Chapter 19
19
The golden light of the post-storm day stretched across the sky as the four of them made their way down the mountain. The asphalt road was slick with patches of lingering puddles. The sun’s warmth began drying the foliage, but where the jungle canopy was thick, the road remained damp, casting a subtle gleam underfoot. Landon took the lead, his steps measured and steady, ensuring the pace was comfortable for everyone. Tad followed closely, his youthful energy tempered by the events of the past days. Penny and Noel walked just behind, their soft conversation blending with the sounds of the waking jungle.
Tad’s voice broke the peaceful quiet. “So how do you get to do what you do? Are there like… classes you can take or something?”
Landon glanced over his shoulder, catching the boy’s curious gaze. He chuckled, shaking his head slightly. “It’s not exactly about taking a class. It’s more about… finding yourself.”
Tad frowned, his brow furrowed in confusion. “Huh?”
Landon paused, considering how best to explain. He was used to answering questions from adults, not from a boy still discovering his place in the world. His thoughts drifted back to Noel, her gentle yet probing questions the day before about his journey from the Bureau to his current role.
“I was in the military first,” Landon said, his voice steady. “After I got out, I joined the FBI.”
“The FBI?” Tad’s eyes lit up, his face a mix of awe and excitement. “You were an FBI agent?”
Landon chuckled at Tad’s enthusiasm, a flash of amusement brightening his features. “Yeah, but it’s not as glamorous as it sounds.”
“And you left?” Tad’s voice was filled with disbelief, as though leaving something as cool as the FBI was unthinkable.
“I had the chance to join a private security and investigative firm. I found that I liked it more—it gave me different challenges, a different kind of freedom. So, when they opened a new office in Montana, I made the move.”
“Whoa… that sounds really cool,” Tad admitted, his admiration clear. “I’ve never really thought about doing anything except working on the ranch, like my dad and grandpa.”
Landon’s gaze softened. “There’s nothing wrong with that, Tad. Your family has taught you the value of hard work, dedication, and strong morals. Those are the kind of things that can take you far, no matter what path you choose.”
Tad nodded slowly, digesting Landon’s words. They continued walking, the early morning light filtering through the trees and casting alternating sunspots and shadows across the road. Birds, silent yesterday, now chirped loudly. Penny’s and Noel’s soft laughter floated on the breeze, and for now, the world felt safe.
Landon couldn’t help but glance back, his eyes catching Noel’s. She offered him a small smile, and his chest tightened. She had a way of grounding him, even when the world around them felt like it was spinning out of control. Maybe finding yourself isn’t just about the work you do… perhaps it’s also about the people who walk beside you.
“What about you, Penny?” Noel asked. “What would you like to do?”
“I’ve thought about the ranch, too. I could help Tad run it. But I really like to write.”
Noel’s brows lifted. “Fiction? Stories?”
Penny blushed but nodded. “I like to write stories about the ranch.”
Tad twisted around and grinned. “Her stories are great. They’re better than a lot of things I read from the library.”
“Maybe you could be a rancher-writer-horse rider-author,” Noel said. “The sky is the limit, sweetheart!”
Landon glanced back and witnessed Penny’s broad smile, Tad’s grin, and how Noel’s face lit with excitement. And his chest twinged at the sight.
He kept his watch vigilant but neither saw nor heard anything remotely suspicious or dangerous. With the downed trees behind them where they’d left the vehicle and the mudslide still ahead, they didn’t come across any other people for the first hour they walked.
His phone vibrated, and he grinned when he saw Devil’s name. “Hey, man. You make it to Jamaica?”
“We’re here. Sadie sent your location. Looks like you're on the old mountain pass road.”
“We’re not to the mudslide yet, and I have no way to tell if there’s more than one place the road is impassable.”
“Let us worry about that. According to what we can find out, that’s the only one that has the road closed, and some locals are already trying to dig out enough to get at least one lane passable. Frazier and I came in with Cole. The charter that couldn’t wait for you isn’t here, but Cole’s got a Gulfstream, so we’ve got plenty of room for heading back. Although if Pamela plans on coming, too, she might have to fly on the wing.”
