Chapter 16

16

"The place has been on my radar for a while now," Jason confessed. "Consortium's strong in the area. I know for sure they've got spies at the Canadian Military outpost."

A chill raced down Bridger's spine. He caught Tai's eye, seeing his own concern mirrored there.

Tai was already tapping away at his tablet. "I'm pulling up the weather forecast now and… Oh, man."

Bridger leaned over Tai's shoulder, his stomach sinking as he saw the angry red swirl of an incoming storm.

"Looks like nobody's getting in or out of Endurance anytime soon," Tai said grimly.

"Send a message," Bridger ordered Tai.

Tai nodded, big fingers working the screen of his phone. After a minute, he looked up, his expression even more pained. "All I get is ‘message undeliverable.' I can't reach Kate or Fenn. I'll run this by Paige," he said, and bent his head over the screen.

"No way the Consortium won't know they're there," Bridger guessed.

"Not likely," Jason agreed. "Clearly, they dropped some bait to lure you all out there."

"But then they let us leave."

"That's what's got me worried," Jason said. "They don't blow their noses without an elaborate plan. Seems like a huge waste to get you all there for nothing."

Bridger's gut burned. "You think they sabotaged the plane? They probably knew a few of us would stay."

"Affirmative." Jason blew out a huge breath. "I have to find a way to get out there. This is on me. If I had kept in better contact, you wouldn't have headed out there looking for me. Kate and Fenn wouldn't be––"

"Don't go there, bro." Bridger made no effort to soften his sharp tone. "You've been shouldering this Consortium business on your own for too long now. This is why we need to work together. Don't let these people tear our team apart."

Silence rang over the line. "Copy that. We can talk this through later. After we get Kate and Fenn home."

"Back atcha, dude."

Tai made a frustrated sound and strangled his phone. "Sun flares. Can you believe it? The place is literally dark twenty-four seven, but Paige says there's huge sun activity right now. It's fritzing out satellites and electronic gear all the way into the upper US. Might be a day or two before we can get any kind of message to them."

Jason groaned. "I'll see if I can help from my end."

Footfalls came toward them. Bridger looked over his shoulder. "Jane's coming back."

"Let's keep this off her radar, for now," Jason suggested. "It's almost Christmas."

Bridger consulted Tai with a look.

"Jay-man's got a good point," Tai agreed. "Another couple days, at least. See if we can get some more specific intel."

"Intel on what?" Jane asked as she snuggled up to Bridger, winding an arm through his.

Jason coughed. "Need to know, baby sis."

Her eyebrows rose.

Bridger held his breath. Uh oh .

"Seriously?" She leaned closer to the speaker. "I am not in the ‘need to know' category. Not even close."

But Jason being Jason, he didn't back down. "‘Fraid you are this time. Do the math, woman. It's twelve days to Christmas. There are a lot of things you don't need to know."

Jane's mouth rounded in an O of surprise. "Fair enough."

Bridger blinked, awed by Jason's quick mind. No way he could have come up with an excuse that fast.

The conversation wound down, the earlier lightheartedness replaced by a sense of urgency. But before they hung up, Jane asked the question Bridger knew was weighing on her heart.

"Jason, do you think… Will you be home for Christmas?"

The silence on the line was heavy, laden with unspoken emotions. Bridger and Tai shared a look, both knowing the answer before Jason spoke.

"I… I don't think I can make it back that quickly, sis. I'm sorry. But soon, I promise."

Jane's eyes shimmered with unshed tears, but she forced a smile into her voice. "I understand. We'll save your presents for when you get here."

Jason's voice was rough, thick with emotion. "Thanks, Jane. I appreciate that. I've got some great things for Kellen. I can't wait to see his face when he opens them."

"Before we hang up, Jason," Jane's voice was stern over the static-filled line, "promise us something."

Jason's gruff reply echoed back, "Depends on what it is."

"You can't go at this alone. Let Bridger and the team in," Jane implored. "It's what's best for you. For all of you. And for me and Kellen."

A moment of silence filled the airwaves before Jason finally responded. "Okay. You've got a point there, baby sis. Give me a couple weeks and I'll bring the team in. I promise."

Their voices then joined together in prayer, a chorus of faith and determination crackling through the connection until nothing but silence remained. The line had gone dead.

Bridger pulled Jane into his arms, feeling the slight tremble in her shoulders. He held her close, wishing he could shield her from the disappointment and worry.

"He'll be home soon," he murmured into her hair. "We'll make sure of it."

Tai stood, his expression determined. "I'm going to reach out to some of my contacts, see if we can get any intel on the situation in Endurance."

Bridger nodded, grateful for his friend's proactive nature. "Good idea. I'll touch base with the rest of the team, let them know what's going on."

As Tai headed for the door, Bridger turned back to his wife. He cupped her face in his hands, his thumbs brushing away the tears that had escaped.

"Hey, it's going to be okay. We'll get through this. We always do."

Jane leaned into his touch, her eyes searching his. "I know. I just… I want our family to be whole again."

Bridger's throat tightened. He wanted that, too. More than anything.

"We will be," he promised. "One way or another, we'll all be together again. That's what Christmas is all about, right? Family and love and miracles."

Jane's smile was watery but genuine. "Right."

Bridger kissed her softly, pouring all his love and reassurance into the gentle press of his lips.

No matter what challenges lay ahead, they would face them together. As a family.

And maybe, just maybe, they'd get their Christmas miracle after all.

In the meantime, he lifted a prayer for Kate and Fenn. "Please, Lord, keep my friends safe and warm and don't let them get too bored."

Or too dead.