To Honor and To Protect

by Debra Webb

  “By alligators.”

  She nodded, laughed a little. “That’s right.” But she needed to prepare him for the worst-case scenario.

  “I’m too big to be alligator food.” Andy puffed out his chest. “Drew said so.”

  How had she missed that conversation? Addison ruffled Andy’s hair, seeing the baby he’d been despite how much he’d already grown up. She knew she’d never recover if anything happened to him. She braced for an irritable reaction. “While I agree with Drew, that’s no reason to forget safety.”

  “Safety’s why I won’t be alligator food.”

  “Oh, that is good news.”

  “Can we eat?”

  “Just as soon as Drew gets back.” She checked her watch, thinking of the twenty-minute time limit. The bag was by the door, a black-duffel reminder that trouble could fall on their heads at any minute.

  “We didn’t wait for Craig to eat with us.”

  “Sure we did.” At restaurants.

  “Did not.”

  She aimed a raised eyebrow at Andy. “I know you’re hungry, but—”

  “Hungry isn’t a reason to be rude,” he finished, plopping his head on his hands. “I worked up an appetite.”

  That conversation she remembered. “We had quite an adventure today. What was your favorite part?”

  “Climbing the tree. Next time I’ll go higher.”

  Not if she had anything to say about it. “What did you see?”

  “More trees, just like Drew said I would. But you and him looked really small from up there.”

  She smiled, giving the gumbo another stir. “I guess that’s fair. You look pretty small from over here,” she teased.

  “Hey!” Andy said when the joke sank in. “I’m getting bigger every day. I’m almost eight.”

  “All right, big guy, get down three plates and set the table.”

  It all seemed so normal to set a table for the three of them. She checked her watch, hoping they wouldn’t have to run before they had dinner. Her pulse rushed for a split second at the first sound of boots on the steps.

  “It’s me,” Drew called before the second footfall.

  Andy raced to the door and held it open. “Hurry up. I’m hungry.”

  “Andy,” she scolded.

  “It’s true.”

  “You held dinner?” Drew walked in and gave the table a long look.

  She nodded, tried to smile.

  “Let me wash up.”

  She stepped back from the sink. The small shack had felt roomy enough when it was just her and Andy. With Drew, it felt cramped and she was too aware of him. Maybe they should eat out on the porch. It would be cooler than in here with the woodstove, but before she could suggest it, Drew and Andy were settled at the table.

  “How’s the perimeter?” Andy asked, taking his time with the new word.

  Drew glanced up at her as she served the gumbo.

  “A learning opportunity,” she said.

  “The perimeter is fine,” Drew replied. “This smells great.”

  Addison didn’t miss the immediate change of topic.

  “Craig doesn’t like gumbo, but you have to eat what you’re served,” Andy said.

  “His loss,” Drew said. “Your mom’s gumbo is one of my favorite things.”

  “Really?” Andy’s eyes went wide.

  Drew nodded, filling his mouth with a big spoonful. When he’d swallowed, he set his spoon down and applauded. “Just like I remember. How’d you manage this out here?”

  “Nico was determined to give his mother all the amenities, even if they’re decades out of date and rough around the edges.”

  “She didn’t have a summer house, did she?”

  Addison peered at Drew, tamping down the swell of doubt. If he thought they were in immediate danger, they’d be on the move with that black duffel bag by the door.

  “This is her summer place.”

  Drew’s gaze roamed across the room, as if he were taking a visual inventory. “Should I save room for dessert?”

  “We have some ice cream in the freezer outside.”

  “We do?” Andy stared at her. “You said we ate it all.”

  “I said we finished the chocolate. Nico brought more and I wanted to surprise you.”

  “Sneaky,” Andy said with plenty of admiration.

  It was the highest form of praise from her son these days. “Can we eat it outside?”

  “We’ll see,” Drew replied.

  Addison let it go. Though she felt he’d overstepped, she wasn’t going to say anything with Andy watching them so closely.

  “What does that mean?”