Landon barked out a laugh. “Don’t think that’ll be a problem. It’ll just be us, Noel, the kids, and Mike Westerly.”
“We didn’t stop at the resort. We got a vehicle and started up the road as soon as we landed.”
“It’ll be good to see you.”
“I’ll let you know where we’ll meet.”
Disconnecting, he looked at the interested faces of the others. “One of my people. They’ve made it to Jamaica and are in a vehicle on their way up the mountain. Hopefully, we’ll meet up with them soon.”
They continued their steady pace, the quiet of the morning broken only by the rustling leaves and the occasional call of a distant bird. After a while, Penny’s soft voice rose above the ambient sounds. “It’s pretty here, isn’t it?”
Landon glanced over his shoulder, catching sight of Noel’s gentle smile as she looked over at the young girl.
“When we first arrived at the resort, I thought it was beautiful,” Penny continued. “All the flower gardens, the perfectly trimmed trees and shrubs, the mowed lawns, and those beaches with the little thatched huts for shade. Even the servers bringing snacks to the beach seemed… nice.” She wrinkled her nose, her tone shifting. “But it’s all for show, isn’t it?”
Tad tilted his head, curiosity piqued. “What do you mean?”
“It’s like our ranch,” Penny explained, her voice gaining confidence. “Daddy always says it’s a working ranch. It’s beautiful, sure—big barns, open paddocks, and wide fields. But it’s real. I remember Mom once said she wished it was more… glamorous. She’d been to one of those vacation ranches and liked how they brought wine to the guests while they rode horses. She didn’t get why Dad wouldn’t turn our place into something like that.”
She snorted, shaking her head as if the memory was ridiculous. “Dad said he wasn’t about to have tourists sipping wine while his hands were out there busting their butts doing real work.”
Tad nodded, his gaze sweeping the dense jungle surrounding them. “I get it now. There’s nothing wrong with those fancy places, but this… this is the real Jamaican jungle, isn’t it?”
Penny’s face lit up with understanding. “Exactly. It feels so real out here. The trees are tall and wild, and you can hear the birds calling from deep in the forest. I’m not happy about what happened… but now that we’re safe, it’s kind of amazing to see this part of the island.”
“I’ve just got to say that I think you two are the neatest kids I’ve met in a long time,” Noel said, smiling. “Totally and completely resilient.” Then she looked at Tad. “I’m going to tell you the same thing I told your sister this morning. What you went through is traumatic, and we’re going to make sure that you have a counselor to talk to about it. And I am always available. But you should be so proud of how you are handling everything. There’s no shame in being upset, but I think it’s amazing how resilient you are.”
Landon nodded in agreement, his deep voice steady. “I second that.” He reached out and clapped Tad on the shoulder, his touch firm but reassuring. “Your dad and grandparents are going to be so proud of you both.”
His phone vibrated again, and he looked down at the message, then his head shot up. “Look ahead,” he called out. Before them, the road was blockaded with mud and rocks, but they could discern a group of people with shovels and tractors with loaders moving the debris from the outer lane.
“Oh, my goodness!” Noel cried out. “There are so many people working to clear the road!”
“It’s a main road through the area,” Landon said. “People depend on it being passable.” As his footsteps moved through the mud, he reached over to take Penny’s hand, proud to see Tad do the same with Noel. They made their way past some of the people working, waving as they called out their thanks and greetings.
A small boy was running back and forth, pushing his shovel along the rough asphalt, helping to clear the path. Penny stopped and reached inside her pocket, offering the last protein bar. The little boy ducked his head and then smiled as he took it. A woman to the side hurried over and held out a basket with fruit. “Please, take some.”
Penny looked at Landon, and he nodded his permission. Penny took a mango and then offered one to Noel. Thanking the woman who now had moved to stand near her young son, they continued past the work area.
Landon looked ahead and grinned, tossing his hand into the air. Ahead of them, among the line of cars and buses, was a large SUV, and standing outside were Devil and Frazier.
“Those are your friends?” Noel asked, her eyes wide.
Landon swung his head around, a strange gut-punch of jealousy hitting him. “Yeah,” he said, eyeing her carefully.
