Page 133 of Sheltering You

Tears filled Jasmine’s eyes.

Derrick ran a hand over her silky hair. “You’re here for a reason.”

“That’s right.” Grant looked around at the gathered group, and unlike Derrick, when he focused on Jasmine again, he did smile. “God knew what He was doing when He brought you to us.”

As terrified as Derrick was, not for himself but for the people he loved, he knew Grant was right.

God had a plan for this—for all of it.

One way or another, He’d bring them through.

“You believe that?” Grant asked.

Jasmine looked around, and Derrick followed her gaze. Nobody seemed angry or frustrated. His family smiled at her. Leila sat beside her and wrapped her in a hug. From her seat on the floor, Sophie grabbed her hand.

Jasmine’s eyes filled, and she nodded. “Yes. I believe you’re right. I’m here for a reason.”

Before anyone could respond, Daniel’s voice carried through the walkie-talkie, and Grant snatched it up, taking it to the windows. He must’ve turned the volume down, though, because Derrick could hardly hear.

“Say that again.” Grant stared out at the dark night. The snow was still falling, and a half inch had accumulated on the deck that wrapped around three sides of the house. In the window’s reflection, he looked worried.

“…a forty-footer, at least. Half a mile out.” Daniel’s voice was faint, a little scratchy. “Four motorized rafts. I count eight on each. Wait… They just dropped another one.”

“How far?”

“The first one is landing now. More are coming.”

“Toward the dock?”

“Yup.”

“Are you well hidden?”

“They won’t find me.”

“Okay. Do not engage. Repeat, do not engage.”

“I’m just supposed to sit here and do nothing?”

“Keep me updated on the numbers. Once they hit ground, stay low and be quiet. That includes the walkie-talkie—no volume until you’re safe. I’ll get back to you. Copy?”

“Copy.”

Grant turned and met Derrick’s eyes.

Derrick was doing the math. Five boats. Eight men on each.

“That’s a lot of men.”

“We got this.” But Grant’s expression held no amusement now. “We just have to be smart. You want to stay close to Jasmine?”

“Definitely.”

“Okay. This is about Jasmine, and she’s your… Well, you love her, so you get a say.”

He did love her, married or not. And he’d protect her with his life, if that was what it came down to.

“You can’t be with her, though. I’ve gotta put Summer…” His brother swallowed, his gaze flicking to his wife. Summer was fierce and competent. But also pregnant. It seemed to take effort for Grant to force his gaze back to Derrick. “You can stay at the house. Michael tells me you’re a good shot. You and Sam will be here, in this room, the last line of defense. If you do that, it means you stay inside unless I tell you otherwise. You trust the people outside and upstairs to do their job. Your job is to stop anyone who breaches the doors. Agreed?”