  Drew paused, a bite of gumbo halfway to his mouth. “I meant it would depend on how things go.”

  “Huh. Okay. With most moms it means no.”

  “Are you an expert on moms?”

  “Pretty much. Me and my friends talk.”

  Drew’s eyebrows arched as he struggled to keep a straight face.

  “When my mom says it, it means she wants time to think so she won’t have to change her mind later.”

  Drew’s brown gaze locked with hers. “Good to know.”

  Addison managed to eat most of her portion of the gumbo while her son and his real father chattered about guy stuff. The reality slammed home, leaving her reeling. Given a choice, she would have all her nights just like this: a family dinner, aimless chatter, happy faces.

  “Are you full? Mom?”

  “Hmm?”

  “You stopped eating,” Drew said gently.

  “Oh. I’m fine, thanks.” She pushed her chair back from the table. “Who wants dessert?”

  “I think I’d like to wait. Who’s up for a boat ride?” Drew suggested.

  “Tonight?”

  “It could be fun.”

  She shook her head. “It’s too close to dark.”

  Drew made a show of looking out the grimy front window. His big frame, so close, tempted her to touch. Years ago, it would’ve been her pleasure—and his—to reach out and kiss him, to take his hand, to share an embrace. Not now. She crossed back to the table, telling herself it was more safety precaution than retreat.

  “We could do s’mores.”

  “In the boat?” Andy bounced on his seat.

  “Not in the boat. Fire and boats aren’t a good combination. But maybe we could find a spot and build a fire.”

  Now she knew he was up to something, or more accurately, she assumed he’d found something on the perimeter check. “Andy, go brush your teeth and get your things together.”

  “I’ll brush after s’mores. Before bed...” His voice trailed off at her stern look. “Yes, ma’am.”

  Addison snatched the dishes off the table and carried them to the sink. “What did you find?”

  “Trouble,” he said. “Could be locals, or not.”

  “Then they followed you,” she snapped. “Lead them away and we’ll be fine.” It was a lousy argument and they both knew it, but she wasn’t going to just follow anyone blindly anymore. Not even Drew.

  “You promised to let me do my bodyguard thing.”

  “Fine.” She rolled her eyes as she took out her frustration and scrubbed the dishes. “You’re sure we have to move?”

  “As soon as possible.”

  “Where?”

  “I’ll find us something.”

  “Uh-huh. Put out the fire in the stove and let me call Nico.”

  “That’s not smart.”

  She planted her hands on her hips. “Not smart is wandering through the swamp at night without a destination. I’m making the call and we’ll leave as soon as we clean up everything here.”

  “Addi, we need to go now.”

  “If there was time to eat, there’s time to put this place to rights.”

  Together they had things almost done when Andy came out of the bedroom. “The toothpaste will ruin the s’mores,” he complained, sticking out his tongue.

  With a sigh, she stepped outside to ra
dio Nico for suggestions on where they could go for the night.

  * * *

  DREW LOOKED AT his son, feeling a little less awkward with each conversation, but it was still strange knowing he’d missed everything up to this point.

  “That toothpaste taste will fade by the time we find the perfect place to build a campfire,” Drew said.

  “How do you know what’s the perfect place?”

  “I’ll tell you on the way.”

  “Why do we have to leave? I like it here.”

  “Me, too.” Drew made a show of looking around. “It’s pretty cool.”

  “It’s a swamp fort. On stilts,” Andy said.

  “Should we make a bet on whether our next stop is on stilts, too?”

  Andy frowned thoughtfully. “You can’t put a campfire on stilts.”

  “Why not?”

  “It wouldn’t be camping.”

  “Ah.” Drew dragged out the sound. “Good point,” he noted. “What would it be?”

  “Silly. If the campfire’s on stilts, you can’t reach it to roast marshmallows for s’mores.”

  Drew laughed. “You sure know a lot of stuff.”

  “Yes, I do.”

  Drew heard the porch creaking as Addi approached. “Did you get all your things out of the bedroom?” she asked her son.

