I’m sitting in the swing on the Browns’ front porch when Tony comes to find me. I needed to get away from the planning session. Honestly, I’ve been ready to go for hours. Yes, going over every scenario is what they do. It keeps everyone safe, but I don’t have the patience for that. I either had to come outside or stab someone, and violence wouldn’t have gone over well at all. Thinking about it almost makes me giggle—almost. We’re too close to go-time and my stomach is twisted tighter than a phone cord from the seventies.
“What’s going on, Vi? Want to talk about it,” Tony asks as he sits next to me on the swing.
Do I?I’m not even sure what to say that will make any sense to anyone but me. “Can you just hold me?”
“Always.” He shuffles closer and wraps his arm around my shoulders and pulls me up against his side. I didn’t realize I was shivering until I lean into him, soaking up his heat.
“I love you. I’m sorry we have to deal with this whole fucking mess.” Tears cloud my eyes as I stare across the front lawn. The sun is finally setting. Each minute that ticks by means we’recloser to packing up the SUVs and rescuing the girls—hopefully. I’m not sure what any of us will do if we’ve been wrong about the location or that Harrison is the kidnapper. Talk about a clusterfuck of epic proportions.
“Hey, none of that. You did nothing. You were a victim and now you’re trying to help save two more. Sweetheart, you’re the strongest woman I know, and I’m proud of you every freaking day. I wish you could see yourself through my eyes.”
I tilt my head back to look up at him. Half the time I don’t know what he sees in me. Sure, I’m an accomplished Navy doctor. But there’s really nothing special about me. Yet, somehow he sees something in me I don’t. “You really think so?”
“Hell yes. I’ll never tell you what to do, but I think you should talk to a therapist when we get back. Maybe they can help you recover your memories, if you want to. I’m not sure if you’ll be better off or not if you remember. But no matter what you decide or what happens, Iwillbe by your side through everything.”
A tear slides down my cheek, and he catches it with his thumb. “How can I help? Are you sure you want to come? Noone will think less of you if you stay here and wait for us to come back.”
“I need to go. Even though I don’t remember any of this, I need the closure for when I do. I have to know it’s over, that they won’t hurt another soul—another innocent child won’t suffer because they got away.”
He nods and pulls me closer. I rest my head on his shoulder and breathe in his cedar scent. It soothes me in a way nothing else does. We sit and rock, listening to the sounds that you only hear in the country as we count down the minutes.
I’m close to nodding off when Tony kisses my forehead. “It’s time to go, baby. One last chance to change your mind.”
“I’m coming. Let me run to the bathroom. Don’t leave without me.”
“Never. I told you, that’s never gonna happen.” His smile crinkles the corners of his beautiful green eyes, and I fall in love with him all over again.
“You’re a dream come true, Tony Knox.” I brush my lips across his, then run into the house.
Mellie is waiting for me in the bedroom. “You good?”
“Yeah, as much as I can be. How about you?” I ask as I head in to pee.
“The same. I’ll be happy to close this chapter of my life though.”
“I totally get it. Unfortunately, I think I’ll have to open it first, before I can close mine,” I call through the bathroom door. When I step back into the bedroom, she hugs me. We’re still hugging each other when Trudy comes to the door.
“I don’t like this one bit. You girls be careful, you hear me. Take care of each other and let those men handle the heavy lifting. Or when you get back I’ll tan your hides, and that’s a promise.”
“We’ll be careful,” Mellie says.
“We promise,” I add.
“Good. Now c’mere and give me some sugar.” She pulls Mellie in for a hug and kisses her cheek. Then she surprises me by doing the same.
The guys are already waiting for us in the vehicles. Mellie and I are riding with Tony and Mike. Pat, Evan, and Adam will follow behind us. With the GPS destination set, we start our journey. After we get in, Tony hands us each a comm unit. I show Mellie how to put it on, so we can do comm checks. I can see from the excitement on her face that she thinks this is cool. I suppose it is.
“For tonight’s mission, you’ll be Knight 6, Providence. Mellie you’ll be Knight 7. We don’t use names but if you forget no one will shoot you, I promise,” Tony says with a chuckle.
I roll my eyes. It really wasn’t that funny. Except Mellie’s laughing too. I guess I’m just too uptight right now.
“Comm check. Report,” Tony says.
“Knight 2, clear comms,” Mike answers.
“Knight 3, clear comms,” Pat replied.
“Knight 4, clear comms,” Evan reports next.
