Page 37 of Healing Love

Chad, following the river’s path, added, “They’ll beach north of Topolobampo, which is good. Too much drug violence there so we know the cartel could be looking for the two of them.”

Bart rubbed his hand over his face, “Jesus, you’d think the cartel would assume they’d be dead somewhere and not traveling down a river in the middle of a storm with a big-ass waterfall to traverse. Hell, after the earthquake and then this huge storm, the cartel shouldhave their fuckin’ hands full without trying to chase down these two.”

Blaise, former DEA, explained, “Doesn’t matter, Bart. Cartel’s got money, contacts, and they’ll stop at nothing to try to keep Cam and Miriam from escaping with the information they’ve got.”

Monty looked at Jack, knowing how close their boss was to Miriam’s brother. “You talk to Jobe recently.”

Jack sighed heavily before responding, “Yeah. He’s been calling every day and I feel like shit when I can’t give him the answers he’s looking for. But I told him a few hours ago that they’re heading to the coast.”

“How’s the family?” Monty asked.

“His family’s close. They’re taking it hard. I need to keep him placated so he doesn’t go off the charts.”

“Shit, boss, we don’t need him going rogue.”

“I know. I’ve called his boss, Tony, and made sure his boys are keeping a tight rein on Jobe. They reminded him that he needs to be there for his parents and other sisters and let us and Cam get Miriam out safe.”

Luke, still on conference call with Marc, confirmed the seaplane landing area and added, “As soon as we have a lock on their location when they’re at the coast, we’ll let you know, and you can get in and get ‘em picked up.”

Marc agreed, then asked, “What happens when they get back?”

Jack took on that question. “We’ll get them to family, and they’ll be interviewed by CIA, FBI, and DEA for a while.” He added, “I’ve been in contact with Cam’s family also. They don’t know where he is but that he’son a mission undercover. I told them that I’ll let them know as soon as I hear something.”

Bart added, “Jack, I’ve gotten tight with Cam and his family. If you need me to deal with them while you deal with Miriam’s family, just let me know.”

Jack nodded, grateful for the offer. Glancing around the table, he discovered that his dream had come true. A group of like-minded individuals, each with their own special skills honed from their various military and agency backgrounds, coming together to take care of what was handed to them.

Sucking in a deep breath, he said, “Okay, Marc. Hang tight and as soon as Cam gets to the Gulf, we’ll get you the coordinates.”

On track with that mission, they turned their attention back to the rest of their business.

Several times during the day, Cam had Miriam lay flat in the canoe when they were paddling past villages. People were beginning to go about their normal activities, and he could see men and women at the edge of the river, getting water, washing clothes, or working in the fields. When the trees lined the riverbanks, she could be up but as soon as they passed an area that appeared to be populated, he forced her down.

The first time, while immediately obeying, she asked why.

“Cartel probably has put out feelers for anyone seeing a large man and woman traveling together.”

“Do you think they put us together? I mean, it’s not like we were ever together before,” she asked, lying in the bottom of the canoe staring up at him as he paddled.

Glancing down as he paddled, he could not help but notice her stretched out on her back, her head almost at his feet and looking up at him. Her dark brown eyes were moving over his body, and he hoped she liked what she saw. He knew he did.

“We were too close together and both new to the area. No way they won’t put two and two together and figure that I got to you.”

He heard her sigh deeply and wanted to take the worry from her. “Tell me more about yourself,” he said.

She giggled and asked, “Why? You buying more kisses?”

“Maybe,” he joked. Then added, “But maybe hoping I don’t have to buy them anymore.”

He held his breath for a second, wondering how she would take that. He did not have to wait long. Her smile lit her face and she said, “You don’t have to buy them at all.”

He grinned down at her and then said, “Well, all right. So, tell me more. Tell me about being a nurse.”

“Well, there’s really not much to tell. I always liked taking care of people and it’s the only profession I wanted to do. I work in a hospital but have to admit that last summer I had the chance to help with Jobe’s mother-in-law who had a stroke and really liked that.”

“Mackenna’s mom?”

“Oh, that’s right. I keep forgetting that you met Mackenna. Yeah, her mom had a stroke and by the timeI met her she only needed a little care, but I loved that chance to really connect with a patient. So often at the hospital, even though I treat every patient as important, they’re usually in and out so quickly that I have no chance to bond with them.”

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