Page 122 of Enthrall Shadows
I hoped it was her. Witnessing Henry’s disappointment would be a new kind of pain if it wasn’t.
On the opposite bank, a tropical white bird squawked and flapped its wings. We shared a glance filled with awe.
“Reese,” he whispered.
The way he’d spoken her name felt like a strike to my heart.
But this had always been the plan.
This boat would take us toher.
The woman who’d believed all this was a good idea. Maybe some part of her clung to him like he clearly did to her.
I’d support their reunion. I’d do anything for this man.
I had to push through this gut-wrenching dread that I was about to lose him forever to a ghost from his past.
I’d fallen deeper into love than I could ever remember, and I would soon be ripped apart when this river delivered him into the arms of his lost love.
I hid my inner turmoil and gave him a rueful grin. “I’m hoping you know how to pilot this boat.”
As I navigated the boat down the river, I fought for some semblance of self-respect.
Right now I couldn’t bring myself to make eye contact with her.
I wanted to stare at Charlotte’s beautiful, flushed and trusting face. Both of us were baking in the sun.
And we were both showing the strain of this trip.
I couldn’t help but think about the remarkable way Lotte had coped with the crisis back on land, her impressive calmness in dealing with those gunshots.
She deserves a better man.
Guilt for agreeing to bring her along had soaked into my bones. Yet having her here with me made it feel as though I had an anchor in this sea of chaos.
This futile journey had me second guessing myself.
At least this motorboat was not dissimilar to others I’d mastered at BUDS. Each one of those training days was proving valuable even today.
With a careful hand on the rudder, I directed us down the center of the river so as not to run ashore.
An array of tropical birdsong filled the air. On the right bank, a deer drank from the water. Lotte observed it with equal wonder. The thought of predators lurking beneath the water made me shudder. The fearless animal watched us watching him as we floated by.
Tall trees were surrounded by the lush marshland, with palm trees lending a tropical flair. From the swaying sawgrass came constant sounds made by crickets and other insects.
My blood sugar had been low and eating a snack had lifted my brain fog, helping clear my thoughts and ensuring I could focus. I kept a constant watch for alligators—along with all the other critters that lived on or beneath the marshland.
“Henry,” Lotte called to me.
She waved a can of insect repellant to remind me we needed to reapply it. I let her spray it over my neck and hands, covering my exposed skin. She gently smeared it over my face.
“Not the forehead,” she said. “We don’t want sweat dripping into your eyes.”
I’ve dealt with worse.
She studied me carefully. “How are you doing?”
“Fine.”
