“But anyway ...” She cleared her throat. “It’s made me think maybe there are other things to consider.”
“Looking at all the factors. That’s wise.” He was trying not to let his voice echo the cautious cheering in his heart. If she could let go of the vendetta, if she would choose to live, it would make all the agony they’d experienced worth it, every last bit.
“I’m not giving up, though, if that’s what you think. I’m going to get Bullseye, but this isn’t the way.” She swallowed. “Not if you get hurt in the process.”
A sense of wonder engulfed him. “You’re changing plans, for now, because of me?”
She flipped the hair from her eyes and waved off the question, but he saw her lips tremble.
The space between them was charged with the unspoken. He couldn’t think of how to respond.
“Don’t get a big head about it.” She adjusted the seat belt and disengaged from his touch. “But ... you said you didn’t recognize me.”
He grimaced. “I spoke without thinking. Personality trait that definitely needs work. My brothers will tell you I have no filter.”
“You don’t, but you were right. And I don’t recognize me either. I don’t know who I am anymore or what I’m supposed to be doing outside of punishing Bullseye, but I know you’re not meant to die while I figure it out.”
Each word scrolled through his head in slow motion. She’d lost herself, and it grieved him. But maybe, somehow, his being with her and all that they’d endured would help her remember who God had made her to be, regardless of what had happened with Aaron. Mercurial, passionate, loyal, amazing Mackenzie Bardine.
She heaved out a breath. “Looks like we risk the highwaythen. Maybe we’ll be able to join in a caravan of late evacuees. Safety in numbers, right?”
Back to business. He wasn’t sure Bullseye’s guys wouldn’t take a shot regardless of witnesses, but he didn’t say so. He was still marveling at their unexpected change of plans.
When she let out an enormous sigh, he noticed her pallor, the exhaustion tugging her mouth. He touched her hand in a silent question, his nerve endings still dulled.
She surprised him by stopping, leaning her forehead against the steering wheel. “I’m so tired, Gideon.”
It was an admission, wrapped in a plea.God, renew her spirit,he prayed, holding on for a moment longer. “I’ll drive for a while.”
When she turned to him, her eyes were dull. “You can’t. You’re hurt.”
“Nicked, but fit for duty, and I’m an extremely fast healer.” He touched her mud-covered sleeve, slid his hand down until he found her wrist, barely able to feel the strong pulse that beat there. “Let me take over for a while, Zee.”
Without a word she shifted to park while they switched. His side throbbed as he climbed into the driver’s seat, but he was careful not to wince or groan. It was a pain he would gladly bear if it meant she could rest. She closed her eyes.
“I’m sorry, Gid,” she whispered. “For everything.”
“I’m sorry too.”And I’ll see you home.“Get some rest.”
The road was clear for the most part, except for the few occasions he had to navigate around piled mud and fallen tree trunks. It was harder than it should have been since he still felt clumsy and slow. He turned the radio onto a low murmur. Mackenzie had curled up sideways into a ball, perched against the door.
The weather report was bleak, but the dam news was worse. Newly appeared cracks had caused expanded evacuation mandates. The intent behind the precise language was clear. Those who chose to stay were making a dangerous choice. No amount of help would be enough if the dam failed. There would be no hope of survival. At least he could hang on to the fact that they were now attempting to depart the danger zone—if they could avoid Bulleye’s guys long enough. Could be Bullseye and his team had enough good sense to leave off their kill mission and get out before the dam broke.
After fifteen minutes of driving, he almost missed the last turn that promised to take them to the highway. A half-dozen birds shot across the road. Startled. By what?
He stopped, peering into the gloom.
The source of their alarm whirled into view a moment after, circling in a methodical way.
A helicopter.
He hit the gas.
Mackenzie jerked to attention. “What?”
He pointed.
She gasped. “Oh no.”
