Abducted (23 page)

CARLY FOUND HERSELF
off work for the rest of the week. Four stitches in her thigh also meant no swimming for at least a week. For the first time she could remember, she was glad she was off work involuntarily. Sperry was recovering from his gunshot wound in the jail ward of County General, reputedly looking for a good defense attorney. Sperry’s and Caswell’s arrests, stolen diamonds, and human trafficking brought the case national headlines. She’d learned from Wiley that the rest of the diamonds had been recovered at a pawnshop in downtown Las Playas. The package of diamonds would be returned to the rightful owner. Cable news outlets descended on the city, but she wanted no part of any of it.

There were plenty of other people in the city for the news outlets to pounce on. Alex was trying to be a reporter but was actually part of the story for his role in uncovering the smuggled Mexican nationals. Jacobs had been promoted to captain when Garrison quietly retired.

Mary Ellen was also somewhat of a story. Jonah had been interviewed about her and his fight to see that the court went easy on her as he submitted a petition to have her released into his custody. Joe and Christy had even lined up with him—which only sensationalized the headline—thankful no harm had come to the baby and that Mary Ellen had brought him back safe.

With all the high-profile news outlets in the city, Carly had been happy to hide in her apartment for two days. But now she was ready to venture out again. Nick was taking her out on a date.

For reasons she couldn’t put her finger on, Carly felt bound up with nervousness as she dressed for the big occasion. She stood in front of the mirror, working to get the curling iron positioned correctly in her hair, acutely feeling Andrea’s absence. Andrea knew fashion and hairstyles, she knew makeup, and she knew how to put together outfits. As it was, Carly had actually gone shopping earlier with her mother, something that hadn’t happened in years.

She tilted her head as she regarded her reflection in the mirror. The bruises around her eyes weren’t quite gone, so she still needed a layer of foundation. She was happy that it didn’t take much to give her eyes a normal look.

Maddie was back with her since she was off, so in a telltale sign of stress, she talked to the dog.

“It’s been such a long time since I’ve gotten dressed up to go on a date. I really feel awkward.” She fumbled with the curling iron for a few more minutes; then she unplugged it and moved to the brush. A few minutes with that and she stopped, finally satisfied with what she saw.

Carly studied the reflection staring back at her, not completely convinced it was herself she was looking at. The hair was neat and stylish, and the smallest bit of eye makeup accentuated her brown eyes. Her lips glowed a soft red. She affixed her earrings—small pearls, a gift from Nick on their fifth wedding anniversary—and added the matching pearl necklace. The new green summer dress her mother had helped her pick out clung just the right way to her athletic physique and made Carly sigh. “I hope he likes it.”

A knock at the door caused Carly to turn and her stomach to lurch.

He’s right on time,
she noted as she glanced at the clock. “Be right there,” she called out. Quickly she got her purse together, dumping out her backpack on the bed and transferring what she needed to a small clutch that matched her dress. Her hands trembled and her stomach was awash in turbulence, as if she were on a code 3 run.
This is like a first date! I need to calm down.

She smoothed her dress one last time, gathered up her purse, and took a deep breath before striding into the living room and opening the door.

Nick stood in the doorway, looking every bit the
GQ
hubby in spite of the row of stitches on the side of his forehead. It took Carly’s breath away. He stood ramrod straight and broad-shouldered, his short blond hair shone, and the blue suit jacket brought out the deep blue of his eyes. Carly admired him for a few seconds before he cleared his throat and handed her the roses in his hand.

“H-h-hello, Carly. You look great.” He stammered a bit, and Carly relaxed when she realized he was as nervous as she was.

“You look pretty good yourself.” She stepped forward to take the roses, pausing to inhale their scent. “You know I love roses. Thanks.” She stood on her tiptoes and kissed him on the cheek. The familiar smell of his aftershave made her tingle.

“Yeah, I remember some things.”

They stood and stared at one another for a moment before Nick spoke again. “We should probably get going.”

“Yeah, yeah,” Carly laughed. “Let me put these in water.” She hurried to the task and then turned back to Nick.

“Place looks empty,” he observed.

“Yeah. Andi has a lease, so she won’t be back except to visit. A lot, I hope.”