  “Most of it,” Andy replied.

  “Well, let’s take it all, just in case.”

  “In case of what?”

  “In case someone else needs to have an adventure here. It’s not very big. They’ll need room for their stuff.”

  “Okay,” he grumbled.

  They might as well take it all, Drew thought. Since she didn’t seem to be in any hurry to cooperate with his advice. He gathered up the few items Addison had unpacked and put them in the small suitcase while Andy picked up the last of his possessions and stowed them in his backpack.

  “Hey, what’s that?” Drew asked, catching a glimpse of a familiar color scheme.

  “My new Captain America comic book.” Andy held it out. “Wanna see it?”

  “Sure.”

  Drew sat on the bed, the mattress sagging, so Andy could watch him flip through the pages. “This is the new one.”

  “Uh-huh. I saved my allowance and Mom took me to get it. We read it every night.”

  “Is Captain America your favorite?”

  Andy nodded. “Unless I’m mad.”

  “What do you read when you’re mad?”

  “Incredible Hulk!” He hopped off the bed and made a growling sound as he imitated the famous green monster pose. “Hulk, smash!”

  “Wow. Remind me not to make you mad. You’re scary.”

  Andy burst into a fit of giggles.

  “Let’s roll out,” Drew suggested.

  “Hey, that’s from Transformers,” Andy said.

  “Sure is.” Drew wanted to scoop up Andy and tell him the truth, but Addi insisted on waiting. It was all he could do to hold in the news until she was ready.

  They returned to the kitchen, and Addison’s pale face worried him. “Did Nico have any ideas?”

  She set the radio on the small table. “Yes.”

  “And?”

  “I’ll tell you on the way.”

  He knew that face, knew it was all he’d get until she was ready to share. “We have everything from back there.”

  “Great. Thanks.” She pulled a cooler out of the corner and packed a few supplies from the fridge.

  “Come on, Andy.” He held out his hand. “Let’s you and me get the boat loaded and ready.”

  “Wait.”

  He turned, saw the debate play out across her features. Her pale blue eyes were clouded with worry. “Andy can help me with the cooler.”

  “That’s a girl job,” Andy protested.

  “Since when is food a girl job?”

  Drew came to his rescue. “I think Andy means we’re in Transformer mode. I’ll send him back up to help you with the cooler the second we’re done with this load.”

  She shot him an assessing look so long that he nearly begged for her to give him an inch of trust.

  “Drew?” Andy piped up. “It takes me longer than a second to get up the stairs. I timed it.”

  “Go on,” Addi relented. “If you’re Transformers, I can find my super strength.”

  “You’re sure?” Drew hefted the bug-out bag onto his shoulder.

  “The sooner we get going, the sooner we all get s’mores.”

  That was all Andy needed to hear as he yanked Drew toward the door.

  Andy got a tremendous amount of glee out of the rubber boat Drew had used to reach the shack. But he surprised Drew when he asked about taking the boat his mom had brought along.

  “What boat?” Drew had assumed, with no evidence to the contrary, that Addi’s friend Nico had brought them out here and left with the only boat.

  “Over here.”

  Andy trotted up the bank and pulled back a screen of leaves, revealing an old flat-bottomed boat with a fairly clean motor and a full canister of gas.

  “Nice.” He’d looked around in the daylight and walked right by it. When had Addi learned to do that? Maybe he was as useless as the army claimed. “We can take both.”

  “I’m riding with you.”

  Drew was flattered but refused to leave Addi out of that equation. “If your mother agrees.”

  The little shoulders rolled back, determined. “I’ll ask nice.”

  “That’s the best policy,” Addi said with a little huff as she joined them on the wobbly dock. “What’s the question?”

  “If we take two boats, may I please ride with Drew?”

  Drew held his breath while he waited for her answer, surprised at how much he wanted her to say yes.

  “I suppose.”

  She didn’t sound thrilled about it, but Andy’s enthusiasm made up for any lack on his mother’s part. Drew wondered if it meant she was trusting him, or if it was simply more expedient to agree. Of course, she had yet to reveal their next stop.

