by Katie Knight
“What did you tell Susan?” She’d never unhear the pain in the strong woman’s voice upon telling her a madman had her son.
“That we were going after him. Me and you. That we’d pinpoint their location, and connect with the authorities if we need backup.”
Relief flooded her. Ben had finally accepted that she was going with him no matter what he said. It meant they could leave more quickly with that argument out of the way. “Let’s go.”
Ben stood up with her still in his arms as though she weighed nothing and set her gently on the floor. “Put on as many layers as you can, Meg. We need to prepare for the unpredictable.”
As soon as they had pulled on the snow gear they had found the night before, they were out the door, following the trail the snowmobiles had left behind. They moved at a quick clip, stopping every so often to take stock of their surroundings. The wind was still turbulent, and it made each step more difficult, but they pushed through. They’d traveled a few miles when they came upon one of the snowmobiles left in the middle of the trail.
“The engine’s still warm.” Ben whipped his head around, surprise evident on his face.
“And look, those are Logan’s footprints. He tried to run.” Her gaze followed the small prints embedded in the snow. The larger prints beside his and the abrupt stop told her Logan had been apprehended, but it also meant he was still alive when the snowmobile broke down.
“This is the break we needed.” He held out his hand to her, and she took it. Picking up their pace, they continued forward. “Two grown men and a child, paired with the deep snow, is going to be a big burden on their last machine. They’re not going to get very far, or be able to go very fast.”
“And they’ve been tracking us since the start. Unless they have an easily accessible cabin stocked with supplies, they have to run out of gas at some point.” Her breath was coming in hard pants as they half walked, half jogged through the snow drifts.
“Exactly. And if luck is on our side, they’re running in the opposite direction of their safe house, trying to get to civilization just as we were so they can get a car or catch a plane and disappear. We’re not going to let them.” The way he suddenly looked at her with such hope made her stomach flip-flop. She was sure now that Ben cared for both Logan and her. Maybe it was the expression on his face or the way he squeezed her hand every so often as they trekked over the frozen snow, but she knew that Ben had the ability to love. He just had to believe in himself and his worth, first. Everyone had let Ben down in his childhood, so it made sense that it was difficult for him to mistrust care and affection when it was offered, but that didn’t mean he never would be able to. Even if he didn’t end up with her, Megan hoped Ben found someone he could finally count on to stay by his side.
The thought of him with another woman was painful, but she cared about him enough that she wanted him to find joy.
Ben halted, and she looked in the direction of the tracks, which curved in toward a rocky hillside, much like the one they’d spent their first night in after the plane crash in. Outside was the second snowmobile.
“Got them.” Ben gave her hand a light tug, and they circled around to the rocks, nearly fifty feet from the cave opening. It was still very windy, so it was unlikely they’d be heard from this distance.
“Do you have any cell service?” she asked, crouching down to give her burning calves a little rest. They’d been hiking for two hours, and her head hurt terribly—along with the rest of her.
“Just one bar, but I can try. First, I want to see what we’re dealing with.
“Me too. I need to see that Logan’s okay.” She pushed to her feet, using the stones behind her for balance. They crept closer toward the opening. As they neared, the scent of fire burning permeated the air, and she could detect a faint glow from the cave they were hunkered down in.
“What the hell, Dad?” They both stopped in their tracks and exchanged a glance. “You were supposed to end the kid, not abduct him!”
Megan followed Ben’s lead and crouched down in the snow to listen. Relief crashed over her—the captor’s son had just confirmed that Logan was still alive. She could only hope the conversation would reveal why Mark Slocum had made the decision not to harm him, and how long he and his son planned to keep Logan alive.
“I couldn’t go through with it.”
Ben was looking through a space between two of the rocks and motioned for her to take a look as well. The heat from the fire seeped out of the crack, warming her face. Thank goodness these men were protecting Logan from the elements. Inside, there were two stocky figures, both with their backs turned from the cavern’s entrance. Off to the side, she saw Logan. He was sitting with his legs crossed, intently focused on a cell phone in his lap. He had headphones on. They must’ve given him some kind of game to play to keep him distracted.
“Why not just keep him? Make him our own to replace what we’ve lost? It will hurt the doctor just the same, not knowing if he’s alive or dead. Might even be worse.” The man she recognized as the one who’d burst into the house spoke. That must be Mark Slocum.
“How are we going to get out of here? Our last machine just ran out of gas, and now you’re talking about adding another person into the mix?” The younger one of the two clearly wasn’t happy with the arrangement to let Logan live.
“We stay here overnight, and in the morning, we can finish the hike to the interstate, thumb a ride, ditch the driver, and make ourselves scarce until the search blows over. Then we’ll start making arrangements to take him out of the country.”
With one last look at Logan, Megan let Ben lead her away from the rocks. When they were out of earshot, he took his phone out of his coat pocket and made the call. She listened intently as he relayed everything they’d seen and heard and listed off all of the weapons he could identify in plain sight. The optimistic look on his face gave her hope, and when he hung up the phone and turned to her, there was a smile on his face.
