Still gasping, she twisted around to see the motorboat a distance behind her, but with the water and sun in her eyes she could not tell if Nelson was still looking for her. The large helicopter was near the yacht and two other large boats were gaining on the motorboat. Uncertain of their occupants, she glanced in the other direction, seeing the pier in the distance off to her right. Deciding against trying to swim to it, she was afraid that would be where Nelson would look first.
With another gulp of air, she dove back down under the surface, pumping her arms and legs in an attempt to carry her to safety.
*
Mitch watched in horror as Nelson continued to fire into the water before Grant ran up behind him, pointing to the CG boat, saying, “Callan!”
The two policemen watched as their friend, gun drawn, ordered Nelson to drop his weapon. Instead of obeying, Nelson turned his gun toward the Coast Guard vessel and fired. Returning fire, Nelson was struck in the leg and dropped to the bottom of the motorboat, where the CG quickly moved to bring him on board.
“Tori! Where the hell is Tori?” Mitch yelled, his gaze still scanning the surface of the water.
“You and she used to swim in the ocean. What would she do?”
Thinking quickly, Mitch yelled, “Get the Jeep! She’ll swim parallel to the shore, avoiding the pier.”
Within a couple of minutes, the two were driving on the beach, churning up the sand behind them. Getting on the radio, Grant called for backup, as Mitch held the binoculars to his eyes. Come on, babe. Surface so I can tell where the hell you are!
Bouncing along, Mitch yelled for Grant to stop. Skidding in the sand, Mitch leaned out the window, carefully searching. Just then a dark spot was seen on the surface of the gently undulating water. An arm moved about, pushing hair away from the swimmer’s face. Bringing the person more in focus, he shouted as her face came into view.
“Tori! Tori!”
Hopping out of the vehicle, ripping his polo off his chest, he ran to the surf as Grant called in the sighting. Kicking off his shoes and socks, Mitch jumped out of his pants, tossing them to the ground as he ran into the water, continuing to shout.
*
Her arms aching with the strain of a much longer swim than she was used to, Tori treaded water as she panted. Trying to slow her breathing, she checked her location once more. The pier was no longer in sight and she felt no riptide currents. Glancing toward the beach, she wondered if it would be safe to swim toward it and try to hide from Nelson there.
As she wiped water dripping from her hair down into her eyes, she blinked at the object on the shore. A vehicle was parked and it appeared someone was running toward her. Uncertain what to do, she gave her head a shake to try to dislodge the water from her ears.
Hearing her name, or what seemed like her name, being called, she wiped her eyes once more, her tired legs still kicking. Mitch? Her eyes may have been deceiving her, but it appeared Mitch was stripping as he ran toward her. Mitch! Thank God!
Finding renewed strength, she began swimming with long strokes toward the shore and toward the man she loved. By the time the sandy bottom of the bay was under her enough for her toes to barely touch, he had reached her.
Throwing herself into his strong embrace, she allowed him to carry her to shore. Panting, she tried to tell him about Nelson, but he shushed her.
“It’s over, babe. I’ve got you and no one else can hurt you now.”
Letting his words wash over her, she tucked her face into his neck as her exhausted body settled into his. Hearing shouting, she managed to lift her head just long enough to see a crowd gathering on the beach, an assortment of vehicles next to the police SUV.
Smiling, she fell back into his arms as her body began to feel the weight of coming out of the water. Home. I’m coming home.
Mitch also watched the crowd of friends and family gather in front of him as he staggered out of the ocean with Tori in his arms. Seeing his parents, the American Legion members, friends, and the original Baytown Boys gathering, his chest swelled with emotion as tears stung his eyes.
I came home to Baytown. No regrets. No fuckin’ regrets.
With a smile, he made his way to the center of the gathering, glancing down at Tori resting in his arms.
*
The crowd at Finn’s was thick, with barely a place to stand.
Brogan looked over the heads of all the ones gathered and saw Zac eyeing the crowd. Handing him a beer, he said, “Sure hope the Fire Chief doesn’t shut us down for cramming too many people in here.”
