Chapter Twenty-Nine

Day Nine, Late Afternoon

The massive jaws opened and extended. They missed by inches, and still, Kate couldn't breathe. The shark disappeared, and she knew it was diving deep to give it more height in the next breach.

Shawn frantically waved his arm in a circular motion above them. Kate wondered if the lift had more than one speed. But then, the helicopter itself rose higher, taking them with it.

The shark breached and water sprayed around them. Tears filled Kate's eyes.

The shark didn't win.

She wouldn't feel safe until she was on land, but right now, she couldn't help the relief running through her. She looked down and all she saw was a still ocean and the roof of the yacht above the surface. The shark was gone.

Slowly, they rose upward until someone's arms wrapped around her. She was placed on the floor and she did everything she could to control her emotions.

Kate was able to see the ocean and she took one last look at the yacht and watched it sink beneath the surface.

Someone unstrapped her from the harness and placed headphones over her ears. Kate looked for Ryan and saw her on Greg's lap, wrapped tightly in his arms. Shawn lifted her and placed her in the seat across from her father. He strapped her in and took the seat next to her.

A male voice filled her ears.

"Are you injured? Do you need medical attention?"

She shook her head, unable to speak. She sagged slightly and Shawn straightened her and held on so she was sitting upright. Greg looked at her over Ryan's shoulder.

"Sam?" he mouthed.

Kate shook her head, and tears began sliding down her cheeks.

Her father's voice entered the headset. "You and Ryan will be okay. I'm here now."

Ryan didn't move just held on as tightly as she could to her grandpops.

Kate leaned her head back and closed her eyes. Her thoughts went to Sam, his smile, his love, his faith that she could save their daughter.

"I did it," Kate told him silently. "You will be so proud of the woman she becomes, I promise."