by Cindy Miles
A true hero, in Sean’s eyes.
And she was crazy in love with him.
Even crazier, he was in love with her, as well.
Two things she’d not expected to happen when she’d driven to Morgan’s river cottage back in June.
Sean spent time with Emily and little baby Rose, and a sweeter pair she’d never encountered. Em was a born pro at mommy-hood, and she sang the Josephine song to the infant. Nine times out of ten the song put her to rights if she was fussy. Even now, as Sean sat on the back deck, she could hear the sound of Emily’s old record player, the mournful songs of Ella Fitzgerald wafting over the marsh.
So many things, noises, scents, sounds, had become home to her. And to Willa.
It was the following week, midafternoon, when Willa was visiting Jep for a day of cracking pecans and playing chess that Sean was alone. Nathan was out on the Tiger Lily with Owen, and the faintest dregs of a storm appeared over the river. She decided to walk to the floating dock to write some notes.
In all actuality, Sean had wondered if she’d be able to return to her work. Now that she felt safe for her and Willa, a wash of inspiration filled her mind. Nathan’s accounts of his boyhood adventures with his brothers on their own private Neverland island? Of Irish diamonds in the sea, merfolk and magical moonbeams across the water? She’d decided to put a few ideas together for a new children’s book. Now that she no longer had to run, to hide, perhaps it wouldn’t be as difficult. And, although the trial in Houston could take months—maybe even years—her mind would be 100 percent at ease. Chase would remain in jail, though. His bail had been denied because he’d been seen as a flight risk with the means to leave the country. The relief Sean felt as that awful part of her life came to an end was overwhelming. In a good way, though. At last, she could stop running.
A smile touched her lips as she grabbed a pad of paper and a pen from her kitchen drawer, then trotted down the dock to take notes.
Ideas for a new children’s book came to her mind—the first in quite some time—and she tucked herself into the dock house and waited for the storm to approach, and furiously began writing notes.
* * *
NATHAN NAVIGATED THE Tiger Lily through the inlet and made his way toward Morgan’s Creek. When he neared Morgan’s place, he searched for Sean and Willa. The dock was empty. Probably the storm clouds spurred them to head inside. A light drizzle had kicked up since they’d dragged anchor. He’d dock the Tiger Lily and head over to their place.
Once docked, Nathan took off. He’d been hungry to see Sean all day, and a smile touched his mouth as he pulled into their drive. Jumping out of the truck, he leaped up the steps and let himself in.
“Sean?” he called, and walked through the house.
An uneasy feeling grabbed him.
It was just like before.
He took off, only to be met by Matt and Eric outside.
Nathan’s eyes widened. “What?”
“He made bail and although given instruction not to leave, he left Houston,” Matt said. “Apparently, he’s friends with the judge. Jep’s contact just called.”
“Sean’s gone,” Nathan said.
“Willa’s with Jep,” Eric added. “Let me make some calls.” He turned and pulled his cell out.
Nathan scoured the ground and saw Sean’s footprints leading down to the dock. He took off running, and once at the end, found a small notebook and a pen, lying on the floater, the pages whipping in the wind. Her blue Keds were kicked off to the side. There was no sign of her. Anywhere.
“He took her, Matt,” Nathan said, panic setting in. “I shouldn’t have left her.”
“This isn’t you, bro,” he said and grabbed Nathan by the shoulders. “It’s him. All him.”
“Hey,” Eric said, jogging to meet them. “He rented a boat. Gerald just ID’d him.”
Nathan said nothing. He pushed past his brothers then took off running.
He saw red.
He’d kill Black. If one hair was out of place on Sean, he’d kill the man.
“Whoa, Nathan,” Matt said, catching up and grabbing him by the arm to stop him. Thunder rolled gently overhead, and the gray sky had dropped, making everything surreal, gloomy.
“We go together,” Eric said. “Jake’s bringing a boat around to Dad’s.”
