Chapter Twenty-Four

Day 17

“This competition has been such a great experience,” Colleen told the woman conducting the interview. She sat on a hard, folding chair, across from the video camera. Above them stood a portable canopy for shade. The sun warmth helped remove some of the chill from the air. Doing these interviews was as enjoyable as a trip to the Department of Motor Vehicles—a necessary evil.

“Do you have any doubts about competing against Storm, one on one?” The interviewer took an offered bottle of water out of the hand of one of the production assistants. With long fingers tipped with hot pink nails, she twisted off the cap and took a drink.

“He’s a strong competitor, but so am I. We have different styles. When we work together, we complimented each other. Only time will tell who’ll come out ahead.”

The woman pushed up her purple framed glasses to the bridge of her nose and glanced at her notes. “The dynamic has been interesting to watch. Do you see a future together?”

In her dreams, but she wasn’t sharing her secrets on national TV. She relaxed the muscles in her face so not to reveal her unsteady emotions. “A future? As in dating? I’m not thinking about my love life right now.”

“You want to build a retreat for veterans suffering with PTSD and other service-related trauma. Is that what’s pushing you through each challenge?”

“Yes.” Colleen leaned forward. “I’ve worked for the past year to raise the money for construction. Winning would guarantee the doors opening soon. The men and women who’ve served our country now find themselves underserved by the government. I’ve seen firsthand how therapy can save lives. Making this retreat a reality means everything to me.”

“What if you don’t win?” A gust of wind blew the woman’s black hair over her face. She brushed it back before returning her attention to Colleen.

“I’ll double my fundraising efforts, but every day that passes, more vets go without lifesaving help. Which is why I need to win.” She allowed emotion into her voice, needing to convey her passion and commitment. If she didn’t win, she’d use the publicity from her participation in this event as a new opportunity to raise money. Looking into the camera, she smiled. “If viewers would like to donate, please visit my professional website for a link. A quick web search of my name plus veterans will lead you to the site.”

“Thanks, Colleen.” The interviewer reached over and shook her hand. “Good luck.”

Colleen left in search of a quiet spot to collect her thoughts. In two hours, she’d set off for the final leg. She spent about thirty minutes strolling around the area, enjoying the beauty of the desert. Lizards scurried along the desert floor, over rocks, and up Joshua trees. They looked so busy, like tiny New Yorkers during rush hour.

Even after her meditation, she still felt antsy. Journal writing usually calmed her nerves. She returned to the tent and grabbed her little leather journal and a pen. On the way to a park bench she’d discovered earlier, she heard Storm’s voice coming from the interview spot. Eavesdropping on him wasn’t right, but her curiosity won over her better judgment. Crouching, she hid on the other side of her tent and listened.

“You stated you want to start an organic farm,” the female interviewer said. “Why is that business so important?”

“For the past five years, I’ve worked with organic farmers. I love the idea of using the gifts of nature to produce delicious and hearty plants. Now, I have a daughter to care for. Her mother is leaving for South America in January. She won’t sign off on granting me full custody if I can’t provide a permanent home for our daughter. The prize money will allow me to buy farmland and build a house.”

Still hidden, Colleen held her breath. She had no idea about the obstacles Storm faced to gain custody of Harper.

“What are your plans if you don’t win?”

Storm cleared his throat. “Not winning has never been an option because I’ve put everything into this competition. If I don’t win, I won’t have enough time to find a good paying job and establish a home before Valerie leaves. Then, my daughter will go live with her grandparents in New York City.”

“How tragic. Would you move there to be with her?”

“My mother struggles with mental illness, and she’s working hard to get healthy. I’d have to stay in Liberty Ridge, at least for a while. A move at this point would mean changing doctors, which would hamper her progress. So, you see why I’m motivated to win. I really have no other option.”

“Well, best of luck to you. I’d hate for you to become separated from your daughter.”

At the sound of shuffling feet moving in her direction, she ran back to the quiet spot on the bench. Guilt brewed in her gut. She shouldn’t have eavesdropped on Storm’s interview. What was she supposed to do now? If she won, Storm and Harper would be separated. Having seen Storm glow when talking about his daughter, she knew he’d be devastated.

A scream of frustration rose inside her, and she craved to release it into the barren expanse of the desert. At this point in the competition, she shouldn’t question her desire to win. How could go on, knowing how much Storm had riding on the prize money?

“Hey,” Storm said, coming up from behind.

