Chapter 7

Pushing with her back and pulling with her arm as much as she could, Jennifer tried to free herself from the beam. She tugged and ignored the shock waves of pain the movement sent through her body. She took a breath and jerked. The sound of fabric giving way, spurred on her actions. Three more firm tugs and her sleeve ripped loose, allowing her arm to drop from the wall.

The sudden freedom dropped her whole body to the ground and shifted the platform on which she perched. Already off-balance, the shifting sent Jennifer spiraling backward and off the unseen edge. She fell another five feet to the next landing area.

And right next to Ryleigh.

Two days earlier
The man moved his way through the airport, carrying a cup of coffee, his ticket, and an attitude more prominent than the luggage strapped to his shoulder. They had a head start on him, but he had the element of surprise. They did not know he was coming for them.

"Delta Flight 147 to Atlanta, GA now boarding," the squawking of the loudspeaker caught his attention.

He spotted his gate as he weaved his way through the crowd and moved to his left. Not looking before actually making his move, he bumped into a woman carrying a toddler. "Watch where you are going!" he hissed at her. "You almost spilled coffee on my pants!" In a protective motion, she pulled her child a little tighter to her as she stared at him wide-eyed and moved to her right.

Settled into their hotel room in the warmth of the South Carolina fall, Jennifer stood at the window watching over the pool several stories below. She turned back to her husband, sitting on the couch, reading some files from the office. "Are you sure this is wise, Darling?"

"What?" he mumbled, not looking up from the pages in front of him.

She turned away from the window, "Ryleigh alone with people we don't know."

Setting the paper down on the coffee table, Jonathan locked eyes with his wife. "Darling," he allowed a grin to cross his lips and patted the cushion beside him. "Come. Sit."

Jennifer took a deep breath and moved to him. She lay her body beside his and snuggled into his chest. "I worry too much, don't I?"

He pulled her in tight and fingered the auburn curls along her shoulders. "No, Darling." Jonathan kissed the top of her head. "Well, maybe a little. However, she is an only child, and your worry is understandable. This adventure will be a good thing for her." Jennifer turned and studied his face. "I promise, Jennifer. Nothing will happen."

Their conversation was interrupted by another voice, "What do you think?"

Jennifer sat up and looked at their daughter, in her swimsuit and a terry cloth cover-up, her hair pulled back into a low ponytail. "Don't you look cute!"

"Absolutely adorable, Sweetheart," Jonathan agreed. "Are you all ready to go?"

"I think so."

"Do you have your cash for the pizza and drinks?" Jennifer quizzed.

"Yes, Ma'am."

Jonathan grinned at her, "How about your phone?"

"Yes, Daddy."

"Do you want one of us to walk you down?" Jennifer asked, a little more hopeful than she intended.

Ryleigh rolled her eyes, "No, Momma. I can find my way to the pool."

Laughing, Jonathan looked at his watch. "If you are all ready, you can head down that way, Ry."

"I expect you to behave tonight, Ryleigh Jennifer."

The girl skipped to her parents and kissed them both on the cheek. "Thanks, you two. I will, Momma. Have fun tonight." She turned and bounced her way to the door. Pulling it open, she called back over her shoulder, "I love you guys!" and the door slammed shut behind her.

Snuggling back into her husband's chest, Jennifer replied, "I'm holding you to that promise, Darling."

Jonathan moved to answer the door and discuss the placement of their meal with the staff member bringing it in. The two men disappeared through the sliding door. As they came back, Jonathan handed the man some cash and shut the door behind him. He turned to face his wife, who was once more, watching the pool below.

"I'm pretty sure we didn't send her down there for you to stand guard."

"What?" Jennifer half-heartedly asked, her eyes never leaving the illuminated oval body of water below her, or the shadowy figures of kids playing.

Jonathan moved in behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist, lightly kissing her neck. "Dinner's getting cold, and I don't think Ry wants you standing guard all night."

"What? That's just silly. Of course not." She turned in his arms and threw hers around his neck. "Besides, I have a hot date with her very handsome father."

"He's a lucky fellow."

"I'm a lucky girl."

"But, you are still worried…"

Jennifer buried her head in his chest, "I'm absolutely terrified. Isn't that silly? It's not like she's off alone in a car with some 17-year-old boy."

Reaching his finger under her chin, Jonathan gently lifted her head so he could drink in her whiskey-colored eyes. "My Darling, you are an amazing mother. We've raised Ryleigh well. She is strong and feisty. She's one teenager who knows how to take care of herself."

"But, Darling, she's 13..."

"Plus, there are chaperones down there to keep all those teens in line. And she's not very far away."

"All these things I know," she sighed. "And yet, there is a knot in my stomach."

