“They died because of Brady’s greed, Katie. He was in debt and handing you over would have wiped them, if the Alessis had paid. If he didn’t pay, the people he owed were going to do him some him serious damage.”
“I can’t believe he had us all fooled, and that Kurt was the Alessi brothers’ informant.”
“I hated him from the start.”
“Katie!” Jake grabbed her as they reached the bank, hauling her into his arms, his body shaking. “Dad and I saw you floating; we thought you were dead.”
“We faked it.”
“My God, Katie,” was all her father could say. She hugged her dad, who looked like he’d aged ten years. “Parents shouldn’t bury their children, but I thought I was going to, sweetheart. You nearly made my heart stop, the pain was so strong.”
She let him hold her until he stopped shaking too, and then Newman and even the deputies. They dragged out the boat and lowered it over the bodies of Kurt and Brady. Someone would bring a boat around and collect them later.
Cubby took Newman’s phone and put a call through to the chief of police in Brook and two other close towns, telling them about the Alessi brothers and to look out for them arriving sometime soon. He told them to contact E.J., who would advise them what to do and how to proceed.
“I need to check you both over,” Jake said looking at the cut on her shoulder.
“When we get back,” Cubby said. “Let’s go.” He took her hand and led her back into the trees with the others following. They didn’t speak much, and Katie was too tired to do anything but let him tow her up the hill. Once they reached the top, they spent a few minutes in the hut and found a laptop and a few other things they’d take as evidence. Jake then found some supplies to bind her shoulder and Cubby’s hand.
“You doing okay, sweetheart?” Cubby ran a hand over her head as she rested against his chest.
“Yes, just tired.”
He pushed up her chin so their eyes met.
“I love you,” he said, loud enough for his deputies, her father, brother, and Newman to hear.
“I love you too,” she managed around a yawn.
“About damn time,” Jake said.
They made their way down and once again Cubby held her hand, almost as if he couldn’t bear to be parted from her. She was happy to be anchored to him.
Her father and brother touched her too, every few minutes to assure themselves she was there and alive.
Once they were finally off the trails, Cubby helped her climb wearily into the front seat of his cruiser, and drove her back to town.
“It was like I was possessed when I realized you were in danger, Katie.”
His words were deep and husky. “Not knowing what was happening to you, not knowing… Christ.” He shot her a look and she saw the memory was painful for him. “It’s like the floodgates opened when I admitted to myself what I felt for you, and now I can’t stop the feelings.”
Katie slid across the bench seat and laid her head on his shoulder. “I’m here, I’m safe and unhurt, and I love you.”
“If this is even half of what you felt for me, princess, then forgive me for putting you through it and not reciprocating.”
She snuffled into his shirt and then sobered.
“I can’t believe it was Brady and Kurt.”
He lifted his arm and held her close.
“I know, baby.”
When they arrived in town, her mother insisted on checking them both over. Cubby needed a couple of stitches in his hand and Katie a few in her shoulder. The lump on her head was large and she would need to be watched for concussion according to Dr. McBride. Cubby said he was the man for the job.
“I couldn’t have hand picked a better man for my baby,” Nancy McBride said kissing his cheek and making him blush.
Cubby then took Katie’s hand in his and led her from the tent until they were alone. “I need to do the paperwork and tell Jilly and Melanie’s families about Brady now, princess. I’ll see you at the houseboat later, okay?”
