by R. T. Wolfe
She was there. In his living room. She lay on her side on the floor, strapped to a chair with duct tape covering her mouth. Her beautiful green eyes stared at him with a fear he could not have imagined.
The relief was instant, but it mixed with panic and confusion. She was alive. He moved his arms and legs as fast as they would scurry across the floor, then pulled the tape from her face.
"Miriam!" she yelled. "Get her. She didn't tip her chair. Her face is up in the smoke."
He whirled to see Miriam Roberts tied in the same way Zoe had been. Her head dangled to one side.
A piece of ceiling collapsed near the front of the house making Zoe scream. Zoe? Or Miriam? Or both?
His eyes burned in the smoke, his heart in the moment. Coughing, he looked around for something to cut the tape. He rolled to the desk drawer and grabbed his envelope opener. Slicing the tape, he freed Zoe first. He grabbed her face, her arms, checking each part to see if she was still whole.
"Take Miriam. I'm okay," Zoe yelled as she coughed and started crawling toward the back door. He released Miriam's limp body from the chair and slung her over his back, following Zoe. Sparks flew and mini explosions rushed flames around them. Heat threatened his extremities, and he doubted any of them would make it.
He'd never been so glad to reach the stuffy, Florida summer air. As they rolled out into it, the sound of roaring flames was replaced with sirens. Pushing Miriam carefully next to him, he crawled to Zoe in the dirt and pulled her on top of him. The feel of her body. Her arms as they grabbed hold of him. He ground his teeth together and did everything he could to keep his head.
Loud cracks and the sounds of building materials crumbling to the ground were mixed with the whoosh of spraying water. Men in full firefighter gear came around the side of his house, yelling over their shoulders when they spotted the three of them.
The heat and smoke still burned his eyes. The men were foggy, but he watched them as he held Zoe tight. A figure came from around the dude in front.
Roberts.
Dane's head fell back and thumped on the ground.
"Arrest these three," he heard Roberts yell.
Dane rolled his head to the firefighters who looked to each other. Ignoring the chief, they asked Dane, "Is there anyone else in the house?"
Zoe answered in a raspy squeak. "No one. Chief Roberts kidnapped me and this woman."
"I said arrest these people," Roberts screamed, pushing the firefighter who asked the questions. "Arrest them, or I'll have your jobs."
"We're firefighters, sir," he said, coming to his feet. "There's a fire."
As the chief screamed profanities around them, a firefighter checked Miriam for vitals. She was alive. The firefighter talked in a walkie to someone about her condition.
"Can you walk?" the other one asked him and Zoe.
"I'll arrest these two myself—"
"Chief Roberts, you're under arrest for the murder of Seth Clearwater." It was Osborne. He spoke with a hand on his gun, walking in low, one arm outstretched in front of him, palm up. "You have the right to remain silent... "
Dane collapsed on the ground, pulling Zoe in tighter.
"Um, sir," It was the firefighter. Dane thought. Maybe.
He could hear Roberts going ape shit, Osborne ordering him around. Dane didn't care. He had his Zoe.
"We'd like to get some oxygen on you two," said a voice near him. "I will bring it back here for you."
Dane kissed the top of Zoe's head. Her hair reeked of smoke, but he could still smell his Zoe. "We can walk," he said. They rose slowly, and he noticed Osborne taking Roberts away in cuffs. Too bad Miriam couldn't see it. They were loading her on a stretcher.
Dane's drive looked like a used car lot for the city. Police cars, marked and unmarked, fire engines, ambulances.
Purposely, he walked close enough to hear the conversation between Roberts, Osborne, and another officer. Roberts demanding the reason for his arrest. Osborne responding with something about a witness who swears Roberts told him he was going to kill Miriam's lover. About Roberts threatening to strangle a man he thought looked at his wife the wrong way. Something about a plane ticket to Reno in the chief's name tagging him as a flight risk. Osborne told him to forget about bail with the amount of money they found in his bank accounts. A police chief with that kind of money?
It was hard not to stare. Roberts turned more shades of red than Dane knew existed. "I have connections," Roberts howled. "I'll have each of your badges before this is over, and it's far from over." Spit flew as he yelled. Osborne put a hand on Roberts' head and guided him into the back of his car. If only Dane had a camera.
* * *
Zoe stood fifty feet from the shore. The sun was just setting. It mixed with scattered clouds creating brilliant oranges, yellows, and blues. They were mirrored in the waves that rolled in and out like a waltz.
"Here you go, little sister," Raine said as she lifted the bucket Zoe had kept in her shower throughout the day. It was covered in a towel, but Zoe could hear the dozens of tiny flippers scraping the sides. One hundred twenty-six sets of tiny flippers sensed the cooling evening air. They were from a daytime hatching and had been collected by the now-certified Zoe.
Rarely did any of the Clearwater family miss a hatchling release. They kneeled in two tight lines between Zoe and the water. Dane was between Willow and Harmony.
Tourists began to wander over, curious, hoping the gathering had something to do with sea turtles. Tonight, they hit the jackpot.