Nathan headed for his truck, his brothers climbed in and he took off down the drive, skidding out onto the river road and up to his own drive. The engine hadn’t died before Eric and Matt were out, running to the dock.
Nathan was right behind them.
Within minutes, Jake, the rescue swimmer Nathan had introduced to Sean at the Fourth of July celebration, pulled up to the dock in his private skiff. The three Malone brothers jumped in and Jake took off toward the inlet at top speed.
“Captain has the chopper,” Jake hollered over the wind and engine. “He sees them first, we’ll know it.”
Nathan barely heard Jake’s voice. His brain hummed with anger, fear and something he couldn’t quite define. So much fury built inside him, he all but shook where he stood, holding on to the rail. His eyes scanned the horizon, searching.
“No way he knows our waterways,” Matt hollered. “We’ll find him.”
The storm pierced the air with thunder, and the rain picked up, slashing sideways, stinging Nathan’s skin. He didn’t care. All he cared about was finding Sean.
Minutes later, Jake rounded the first barrier island, and a crackle came over the radio.
“Two islands down,” the voice stated. “In a small skiff, just on the Atlantic side.”
Jake turned the wheel and the skiff lurched forward, flying over the choppy water as they maneuvered the small barrier islands.
The rain poured down now, a deluge nearly as fierce as the one the day Rose was born. There, ahead, the skiff was in the water, on its side, and Nathan’s throat nearly closed. He scanned the water for Sean, any signs of her.
Then he saw Black, just as he pulled himself onto the island’s shore.
“There she is!” Matt hollered.
Jake turned the boat and raced toward where Sean was, clutching a seat cushion.
Nathan clamored to the skiff’s side and turned to Jake as they closed in on Sean. “Slow down!” he hollered, and when Jake did, Nathan dived in. He swam hard against the current and grabbed Sean under the arms and pulled her against his chest. Swimming backward, he stopped, treading water, as Matt and Eric leaned over the skiff’s rail.
Nathan pushed the water from Sean’s eyes and kissed her. “I’ll be right back,” he said, and handed her up toward his brothers’ outreaching arms.
Then Nathan, blinded by fury, took off toward the shore. His arms cut through the water as fast and as hard as he’d ever swum before, and finally, his feet found sand beneath them. He dragged up onto the beach. He knew these islands. He knew all of them.
Black didn’t.
And Nathan wasn’t leaving until he had him.
Just then, through the downpour, Nathan caught sight of Black’s blue shirt, heading into the small bit of wood. He took off after him, cutting sideways, and caught up with him.
Black turned and held a pistol, pointing it right at Nathan.
“She doesn’t belong to you!” Chase screamed against the wind. He looked wild. Feral. Out of his mind. Maybe he was.
Nathan lunged at him, just as a shot rang out.
Fire seared Nathan’s shoulder, but he ignored it and threw his arms around Black’s legs. Nathan’s left arm didn’t seem to want to do much, so he grabbed the pistol with his right and threw it, then cocked Black with his fist. They went down in the sand, and Nathan came out on top, and he beat Black until he stopped moving, and until Matt pulled him off. Only then did Nathan feel the weakness take over him, and although he’d ris
en to his feet, he now dropped to his knees.
Nathan felt the sand as his face collided with the ground, but before blackness filled his eyes, he saw Eric give Black a good kick in the gut. Heard Black groan. Heard Matt swear.
Then, Nathan saw and heard nothing at all.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
“HEY THERE, HANDSOME.” Sean’s voice broke through the haze and fog of his fuzzy mind. “How are you feeling?”
Nathan blinked several times, trying to clear his blurry vision. “I’m good,” Nathan said. “Only, I think I’m in some weird dream.”
Sean giggled. “Why do you think that?”
“Because,” Nathan said, blinking some more, “I think a fairy is hovering over me. She’s cute, don’t get me wrong. Shiny dark hair, cut just so,” he said, wiggling his fingers toward Sean’s head. “Giant gorgeous eyes and cute pointy ears.”
Sean leaned over and gently pressed her lips to Nathan’s, and he breathed her in.