She jumped, and her heart leaped into her throat. “Good grief, you almost scared me into the grave.”

“I got you nervous, huh?” He sat and nudged her lightly with his elbow.

“Not nerves.” Guilt. She didn’t want to stand between him and a life with his daughter.

“We’ll be done after today, and then our lives can go back to normal.”

Storm smiled, but underneath Colleen saw tension. The fine lines between his eyebrows were deeper, and the normal warm brown color of his eyes darkened to deep pools. “Do you want to return to normal between us?” She wrung her hands. “I don’t want to go back to you hating me.” Whatever his true feelings, once they’d completed the competition, she’d work to mend their relationship.

“I really never hated you. Actually, just the opposite.” He combed back his shaggy hair with his fingers. “You’ve always provoked strong feelings from me. Actually, you seem to have that effect on a lot of people.”

“Hey.” She whacked him on the chest. A chest hardened by years of manual labor. Sigh. Why did little Stormy have to grow up to be such a hottie? Back in the fourth grade, she’d never guessed the scrawny boy would evolve into a swoon-worthy, hunky man.

“Just remember, we agreed in the beginning that winner takes all.” Storm’s grin widened.

In reaction, she felt a fluttering in her chest. Whatever the results of the competition, she knew one thing for certain—Storm had already won her heart.

****

At twelve-fifteen, thirty minutes after Colleen left, Storm grabbed his clue.

Head to Johnson’s Marina in Salton City. Be prepared to get wet.

After getting into his car, he desperately scanned the map of California. Just to the south of Joshua Tree National Park lay the Salton Sea. He did a double take, not expecting a large lake in the middle of the California desert.

The drive south was relatively short, compared to some of the other long hauls. When he pulled into the parking lot of Johnson’s Marina, he saw Colleen’s car. Whatever the challenge, she hadn’t completed it yet. Good.

As he exited the car, he was hit with the scent of rotten fish. He didn’t consider himself sensitive to bad smells, but the odor was gag-inducing. Ignoring the churning of his stomach, he ran toward the red flag and grabbed the lone envelope.

Your next clue is floating somewhere on the Salton Sea. Take a personal watercraft to search for the red buoy.

Storm stripped off his shirt, put on a life vest, and then climbed aboard the only personal watercraft parked by the dock. After taking a moment to figure out how the machine worked, he decided the watercraft used a throttle lever similar to an ATV. He turned the key, hit the throttle, and took off in a spray of salt water. Out in the distance, he noticed Colleen circling an area. He’d head in that direction in case she’d located the red buoy. He started toward her.

Colleen moved farther south. Then, she made a sharp U-turn and rocketed back to the dock.

He scanned his gaze over the water. Panic took root in his gut and grew. In order to win, he had to keep his cool. Just because Colleen might have found the clue didn’t mean he couldn’t easily overtake her. The choppy water made for a bumpy, wet ride. He continued in the direction she’d earlier occupied. Out of the corner of his eye, he detected a red flash. The flag bobbed about fifty yards to the south. He increased his speed until he reached the buoy, and then ripped off the envelope. After stuffing it unopened in his life-vest, he raced back to shore.

By the time he arrived, Colleen was nowhere to be seen. He slipped back into his T-shirt and read.

The USS Midway is your destination.

Having never heard of the USS Midway, he asked the few people milling around. No luck. After spotting an older gentleman standing along the rocky shore, casting a line into the murky water, he decided to try one last person before taking off. He cleared his throat to announce his presence. “Excuse me, sir. Are you familiar with the USS Midway?”

“Son,” he said, not taking his gaze off his fishing line. “I’m an old sea dog. Of course, I know the USS Midway.”

Finally. “Can you tell me where the ship is docked?”

The old man made a deep throated—a pack of cigarettes a day—laugh. “San Diego, of course. They turned the ship into some sort of museum.”

“Thanks.” Storm ran to his car. San Diego was about a two-and-a-half-hour drive. If he was lucky, he’d catch Colleen. Maybe even pass her.

With his adrenaline pumping, he felt the drive pass in a blur. He arrived at the Navy Pier and parked, then ran in front of the giant Kissing Statue on his way toward the show’s red flag. Once there, he grabbed the next clue.

Take an aerial combat ride. Test your skill on the Flight Simulator.

His stomach churned at the thought of being whipped around inside a giant hamster ball. He pushed down his anxiety and moved forward, onto the ship, and toward another obstacle set in the way of his prize.

