Page 58 of Wait For You

“Tessa, I love you,” I’d whispered in her ear. I’d brushed her tangled curls away from her face. I hadn’t wanted to let her go. At that moment, she had more strength than I did.

I took a shaky breath. She’d left with the police chief.

“How much longer do you think it’ll be?” I asked.

Wyatt glanced at his watch. “Ten minutes, give or take.”

I was having trouble focusing. I kept trying to picture Tessa’s eyes, the wisdom and courage held there.

Her love for her son was carrying her through this. I was feeling selfish. I wanted them both.

The wait felt endless. Out of the quiet came a loud shot. I recognized Rich’s voice. I leaped to my feet, every muscle ready to move.

Within a second, I ran through the forest with Wyatt hot on my heels.

Rich was at a distance waving a gun. I didn’t see Tessa at first. Adrenaline was pouring through me. My body felt nearly electrified as I looked around for her. I kept my gaze locked on Rich once I circled back around.

Just then, he raised his hand, and another loud shot rang out. Rich spun. There was a blur of motion, and Rhys was suddenly beside him. After a quick tussle, he snatched Rich’s gun and immediately emptied the bullets into the dirt.

Rich swore up a storm. I still didn’t know where Tessa was until I heard her voice. My heart literally felt like it might crack my ribs as it flew upward in my chest and lodged high in my throat.

My gaze circled until I saw her. I bolted to her side, ignoring the commotion of the police, Rich, and my brothers.

“Tessa!” I reached her, stopping beside her and instantly checking her over.

“I don’t know where Eric is.” Her voice was trembling.

“Here!” a voice I didn’t recognize cried out.

Spinning again, I searched out the voice to see a woman I vaguely knew, Barb, Rich’s mother. Eric was beside her, holding tight to her hand.

Tessa cried out and ran for Eric. She fell to her knees and folded him in her arms. I followed closely but gave her space. I knew she needed this moment. “Mom. I’m okay,” Eric insisted.

She rocked back on her heels and ran her hands down his cheeks before they landed on his shoulders. “Sweetie, I’m sorry.”

“Mom, it’s not your fault. Dad’s a jerk. I didn’t even know what he’d really done until we drove out here,” Eric explained.

Tessa clapped a hand against her chest, balling it tightly into a fist.

“Do you need a minute?” I asked.

Eric was starting to look scared as he stared up at his mom. She couldn’t even speak. “Hug her,” Eric ordered me.

I could definitely do that. I wrapped Tessa in my arms and held her as she shook.

Gradually, her trembling slowed. I glanced over her shoulder to see Rich’s mother comforting Eric. Obviously, I didn’t know Eric the way Tessa did, but he seemed remarkably okay. Considering he’d just shared that he didn’t realize what was happening until moments before this, I suppose that helped him.

“Eric’s safe,” I murmured into Tessa’s hair.

Her shoulders shuddered with her ragged breaths. One of her arms was banded tightly around my waist, with her other palm pressed flat against my chest. After a few more moments passed, she lifted her face to peer up at me. The look in her eyes nearly broke me. A combination of deep sadness mingling with fear and intense relief flickered through her gaze.

“Eric’s safe,” I repeated.

She glanced around, her eyes tracking to Eric immediately. He was gesturing wildly with his hands. Kenan and Rhys had walked over.

“He’s safe, and so are you,” I said.

She blinked and brought her eyes back to mine.