Zac chuckled and said, “Well, just this once, I’ll overlook the infraction. Hell, I’d be driven out of town if I tried to shut you down right now!”
Aiden and Katelyn, both pulling beers as fast as they could, insisted Mitch and Tori sit at the bar so they could hear everything that was being said. Mitch eschewed sitting on a stool, preferring instead to stand behind Tori, tucking her closely into his front as his arms wrapped around her body. With her on a tall stool, she came to just under his chin, close to his heartbeat. A position he hoped she would always be in.
As the crowd clamored for answers, Mitch held out his hand, responding, “Right now, Nelson is in the North Heron Hospital, under guard and under arrest. As soon as his leg is patched up, he’ll be escorted to the jail. The investigation is still ongoing, but I know he’s been arrested for murder, attempted murder, kidnapping, discharging a weapon, firing at an officer, and that doesn’t even touch what he’ll be charged with in relation to his financial schemes.”
“What the hell was he trying to do?” Nancy asked. “I still don’t understand!”
Taking over, Tori explained, “He said he married my sister because he found out that her grandmother owned one of the best beach-front properties in Baytown and he saw potential for a huge moneymaker. She also fit his idea of a country-club wife—not a socialite that might be hard to manage, but someone who put him on a pedestal. His plan was to turn it into condos, buy up other properties and do the same. He even had investors who had already paid him for the non-existent condos.”
“But the town’s building codes would have never allowed that!” someone shouted.
Just then Corwin pushed through the crowd, huffing as he tried to maneuver to the center. “Now, now, you’re right,” he said, his voice rising over the angry residents’. Mitch watched, narrow eyed, knowing the mayor was desperate to calm the crowd and separate himself from the actions of Silas.
“This town was never in danger of allowing someone to come in and turn our quaint city into beachfront condos,” Corwin assured, puffing his chest out in an effort to take control. “I assure you the town council will be reviewing the policies and will have strong words with the town manager, if indeed there was any impropriety.”
Most of the residents dismissed the Mayor as they turned back toward Mitch and Tori.
“What I want to know is what the hell was he doing with that other chick?” Aiden asked.
“Nelson had no money…not really,” Tori continued. “Everyone thought he was rich, but if he didn’t get his hands on some money quickly he wouldn’t last to see his scheme through. I have no idea how he and Hailey got together with the plan to kill me and then split the insurance money.” Twisting around to look into Mitch’s eyes, she added, “I think he planned on killing her no matter what. He would have never wanted to split the money with her.”
Cupping her face, he pulled her into his chest, offering comfort as well as to remind himself she was alive and in his arms.
Lifting his head, he added, “It appears that Hailey Bernard worked for the Hurkamp Company at one time, so she and Nelson were acquainted. “Thomas let his fiancé know about the insurance policy, but we don’t know exactly what happened then. Maybe when she realized Tori looked like her, she took that info to Nelson…or Nelson found out and recruited her to go in with him.”
“Hailey got pissed thinking that Thomas was trying to replace me with her. I doubt that’s t
rue, but,” Tori said, giving a little shrug, “who knows?”
“We’ll know more as the investigation continues,” Mitch reminded the crowd. “For now, all that matters is that Tori’s safe and sound and he didn’t get his hands on a piece of Baytown.”
“Here, here!” Aiden called out, leading the gathering in more cheers.
The drinks and food were flowing as the laughter filled the pub. As Tori and Jillian headed to the ladies’ room, Mitch stood at the bar observing the crowd, especially the Baytown Boys. Aiden with his easy laugh, held secrets hidden inside. Brogan, surly and brooding, who served drinks but never took a drop of alcohol himself, always seemed to need control over every situation. Grant, in the corner holding court over three women at one time, all vying for his attention, but Mitch knew that his friend kept one eye out for Jillian while deep inside feeling unworthy of her.