Certified and legal—thanks to Dane—Zoe took the towel from over the bucket. Inside was a mass of commotion, little guys and girls letting instinct move them.
"Come on over." Zoe used her free hand to wave at the tourists. "We're about to release a nest of hatchlings. You're welcome to join either line, but please watch your movements as the turtles make their way to the water." She checked carefully to make sure everyone was still, providing an adequate path for the hatchlings.
"A nest of hatchlings emerged this morning," she began to explain. As Raine's class had taught her, she picked one up, pinching it gently between its shell and underside, then held it up. The crowd let out a chorus of oohs and aahs, her family included. "They emerged in daylight which is a dangerous time for hatchlings. The birds and fish that are their predators would easily see them. Since only about one in a thousand of these little guys will survive to adulthood, regulations say we capture them, release them in the dark and give them a fighting chance."
She set the bucket in the sand in front of her. "The hatchlings need to make this walk to the water and feel the sand beneath their bodies. It's part of the process of survival. Please stay put as they make their way." Carefully, she tipped her bucket. And the race was on. One hundred twenty-six turtles each about the size of a silver dollar ran across the sand between the line of human knees. Instinct provided a powerful driving force and led them in a straight line to the water.
"Don't touch them, please," Zoe said as she monitored the spectators carefully. "If you notice one that needs some help, a certified volunteer will give it some assistance." A few stragglers took their time or wandered in the wrong direction. Since they represented much of the last two years of Zoe's life, she picked them up and turned them toward the horizon, prodding them on.
It was much like what Dane had done for her.
The first few reached the shore and were kicked back by the tide. It was as if the water forced them to prove their worthiness by fighting. And fight they did. Rushing back and forth with the coming and going of the waves, the turtles kept moving until they disappeared in the dark liquid.
* * *
It was a party. Most people wouldn't understand, but that was okay. Rarely did people understand Zoe's family. Judging from the turnout at Seth's funeral, people were okay with not understanding. Go figure. The Sun Trips employees, too. Almost all accepted her relationship with Dane and her role in the business.
He'd put Willow in charge of the
flowers. Zoe noted she chose daisies and carnations instead of the calla lilies and roses at Seth's traditional funeral. They were in every corner of the pontoon boat as well as hanging from the awning. A large bowl of daisy petals rested at the bow of the boat.
The noise of celebration drowned any hint of wind or boats passing by. The girls wore sundresses with flat sandals. The guys had on linen shirts and pants. It was hot even for an early August day coasting on the Florida Gulf. No one minded.
The boat bobbed in the choppy water as Liam drove. He played music about Banana Pancakes and people that were Better Together. Willow and Chloe stood next to him.
"They're idiots."
Zoe felt the cool breeze from his breath and inhaled the scent of leather and ocean.
Dane.
Giving herself ample time to recover from the sudden blast of sensory overload, she asked, "Who?"
He gestured his head toward Liam and Willow. "Blind idiots."
Ah. "It's complicated."
"Not really."
He turned to face her and placed the palm of his hand on her cheek. "You... are complicated. This..." He lifted her hand and rolled her engagement ring in a circle. "...is not." Bringing her hand to his lips, he kissed the ring before dropping his mouth to hers.
"Get a room." It was Raine, of course.
It made her laugh as she realized the boat was slowing down. Liam chose a spot near The Kitchen. The birds from the sanctuary eyed them wearily. Her family stood and all took their places around the perimeter of the boat. Everyone was there. Her mother had strong-armed Matt and Miriam to join them as well.
Liam set the anchor and Harmony stepped forward in the circle. "We are here as a Celebration of Life for the time we had with Seth. Those of us who would like to, please share something you're thankful for and a wish you have for Seth or his legacy. I'll start by thanking him for the times he kept Henry and me together. It was hard to work in the day and go to school at night, raising a child as a teenager. But it was harder not to smile when he took his first steps or said his first words. My wish is that he is smiling at this celebration right now from somewhere above." She took a handful of daisy petals and threw them down wind. A gust grabbed them, scattering the white petals in a playful dance before landing in the water.
"I want to thank Seth," Raine said as she took a step into the center of the circle, "for not ratting me out the times he caught me underage at the Tiki Bar."
Their mother grinned and added, "My Stitch and Bitch friends told me about those times, dear. You were in college. I kept an eye on you."
"Stitch and Bitch?" Dane huffed in Zoe's ear. "I adore that woman."
In fact, it took a few minutes before everyone stopped laughing.
"I hope his legacy carries on," Raine continued. "Through Luciana's bar, the playful search for her dowry and the attraction it brings, keeping this island alive."
Each took their turns. Some were serious. Most were humorous. Chloe thanked Seth for his version of how babies were born and hoped grandma wouldn't tell her any more of that stuff. When everyone had their turn, Zoe's mother faced Miriam and Matt. They glanced to each other before Miriam spit something out in her napkin. Zoe assumed it was nicotine gum. "Seth saved my life in more ways than one. On so many levels, I was wrong to be with him. I'll never forget him and am so very sorry for what my husband took from me... from all of you."
