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  “I should be asking you that,” she said in a trembling whisper.

  “I'm only okay if you are,” Paul replied and looked into her eyes intently. “I can't believe you did that.”

  Jason walked over and cuffed Joey who was still moaning and squirming in the sand. He took the gun from Paul. As Jason spoke into his radio requesting backup, Paul led Suzie further away from the two handcuffed men.

  “Suzie, you scared the hell out of me,” he said as he grasped her hands tightly. “Why would you ever do something so foolish?”

  Suzie frowned as she studied all of the cuts and bruises on Paul's face. “I had no other choice, Paul,” she said. She cleared her throat. “I lo…”

  “Suzie, you want to fill me in on what happened here?” Jason interrupted. “I'm going to have a lot to answer for.”

  Paul stared at her for a long moment. “What were you saying, Suzie?”

  “I need to know what happened,” Jason interrupted again. “The coast guard, Parish PD, and medics are on their way. I'd like to have some clue as to what to tell them when they get here.”

  Suzie nodded and glanced away from Paul, though she still held his hand tightly. Between the two of them they explained what had actually happened.

  “I had no idea that Trent was involved with drugs,” Paul explained. “Once we were out to sea and we were about to dock he put a gun to my head and told me to turn back the way we had come. He had originally planned to pick up more drugs but he saw two men that he was trying to avoid at the dock. He wanted to go back, get the drugs from where he had stashed them, and make it out of town before they even knew he was missing. But when we reached the marina, these two men were waiting for us there. They boarded the boat. They killed Trent for trying to cross them, and I pretended to be his partner to stay alive. I've been leaving clues everywhere I could, but I didn't really think anyone would find them.”

  “I did,” Suzie said softly. She took the seashell out of her pocket and pressed it into Paul's palm. “I knew where to look. I found the log book, too.”

  “You're amazing,” Paul said. “But I never expected you to put your life in danger like that.” He was about to say something more when the medics arrived.

  “Go get checked out,” Jason insisted.

  “Please, Paul,” Suzie asked with concern.

  Paul frowned and reluctantly let go of Suzie's hand. He held the shell tightly as he walked over to the medics.

  “I'm so glad you got my text,” Suzie said as she turned to face Jason.

  “What text?” Jason asked with a frown. “I didn't get any.”

  “Then how did you know I was here?” Suzie asked with surprise.

  “Mary told me what you were up to,” Jason explained. “She knew that you would try and find Paul. I had a little difficulty finding this place, I'm sorry I wasn't here sooner.”

  “I'm just glad you came,” Suzie said with a slight blush rising in her cheeks. “I don't know what I would have done if you hadn't shown up.”

  “That's why you shouldn't have gone off on your own in the first place,” Jason reminded her sternly.

  “I know, I know,” Suzie agreed. “But I couldn't stand thinking of Paul being injured or trapped somewhere.”

  “Believe it or not, I do understand,” Jason said. “I'm just glad Paul is safe and all of this is going to be cleared up.”

  The medics finally finished looking Paul over.

  “You really should go to the hospital to be checked out,” one of the medics said.

  “I'm not going anywhere,” Paul said gruffly. “I'm fine. Just a little roughed up.”

  The medic nodded and reluctantly released him.

  “I'm officially a free man,” Paul said with a warm smile as he walked over to them.

  “Are you sure that's wise, Paul?” Suzie asked with concern as she studied the cuts and bruises on his face.

  “Well,” Paul hesitated a moment and looked into her eyes. “I did have to promise them that I had someone to look after me.”

  “You certainly do,” Suzie smiled and hugged him gently.

  “Your boat is going to have to be searched,” Jason interjected. “I can give you both a ride back to Dune House on the police boat.”

  Paul met Jason's eyes and for a long moment the tension brewed between them.

  “Are you sure you don't mind?” he asked as he studied Jason.

  “Not at all,” Jason replied. “Suzie, when you're ready?” he nodded lightly at her and walked back towards the Parish police boat that was arriving.

  “They're going to tear up my baby,” Paul sighed as he passed his gaze over his boat.

  “Paul, are you really okay?” Suzie asked as she took his hand in hers.

  “Not really,” he admitted with a deep frown. “Trent might have been a criminal, but he was still just a kid. He got himself into a mess, and I couldn't help him out of it. Besides that, I hired him. What does that say about my judgment?” he asked.

  “It says that you're willing to take a chance,” Suzie said softly. “Even on a lost cause. It shows just how much you care.”

  “Maybe I just saw myself in him,” he admitted quietly. “I used to be such a wanderer. Sometimes I used to go out on the boat for weeks at a time.”

  “So, what has changed?” Suzie asked as she gently touched his cheek, avoiding the bandage that covered one of the cuts on his face.

  “Now, I have someone to come home to,” he whispered as he looked into her eyes. “Now, it's hard to stay out on the water without you. Suzie, when that man held a gun to my head, all I could think of was getting home to you.”

  “Oh Paul, I have something I have to tell you,” Suzie said and cleared her throat. “Paul I lo…”

  “So, where are the drugs?” Officer Brown barked, interrupting Suzie again.

