Page 73 of Fought and Freed

It’s been a while since Cody had been to the ocean, but the smell was something he’d never forgotten.

Cody looked down at Maddy. “What do you think, little one?”

A big smile spread over her face. “Can we go for a walk on the sand?”

“Sure,” he said. “You can even dip your toes in the water, if you want to.”

She grabbed his hand. “Let’s go.”

“Go on ahead while we unpack,” Jace offered.

Ryder grabbed her other hand. “Come on, Silk.”

At the beach, Maddy took off her shoes and dug her toes into the sand.

“During the summer, the sand gets so hot your feet can barely stand it,” Cody said.

They rolled up their jeans and headed for the water.

It was beautiful watching Maddy’s face as she took in the ocean for the first time.

They walked a short way along the water and took pictures of themselves before returning to the hotel to get ready to go to the pier.

The look on Maddy’s face when she saw the pier for the first time was pure amazement.

They first went on easy rides before taking her on the roller coaster.

At sunset, Skylar and Jace took her on the Ferris wheel. There was no way Cody was going up on that.

Cody played every game on the pier so Maddy could have a stuffed animal before the night’s end.

Jace suggested they eat at one of the seafood restaurants on the pier.

It was one of the best times in Cody’s life, but being with Maddy made everything great.

They stayed at the pier until it closed, and Cody ended up carrying a sleepy Maddy while the others carried all the prizes they’d won for her.

He was pretty sure they’d spent more money trying to win that stuff than they were worth, but seeing Maddy happy was all that mattered.

When they got back to the hotel, Maddy headed for the shower, and Cody joined her.

“Did you have fun today, little one?” he asked as he took off his clothes.

“I had the best time. We have to come back and spend a week here when it’s warmer.” She frowned as she stepped into the shower. “I can’t believe we’re already heading home tomorrow.”

He stepped in behind her. “Don’t worry, we will. I like that you call the house your home.”

She turned to face him, putting her hand on his chest. “When I first arrived for college, I looked down at the town and thought to myself, This is it. This is where I belong. But I didn’t feel at home until I met you guys. Anywhere you four are is my home.”

18

MADDY

They touched down in Georgia around one in the afternoon.

Once again, Lucca had a limo there to take them home, dropping Torr off first.

“I’ll call you during the week,” Maddy promised.

---