Page 41 of Andy

“You all can just move around the boat like it’s not racing over waves.”

Andy angled his head at Rory. “Rory was in the Marines, and the three of us are used to this. We all have spent months, maybe years by now, on ships of all sizes. Sure, this is a little rough, and we’re having to brace ourselves some, but we have learned how the water moves.”

“I swear I’d be out of the boat and in the water if I got up and moved,” Mel said. They all laughed and agreed with her.

“It takes time,” Peach called out over the noise of the motor and wind.

“Hey, are you all okay riding around for a bit? I have water and some fruit if you’re hungry,” Peach said.

Mel shrugged, and the rest nodded. Harry moved to Peach and grabbed onto his shoulder.

“Would you like any water?” Harry asked him.

“I’m good for now. In a bit, I’ll give you the wheel, and you can give me a break,” Peach said.

Mel sat back and watched the scenery go by. Finally, she’d taken care of the task she should have done years ago. It felt like a weight had been lifted off her shoulders. Maybe one day she would tell her parents, but not yet. They’d thought she’d taken care of this years ago, but she didn’t want to bring it up.

They stayed out on the boat for a few more hours. She was glad she'd listened to Andy when he suggested she bring a hat and wear sunscreen. She would have been burned if she hadn't. Rory had worn a long-sleeved shirt and long pants, and Mel kind of wished she'd done the same. She wasn't burned, but she had gotten a lot of sun in by the time they pulled into the marina.

She hugged everyone, and thanked Peach for the use of the boat. Of course Peach said he was happy to help, but she felt like he was probably just that type of guy. She liked him. He was blunt sometimes, like the first time she’d met him, but he was a good guy.

Andy held her hand on the way back to the car. It felt right being with him. He was her rock, and she was glad she had someone to lean on. They were at his car, about to open the door, when she saw a flash of something across the lot. She narrowed her gaze and Andy paused with the door partially open.

“What’s wrong?” Andy asked.

“I saw something over there. That white van. It looks like someone was?—”

“Shit, duck,” Andy shoved her down, making her hand catch on the way, breaking one of her nails.

She was about to complain when the window of the car next to her shattered, and glass rained down on them.

Chapter 24

Mel shrieked and tried to grab Andy, but he was already in motion, moving her so he could push the car door open more.

“What the hell?” Mel asked as Andy sprawled across the seats of his car.

She watched as Andy reached under the seat and pulled out a gun. He checked something on it and then met her gaze.

“Stay down. Do not get up. The cops have probably been called. I’m going to check and see?—”

“No, don’t leave me here.”

“Baby, I’m not leaving you. I just need to make sure they aren’t running over here. I don’t want to be caught between the cars with no way to escape while looking down the barrel of whatever gun they are using.”

“Oh God,” Mel said as tears slid down her cheeks.

“Andy, are you okay?” Peach yelled from a few cars away.

“Yeah, neither of us were hit,” Andy yelled.

“I’ve been watching. They took off,” Harry called out.

Andy blew out a breath and met her gaze. “We’re okay.” His statement almost felt like a question. She nodded, unsure what else to do.

“Were they shooting at us?” Mel asked.

Andy nodded. “I think so.”

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