He held out his hand, and Carly placed hers in it.

His grip was warm and strong, and Carly felt her tension fade. “Thanks. I’m ready.”

They left the apartment and walked to the plain car Jacobs was letting Nick drive until his truck was repaired. As Nick and Carly settled in, anxiety fled, replaced by companionship and comfortable familiarity. Nick took her to the best restaurant in Las Playas, the Bay Room at the Hacienda. The Hacienda was the oldest resort in town, a beautifully restored enclave overlooking the water. They were led to a window table, and conversation flowed easily.

“So,” Nick said as they finished dessert and lingered over coffee, “in all the excitement lately, we haven’t really had time to talk about stuff other than work. I was wondering, are you still planning on doing the channel swim?”

Nodding, Carly smiled. “Yeah, I sent my application in months ago. I just made the cutoff for the solo swimmers.”

“Great. I was afraid because of the way I’ve been acting you’d decided not to go. You really are in super shape, and I know how much you’ve wanted to do that swim. And I look forward to being in the guide boat cheering you on.”

“I guess that’s fair. You let me cheer you in therapy. By the way, how is that going? You’ve been walking better lately, so what’s the word?”

“We’re still working on range of motion.” He fidgeted a little bit, and Carly wondered if he was in a hurry to leave. “But you’re right; my hip has loosened up a lot. Keith just says, ‘I told you so.’ My kind of injury takes time, and I was being impatient. I’m not 100 percent yet, but I will be.”

He shook his head ruefully. “I have to apologize again for being such a jerk these last couple of months. I feel as though my eyes have been opened after a long blindness. I’ve been so wrapped up in the fear I couldn’t be a cop anymore that I didn’t like myself much. I couldn’t imagine you liking me. I saw a career I’ve loved slipping away, and it was scary.”

“It’s all water under the bridge. I can accept anything as long as I know you are as committed to me as I am to you.”

“Know it.” He reached across the table for her hand. “This was all I prayed for, the year we were apart. You’ve always been the only one for me. I’ll earn the second chance you’ve given me. I won’t mess it up.”

“I don’t want to dwell on the past. I want to concentrate on our future. I couldn’t imagine life without you.”

The waiter refilled their coffees, but the pair barely noticed.

“I have one more important question to ask you.” Nick slid his free hand into his pocket and pulled out a small velvet box. Carly’s heart leaped in her chest, and her hand squeezed Nick’s.

“There’s no one else I want to spend my life with. I asked you this once, and then I broke my vows. Can I ask you again? This time I promise to keep all my vows and cherish you forever. Will you marry me?” He opened the box, and to Carly, the sparkle of the beautiful new engagement ring outshone the candles on the table.

“Of course I’ll marry you!” Carly wiped away happy tears with her napkin. “You even got a new ring. I hadn’t really thought that far . . . I mean, I knew I wanted this, but I hadn’t thought ahead to rings and ceremonies. This is so beautiful.” She’d tossed her old ring into the ocean and realized she’d never told him that. Now, gazing at the beautiful new diamond, she didn’t think she’d mention it unless he asked. Like the sins God tosses into the sea and leaves there with No Fishing signs posted all around. She wasn’t going to go back and dredge up memories of how their first marriage ended.

“Yes. A new ring, a new beginning.” Nick grasped her hand and slid the ring on. “We are new in Christ. There will be a new and firmer foundation to this marriage, so I want what symbolizes my pledge to you to be something new.” He smiled, and Carly saw his eyes fill with tears. “Once we’re married, you can move home. You don’t need to worry about another roommate. And I was thinking, since the channel swim is two months away, how about we plan quickly and honeymoon there in Maui?”

Carly laughed, feeling giddy. “I didn’t want to admit it, but when I sent in my application, that thought was in the back of my mind. I think that would be an awesome honeymoon.”

She loved the way her hand felt in his and only now realized how much she had missed this closeness. She never wanted to lose it again. “I love you, Nick. We will make it this time and grow old together.”

Ka’anapali Beach

THEY FINISHED THEIR WALK
and stopped on the beach near the finish line. The race was tomorrow, but the finish chute had already been marked off with flags. The sky blazed with swirling colors of pink, orange, and red—a glorious Hawaiian sunset. Carly sighed with contentment as she leaned against her husband’s shoulder.

