“Because my son is involved, and he doesn’t know any of you.What if you go to rescue him, and he runs the other way because he’s just as frightened of you as he is of Lee.”
Jonathan remained quiet.
“I thought she made a good point,” Dominic pointed out from behind Jonathan.“That is why I helped her.”
Jonathan glared at Dominic, then turned back to Elizabeth.“Come on.We’re wasting time.”
Elizabeth wanted to smile, but she didn’t allow herself the luxury as she followed the men up the incline.The hill was flat on top and blessed with a freshwater lake.They stopped and rested and drank from the cool, clear water.
But any delay, no matter how short, was too long for Elizabeth.She couldn’t sit still.She got up from the pool and went to the far side of the clearing to look over the edge.Thank goodness they were not going in this direction, she thought.The cliff was sheer and about halfway down a beautiful waterfall spurted into a pool below.Several gorgeous birds flew around the trees, adding to the beauty.
“Let’s go,” Dominic called, bringing her back to the mission at hand.
They started down the other side as the sun was lowering in the sky.Soon it would be dark and they couldn’t climb down the mountain without light.
Going down was a little easier than going up, but they had to climb through undergrowth that tore at their skin.By the time they reached the bottom, not only was it dusk, but they all looked as if they had fought with a very large cat.
“We’ll rest until midnight,” Jonathan said, looking around for Elizabeth.He went to her.“Promise me that you’ll listen once we are onboard Lee’s ship, and that you will obey me.This isn’t a game.Our lives could depend on acting very quickly.”
“Sometimes you treat me like a child, Jonathan.I already know everything you just told me.I want to get Dawson off that ship, and make sure he doesn’t run into the line of fire.”She shivered at the thought.
“I don’t treat you like a child, although sometimes you act like one.I’m trying to protect you, as you’re trying to protect your child,” he said as he rose.
Elizabeth looked up at him as he offered his hand to pull her to her feet.“Thank you,” she said and kissed him on the cheek.
Jonathan smiled.“I hope you will do better than that when this whole thing is over.”
For once in her life, Elizabeth couldn’t think of anything to say.At the moment, she couldn’t imagine a normal life.
It was just after midnight when Jonathan issued the command to go.They swam to Lee’s ship, which was docked in the bay.The water was warm but the salt stung their cuts and scratches.
If everything worked out, Jean should be sailing around the island and be in the harbor by daybreak.
Dominic climbed up the anchor rope and made his way to the rope ladder, which he tossed overboard.Elizabeth heard a muffled scuffling sound and she held her breath until Dominic leaned over the side and motioned for them to come aboard.
Obviously, Lee wasn’t expecting trouble.Only one guard had been posted and Dominic had taken care of him in short order.
The crew spread out and quietly began to search.
Elizabeth didn’t bother to open the first door, knowing it would be the captain’s cabin.She hoped that Jonathan wouldn’t, either, because the sight of Lee would probably send him into a rage.She wanted to get Dawson and Tiffany off the ship with as little trouble as possible.
She eased the second door open and very carefully looked inside.There, lying on the bunk, were Tiffany and Dawson.Dawson was curled up next to Tiffany.Elizabeth’s heart swelled with love and gratitude as she moved further into the room.
Tiffany gasped when Elizabeth touched her arm, and Elizabeth placed a finger to her lips.Too late, Dawson opened his eyes and said, “Mummy!”He rubbed his eyes, and when he realized it wasn’t a dream he scrambled from under the covers and threw his arms around her neck.
“Shh,” Elizabeth warned, hugging her child so tight he squealed.“We must be very quiet so we can get you off this ship,” she whispered into his tousled hair.
Tiffany sat up.“Thank God you’re here,” she whispered.“I was beginning to feel we’d never get off the boat ...or home again.”
Elizabeth propped Dawson on her hip and looked at Tiffany, trying to take in her appearance.“They didn’t hurt you, did they?”
“No, but they have kept us locked up most of the time.They only unlocked the door when we dropped anchor here.Wherever here is.”
Jonathan stepped quietly into the room.“We must hurry.The sun is just touching the horizon.Everyone will be waking up shortly.Come, Tiffany.”Jonathan held out his hand.
“Who’s that?”Dawson said, pointing at Jonathan.
“Shh.He’s a friend.I’ll introduce you later,” Elizabeth whispered.“We must be quiet so we can get away and go home.”
