Double Take by Rachelle J. Christensen

Author:Rachelle J. Christensen [Christensen, Rachelle J.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Rachelle J. Christensen
Published: 2016-10-14T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 10

I took a break after my tenth phone call, slumping onto the hope chest in our bedroom. The house buzzed with energy—everyone working to discover information on Josiah’s associates and their possible motives. There was a new list of suspects to be investigated which was hopeful and daunting at the same time. Sloane was in contact with the Toledo police force and there was a shimmer of hope that with two police departments working together as well as the FBI through the Amber Alert, we’d figure out a way to get Olivia and Julia home.

I leaned my head back against the wall and watched Nick. He paced the hallway, talking with his hands, and then he would stop and scribble notes on the pad Officer Sloane left for us on the end table. It hit me then that despite all of the angry words, fights over money, irresponsible mistakes, and the failing state of our marriage—Nick was a good father. I knew Nick loved our girls and it had hurt him deeply to spend so much time away from them working and trying to resurface from our financial crisis. I considered my own feelings toward him. My heart didn’t feel like stone anymore, it felt raw like someone had ripped off the protective layer of anger and hurt I’d been carrying for too long.

What would happen to Nick and I after our children came home? Because they were coming home. We would do whatever it took to get them back. Our eighteen hundred square foot home brimmed with activity, electronic devices, and plenty of shiny gold badges and black weapons. Amidst it all, Nick stood rubbing the back of his neck. An old fire ignited in my middle. I still loved Nick and I wanted our family to be together. The thought struck me with clarity in the chaos of the moment. It had taken tragedy for me to see that there was good in Nick. I hung my head and let the tears fall onto my hands, clasped tightly in my lap.

I heard movement beside me and Nick was there, crouching on the floor, his hands covering mine. “Mandy, I have a good feeling that this is going to work out. I don’t know how, but I’m ready to fight this guy. He might think he has the advantage, but he doesn’t know us.” Nick touched my cheek and I turned to look into his brown eyes, the gold flecks interspersed like a beacon of hope.

“Oh, Nick. I’m so sorry that I’ve made things more difficult for you.” I slid off my hope chest onto Nick’s lap and sobbed into his chest.

“Shh, you did exactly what needed to be done. You have more courage than I do.” He ran his fingers through my hair and rubbed my back. “Mandy, I’m sorry that I hurt you. I’m sorry that I didn’t show you the love you deserve, but that’s all going to change. We’re going to be a family again and we won’t let anything stand in the way of our happiness.

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