He kissed her head and whispered, “You nervous about tomorrow?”

“No, not at all. I’m ready.”

In the distance she could see the island of Lanai, the starting point for the 9.5-mile channel swim. Tomorrow morning the escort boat would pick Nick and Carly up around six and take them across the channel to the starting line. The gun would go off around eight, and she’d plunge into the water with the other swimmers—most swimming in relay teams, but a few doing the whole distance solo like Carly—to compete in a swim that would likely take several hours. But she didn’t consider herself to be swimming solo. Nick would be in her follow boat, watching, shouting encouragement, next to her the whole way.

“Not worried about sharks, jellyfish, or currents?”

She smiled, squeezed his waist, and then looked into his warm eyes. “Jellyfish may sting, but I’ll take my allergy pills to prevent a reaction. As for the current, well—” she shrugged—“that’s what all my training was for, right? And sharks? I’ve got you in the follow boat. You’ll make sure I’m safe from any sharks. I trust you.”

He smiled, and she felt the warmth down to her toes. “You got that right. No sharks will come close to you. Enjoy the swim and do your best.”

They shared a kiss. As Carly hugged her husband of two days, she knew they were a strong and committed team. With God at the center of this new marriage, Carly found that trust was not an impossible action where Nick was concerned.

A former Long Beach, California, police officer of twenty-two years, Janice Cantore worked a variety of assignments, including patrol, administration, juvenile investigations, and training. She’s always enjoyed writing and published two short articles on faith at work for
Cop and Christ
and
Today’s Christian Woman
before tackling novels. A few years ago, she retired to a house in the mountains of Southern California, where she lives with three Labrador retrievers, Jake, Maggie, and Abbie.

Janice writes suspense novels designed to keep readers engrossed and leave them inspired.
Abducted
, the sequel to
Accused
, is the second book in the Pacific Coast Justice series, featuring Carly Edwards. Janice also authored the Brinna’s Heart series, which includes
The Kevlar Heart
and
A Heart of Justice
.

Visit Janice’s website at
www.janicecantore.com
and connect with her on Facebook at
facebook.com/JaniceCantore
.

1. How do you respond during crisis situations? How does God’s supernatural peace affect crises in your life?
   
2. Nick begins distancing himself from Carly during his long recuperation. What do you think of his reasons for pulling away? How should he have handled their relationship?
   
3. Joe and Christy go through a terrible ordeal, wondering whether their son will ever be recovered. Has anything precious ever been taken from you? If you are able, share the circumstances, along with how you responded and what the outcome was.
   
4. Throughout the story, Carly struggles with her roommate, Andi, especially when Andi lashes out in anger. What are some of the things Carly does well in her relationship with her roommate? What could she have done better? What lessons can you take away from their interactions and apply to relationships in your own life?
   
5. Think of a time you’ve felt distanced from someone you cared for. How did you respond to the situation? When is it right to let a relationship dwindle, and when is it appropriate to fight to maintain it?
   
6. What is your take on Alex’s pursuit of Carly? Did he conduct himself honorably? Did Carly respond appropriately to Alex?
   
7. At the end of chapter 10, Carly asks herself if she’d “somehow tied God and Nick together so getting one meant getting the other.” Do you think, at that point in the story, she believed her desire for Nick was part of God’s plan? Is there something in your life that you desire but that God might be telling you to let go of? What steps can you take to evaluate that desire in light of God’s will for you?
   
8. Andi lashes out against Carly’s newfound faith because, in her past, people who professed to follow Christ had deeply wounded her. Is there anyone in your life who has suffered similar hurts? What can believers do to love such wounded people and heal the damage?
   
9. Pastor Jonah Rawlings is devastated when he realizes his connection to the kidnapper and remembers their shared history. Were you surprised when you read about his secret? Why does Jonah feel so much guilt? How might you have reacted if you were facing a similar situation?
   
10. What did you think of Mary Ellen’s actions near the end of the story? What is motivating her? If you were a judge or jury member helping to determine her future, what kind of recommendation would you give? Would you follow the letter of the law or show some grace?