror of their faces flashing before her eyes, of reliving the heat of that moment of tremendous, consuming fear.

She looked up at Noah, standing against the wall on her left.

She swallowed the voice in her head whispering all the reasons not to—the fear he’d say no, that she’d be embarrassed, but none of that mattered. She looked up at Noah and asked for what she needed. “Would you sit with me?”

His face softened, his eyes smiling, the creases along their edges deepening. “Of course,” he said, pushing off the wall and moving to the foot of her bed. “Down here?” he asked.

“Maybe a little farther up?” She patted the space by her hip.

He moved closer, and she melded into his strong presence beside her.

He reached up and took hold of her hand.