He covered his face, then forced his hands back down. And settled on staring at his boot. Nothing ever made those memories less painful. “She was in shock, I guess. Because she wasnotokay. She survived about an hour.”
A heavy silence inserted itself between them.
A minute passed. Maybe two.
“That’s not what she meant.” Tayla’s voice was clear. And confident.
“What?”
“She didn’t mean the wound wasn’t serious. I know I wasn’t there. And you might think I’m crazy or overstepping, but I’m positive she wasn’t trying to say she wasn’t badly injured. She was telling you that it wasn’t your fault, and that she wasn’t afraid of dying.” She reached over and squeezed his arm. “That’s what she meant, Jason.”
Her words stunned him. “How can you say that?”
“I put myself in her shoes, mentally. It wasn’t hard. I’ve been in a fair amount of danger myself. And I care aboutyou. If I was in that situation, I would say the same thing to you. I wouldn’t want you to worry about me or feel guilty. I would want you to know it’s okay.”
He wanted to believe her. But saying it didn’t make it true. Thewayshe said it though . . .
She released her grip, but her eyes held his. “That verse—the one you quoted that night in the cottage. The one about chariots. What was it?”
Oh. Apparently, she wasn’t finished. He shrugged. “‘Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.’ What about it?”
Her face lit up. “You trust God to protect you in battle. You can trust him to protect your heart.” Her eyes begged him to understand. “Jason, my husband tried to kill me. But God healed my heart. And I still . . . I hope—”
Knox’s voice seethed in Jason’s ear. “We have a problem down here.”
He held up a finger, effectively pausing Tayla’s speech. “Hold that thought,” he whispered.
“Go ahead,” he answered Knox.
“The shooter showed up. Gus’s killer. Leland saw him pull up in a small speed boat when the smoke started toclear a few seconds ago. He and Baseball Cap boarded The Sea Queen together.”
“Are you sure?”
“Affirmative. And Leland took off after him.”
“What is he thinking!? Is he crazy!?”
“I’m not answering that one. I have eyes on him. They don’t see him yet. He snuck onto the back of the boat. The rest of the men are taking off. Baseball Cap must’ve paid them.”
Jason’s blood ran cold. Eric was probably listening to this exchange. Leland was in serious danger.
“Knox, meet me at the edge of the pier.”
A pause preceded Knox’s response. “Roger that.”
He turned to Tayla. “No one knows you’re here, right?”
She nodded. “Just you. And Rowan.”
“Good. That keeps you safe. They won’t be looking for you. Stay here and stay quiet.”
She looked panicked. “Where are you going? I thought—”
He remembered she hadn’t heard Knox’s side of the conversation. And he was thankful for that. Thankful she didn’t know how much danger Leland was in. “I don’t have time to explain. I need you to trust me. Okay?”
She nodded.
He kissed her forehead and took off for the pier without admitting to himself why he’d done that.