Tears began streaming down her cheeks. Matt saved her by speaking up. "I want to thank you all for your help in the investigation. I can say that, right?... and I hope I can do justice for him by putting away the person who did this."
Matt's eyes darted around from person to person. Zoe noticed him inhale before holding up both hands. Her father let out a rare, "Whoot!" and ordered Liam to turn up the music.
Zoe took Dane's hands and wrapped them around her back, moving her hips in a figure eight as she pressed them into him. Raine walked by with the bowl of flower petals. Dane rotated him and Zoe so they could watch as she held it out to Matt. He seemed to sigh with relief. Reaching in, he grabbed a handful and threw them up in the air. Everyone lifted their hands and turned the boat into a dance floor.
They drank and danced and ate, then danced some more. These were her family and friends. And her treasure hunter. He dipped her low as he pulled her thigh around his solid hip and kissed her hard. Hers forever.
The music was loud and a small feast was eaten. Miriam sat alone, watching the water as they trolled along the coast.
"I have to ask," Zoe said as she lowered into the chair next to her. "I understand why you broke into my parents' home, even my place. But why Seth's apartment building? Did you think the letters could have been in the walls of his place?"
Her eyes were red as they turned to her, but the tears weren't falling. She looked honestly puzzled. "Someone was looking in the walls of Seth's apartment?"
The End
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ISLAND PURSUIT
The Island Escape Series
Book Two
Excerpt
Island Pursuit
The Island Escape Series
Book Two
by
R.T. Wolfe
Bestselling Author
It killed Liam to see her like this. Doing her Yoga thing with one arm. She sat on the floor with her legs out, cradling her bad arm like a newborn baby. Willow Clearwater wasn't the type to complain. With a straight back, she slowly leaned forward until her bad arm nearly touched the floor in front of her. Damn it if it wasn't sexy.
Leaning against the doorjamb watching her was probably boarder line creepy, but his head was a mess since the attack on her parent's restaurant. The overhang to the outdoor patio had been fixed days ago, yet Willow would be in pain with a useless arm for weeks to come.
As he watched, he realized her long blonde locks were flatter than usual. "Why don't you let me wash your hair for you?"
She didn't jump at the announcement of his presence, but her body stilled. Her back gently expanded, then contracted as she rose to an upright position. When her eyes turned to meet his, the blue was warm and inviting. Beautiful tiny lines radiated from the corners as she smiled. "Liam. Hello. You would do that for me?"
He sighed. Of course he would. "I would."
She crisscrossed her legs then stood, unfolding herself like a smooth, human accordion. "I set up some stuff in the kitchen. I was going to try and do it one-armed after I got some kinks out."
"You shouldn't have any kinks." He could feel the heat of frustration radiating up his back.
She stood and made circles with her good shoulder. "You have kinks of your own. How is your back?"
He headed toward the kitchen to see about this 'stuff' she had set up. "It's nothing."
"Holding up an extensive wooden overhang isn't nothing. Have you been doing the stretches I showed you?"
He didn't turn but heard her melodic voice following him. "Yes." The stretches had helped. It was amazing. He felt nearly healed while Willow had a useless arm and shoulder.
As he turned, she unzipped then removed her yoga jacket using her good arm. His heart jumped into his throat, choking off any form of air. Beneath was one of those sports bras that came below the ribs. Her smooth lanky arms draped the jacket over a chair. The dumbfounded look on his face must have been apparent since she finished her stroll to the s
ink with her arms crossed over her chest.
He was still frozen when she stopped at the sink and looked over her shoulder in question. Her long, blonde hair partially covered her face causing his feet to begin to walk purposefully toward her in order to brush it behind her back.
Smiling meekly, she turned to the sink. "Are you sure about this?"
Reaching over her, he turned on the water. She smelled like the flowers her mother planted in the planter boxes on her porch. He took a towel from next to the sink and folded it in front of her. Gently, he placed his hand on the back of her head as she lowered over the ceramic bowl. Using the hand spray, he waited for the water to warm while stroking the long locks of her hair to one side. She turned her head, exposing the lids that closed over her beautiful blue eyes.
He stepped closer, pressing along the backs of her thighs as he ran the warmth over her scalp. Her body melted into him as her hair ran wet over his hands. Careful not to compromise her shoulder, he turned off the water and found which bottle read, 'shampoo.'"
"Why didn't you ask someone to help you with this? You have two sisters." And you have me. You will always have me. He poured some shampoo into the palm of his hand, considered how much hair she had, then poured some more. He used his fingertips to spread the silky bubbles over her scalp. Massaging, cleaning. He could get lost in this woman.
The muscles in her back relaxed and he swore he heard a small croon come from her lips. He quickly rotated away from her as his body reacted as it always did when he was close to Willow. How long could he go on like this?
Island Pursuit
The Island Escape Series
Book Two
by
R.T. Wolfe
~
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Island Pursuit
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