Page 56 of Landon

“Noel, baby, breathe with me.”

Dots danced before her eyes, the edges of her vision fading. Then suddenly, his face sharpened into focus—those deep-set, stormy eyes framed by slashes of dark, thick brows. His hair wasslightly damp, tousled from his morning shower. His intense gaze cut through the fog, grounding her in the moment.I want to see that face forever, she thought distantly, the panic ebbing.

“Breathe with me. In. Out. In. Out.” His hand was pressed between her breasts, gently pushing against her chest in rhythm with his words.

She focused on his mouth and watched as he breathed in slowly, held it, and breathed out, struggling to match his rhythm.

The fear began to loosen its grip, and the spots in her vision faded, allowing her to truly see him again. She wanted to reach up, trace the line of his jaw, press her face into the warmth of his neck, and let him take away every last trace of the nightmare she’d just endured.

Behind him, just over his shoulder, she caught sight of Tad and Penny, huddled together, their faces drawn and tear-streaked, their eyes fixed on her in fear. The sight of their worry jolted her, stirring something protective within her. She didn’t want to be the source of their distress. Slowly, she reached up, placing a trembling hand on Landon’s arm as his hands braced on either side of her shoulders, steady and grounding.

But his hand pressed lightly against her shoulder, holding her down gently. “No, stay down, Noel,” he said, his voice soft but firm. “I don’t want you getting up too quickly.” His eyes searched her face, his thumb brushing gently across her cheek as if reassuring himself that she was safe with him. He twisted his head and said, “Can you get her some juice?”

Tad whirled around and raced into the house, returning a moment later with a glass of orange juice.

Noel struggled to sit up, but Landon supported her, and Penny knelt at her side, holding the juice for her. She sipped and then said, “Honestly, I'm fine. The dizziness is gone.”

Noel looked over, following Tad’s gaze to the commotion on the beach. The distant sound of an ambulance siren grew louder, and she squeezed her eyes shut, a sigh slipping from her lips. “The Jamaican police must think we’re cursed,” she murmured. Opening her eyes, she turned to Landon, her voice a desperate whisper. “Landon, please… can we go? Can we just leave all of this behind?”

He held her hand tightly, his eyes softening. “I promise, Noel. We're heading to the airport as soon as we finish up here.”

“I don't understand what happened,” she said. “He kept saying I killed his cousin. He said that I shot his cousin, but I tried to tell him that I just shot in the direction of the roof. I told him that I didn’t hit anything. I just scared the man, and he fell off the roof.”

“Noel, youdidhit him,” Tad said.

She looked up, stunned, confusion swirling in her gaze. Landon’s head whipped toward Tad, giving a silent shake of his head, his jaw tightening. Tad’s face paled, his eyes widening as he stammered, “Oh, uh… maybe… I mean, I don’t really know…”

Her heart raced, and she tightened her grip on Landon’s hand. “Landon!” she cried, desperation coloring her voice. “Don’t shush him! Tell me what really happened! I couldn’t have hit him… I don’t even know how to shoot!”

Landon's shoulders slumped as the air rushed from his lungs. Shaking his head, he ran his hand over his face. “Noel, we can talk about this later?—”

“No! I want to talk about this now!”

“Look, honey, Devil and Frazier are telling the police about what happened this morning. They are arresting Horticia. Devil is the one who got a shot off to hit the man’s arm. I knew he had the best aim and was in the best position. The police are going to ask for your statement, too. I don't want to discuss whathappened in the jungle. Let's get this over with and get to the plane.”

Landon helped her to her feet, but she clung to his arms, her fingers digging in as she searched his face. “Just tell me. Did I kill that man on the roof?”

His gaze softened, his hand moving to cup her cheek, his thumb brushing gently against her skin. “No, Noel. You didn’t kill him.”

But something in his voice held back, and she couldn’t help but wait, searching his face for the truth.

He sighed again and said, "Somehow, you managed to hit him in the upper chest with your shot. He fell to the ground, but I sent you and the kids away. He was still alive, soyoudidn't kill him. He was injured badly from the fall, and I knew he wouldn't survive. That’s all I’m going to say right now. You did not kill him. Keep your answers to the police to the exact truth as you know it. Don’t embellish. Don’t add extra comments.”

Her mouth opened to respond, but just then, the police inspector arrived, and Landon’s arm wrapped around her, holding her close as she answered the inspector’s questions. Her voice was steady despite the whirlwind of emotions within her.

“No, I’ve never seen the young man before,” she said calmly. “No, I don’t know why he thought I killed his cousin. No, I don’t know who his cousin is.”

Landon’s answers were similarly brief, and the inspector soon closed his notebook, his expression softening. “I believe we’re done here, Mr. Sommers and Ms. Lennox. I understand you’re ready to leave?”

Devil and Frazier walked up to the patio after ensuring the EMTs had loaded the young man into the ambulance.

Landon nodded. "We’re already packed and ready to head to the airport as soon as you're finished with us."

"We can consider that time to be now. I wish you well, but I know your stay in our country has not been peaceful. If I can extend an invitation to visit Jamaica in a less adventurous time, I will do so.”

He nodded, then walked away, and Noel watched as everyone around her seemed to hustle into the house. Devil and Frazier followed Penny and Tad, telling them to check their rooms. The idea of breakfast had been abandoned.

Noel allowed Landon to lead her. She felt sluggish, once more like her feet were slogging through quicksand.

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