Page 69 of Reunion at Mistletoe Lodge
But David was too far gone. “No, Zac! It’s too late for that! Now, just get us the money.”
“No, David, listen to him,” Barb sprung up from behind the bushes.
David got a fright and he swung the gun toward Barb. Zac acted on pure instinct and adrenaline as he saw David’s finger squeeze the trigger. Time seemed to slow as Zac heard the blast. He lunged forward, knocking Barb out of the way. Pain seared through his arm as the bullet tore through his flesh, but he gritted his teeth and stayed on his feet.
Herschel and Daven pounced at the same time. Herschel tackled David to the ground, the gun skidding across the snow, while Daven subdued Sally with swift precision. The struggle was brief but intense, and soon, both kidnappers were restrained, their plans foiled.
Barb rushed to Zac’s side, her hands shaking as she inspected his arm. Blood stained the snow, but Zac waved her off. “It’s just a flesh wound,” he assured her, his voice tight with pain. “I’m fine. We need to find Oscar and Paige.”
Together, they ran to the camper. Zac tried the door, but it was locked. With a swift kick, he broke it open and rushed inside. The small space was dimly lit, and Zac’s heart pounded as he searched for the children.
“Oscar! Paige!” Barb called out, her voice trembling with fear.
“Barb?” Paige called, followed by a “Mom? We’re in here.”
They heard banging on the door to a small bedroom off to one side. Zac managed to break down that door as well to find Oscar and Paige huddled together on one side of the room. Relief flooded Zac as he saw them, unharmed but frightened. The two of them flew into Zac and Barb’s arms, sobbingwith relief.
Zac held Oscar tightly, his heart swelling with gratitude that they were safe. “It’s okay, buddy. You’re safe now.”
Paige clung to Barb, but when Daven appeared in the doorway, she broke away and ran to him, burying her face in his chest. Daven wrapped his arms around her, his expression a mixture of relief and anger.
Zac looked at Barb, who was still holding Oscar close. “It’s over,” he said softly, his voice rough with emotion, pulling her to his side. “They’re safe.”
Barb met his gaze, her eyes shining with unshed tears. “Thank you, Zac,” she whispered.
Zac nodded, unable to find the words. All that mattered was that they were all safe and that, for now, the nightmare was over.
CHAPTER 18
Barb
Barb sat on the edge of the bed in the medical room at Mistletoe Lodge, her heart still racing from the events of the day. She glanced over at Oscar, who was being examined by Jackie and felt a wave of relief wash over her.
He was safe. Barb pulled him close once more, hugging him tightly as if to reassure herself that he was really there. The sleepover plans she had made for Oscar and the other children were long forgotten; tonight, all she wanted was to have her family close.
As Barb looked around the room, she noticed Daven stitching up Zac’s arm with the precision and care of a seasoned professional. Despite the tension in the air, she couldn’t help but smile. Zac was calm and focused,and his unwavering composure was a stark contrast to the storm of emotions swirling within her.
“Barb, why don’t you all join us for dinner tonight?” Heather offered, her voice warm and inviting. “It’ll do everyone some good to be together after what happened.”
Barb shook her head gently, still holding onto Oscar. “Thank you, Heather, but I think we’ll pass this time. I just want to be with my family tonight.”
Zac nodded in agreement, his eyes never leaving Barb. “We’ll take a rain check, Heather. We could all use a quiet night.”
Paige, who had been quietly conversing with Daven, also declined the offer. “Daven and Jackie are coming over to the chalet for dinner with Max.”
Daven smiled, glancing at his sister, who was still busy tending to Herschel. “Yeah, I’m cooking us dinner as I’m getting a bit tired of omelets and scrambled eggs.” He grinned at the black look Paige and Jackie shot him. “That’s all Paige and Jackie are able to cook.”
“Heather’s really good at catching rabbits and cooking them over a fire,” Giles told them, wincing when Heather walloped him with a pillow. “I was paying you a compliment, my love. At least if we ever get lost in the jungle somewhere with you, we know we won’t starve.”
As soon as Daven and Jackie patched everyone up and gave them check-ups, he allowed them to go. Barb and Zac gathered their children, said their good nights, and headed out of the lodge.
As they walked toward the bungalow, Barb asked Zac, “Are you going to have dinner with us tonight?”
Zac looked at her with a soft smile. “I’d like that. Besides, we still have to make the chili. Oscar says he knows Chef’s secret ingredient.”
He bent down and scooped Oscar up, lifting him onto his shoulders.
“She says it’s love,” Oscar whispered to them. “You have to put your love into making the chili.”