Zac and Callan sat at the other end of the bar, surrounded with some of the older men from the American Legion as well as a few of the CG, sharing war stories. Jason, beaming since the town approved his garage, was standing at the bar with a few of the locals eager to see his shop open. Mitch had carefully noted some of the tattoos on Jason’s arms and saw war memories engraved into the young man’s skin, wearing his pain. Mitch watched Gareth approach Katelyn and selfishly hoped she would accept the receptionist job, freeing up the PI’s time to do more investigating. And if the young man could erase the sadness in Katelyn’s eyes, all the better.
Before Tori returned, Mitch heard the bar door open and a smile spread across his face as he saw who walked in. He headed toward the large man, who was looking around at the crowd nervously.
“Lance!” Mitch called out, gaining the man’s attention.
With a slight smile, Lance stuck his hand out. “Good to see you again, Mitch.” His eyes shifted around and he said, “Didn’t expect this kind of crowd.”
Recognizing Lance’s uneasiness, Mitch nodded back toward the door, and said, “Let’s step outside.”
The two men stood on the sidewalk, the noise of the bar lessening as the door shut behind them. Mitch clapped Lance on the shoulder. “Glad as hell you decided to come here.”
“Well, got back from the war and home just wasn’t home. Parents moved to Florida. Sis got married. Got no friends there and my former job was filled. Seemed like I was more alone there than ever.”
“This is a good place, Lance,” Mitch assured. “Good friends, good people.”
“I don’t need people so much as just a place to be by myself.”
Mitch watched the large man glance toward the bar again.
“Always like this?”
Chuckling, Mitch said, “No, not always. We just solved a big case and everyone here is kind of celebrating. Something else the town does really well.” Sobering, he said, “You’ll like it here, Lance. And we’ve got the American Legion started here.”
Nodding, Lance admitted, “I got a place south of town…not too far, but it’s a small house. I’ll be able to be by myself most of the time. I can work on my art and I’ve already got a contract with a couple of the shops around here…even some dealers across the state.”
Mitch smiled, knowing the dourly, large man, with long hair was not what most people would assume was an artist. But he also knew the town would embrace his former Army buddy. “You want to come in? Meet a few people?”
Lance’s eyes glanced toward Finn’s where the noise could still be heard and he shook his head. “No, thanks. Crowds aren’t my thing.” He turned to walk away, then stopped and grabbed Mitch in a man hug. “Thanks, man. I know I gotta get settled in, but…well…thanks.”
He let Mitch go as quickly as he had embraced him and headed off down the sidewalk, soon disappearing into the night.
Mitch turned and looked in the other direction toward the night sky over the Chesapeake Bay. Sucking in a deep breath, he let it out slowly. The door opened, allowing a sliver of light and the noise to escape, and he saw Tori’s face illuminated.
“Hey, sweetie? Um, are you okay?”
Lifting his hand toward her, he motioned for her to join him on the sidewalk. She slipped easily into his embrace, once more tucked perfectly next to his heart.
“What were you thinking?” she asked, her soft voice floating into the night.
With his arms wrapped tightly around her, he stared once more at the moonlight glistening over the ripples in the bay. Admiring her upturned face, he kissed her. Gently…full of promises of more to come.
“Home,” he said, simply. “I was thinking about coming home.”
Smiling up at him, her eyes twinkling, “Coming home? Or going home?”
Laughing, he said, “Let’s call it a night…and go home.” With her tucked into his side, they walked toward the Sea Glass Inn knowing wherever home was, they were going together.
Chapter 32
Epilogue
The orange ball slowly sunk into the horizon, casting the evening sky into brilliant colors of pink and blue, while the water reflected its brilliance. The large gathering sat in white chairs on the green expanse of grass outside Sunset View Restaurant where the staff awaited the beginning of the reception.