“I don’t have pointy ears,” Sean whispered.
He stared hard at her, and her face came into clear view.
Worry lined her eyes, and dark circles sat beneath those beautiful orbs.
“You saved me,” she said, and rewarded him with another kiss. “Again.”
Nathan found Sean’s hands and threaded their fingers together. “He won’t bother you again, darlin’. I promise.”
“I know,” Sean said softly. “Thank you for coming after me. He came out of nowhere, took me completely off guard—”
“Shh,” Nathan crooned, and pressed a finger over her lips to shush her. “He’s gone, baby. He won’t cut into our lives again.”
“Jep says he’s going to jail for long time now,” she said. “He won’t have a judge friend post his bail this time. They’ve added another kidnapping charge, and attempted murder.” Her voice caught, and tears welled in her eyes. “Nathan, he could have killed you.”
Nathan gave her a gentle tug. “He didn’t. I’m here, and I’m fine, and I’m not going anywhere,” he promised.
“The shot was a clean one,” Sean said, and her face blanched a little as she nodded toward his shoulder, wrapped in white gauze. “Through and through. You lost a lot of blood, though,” she said. “You need to rest.”
“Stay?” Nathan asked.
“I wouldn’t dream of leaving.”
He stared at her for several moments, searching. “I love you, Sean Jacobs.”
Sean smiled, gave a soft laugh and wiped her eyes. “I love you back, Nathan Malone.”
“Good,” he said, and closed his eyes. “Good.”
“Well, it’s about time you woke,” Jep’s gruff voice called from the hospital’s doorway. “You all right, son?”
Nathan reached out with his working hand, and his grandfather took it, wrapping his old one around it. Jep squeezed. “Damn hospitals. I spend more time in ’em with you young’uns than I do for my ninety-year-old self.”
Nathan gave a soft laugh.
“I’m glad you’re all right, son. Gave me a hell of a scare.” He looked at Sean. “You too, missy.”
Sean grinned. “Yes, sir.”
“Captain Nathan!”
Willa darted in from the doorway, Owen close behind. She pulled to a stop at the hospital bed, inspecting Nathan’s shoulder. Her wide blue eyes found his, and she smiled.
“Does it hurt, Captain Nathan?”
“Nah,” Nathan said. “Just a little.”
Willa nodded then inspected the rest of Nathan, and she slowly walked around the bed to come to stand close. She leaned over, looking into his eyes. “Are you sick?”
Nathan grinned and tapped Willa on the nose. “No, baby, my shoulder’s sore. I’ll be okay and back home soon enough.”
“Home to your home? Or home to mine and Mama’s home?” Willa asked.
Nathan’s gaze moved to Sean’s and held it steady, and a slow smile lifted his mouth. “We’ll see,” Nathan said.
“Okay,” Willa announced, and slipped her hand into Jep’s. “Let’s go, King Jep.”
Jep looked at Sean and Nathan and shrugged. “Wrapped,” he announced. “That’s all I’m saying.”
Nathan and Sean laughed as Jep and Willa left the room.
Sean sat beside him and threaded her fingers through his. She laid her head on his chest, and Nathan’s heart surged with love.
Would he ever get used to his girls?
A thought finally struck him, and he tugged on Sean until she looked up at him.
“I found your notebook on the floating dock. Who is Nathaniel, Fairy King?” he asked with a smirk. “Please tell me I’m the witty, handsome Fairy King. Brave, too. Did I mention handsome?”
Sean grinned. “You’re not too shy, are you?”
Nathan pulled her closer. “Nary a shy bone in my Fairy King body.”
“Well, then. Let me run a few ideas by you. See how well you can manage being Nathaniel, Fairy King.”
“Only if you’ll be Sean, Fairy Queen.”
At her expression, his heart soared.
He wanted to tell her that, at last, she could stop running. For good.
She had her prince.
Her champion.
A family for her and Willa.
He would tell her. Soon.
