CHAPTER ELEVEN
Brooks’ heart was cracking with her admission of fear. He pulled her closer, wrapping his arms around her shoulders.
“It’s okay to be scared. Even SEALs are scared sometimes. If you’re not scared, you’re stupid. You plan for the threats. Over and over and over again. It’s a non-stop process. That’s what we do here. You’re safe here. Bora won’t get to you on this property. No one will.”
“I know that but what is he doing? He can’t possibly be doing anything good down there if that’s where he is. Do you think that’s where he is?” she asked.
“If I had to bet, I’d say he’s headed that way for sure. But why? Did the witnesses say anything else? Did they indicate why he wanted to do this?” She shook her head.
“Only that he was going to work with the cartels and rule the area. He can’t possibly believe that the Americans would let him rule that part of the world after killing at least one of his own,” she said looking up at him.
He smiled down at her beautiful face, those big eyes sucking him in.
“No, they wouldn’t let him but he damn well probably believes he’s as good as anyone out there. He is a good Marine. Or at least he was. But he can’t be doing this just with the help of the cartels. Even they wouldn’t want him running the country.”
They were both quiet, content to hold one another for a long while.
As the sun slowly rose higher and higher in the sky, Lennon closed her eyes, listening intently to the sounds of the bayou.
The bullfrogs and cicadas. The alligators and the egrets.
It was like a symphony that very few understood but everyone wanted to hear.
“Did you get to speak with your parents?” he asked softly.
“I did,” she nodded, pushing off his side to sit up straight.
Brooks frowned, not happy with the cool breeze traveling between them.
“I didn’t tell them anything, just that I was going to write an article about hiking the Grand Canyon.
They were excited for me. Thought getting out into nature would do me good. ”
“Don’t you get out into nature much? I mean, you live in San Diego, right? It’s the capital of people enjoying the outdoors.”
“I do. I mean, I try to. I’ve been working a lot, Brooks. I told you, I took this story because I was trying to prove myself as a serious writer. I was so focused I didn’t pay attention to the beautiful weather. I couldn’t tell you the last time I went running or biking, both things I love to do.”
“We can do that here,” he smiled.
“Oh, no,” she said shaking her head. “If you think I’m going to run with all of you, you’ve lost your mind. I watched as your sister and mom walked me to the cafeteria this morning. I saw the speed that some of you were keeping. No, thank you.”
Brooks just laughed, standing and helping her to stand as well. They tripped over one another’s feet, their legs getting tangled and they just kept laughing. Finally, he gripped her waist and lifted her, holding her tightly to his body.
He couldn’t help himself. He devoured her. He needed to taste those lips, to feel that body pressed hard against his own. Her scent was driving him mad and he knew that he needed her. Not just now. Not just tonight or tomorrow. He needed her forever.
“B-Brooks,” she stammered against his lips.
“I know, I know, baby. I’m sorry, I lost control,” he whispered into her ear.
“No. No, it’s okay. I mean, I loved it. All of it. But,” she started.
“But what?” he frowned.
“Can you tell me if they’re real?” He turned and saw her pointing to the shimmering figures of Irene, Mary, George, and Ruby.
“Oh,” he chuckled. “Yes. They are real. Everyone, please come and meet Lennon. Lennon, this is Mary and George. Miss Ruby and Mama Irene. Irene and her husband, Matthew, started all of this.” He gave a big wave around the property and she nodded.
“It’s very nice to meet you,” said Lennon calmly. “But you still haven’t told me how I’m seeing ghosts. That is what you are, right?”
“Sort of,” smirked George. “We’ve all moved on, that’s for sure. But we haven’t moved on from this place. We’re tied to this land, these people and we live on an island all our own.”
“We?” she repeated.
“There are a lot of ghosts here,” smiled Irene.
“Child, when you have land where people have lived and died for a thousand years, you gotta expect to have ghosts. Some are young, and more recent, sadly. Some are from hundreds of years ago. Some, like us, grew old here and it was time to move on. But we still hang about helpin’ the children when they need it. ”
Brooks realized he should have had the conversation about their ghosts much sooner. He held his breath, hoping she didn’t have an absolute meltdown. Instead, she had a big smile and laughed. She laughed loud and long, smiling at the four ghosts.
Stepping forward she reached out to touch their skin, looking at them to be sure it was okay. When they all nodded, she touched their hands and laughed again.
“This is the most amazing thing I’ve ever seen in my life. Just seeing all of you somehow instills hope and faith in me. I don’t know how. I don’t know why, but it does.”
“That’s how it’s supposed to be, darlin’,” smiled George. “I’ve been sittin’ out here a while, watchin’ you and young Brooks here. I heard you cryin’.”
“Oh, I’m so sorry,” she said frowning at the older man.
“No, no, you misunderstand. It’s somethin’ I was born with I guess. I hear a woman cryin’ and I’m usually the first one in the room. Besides, the boys know if they were the ones causin’ the cryin’ they got me to deal with.”
“Oh, George,” she said with a cracking voice. “May I hug you? I feel as though I need a hug from a father or grandfather.”
“Darlin’, you can hug me anytime. I’m proud to be a father or grandfather, even great-grandfather, to hundreds. One more will be just as special.”
Brooks released her hand and she walked straight into George’s arms. It seemed she was there for hours but he knew it was just minutes. George never let go. Not until she did. When she stepped back, there was a light to her face he hadn’t seen before.
A light Brooks vowed to keep shining.