Total pages in book: 110
Estimated words: 105868 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 529(@200wpm)___ 423(@250wpm)___ 353(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 105868 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 529(@200wpm)___ 423(@250wpm)___ 353(@300wpm)
Christian’s voice carried faintly from the cockpit, but May couldn’t make out the words.
Kyle turned and fired.
The shot cracked across the water.
Ace didn’t slow. He leaped forward and caught Kyle’s wrist mid-aim. The gun went off again, the shot blasting toward the plane. Christian ducked, before lifting back up, fury on his face.
Ace and Kyle crashed into each other in the cramped stern, metal rattling under their weight. May edged away, trying to get clear. Ace drove his shoulder into Kyle’s chest and slammed him into the side. The gun clattered against metal as Kyle kept his grip on the weapon.
Kyle jerked his arm free and swung. The punch landed against Ace’s jaw with a dull crack. Ace’s head snapped sideways. He drove his elbow into Kyle’s ribs and followed with a hard right that caught Kyle across the cheek.
The boat rocked violently, drifting closer to the plane’s float.
Kyle brought the gun up again. Ace grabbed his wrist with both hands and twisted. The gun fired once more. Ace chopped his hand down, and Kyle dropped the gun, which skidded across the wet floor.
May lunged for it.
Kyle kicked her in the shoulder, sending her slamming back against the side. Pain blasted down her arm.
Rage cascaded across Ace’s face. He drove his knee into Kyle’s midsection and followed with a headbutt that split Kyle’s lip open.
Kyle reeled backward and nearly fell overboard. Ace grabbed him by the front of his red shirt and slammed him down onto the aluminum floor. The boat tipped dangerously. He stumbled to his feet.
Ace caught Kyle with an uppercut that threw the senator into the side. Kyle’s eyes closed and he slumped down, partially landing on Jack’s body. Out cold.
Ace moved toward May, his eyes a blinding green in the rain. “You okay?”
She nodded, tears streaming down her face and mixing with river spray.
He gingerly unwrapped the bandage around her head before removing the one binding her wrists, digging his fingers into the wet mess.
“Ace,” she breathed.
He pulled her into him with one arm, crushing her against his chest for a single, fierce second. “You’re okay, Doc. I’ve got you.”
She shivered against him. He’d actually flown to save her. She snuggled in, wrapping both hands around his waist and feeling his solid form. “I know,” she whispered.
He kissed her. Hard. “I love you.”
She swallowed, the rain pounding around them, her heart full. “I love you.”
Ace Osprey had come for her.
Epilogue
The church smelled faintly of lemon oil and old hymnals.
Someone had polished the pews until the wood gleamed, and jars of wild iris and fireweed lined the narrow aisle in careful symmetry. Lottie’s blue ribbons tied around each jar added a touch of whimsy. The light through the tall windows turned everything soft and gold.
May stood beside Ophelia and Daisy in the tiny side room while Amka faced the mirror. Amka might be the most beautiful bride to ever don a white dress. The heavy satin shimmered softly in the warm light, falling in a clean, modest line from her fitted bodice to the floor. The gown was old-fashioned in the best way, with long lace sleeves that buttoned at the wrists and a high neckline edged in delicate pearl beading. The skirt flared gently at her hips before settling into a graceful sweep behind her.
Her black hair had been brushed until it shone like polished obsidian, then gathered low at the nape of her neck in a smooth chignon. A simple fingertip veil flowed from a comb tucked just above it, the sheer fabric beautiful and soft.
Daisy dabbed at her teary eyes. “You don’t even look real,” she whispered.
Ophelia adjusted the tiny row of buttons along Amka’s spine. “It fits like it was made for you.”
“It does,” May said softly.
Amka drew in a slow breath and met May’s gaze in the mirror. “It’s really happening.”
May stepped forward and smoothed the front of the skirt, her throat tight. “Yeah, it is.”
The bridesmaid dresses were fabulous, thanks to newcomer Lottie, the most amazing seamstress in the world. Lottie had found the perfect fabric and battled it into submission over the last two days, stitching until her fingers were sore and every seam lay flat and clean.
Their gowns were a deep river-blue silk that caught the light like moving water. The bodices fit close without squeezing, and the skirts fell in a straight, graceful line to the floor. There was no lace and no extra embellishment, just strong lines and rich color. The blue brought warmth to Ophelia’s hair and made Daisy’s eyes look even greener.
Around each of their wrists rested the same bracelet Amka had given them that morning. The stones were a rich Arctic blue, hand-cut and polished smooth, set into heavy silver shaped in subtle wave patterns. Amka had told them the stones symbolized water and endurance, the current that carried her people for generations and the strength it took to survive it. Water meant life in her culture. It meant connection and coming home.