Protecting Melissa (Holiday Cove 4)

He’d adapted miraculously well to our crazy days on the boat, stopping in different cities, and from what I’d heard, he hadn’t even asked that many questions. I was relieved he’d been able to adjust—but at the same time—it pissed me off. It wasn’t something he should have to do. He deserved better.

They both did.

And if I could help them get to something better, a new, more fulfilling life, then I’d consider it a job well done.

A gust of wind smacked the side of the boat so loudly that it rumbled like thunder, echoing over the aluminum siding. I jolted from my thoughts and ran my gaze along the control panel, making my way through a mental checklist. Captaining a boat in the middle of a storm was a lot different than driving anything else. The waves and wind had a helluva lot more control over the direction than I had—even though I was behind the wheel.

The rain pelted the side and top of the boat and between the frantic drumming of the rain and the slamming of the wind, I couldn’t even hear myself think. The waters turned as the wind kicked up, and I gripped the wheel to keep from falling off the side of the captain’s chair. I was glad that we’d taken the time to batten everything down, but I still expected to find a mess down below in the galley once the storm passed.

I didn’t know how long I fought, clinging to the wheel. In some regards, it felt as though I’d been battling the raging waters for days, but then it would change and seem like I’d only just said goodbye to Melissa. All I knew was I had to keep holding on so I could see her and get her back in my arms again.

22

Melissa

“Wheee!”

I rolled my eyes, completely flabbergasted that my son thought we were on a ride at an amusement park instead of stranded on a boat in the middle of a storm.

Kids.

“Jackson, honey, settle down,” I reached across the bed and tugged on his pajama pants before he could scoot off the edge. “It’s not safe for you to be running all over.”

Jackson heaved a sigh, his smile erasing as he flung himself back on the bed. “Why not?”

The boat rocked back and forth and I shot Jackson a look. “That’s why.”

“But I’m so bored!”

I glanced over at the tablet lying on the bed and saw the credits rolling. He’d been watching cartoons for the last two hours and had hit his wall. “I know, sweetheart. We have to stay here until Chase comes back down.”

The lights overhead flickered and I bit the inside of my cheek as we rocked hard again. Is this thing possessed? “Hold on!” My heart accelerated and I grabbed Jackson. If the power was on the fritz, I sure didn’t want him to be walking around the boat.

“Why don’t we find a game to play,” I suggested, pointing at the tablet as I tried to get his mind on something else. “I think Chase downloaded a cool game for you.”

Jackson’s eyes lit up and he lunged for the tablet. “He did?”

“I think he did, let’s see.” I said, trying to keep Jackson’s thoughts on something other than the rocking boat. I hated that Chase was on the bridge, alone, trying to control the boat. I hoped he was okay.

When Chase had given the tablet to Jackson, I’d scoured through it to make sure it didn’t have any un-child friendly materials. Part of it had been out of my own, undeniable curiosity. To my relief, his tablet was loaded with multiple news apps, solitaire style games, and lots and lots of digital magazines—none of which involved tits and ass—on every subject from computer sciences, to cooking tips, to tattoo design.

Based on his reading habits, Chase has an eclectic mix of interests.

Maybe someday things would slow down and I could ask him about his culinary prowess or about the tattoos on his back that I’d seen after he’d stripped his shirt off the other night when we were alone in his room.

“Mama!”

I jerked from the thoughts about Chase’s bare back and leaped over to Jackson. My eyes were wide with alarm as the boat pitched to the side.

“What’s happening?” he squealed.

I smoothed his hair. “We’re going through a little rough patch right now, sweetheart. But Chase is at the wheel and he’s going to—” my words cut off as another roll tossed us like a plastic boat from Jacksons bathtub toy collection back home. “We’re going to be all right. I promise.”

I held Jackson close as the ship rocked again. The suddenness of the storm was unnerving. If it was just the beginning, how bad was it going to get?

“Here, let’s find that game,” I said, reaching for the tablet. I needed something to take Jackson’s mind off the storm.