  He knelt in front of Andy. “You’ll have to sit still.”

  The boy’s head bobbed up and down. “I will.”

  “And we’ll need to be very quiet when we’re on the water. Can you do that?”

  Andy mimed locking his lips and throwing away the key.

  Getting to his feet, Drew looked to Addi. “Lead the way.”

  They pushed the boats into the water and paddled quietly away from the bank. The motors weren’t worth risking the unwanted attention.

  Though she was only a few yards ahead of him, he could barely see Addi’s boat and he followed her more by sound than sight. Weak moonlight shifted through the treetops and splashed across the black water. The mirrorlike surface shifted with ripples each time Addi’s paddle dipped under, rose and dipped again.

  Her years of city living and corporate success hadn’t dimmed any of the skills she’d mastered in her youth. She was as at home out here as he remembered.

  Moving through the night-covered swamp, with the subtle sounds of Addi’s paddle ahead of him and Andy’s soft breath behind him, his mind wandered back to the day he’d met her.

  He’d come down to New Orleans with a few army buddies to celebrate Mardi Gras. Ready to party, he hadn’t been ready to fall for the gorgeous blonde with the wide smile and pale blue eyes. Back then he didn’t have a thought to spare for luck or destiny when his group of friends met up with hers in a blues bar in the French Quarter.

  Over strong drinks and the sexy, low pulse of music, the soldier and the law student found some common ground despite their differences. Smart as a whip, only her soft Southern drawl gave away her Mississippi farm-girl roots.

  He could still remember calling the next day, sweating as he wondered if she’d given him a bogus number and grinning like a fool when she’d eagerly accepted his invitation to lunch. From that moment, they’d been inseparable, holding hands, exchanging hot, breath-stealing kisses and longing for more of each oth
er. By the end of the week, they were all but engaged, overlooking the tough romantic geography of her law school and his career keeping them apart.

  That day, that first sweet memory and all the memories that followed had kept him going through every dark moment as a prisoner. His captors hadn’t broken him because he’d had her in that sacred part of his mind, heart and soul. And while he’d had her, she’d had their son.

  “You okay back there?” he asked, pitching his voice low.

  “Yes,” Andy whispered. “Is Mom okay?”

  “She’s doing great.”

  “How much longer?”

  “No idea, but we’ll have s’mores when we get there.”

  “Promise?” Andy asked around a yawn.

  “I guarantee it.” Drew balanced the paddle across his knees, listening. “Quiet for the rest of the way.”

  “’Kay,” Andy whispered.

  The swamp opened up and the sky above sparkled with starlight between the thick line of trees marching along the banks. It seemed the world held its breath, watching Addi guide her little boat around islands of cypress trees weeping with Spanish moss. He followed closely, keeping his boat on the same line as hers, unwilling to risk areas that might be too shallow.

  They made it to the far side without any trouble and into another narrow waterway. At the slow pace, the only strain was on his patience, but he wanted to get far enough from the shack so he could determine the risk to her and Andy.

  At last, she paddled for the shore, using a low-hanging limb to pull the boat in snugly. Her feet landed in the soft mud of the bank with a quiet smack and she had the boat out of the water before he could help. He had no idea what landmark she was using, but he was grateful to see the shadow of a smile on her face when they were all ashore, along with their gear.

  “You really want to camp?” He had two tarps in the duffel.

  “No. Our accommodations are just a short hike in.”

  He looked past her but couldn’t make out anything but tall grass. Tipping his head toward Andy, he asked, “How short?”

  “Five minutes,” she answered. “You can time us,” she said to Andy.

  At just over four minutes per Andy’s watch, Drew stared into what looked more like an abandoned survivalists’ meeting place instead of a secluded spot to hide.

  “This way,” Addi said, adjusting her grip on the cooler. She turned into the trees and led them across a narrow strip of firmer ground into a clearing. With her flashlight, she spotlighted the modest, solitary square shack with cypress trees as footers.