Page 82 of Xavier

Lissette rushed back to the water’s edge. As she’d suspected, Shelby hadn’t stayed put. She had worked her way to the tail of the cruiser, holding onto it as she inched her way toward Lissette. “Jean-Luc?”

“He’s secured in a seatbelt, but it won’t hold him for long.” Lissette eased into the flowing water, moving as close as she could to Shelby and the cruiser. Already the current was getting stronger.

Lissette reached out. “Take my hand,” she called out.

Holding onto the car with one hand, Shelby reached with the other, straining to grasp Lissette’s hand. “I can’t reach it.”

Shelby’s feet slipped out from under her, and she went under.

Lissette lunged for her, caught her arm and dragged her to the surface. The movement made Lissette struggle for balance as she fought the current while bearing the deputy's weight.

“I’ve got it,” Shelby said. “I’m on my feet.”

Still holding Shelby’s arm, Lissette moved, inch by inch, until they both emerged from the water.

Lissette let go of the deputy and raced back to the Jeep, expecting the little man to be running free of the seatbelt and climbing all over the vehicle’s interior.

Jean-Luc was exactly where she’d left him, hunkered over, fast asleep.

Lissette bent over and breathed in and out, her heart racing and rain blurring her vision.

“Is he okay?” Shelby asked beside her.

Lissette nodded toward the window. “He’s asleep.” She straightened with purpose, her mission delayed by the unexpected event. She opened the passenger-side door, gently unbuckled the sleeping toddler and lifted him out. “Get in.” Shelby sat, buckled her seatbelt and held out her arms.

Lissette settled the little boy in her arms and hurried to get into the driver’s seat.

“Thank you,” Shelby said over the sound of the rain pounding against the roof of the Jeep. “I don’t think I could’ve gotten Jean-Luc out by myself.”

“You would have,” Lissette said as she shifted into drive and sped toward town. “You’re a good mother and fiercely protective of your boy.”

“I’d do anything for this little man.” Shelby kissed her son’s forehead.

“That’s what a good mother does.” She dared to take her eyes off the road and shot a glance toward Shelby. “I’m glad I failed.”

“But you didn’t,” Shelby said. “You saved us both.”

“No,” Lissette said. “You’re the failure I’ll never regret. You lived.”

“I lived for this.” Shelby hugged Jean-Luc. “There’s another road that’ll get us to the Crawdad Hole from a different direction.” Shelby pointed at a road to their left.

Lissette sped past the turn.

“You missed it,” Shelby said.

“I’m headed to the marina. When we get there, I’d appreciate it if you’d take Danny’s Jeep back to the Crawdad Hole and tell her I’m sorry.”

“Why?” Shelby asked. “Aren’t you coming with me?”

Lissette shook her head. “I have somewhere else I have to go.” She pulled into the empty parking lot at the marina and shifted into park. With her hand on the door handle, she paused and turned to Shelby. “Could you also tell Xavier I had to go alone and that I...hope he has a good life wherever he goes.”

Shelby reached out. “Lissette, you love him.”

Lissette’s eyes welled with tears. “Doesn’t matter.” She pushed the door open and murmured, “I’m trouble, and he’s better off without me.”

Lissette ran through the pouring rain down to the marina, checking out which boats remained in the marina’s rental fleet before she hurried to the back door.

A glance up at the parking lot reassured her that Shelby had taken the Jeep and would return it to Danny.