****

“Yeehaw.” Colleen performed an aerial loop in the flight simulator. What a rush! She’d been afraid she’d get sick, but so far so good. After one last spin combo, her flight ended. Once she was released from the harness and her feet hit the ground, she accepted a red envelope.

Somewhere on this ship is your final clue. Keep your eyes sharp and your feet fast. You have a lot of ground to cover.

Colleen stepped aside as Storm approached with a touch of temper in his narrowed eyes. Well, he shouldn’t get his boxers in a bunch. She wasn’t very far ahead, and they both had an entire aircraft carrier to search.

Time to hustle. But where to start? She needed a plan. Pulling out a map of the ship, she reviewed the layout, deciding to start at the top and work her way down. If luck stayed by her side, she’d find the red flag hanging off one of the ship’s huge gun turrets.

An hour later, she wanted to kick luck between the legs. No red flag and no clue in sight on the gigantic flight deck. Every so often, she’d catch a glimpse of Storm and perceived his frustration matched her own.

The time was almost four-thirty, and the ship would soon close. What then? Were they kicked off or given more time to search? She descended and wove her way through narrow halls. Finally, the blessed red flag came into view, tucked inside the Executive Officer’s Quarters. Relief and excitement bubbled up. Grabbing the envelope housing the precious clue, she ran. The twists and turns of the halls weren’t conducive for speed, but she made her way back to daylight without delay.

As her foot hit the main deck, she saw Storm barreling toward her. She thought about Harper and how much she needed her daddy in her life. A little voice of conscience whispered in her head. “Hey, Storm,” she called. “The clue is on the lower deck, in the EXO’s room. Go down the stairs and the room is to your left.”

Already halfway descended, he spun back. “Why would you tell me where to find the clue?”

“I’m helping you, believe me or not.” Colleen took off at a fast-paced jog. Despite assisting her competitor, she wouldn’t concede defeat. Stepping off the ship, she let her anxiety blow away with the fresh air.

The sun hovered over the Pacific Ocean with a blast of pink and orange, and she took a few seconds to appreciate her surroundings. With her mind and body calmed, Colleen opened the next clue.

The bonfire on the beach is your final stop. Take one last drive and go to the Crystal Pier. The first contestant to arrive is the winner of the Great American Scavenger Hunt!

Every trial and challenge of the previous seventeen days boiled down to this moment. As long as she kept her composure and didn’t waste time on the trip to Crystal Pier, she would be the winner. Excitement bubbled inside her as she pictured her final destination.

****

After wandering down narrow halls, Storm felt ready to scream. He spun in a circle, frantic to remember where he’d already searched. He’d been confident she’d given him wrong directions, so he’d started in the opposite route.

He strode down a tight hallway and after a few turns, he finally found the clue inside the ship’s Post Office, not the EXO’s room like she’d stated. Had she resorted to deceit in order to win?

He kicked himself for trusting her. How could he have thought they’d have a chance at a real romance? Their budding relationship was a made-for-TV scam. Storm grabbed the envelope and hurried topside. After reading the paper, he steadied himself as the ship underneath seemed to tilt. The last clue. He’d drive fast and hard to beat Colleen to their final destination.

After sprinting off the ship, he swung by the museum ticket booth to ask for directions. The Crystal Pier was close. Instead of meeting victory, he feared defeat waited at the finish line.

****

Colleen waited at a red light to turn onto the freeway and replayed Storm’s interview in her head. She bit her lower lip, like the slight pain would be enough to distract her mind. He needed the money to keep his family together. If she won, would Harper live far away? Or would Storm leave his mom to stay with his daughter? Storm’s calming presence in Rose’s life was the reason for the improvement in her mental health. If he moved away again, she’d certainly spiral into the dark well of mental illness, having lost her reason to fight.

Maybe he’d find a way to keep everyone together. But most likely, not. Storm wasn’t blessed with the money she’d been born into. He had no other resources. She did.

Her cause was important as well, though. If she accepted her dad’s money, she’d hand over control to a man whose only interest was his own. In order for the retreat to be a success, she needed to run the program without interference.

Ugh. She pounded the steering wheel. What should she do? Win, build her retreat, and start helping veterans, or let Storm arrive at the finish line first. Either choice left her unsatisfied.

When the light turned green, she pressed her foot on the gas, and guided her vehicle onto the freeway, heading north toward Crystal Pier. The closer Colleen drove to her destination, the greater she firmed her decision. She had a moral obligation to do the right thing. Otherwise, she could never live with herself.