Star of His Heart - Brenda Jackson [85]
“Same here.” Netherland looked at him, her eyes becoming dark with worry. She remembered Ashton once saying that during a crisis, one had to always remain positive, hold out for the best even in a situation where the worst seemed inevitable.
“So, what do you plan to do when you get Jada back?” Out of the corner of her eye she saw him snatch his head around to her. She held her breath. He would either take her question as cruel or hopeful. She was gambling on the latter. She was close to all her brothers but with only a one-year difference in their ages, she and Rome were the closest. They’d always had a special relationship.
For the longest time Rome didn’t answer her question but she felt the hand underneath hers tremble. “I don’t think,” he finally said slowly, quietly, “that I’ll ever let her out of my sight again. When I leave to return to Camp Pendleton, she’s coming with me as my wife.”
Netherland smiled and slipped her arms around her brother and held him tight. “I think that’s a good idea, Rome. A darn good idea.”
She heard the sound of the chopper at the same moment Rome did. A lump grew thick, deep in Netherland’s throat as she watched the aircraft appear in sight, skimming the treetops and hovering over a flat stretch of land before descending slowly to the ground. Rome was on his feet in a flash but she had to muster all the strength she had to stand.
Rome’s hand reached out for hers, holding it tight as the two of them, brother and sister, watched, trying to fight off the deep cold dread that surrounded them. The waiting was over. The next few minutes would reveal the outcome.
The minute the chopper settled down on the ground, three, maybe four of the park rangers scurried over to the plane, with Alex Maxwell and Howard Reeves close on their heels. Ducking to miss the whirling rotor blades, Alex and Howard slid open the side door.
Netherland felt Rome let go of her hand and take a step forward, then two. She held her breath when first Trevor, then Sir Drake descended, and for a moment it appeared they had returned with no one. Panic seized her and for one agonizing moment, she thought the fear that was unfolding in her chest would choke out the very life of her. Then she saw Trevor and Sir Drake move aside as a man-made stretcher was lifted out of the helicopter.
Rome, she noted, had taken off running but she remained frozen in place. Her view became blocked as Rome and a few other rangers moved in. Her heart slammed in her chest as the need to find out who was on the stretcher propelled her to take a step forward. But she stopped when someone else, a lone, tall figure came through the chopper door.
“Ashton!”
Netherland began trembling from head to toe, but somehow found the strength to move when he looked over in her direction, then headed toward her. She didn’t stop running until she felt herself securely held in his arms. She didn’t care that he smelled completely of smoke and sweat; all she cared about was that he was alive, and he was holding her in his arms.
His hand pressed her head against his shoulder as he cradled her body to him. “I came back to you, Netherland,” he whispered roughly, hoarsely.
Netherland could only nod, too filled with emotion to speak, but she did lift her head to see that the person on the stretcher was Jada…and she was conscious. Rome was crouched down beside the stretcher holding her hand, talking to her. All around them orders were being shouted, and Justin Madaris, who had volunteered to be a doctor on-site, was already assisting with Jada.
“Where was she?” Netherland asked, when she was able to find her voice.
“She was holed up in a cavern. Roberts had forced her down a deep well, thinking she wouldn’t ever get out. He had left her there with no food or water. But somehow, with sheer determination and a will to survive, she did get out, and was lucky enough to stumble across