  “My best guess is that they are in Dune House,” Paul said with a frown.

  “I'll need to get a warrant,” Officer Brown sighed as he passed his gaze over Suzie. Suzie might have been mistaken, but she thought she noted a sense of admiration in his eyes.

  “No, you won't,” she said. “You're welcome to search Dune House for the drugs. I ask that you be respectful that we do have guests. I'm sure that if Trent hid the drugs they must have been in the room where he was staying, as the only time he left it was for breakfast.”

  “We'll do our best not to cause a commotion,” Officer Brown replied. “As for you, Paul, I'm glad to discover that your girlfriend was absolutely right about you the entire time,” he offered his hand to Paul. Paul stared at it for a long moment, and then reached out and shook it.

  “I'm sure you were just doing your job,” Paul said humbly. He wound an arm around Suzie's waist. “Now, if you don't mind, I'd like to head back to the mainland and get some rest.”

  “There will be some paperwork we'll need you to do. You can give your statement to Officer Allen on the way back to Garber,” Officer Brown said with a small smile. “I think you've earned a little flexibility.”

  Suzie was surprised by the change in the officer's demeanor. She realized that he had never had anything out for Paul personally, but had been too blind to see anything but the obvious. She nestled close to Paul, careful not to put too much pressure on him, but reveling in the warmth of his grasp. All at once the reality of what had almost happened struck her. She began to shiver, and tears built in her eyes.

  “You're safe, Paul,” she murmured as she turned her face against him to hide her tears.

  “I had to get home to you, Suzie,” he replied warmly. “Let's go home,” he added as he guided her slowly towards Jason's boat.

  Chapter Twelve

  During the ride back to Dune House, Paul went over the story once more. He held Suzie close, trailing his fingers through her hair. Neither of them would let go of the other for longer than a moment. When they docked at the marina, Paul helped her off the boat.

  “When do you think I'll get my boat back?” he asked Jason.


  “It may be a few days,” Jason said. “It will need to be processed. I'm sorry for the inconvenience.”

  “It's no trouble,” Paul said softly. “It's a good excuse to stick to land for a while.”

  Jason nodded. “Let me give you a ride back to Dune House,” he offered.

  “No,” Paul shook his head. “It's a lovely evening, we can walk. If you don't mind, Suzie?” he asked. From the warmth in his eyes Suzie could tell that he just wanted to be alone with her. She smiled at the thought and nodded. As they walked from the marina towards Dune House, Paul held her hand firmly in his own.

  “Now, what was it you said you had to tell me?” he asked.

  Suzie smiled nervously. It had seemed so easy to say it before. She was struggling to get the courage up to speak the words. The sun was setting, painting the sky beautiful shades. They had reached the section of beach in front Dune House. Suzie could see a young couple walking further down the beach. She presumed they were the guests staying the night at Dune House. They were holding hands, and nestled close, just like Paul and her. She stopped and turned to face him. He looked into her eyes knowingly.

  “I'm patient,” he reminded her in a whisper.

  “Paul, when I thought I would never see you again…”

  “That will never happen,” he assured her. He took both of her hands in his. “Forgive me, Suzie, but I can't wait any longer,” he said before meeting her lips with his own. The kiss was slow and sensual, it sent shivers up and down along Suzie's spine. As their lips parted, the words tumbled from the tip of her tongue as naturally as the waves flowing to the sand.

  “I love you, Paul,” she said and gazed into his eyes.

  “I love you too, Suzie,” he replied. “From the moment I met you, and until the end of time,” he kissed her again. Suzie forgot about all of her fears. She forgot about losing herself in romance. All she felt was gratitude that she had been given the chance to speak the truth to the man she loved.

  “Suzie?” Mary called out from the path that led down to the beach. “Are you two decent?” Suzie pulled away from Paul and went running towards Mary.

  “My hero!” Suzie said as she hugged her. “If you hadn't warned Jason about what I was up to, I don't think Paul or I would be here right now.”

  “Some hero,” Mary scoffed. “All I did was cook dinner. Although it is delicious. I hope you're both hungry?” she looked between the two of them.

  “Oh yes,” Paul said.

  “Absolutely,” Suzie agreed.

  “Finally,” Mary laughed. As the three of them walked back towards Dune House, Suzie felt wonderful to finally be heading home. On the porch they met Officer Brown who was stepping out of the house along with some other officers.

  “We found the drugs,” he informed Suzie. “You were right, they were hidden in Trent's room. It looks like this will be an easy case to wrap up.”

  “The sooner the better,” Paul said as he hugged Suzie around the waist.

  “You stay safe,” Officer Brown said sternly.

  “Are you sure you're not hungry?” Mary asked with a sweet smile. “There's plenty to eat.”

  “No, ma'am,” Officer Brown said respectfully. “I think it's best you have a little peace tonight.”

  “All right then,” Mary nodded.

  “Now, I want you to tell me just how you found me,” Paul said as he led Suzie into the house. “And, promise me, you will never do it again,” he said sternly.

  “Sorry, sweetheart,” Suzie smiled as she pecked his cheek lightly. “I'd do it a thousand times over, if needed. Bonnie Blue and I can't live without you!”

  The End

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