Jonathan studied her eyes for a moment before telling her, "You look like a woman in desperate need of romance." Jennifer giggled and buried her head in his chest. "So how about this. Let's enjoy our meal, and then, if you are still nervous, we can take a stroll along the waterfront, making a pass by the pool as we go."

"I thought you would never ask. I'd like that very much. Thank you, Darling." She reached up and kissed his mouth.

"Mmmm," he said as their lips parted. "Now who's ready to skip dinner and go straight to dessert?"

"Ha," Jennifer laughed. "Is this where I tell you I don't know who you are?"

"Oh, funny girl…" he smirked at her. "Come on, let's eat."

"I'm famished. What did you order for us?"

"We are in South Carolina… Barbecue, of course."

"Barbecue? Really? I thought that was a Memphis or Kansas City thing."

"Yes, it is. It's also a South Carolina thing. Apparently, the sauce is mustard-based instead of tomato or ketchup."

They stepped through the door into the warm evening air, Jonathan's hand on the small of her back, "Look at the lovely table. Oh, Jonathan…" she turned to face him. She met his oncoming kiss before she could say anything else. He let his free hand catch her hip and pull her whole body into his. Her hands found the back of his head, and her fingers laced through his hair. "Mmmmm…" she could feel her body melt against his. "You might just make me forget to worry for a while."

"That sounds like a promise I will hold you to, Mrs. Hart." Jonathan leaned down and kissed her again.

"Here!" Ryleigh called to another young lady as she jumped in the water. She bumped ball Ryleigh's direction, and Ryleigh jumped to spike it over the net. Typically, water volleyball wasn't her favorite, but she was learning to enjoy with her new-found friends. As the ball moved over the net and back again, she took no notice of the dark figure watching her from the shadows.

What she did notice was the couple meandering from the main doors. She often found herself watching couples as they moved. It was just something she tended to observe. Maybe it was because there were very few couples who moved together as her parents did. There was something about watching them walk, hand in hand or arm in arm, always together that made her happy. And sad for most of the couples she saw. Even in the shadows of the building, she knew who was walking her direction.

As Jonathan pushed open the door, sounds of heavy thumping bass, water splashing, and kids laughing exploded on their ears. "Do you think she'll be mad?" Jennifer asked, stepping past him through the door, his hand once more at the small of her back until she passed through. Without answering, Jonathan stepped outside and moved his arm across her shoulder. Instinctively she reached up to take hold of his hand, leaning into his body with her own.

"Momma! Daddy!" Ryleigh called as she waved them over.

"I believe, Darling, there is your answer," Jonathan smiled at Jennifer. He turned his head, grinning ear to ear, he waved and called to her, "Hi sweetheart."

"Are you having fun?" Jennifer asked as they moved closer to her. Ryleigh swam to them and hung on the edge of the pool.

"I'm loving this! Hey, you should meet my friends." Ryleigh turned back to the kids waiting on her, "Hey guys! Meet my parents, Jonathan and Jennifer Hart. Mom, Dad, this is everyone."

"Hi, everyone," Jennifer smirked. "Is that how I should call you? Everyone?"

Ryleigh rolled her eyes, "Mom… OK, this is Julie, and her sister Jane. They are from Texas. On the other side of the net are George, Sam, and Mike. They are from Florida, New York, and… ugh. No. Don't… I'll get it…"

"I don't know about you guys, but I'm ready for a pop, eh?"

"Ah… Ontario! I told you I would get it; you didn't have to help."

Mike smiled, "I didn't help, eh. I just wanted a pop."

Ryleigh laughed, "But your accent gave it away."

"I don't have an accent, you do!"

"We don't want to hold up your game," Jonathan said as he took hold of his wife's hand. "We are heading to the water."

"It was nice to meet you," Jennifer smiled at them. "See you later, Ryleigh."

The Harts walked away from the pool's edge, as Ryleigh turned back to the teenagers watching her. "Who's serving now?"

"That last point was yours, so it's still the girl's serve," Mike answered, tossing the ball back to Julie.

The Hart's reached the edge of the walkway and slipped off their shoes. Watching his wife, Jonathan, asked, "Feeling any better, Darling?"

Slipping out of her sandals, Jennifer questioned him, "What?"

"Since talking to Ry, are you feeling any better?"

Jennifer looked back to the pool with the music and laughter filling the air, before turning to her husband and smiling. "Yes, Darling, I am feeling much better. Thank you." Jennifer leaned towards him and kissed his mouth before she took his arm to walk the water's edge.

No one noticed the flicker of the match that lit up the face of Jordan Coughlin, now sitting in a poolside lounge chair. He placed the flame to the end of his cigarette and took a long pull as he watched the girl play in the water.