“The rescue team had a small window of low wind, and they went for it. They just landed at our last location. We know Logan is safe for the time being, and the Slocums are not going anywhere tonight. With all the weapons they have at their disposal, it would be more dangerous to attempt to extract Logan from the situation now. The team wants us to meet them back at the cabin, and from there, we’ll stage our rescue mission.”
Even though she wanted Logan in her arms without any further delay, she knew Ben was right. What would the men do if they realized they’d been discovered? They might kill Logan out of desperation. If something happened to him because she insisted they try to save him now, she’d never forgive herself. She had to put her trust in Ben one more time.
Chapter Twenty-One
Megan walked next to him, keeping up with his pace. For as long as he lived, Ben would never forget the disappointment in her eyes when she finally came to and looked up at him after Logan had been taken, just as he’d always remember the untamable fear that raced through his veins when he first caught a glimpse of her lying face down in the snow. His first thought was that she’d been shot and killed. Even though her injuries weren’t permanent, he still knew he’d never forgive himself for putting her in harm’s way—mainly because when he’d left Megan in hopes of apprehending Slocum, he’d been trying his best to forget she existed. Because of his poor decisions and clouded judgment, he’d let Megan get hurt, and Logan abducted. To see him sitting alive and well inside a warm cave, looking content as he played a game, was the biggest relief Ben could imagine. If Logan had been huddled against a wall, scared out of his mind, there was no way Ben could’ve left him there to circle back with the rescue team.
Megan had put her anger toward him aside so they could work together to find Logan. He glanced over at her, windblown and scowling. She was more beautiful to him than ever. She had no idea how incredibly resilient she was. Her strength added a new dimension to their relationship that he didn’t remember it having before. It wasn’t as thoug
h she’d been dependent on him for anything back when they were in college, but he’d always tried to keep her happy, care for her because he’d believed that if he hadn’t, she would’ve bolted. He was always preoccupied with being enough to keep her, that he hadn’t allowed her to show him the incredible independent spirit she possessed.
“What are you looking at?” Megan stopped and rested her hands on her hips. She was breathing hard, and an indigo bruise was spreading over her cheek like spilled ink.
“You’re incredible, Meg. All we’ve been through this week—physically, mentally—you’ve tackled it all without blinking an eye.” When she scoffed at him, he put his hand on her shoulder. “I’m serious. I couldn’t be prouder of you, and I’m sorry if I ever treated you as anything other than the tough, capable woman you are.”
“Why are you telling me this?” Her voice was wary, her eyes searching his very soul.
He took a deep breath, letting the frost-tipped air claw through his nostrils and down his throat. Now wasn’t the time to tell her what he was feeling. He wasn’t ready…might never be. Instead, he fell back on his crutch, a cocky smile that could hide just about any emotion. “Because I’m going to do this.”
In one quick motion, he looped one arm around her waist and the other behind her knees and lifted.
She began to protest, but then with an exhausted sigh, she quieted. She melted into his arms and rested her head against his chest. He felt ten feet tall.
“Rest, sweetheart. We’re almost back to the cabin.” As he walked, he relished the feeling of her body in his arms, the scent of her hair, the rise and fall of her chest. They’d been put up against incredible obstacles, and yet they’d pulled through. Not only that, but they’d forged a stronger bond. Was it strong enough to keep them together even after they’d been rescued?
He’d already broken her heart, and his, when he left. If they tried for something now and it failed, his heart would be shattered completely. Was it worth trying, knowing the odds were against them? Being in a relationship with a SEAL would be hard, not to mention lonely at times. He’d have to leave without telling her where he was going and for how long. He could quickly get hurt or killed. It was a risk his team accepted every time they were assigned a new mission. He looked down at her, memorizing the way her lashes rested against the top of her cheeks, the curve of her lips, the lines of her face. Maybe if there were a different way for him to make a living he’d consider telling Meg everything he wanted, but right now it felt wrong to even bring it up.
He could see the cabin up ahead, with a helicopter and two bush planes parked out front. The lights inside were on, emanating a warm glow. His chest felt lighter than it had since the wreck. Meg needed medical attention for the concussion he was sure she’d endured, and now he would feel safe leaving her at the cabin. She’d be surrounded by people who were able to care for her, and he could do what needed to be done to save the little boy who’d stolen his heart with the flash of two deep dimples. He was a hundred yards or so from the cabin when two paramedics raced out the front door and met him halfway.
“Benjamin Steele, I’m Lorraine Wilson, and this is John Walsh, We’re the paramedics on site.” They continued to close the distance to the cabin as they spoke. He appreciated that they didn’t try to take Megan out of his arms, where she was sleeping soundly. “Does she have any physical injuries?” the woman asked.
“Possible concussion and she might still be slightly dehydrated. We were rationing out supplies before we stumbled on this place.”
“Talk about a good find. You both did an incredible job out there, especially in the middle of winter. We’re going to get you both checked out, then get you home.” The younger paramedic, John, opened the front door of the cabin and stood back so Ben could enter first.
“Oh, my God!” There was an instantaneous shriek from across the room. “Megan!”
Megan jolted in his arms and looked up. “It’s okay, sweetheart. We’re back at the cabin,” he said as a couple that had to be Logan’s parents surrounded her.
