“Get off the bridge, Jo.” This from Ransom Driscoll on the other side. “This bridge isn’t stable. You’ve always known that. I warned you never to get on it. Now, please, just focus on getting off. Both of you.”
Cole glanced down at the rushing river. “I can’t let him get away.”
“Cole, you can’t go after him,” Jo begged.
“It wouldn’t be the first time this week that I’ve jumped into the water to save someone.” Yeah, and it had been a near miracle that he’d survived. But he would do it again if necessary.
“Son, he isn’t worth saving. You can’t save him anyway. Now I’m begging you to save my daughter. I’ll go after Martin. If he’s still alive, he’s mine.” To Jo, Ransom said, “Get off the bridge, Jo. I’m telling you right now.”
41
The bridge shifted as more of the supporting beams that held it up collapsed. Jo’s grip slipped, and she held on with one hand now. Moisture bloomed on her palms.
I don’twant to die because of this bridge.
All this time Pop had taken her to this bridge, he hadn’t been contemplating how to fix it. Had he been contemplating the possibility of this moment when he would face off with his enemy?
“Jo, hang on. I’m coming.” Cole gasped out the words.
She reached up and pulled herself forward. “I’ve got it. I’ve got it. Just ... you get off this bridge. Don’t you dare go after him. Pop is right.” She pulled herself farther, gaining traction with her feet, and glanced back at Cole. He was still hanging precariously. How could she reach him? Her heart might just break at that look on his face.
“Come on, Cole. You can do this. Pop is right too. That river has already taken Martin out to the ocean.”
Could he survive that? Only God knew.
She finally climbed up onto the ridge and off the bridge. Heart pounding, limbs shaking, she sat up. “Cole!”
He wasn’t going to make it. This wasn’t right. She’d found him on that beach a year ago, and she’d been able to save him then. But the rail from which he hung wasn’t going to last much longer. She couldn’t get to him. He couldn’t get to her.
The metal twisted and Cole dropped farther, hanging precariously. Jo held back a yelp. Her pulse skyrocketed. She couldn’t lose this man.
Despite the twisting railing, Cole started up, climbing toward her. Jo could meet him halfway. She had to help him. If she could just grip one of his handsandpull him onto the remaining structure. She inched toward him, now fully on the bridge again.
“What are you doing, Jo?” Pop called from across the bridge. “What’s left of the bridge isn’t going to hold you both.”
Finally, she lay flat and gripped Cole’s hand.
“He’s right, you know,” Cole said. “You shouldn’t be out here.”
Even so, Cole squeezed her hand and used it to maneuver toward the part of the bridge that remained intact though still unstable, crawling from where he hung over the rushing Pulsap River, which flowed right into the ocean only a mile or so away.
Breathing hard, Cole climbed onto the bridge and turned onto his back to catch his breath.
Jo grabbed his hand. “Let’s get off this bridge.”
He rolled to his knees to climb to his feet.
The bridge shuddered and collapsed beneath them. Jo and Cole tumbled toward the river, along with chunks of the old bridge. Pop called after them.
Jo screamed. Heart pounding, she prayed.Jesus,Jesus,Jesus!And that they would hit water and miss the rocks.
And above her, Pop stood looking down from the ledge, anguish on his features.
Fear gripped her. Tried to paralyze her. She’d already faced certain death in the fire. Had she survived that only to perish in the river?
The river current would be vicious. She had to prepare for that. Fighting it through flailing would only increase the risk of dying. She had no time to be afraid. Jo dragged in a breath before she hit the icy cold water. She plunged deep, the shock engulfing her. Beneath the surface, the river twisted her body, tumbling her around, over and over. She fought to get to the surface as the current swept her away.
Finally, she breached the surface and frantically looked around to get a read on her surroundings. Any big threats coming up, above and beyond the river itself. She looked for Cole.
