* * *
What an evening it had been. Though they weren’t quite ready to buy billboard space to announce Evie’s identity, they didn’t worry much about anyone recognizing her. First of all, she bore almost no resemblance to her publicly circulated photos tonight. With that dress, chic haircut, earrings, and a little bit of makeup, she looked more like a movie star than a fugitive. Secondly, her date was the police chief and she’d been one of the mayor’s repeat dance partners—which didn’t exactly scream outlaw to the tourist crowd.
Clancy was in awe of Evie, and of the happiness unfolding inside him. He was grateful for how everything had come together. By tomorrow morning, Richard Wahlman’s case against Evie would start to unravel. He would face charges and the manhunt would be called off. Clancy and Evie could then concentrate on untangling whatever legal predicament remained.
The only thing that marred the otherwise perfect evening was Clancy’s feud with Duncan. His big brother had been AWOL until about a half hour ago, when he parked Da’s powerboat illegally in an emergency-only spot along the public dock. Yet again, the rules didn’t seem to apply to his big brother.
Duncan planned to leave in the morning, and like always, they wouldn’t get to the heart of their conflict. Clancy didn’t hate Duncan—not at all. But he sure as hell didn’t understand him.
Clancy had just finished a rumba with Jellybean when the DJ announced the last song of the ball. “This is a special request, ladies and gentlemen. This song is for everyone, young or old, who is in love tonight.”
As planned, that was Nat’s cue to deliver Evie into Clancy’s arms, then sweep Mermaid Jellybean away. The music began to flow over the dance floor.
Evie looked at him with happy confusion.
“You arranged this?”
“I did.”
“So, you remember our song?”
“Of course.”
Clancy dipped Evie in his arms, snapped her up, and kissed her hard. He whispered in her ear. “But I do have something to confess.”
“Please do,” she whispered back.
“I’ve never really loved the song.”
Evie giggled. “The sentiment is good, but you’re right—those were some bad years for music.”
Clancy held her tight, his hand pressed to the small of her back and his cheek to hers, knowing he had the most precious gift he’d ever received right there in his arms.
He felt it before he heard it. A deep vibration rose up through the boards and into the soles of his feet. Clancy backed away from Evie and spun around. He hadn’t been paying attention. His focus had been on Evie and the music had blocked out the noise.
And now they were right on top of them.
Chapter Nineteen
A helicopter and a speedboat barreled right toward them from less than a nautical mile offshore while four other copters headed to the airfield.
Clancy turned to Evie and saw the horror in her eyes. “Get Christina. Come right back here to me.”
It was chaos. Tourists who had only moments ago been slow dancing to pop music were now scattering like pins in a bowling alley. People were screaming and running in every direction as one of the helicopters hovered directly overhead, whipping the air into a violent vortex.
“Clancy!” Evie had Christina in her arms. The sight of the little girl’s sweet face twisted up and red with panic was the most heart-wrenching thing he’d ever seen. He knew he had to make it right for her. And for Evie.