“Are you hurt?” Susan placed a hand on each of Megan’s cheeks and kissed her forehead.
“No, I’m okay.” She wiggled in his arms, then looked up at him. “I can stand up now. I’m sorry I dozed off.”
He gently set her down, making sure she had her footing before stepping back. Charles and Susan enveloped her in a long hug, peppering her with praise and soothing words. Feeling like an intruder on a private moment, Ben took a step back. This was an extension of Megan’s family and a harsh reminder that he was no longer part of her world. The time he spent with her in college was by far the happiest times of his life, which only increased his urgency to end it before she could. Now that the rescue had arrived, he’d have to say goodbye to her again.
“We couldn’t wait any longer. We finally found a pilot willing to charter our flight minutes before we received a call from the authorities that they could finally move forward with the rescue,” Susan said. “And you.” She motioned to Ben, and he momentarily froze as she released Megan and came toward him. “You’re an incredible young man. Thank you for helping my baby and our darling Megan.”
Susan hugged him. Bewildered over how to respond, he awkwardly patted her back. Then he looked up, and Charles was at his side, laying a hand on his shoulder. “Thank you,” he said.
Ben cleared his throat, looking for an escape. How could they be thanking him? He’d allowed Logan to be taken by the one man they were trying to protect him from. Megan had been assaulted as she tried to protect Logan—a second infraction on his part because he hadn’t been able to prevent it. If he had stayed put in the cabin and faced the feelings he was having for Megan, they’d be loading up the chopper to go home instead of strategizing Logan’s rescue.
“Excuse me. I need to tell the authorities what we know.” He retreated from the emotional reunion and sought out the rescue team. There were a dozen people currently staging scenarios in the living room.
They looked up when he entered, and a middle-aged man with grey hair stood to greet him. “I’m Officer Rowe. We’ve been speaking over the phone.”
He recognized the man’s gravelly voice and met his firm handshake.
“As I mentioned on the phone,” Ben explained, “Slocum and his son are holding Logan in a cave approximately five miles east. We should be able to approach from the left side of the cavern undetected and catch them off guard.” Ben tensed when Officer Rowe’s brow furrowed.
“We appreciate all you’ve done thus far, but my team will handle it from here.”
“Part of my job as a SEAL is tactical rescue missions. Let me help you. Logan knows me, trusts me. He’s been through enough already. The rescue is going to be traumatic for him. I’ll be able to lessen that.”
Rowe hesitated but finally gave him a curt nod. “All right, this is what we’re planning,” The others made space for him around the coffee table, and they began to stage their rescue mission.
Once the team had come to an agreeable plan, Ben sought out Megan. He was all right leaving this time knowing she was in good hands and fully protected. The problem wasn’t about her protection, though. He was burying himself in the mission again, running from his feelings, and leaving her. But this time, there was another reason he was so adamant that the team accept him into the rescue. It wasn’t just about the mission, or about his overwhelming feelings for Meg—it was about Logan. He’d come to love the little boy and needed to be there for him. He couldn’t sit by and wait to see if the rescue mission was successful—he had to go and ensure it succeeded.
He found Megan sitting around the kitchen table with Logan’s parents. She was holding hands with Susan, and both women looked as though they’d been crying. He couldn’t blame them. Couldn’t imagine the angst Logan’s parents were feeling at the moment.
“We’re gearing up,” he announced to no one in particular.
“You’re going with them?” she asked, face unreadable.
>
“Logan knows me—I convinced them it would be less upsetting for him if I was there. I’m going to make sure he gets back here safe.” They stared at each other for one heartbeat, then two. The kitchen chair scraped against the floor as Megan stood up and moved toward him. “I owe you an apology,” she said softly. “This morning, I was so angry, but it wasn’t just at you. I was upset with myself. I thought the snowmobile’s engine was the sound of the rescue team, and I unlocked the door.” She gave a self-deprecating scoff. “Ben, I practically invited him in.”
“He would’ve gotten in whether you opened the door or not, and maybe with firepower that could’ve harmed you or Logan. It’s impossible to predict how things would’ve turned out, so don’t you dare put this on your shoulders. Slocum’s responsible for his own actions. He’s the one who planted the bombs. He’s the one who nearly burned us alive in the cabin, and he’s the one who kidnapped Logan. So, don’t for one second blame yourself.”
“I…” She choked on her words, and tears filled her eyes. Then Meg rose up on her tippy toes and surprised him with a gentle kiss. “For luck,” she said and stepped back.
He was touched by her show of affection. “Eat something, go climb into the big bed upstairs, rest. We’ll be back with Logan soon.”
Nodding her head in agreement, she paused before smiling. “Before you go, I have an idea.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
Ben touched his lips for the fiftieth time as he trudged through the snow with the rescue team. The place where Megan had last placed her lips. It had been such a simple gesture, but to him, it was anything but. Her capacity to forgive floored him. When they reconnected on the flight to Fairbanks, she should have cussed him out, but instead, she was kind, albeit with a bit of caution. He’d watched her put her life on the line over and over to get them through the exhausting situations thrown at them. She’d gone without when she’d thought he wasn’t watching, so Logan could have extra food and water.
