Page 127 of Betrayed

He tossed the flashlight to Megan then whipped off his shoes. It was all he could do to wait until Megan had gotten the boat closer, but as soon as it was, she cut the engine, and he dove in.

The cool water shocked his body, but he ignored it.

Megan shined the flashlight into the water. Thankfully, there hadn’t been a huge rain recently to churn up a bunch of mud, so the water was fairly clear. The coolness stung Logan’s eyes.

AJ.

He spotted her. She was struggling, hands and feet both bound, but her movements were slowing. He needed to get to her quickly.

After surfacing for air, he dove again, straight to her.

He wrapped his arms around her and propelled them both upward. They surfaced.

Splash.

Wesson swam to them. He clasped the rope that came from AJ’s back in his teeth.

“Good boy,” Megan called. “Bring ’em here.”

Wesson swam toward the boat. Logan helped.

AJ was limp in his arms.

Oh Jesus, please! Help her!

He reached the boat, and Megan leaned over the side and hauled AJ up.

Logan got in the boat as fast as he could, and Wesson jumped in the back.

Megan was working to untie the rope. She tossed Logan a knife.

He cut the duct tape, and they laid AJ on her back. She wasn’t breathing.

“AJ!” Logan threw himself down to her and patted her cheek. “Come back to me.”

“Rescue breaths.” Megan’s voice was strong and demanding.

Logan repositioned himself, pinched AJ’s nose, and covered her mouth with his own. He gave her two forceful breaths. He sat back.

Megan did thirty compressions. “Come on, AJ.”

Logan breathed into his wife’s lungs two more breaths.

Megan started compressions again, but AJ sputtered.

Relief filled Logan. They turned AJ on her side, and she coughed up water.

She moved her arms and pushed herself up some, and she continued to expel water from her airway.

He’d almost lost her … and in the same way he’d lost Bree. But AJ was okay. She was breathing. Thank you, Jesus.

AJ looked up at him. So much love and joy filled her eyes.

He scooped her up and held her against his chest. She wove her arms around him.

Megan untied the rope around her legs. “Let’s get you two back, then warm and dry.” She squeezed AJ’s knee. “I’m glad you’re okay, friend.”

AJ let go of Logan for a moment and gave Megan a hug.