EPILOGUE
THE LONG DOG days of summer rolled to a balmy end on Cassabaw, and September settled over the barrier island.
The past couple of months had been pretty remarkable.
At least, in Nathan’s eyes.
In the short span of a summer, Nathan had discovered who he truly was, what he wanted out of life and that he mattered.
He hadn’t been responsible for Addie’s death.
He’d stayed in that furious Bering Sea until he could barely keep his head above the bobbing waves, searching for his fiancée. Then later, in the chopper, he’d searched and searched. He’d done all he could to find her, and hadn’t been able to rescue her. Hell, he hadn’t even been able to find her body. The sea had, indeed, swallowed her.
But he’d done his best. He knew that now.
It’d taken a while for him to get it.
And it had taken a pair of sweet fairies to make him understand it.
The sun began its descent over Cassabaw as he and Owen navigated the Tiger Lily through the inlet, and the salty breeze lifted Nathan’s hair and left that familiar, tangy grit on his skin. He loved the sea. While he’d never go back to the Coast Guard—because he’d made his life now running the Malones’ shrimping business—he no longer shrugged away memories of the Guard. He’d been a good rescue swimmer. It’d taught him a lot. His captain, his mates—he’d learned valuable lessons from them all. It was a part of his past, and now, it was a past he could be proud of. He’d hold on to those memories, be proud of the lives he’d saved. There’d been a hell of a lot.
He remembered each one, too.
As the Tiger Lily chugged along, Nathan looked up, watched the fading sun spear through the mossy canopy above, and he smiled. His life had been saved, too.
Sean Jacobs and her daughter, Willa, had saved it.
Fate had sent those two fairy angels his way, and he’d be grateful for it till the day he died.
As Morgan’s place came into view, so did his girls. An automatic smile pulled at his face. Everything had fallen into place. Matt and Em’s little Rose was thriving and healthy. Eric and Reagan were planning their wedding for the spring. And now, Nathan had met the love of his life, and she came with the most engaging little daughter. Every time he looked at them, joy filled his heart. It was all he’d ever wanted in life.
Chase Black was incarcerated while awaiting trial. This time, there’d be no judge to award Black bail. S
ean had agreed to testify, and they’d go to Houston together to see it done. He’d be glad to finally be rid of Black and the threats he’d held over Sean’s head for so long.
And despite being Willa’s biological father, he’d never gain rights to the little girl. Jep had made sure of that by way of another phone call.
A federal judge.
The depths of Jep’s well of friends in high places never ceased to amaze Nathan.
The trawler grew closer now, and Willa jumped up and down on the dock, her little wings flapping with each leap. Her mama had a pair on, too. The girls—his girls—waved as he passed, and Nathan blasted the horn.
Willa’s squeals of delight echoed down the river.
“I never thought I’d see such joy on your face, son,” Owen said, giving Nathan’s shoulder a squeeze. “Makes my heart feel good. She’s one of us, whether she realizes it yet or not.”
Nathan grinned at his father as he docked the Tiger Lily, and together they leaped out, tied the boat off, and Nathan headed inside to shower then pick up his girls for supper.
After throwing on a blue button-down shirt and a pair of jeans, Nathan pulled his damp hair back and secured it with a leather tie then hurried to Sean and Willa’s.
When he pulled up in the drive, they were both there, sitting on the porch, waiting for him.
His girls. Waiting.
For him.
Willa ran to him and leaped into his arms, and grasped him hard around his neck, being careful not to squeeze his injured shoulder too hard.
For such a little kid, Willa was a gracious, kind old soul.
He tucked her into the cab of the truck, and she pulled her seat belt on.
Nathan then turned to the other woman in his life.
Sean sauntered up to him, inspecting him with a twinkle in her wide eyes. “You take my breath away,” she said, rising onto her tiptoes and pressing a kiss to Nathan’s lips.
His arm went around her waist and he held her there, close to him, and deepened the kiss. Then he pulled back, and his eyes searched hers, and he could see nothing but trust and love there.