Mitch scanned the gathering as he waited on his bride. It seemed the whole American Legion, all their friends, and many townspeople came out to celebrate the first of the Baytown Boys getting married. Looking down, he smiled at his parents and friends, Jason, Gareth, and Lance sitting in the front. Across the aisle, Vera Bradford sat. Tori’s mother, horrified with the actions of her son-in-law had renewed her devotion to and acceptance of the simpler life Tori had chosen. Vanessa was not present and, while devastated by her husband’s crimes, Mitch was not certain of her true feelings. He could not deny that her attitude toward Tori had been conciliatory, but Vanessa moved shortly after Nelson’s trial and imprisonment, deciding she needed a fresh start.
His gaze landed on his group of friends from the Saints, and their wives, all smiling at him in return. Happily remembering his times working with them, he had no regrets. None at all. Coming home to Baytown was the right move.
Sparing a glance to the side, he grinned nervously at Grant, Zac, Aiden, Brogan, and Callan.
Now, with the change in the music, Mitch saw Jillian and Katelyn on either side of Tori as the three made their way down the aisle. His breath caught in his throat and if Grant had not whispered for him to breathe, he feared he would have passed out.
The bride walked down the aisle, flanked by her two best friends, breaking tradition. Tori, dressed in a long, fitted, ivory gown, layers of lace hugging her hips and flowing to the long train, walked slowly. Unable to keep the smile from her face, she walked toward the tall man waiting for her at the front. Mitch, his ivory shirt showing off his tanned face, never looked more handsome.
As the sun made its final descent below the gently undulating watery horizon, the two spoke their vows, first led by the minister and then their promises to each other.
“I, Tori Bradford, fell in love with you, Mitch Evans, when I was six years old. You were my hero then…and my hero now. You showed me that I could be like sea glass, becoming beautiful by the twists and turns of life. I vow to love you, with all my heart, for as long as I live.”
Smiling, Mitch lifted his hand to wipe a falling tear from her cheek, as he promised, “I, Mitch Evans, first saw you standing on Baytown’s beach when I was eight years old. Your hair caught my attention…and then your smile caught my heart. Seeing you each summer became the best part of my year. And when I see you now, I know that our years apart only served to polish the beautiful sea glass that we have become. I vow to love you, with all my heart, with every sunrise and sunset.”
The gathering broke into cheers as Mitch leaned over, placing a sweet kiss that soon turned scorching on Tori’s lips.
Ten years later
Tori stepped out of the Sea Glass Inn after checking on the guests. The managers, a young couple, now lived in her former attic suite. They
were more than competent, but as the owner of the inn, she liked to make sure to take time to greet guests and occasionally still participated in serving breakfast.
“Slow down and hold your sister’s hand,” Tori called out, keeping an eagle eye on her eight-year-old son, Eddie, as he ran toward the beach across the road, ignoring her request. Waving to neighbors as she followed her children, she smiled at Mitch as he stepped from the police SUV and scooped their giggling, four-year-old, red-haired daughter up into his arms.
Mitch watched as Tori made her way to them, her hair now swinging just at her shoulders, her curves a little more pronounced, and her smile still lighting his world. As she approached, she placed her hand on his chest and lifted up on her toes, lightly kissing him.
Licking his lips, he said, “Hmmm, cinnamon rolls?”
Before Tori could answer, little Vivian gave her father a huge, smacking kiss then leaned back and shouted, “Yes! Cimmimmon buns!”
Laughing, he settled Vivian on one hip while swinging his arm around Tori. The trio walked across the street and Tori’s gaze traveled quickly up and down the beach, looking for Eddie. “Now, where did he get to?”
Mitch spotted his son immediately, nudging Tori who turned her head to watch the scene playing out before her.
Eddie had approached a little girl on the beach and the two of them stared at sea glass in his hand. He appeared to be telling her about the sliver of colored glass before she lifted her beaming face up to his.
Tori’s heart stuttered as she watched her son reach down, grab the little girl’s hand, and then the two of them began to run toward other children on the beach. Already coming to be known as the second generation of Baytown Boys, their son never let go of the little girl’s hand. Turning her gaze back to Mitch’s, she felt tears stinging her eyes. “It looks like the sea glass cast it’s spell over Baytown once again.”
Coming Home: Baytown Boys Series Page 26