Her attention was riveted on him. “Well, thank God they’re as reliable as you. I had no idea they’d get to us so quickly.” Shoulder bumping him, she smiled, her gaze not wavering from his face.
He shook his head and grinned in return. No pretenses with her. She’s as real as they come. He had no idea how he could be so sure after only knowing her a day, but there was no doubt.
As soon as they neared, he was engulfed in man-hugs and back slaps, first with Devil and then Frazier. Turning, he made the introductions. “Gentlemen, I’d like you to meet Ms. Noel Lennox. And this is Tad and Penny Fugate.” Waving his hand in the Keepers’ direction, he continued, “These are two of my coworkers, Jim Devlin and Frazier Dolby.”
Handshakes ensued with a smiling Noel, an awestruck Tad, and a blushing Penny. Chuckling, he looked over at his friends. “You are a sight for sore eyes.”
Devil glanced at the others, then settled his gaze back on Landon. “All okay?”
He lifted his chin. “Ready to get back home to Montana, but yeah… all okay.”
“All right, then,” Frazier said, waving his hand toward the large SUV. “Let’s hit the road. I’m sure you all are hungry, tired, and ready for food and a hot shower.”
Agreeing, the group moved past the row of other vehicles lining the road. Throwing open the doors, Frazier stood to the side and said, “Tad, can you and your sister squish in the back seat?”
“Sure, no problem.” Tad climbed in and slid to the far side.
Frazier stepped back, and Landon knew his friend had considered Penny’s ordeal, not wanting to overwhelm the much smaller girl. Stepping up, Landon offered his hand to Penny, pleased when she accepted his assistance into the SUV. She clambered into the back seat with Tad, taking the middle of the bench seat. Frazier started to offer Noel his hand, but Landon moved closer. “I’ve got her.”
Frazier grinned widely, then climbed into the front passenger seat. Devil had walked to the other side and settled behind the steering wheel. Landon took the remaining space on the back seat and patted his lap. Noel rolled her eyes but sat on his lap.
They hit a pothole as Devil turned the SUV around to head back down the mountain, and Noel laughed. She turned, and her face was so close to Landon that their noses were almost touching.
“You’re going to severely regret having me sit on your lap if we keep hitting potholes,” she said with a smile.
His arms tightened around her, and he shook his head. “I’ll be fine.” He turned his head so that it looked like he was staring out the window when he was moving his mouth closer to her ear. He whispered, “There’s nowhere else I’d rather you be than where you are right now.” To punctuate his words, he gave her a little squeeze. Leaning back, he watched her eyes widen, and he could’ve sworn they twinkled.
“Oh, my gosh,” Penny said. “Look at this.”
It was the first chance that Landon, Noel, and the kids could see the evidence left from the storm. Some trees were blown over. Wooden structures had lost their roof. And some of the lower streets were still draining water. The Jamaicans were out and about with shovels and brooms, sweeping, and cleaning.
“They’re smiling,” Penny said with a touch of wonder.
“This was just the outer edges of a hurricane—really only a tropical storm for these people. They’ve lived through many and know how much worse it could’ve been.”
Both kids' heads swung back and forth to look out the windows, taking it all in.
Landon was impressed—for twelve years old, they were smart and intuitive. It seems they had much more of their father than their mother.
As they neared the resort, Tad asked, “What’s the plan?”
“We’re going to your mom’s place, where you will see her, also Mike. I know you’re hungry and would love to take a shower and have clean clothes. I know you want to return to Montana, but there’s no rush. You’ll have a chance to talk to your dad, and once you’re ready, packed up, have eaten, and said goodbye to your mom, then we head to the airport.”
Looking toward the front, Landon asked, “Is Cole with the plane?”
Devil nodded. “Yeah, he stayed at the airport. He wanted to ensure the plane was safe, even though it was in the hangar. He’ll be ready whenever we are.”
It was strange, the feeling that moved through Landon. At the end of each mission, he was always glad when it was over. But now, with his arms around Noel’s waist as her ass was settled in his lap, thoughts of her lips and the way she felt remained firmly in his mind. And the idea that they would say goodbye and never see each other again struck him.
Deciding not to worry about that now, he determined he’d make sure he’d see her again.