Page 169 of In the Pursuit of Haven
It only lay in treasures in heaven.
I let out a shaky breath. “It’s okay, Abby. For now… we just have to get out of here.” The deck was still rising and with it my friends.
Bette Ann’s soft touch on my shoulder made me turn. Her eyelashes were wet with her tears. “I’m so glad we didn’t lose you.”
I reached out for her. “Me too. I would’ve fallen if…”it hadn’t been for everyone’s quick thinking and sacrifice. Strange what damage one greedy soul could inflict, and what goodness others could do to answer that cruelty. My throat tightened and I couldn’t express all the emotions rushing through me.
Caitlyn pressed the side of her head into Brecker’s shoulder. Their earlier disagreement seemed to be forgotten for the moment.
Scrooby leaned down next to me. “Told you the Shepherds were bad news.”
“You’re a Shepherd now?” I asked. He’d surprised me.
“Honorary one. Bette Ann went to my mother first, who had no idea she’d been right all these years, and so she shouted for me to come upstairs and get to work. I guess I was let in on the secret out of necessity.”
And Zak? I turned to him. “Are you a Shepherd of the Relics?”
“This strange woman came to me after my dad died…” He winked over at Bette Ann. “She told me this weird story about my family, and said all I really needed to do to watch over my family’s Relic was to guard that secret door to the smuggling tunnels.” He laughed. “I figured you and Jessie didn’t count.”
I smiled and glanced over at Bette Ann. “Did you ever tell Haven who you were?”
“It was too dangerous,” she said with a sad smile. “She was looking for revenge, honey, and—and quite honestly, I was sure she’d find it and worse. I just wanted her to live her life and be happy.”
Was she? Yes, she definitely was. Haven had my mother and me, and her friendships in town. She was free-spirited and adventurous until the very end. And now? She was with Matthew. I was sure of it.
The deck jolted beneath us as it fit into the ledge surrounding the upper half of the cavern—the same one where the exit beckoned to us with its tantalizing flashes of light from outside. The stone staircase was finally within our reach.
My hand tightened over Jessie’s. “This is the way out.”
“Good,” he said. “I’m getting dizzy. I feel like I’ve been out to sea for too long.”
Standing, I almost stumbled when the deck tilted under our feet. Sputtering in annoyance, I realized Phips, Crabb, and their genius helper had one last surprise for us. They were forcing us out of this ship.
Brecker’s heavy brows drew together. “They thought of everything.”
Had they? Far below us, the fire was still raging. It began to crawl up the walls after us. Was this an oversight or was this to encourage us to take what we can and go?
Without hesitation, Hunter began filling his backpack with cold coins. “Hurry up,” he said. “I have a feeling we won’t be able to squeeze back into this place after the fire is through with it.”
Zak met Scrooby’s eyes and the two got to work, hurriedly stuffing their pockets with what they could. Brecker and Caitlyn weren’t too far behind. Eventually, they picked up a reasonably sized seaman’s chest and began filling that with treasure.
Abby turned to Jessie, her eyes asking her brother’s permission. Her fingers pressed into the other.
“Why not?” Jessie said with a shrug. “Go for it. Those dirty pirates wanted us to get this. Just… be wise with it, okay? Treasure isn’t going to buy you your ticket to freedom. You’ve got to make your own way with your grit and intelligence.”
She smiled. “Thanks. You going to pick anything up? Brains don’t come for free, ya know. You can buy yourself a new one.”
Jessie let out a dark laugh.
“But… well…” Abby pushed her blonde hair behind her ear, her voice getting deeper as her emotion thickened. “You don’t do half bad. You’re actually a smart guy. I’m proud you’re my brother.”
“Get out of here.” Jessie swatted her playfully, though his hands were quick to return to me. Bette Ann and Robert jumped forward to help him bring me off the deck to the catwalk the pirates had constructed to help us reach the stone staircase.
I hadn’t realized what a mess I’d become. Every scrape stung, and the blood streamed down my knee. I had fought death and come away with something to show for it.
Abby ran back to us. She hopped over the ship’s railing to get to us on the stone stairs. Her bag bulged over her shoulders. As soon as we reached the firm platform with the brightly blazing exit flickering down the end of the corridor, Abby pressed a crown onto her brother’s head and gently placed an elegant circlet dripping with gems over mine.
Jessie’s brow rose and he brushed his lips over my cheek. “Gorgeous. You realize you’re wearing our future home in your hair.”
