THE PERFECT TEN (Boxed Set)

thing.” Kasey shrugged. “This doesn’t feel real. I feel like I’m dreaming.”
    “The nightmare is almost over. You’re getting Jake back. It’s nothing but good from here on.”
    Scott rushed over to her side. “I’ve got to get to the station. There’s a problem. I’m sorry. I’ll be back as soon as I can.”
    “Okay.” Kasey called after him as he hurried away, “Be careful.” But Scott was already hauling ass out the glass doors. She watched as he hit the blue lights on his cruiser and pulled out on Route 58.
    Riley tapped Kasey’s shoulder. “That’s got to be them.” She pointed out the window.
    Von and Lou joined them.
    They all grabbed hands—Von, Riley, Kasey and Lou—and watched the jet touch down and taxi toward the terminal. Kasey gripped Riley’s hand and Lou’s arm, steadying herself just in case her legs buckled. Her heart pounded harder as the jet engines got closer. She watched the plane come within jogging distance in what seemed like slow motion.
    Kasey looked to Von. “Can we go outside and wait?”
    “I don’t think there’s anyone here that’s going to stop you,” Von said.
    They put on their coats as they hurried outside. Kasey could see the pilot flipping switches. The engines shut down and it was silent. Not even a cricket chirped. The door on the plane pushed forward, then the stairs folded down.
    Kasey held her breath, her hands clasped in prayer.
    Cody appeared in the doorway. Kasey’s stomach plummeted. And then there was Jake. Right there in the doorway of the plane.
    In one sweep, Cody lifted Jake to his hip and started down the steep stairs, just like Nick would’ve carried him. Jake looked so small in the arms of Cody Tuggle.
    Kasey broke into a run toward them.
    Jake’s eyes lit up when he saw her. “Mommy!” He reached for her.
    “Oh, my....” Kasey whisked her son from Cody’s arms and clung to him. “How’s my boy?” She brushed his bangs away from his eyes, then pulled him close again.
    “Let him breathe,” Cody said with a laugh. “He’s in good shape. Aren’t you?” He scrubbed his hand through Jake’s hair.
    “Mommy. I was missing you. We flew the plane fast and there were lights. It was like lightning bugs—lots of them, and it was pretty.”
    “I love you, Jake.” She knelt in front of him. With her arms still around him, she looked up at Cody. “Thank you. Thank you so much.”
    He nodded, then Lou walked up and kissed him on the cheek.
    Jake clung to his mother’s hand. “Mommy. I missed you and Daddy.”
    “I missed you too, sweetie. I missed you every day.” She kissed Jake on both cheeks and on his forehead.
    His lip quivered. “Why are you crying, Mommy?”
    “Mommy’s happy.” Kasey tweaked his nose. “I’m so happy to see you. These are good tears, I promise,” she choked out between sobs of relief. “I love you.”
    Jake reached out and put his hands on Kasey's cheeks. “Don’t cry, Mommy.”
    He brushed at her tears with his sleeve. “I didn’t mean to make you sad.”
    “I’m not sad, honey.”
    Jake lowered his head. “Daddy can’t come home, Mommy.”
    “I know.” Kasey hadn’t even considered how she’d tell him about his dad.
    “Jeremy and me swam, and Daddy went to the angels.” Tears filled Jakes eyes and his lip poked out. “Mommy? Uncle Jeremy’s not Daddy, is he? Miss Libby thinks Uncle Jeremy is Daddy.”
    “No, baby. He’s not. She was mixed up.” She held him close. “You’re home now. No one will ever separate us again. I promise.”
    “I’m a big boy. I’ll take care of you.”
    “I know you will. You are my little man.” She hugged him and kissed his cheek. “Mommy missed you so much.”
    They walked into the small terminal and sat at a Formica-topped table. Kasey moved her chair close to Jake, facing him. “Were you afraid?”
    “Miss Libby is nice. She’s old, but she likes swings. Jeremy said you were busy, but you missed me. I was a good boy.”
    “I’m sure you were, my little angel.”
    Scott strode in looking tense and serious, but a grin spread across his face when he saw Kasey sitting with Jake.
    “Success,” he said as he joined the small, special group of friends around Kasey. “Thank you.” Scott shook Cody’s hand. “Right place, right time. Couldn’t have worked out better.”
    “Happy to be a part of it.” Cody gave Jake a wink.
    Jake’s face contorted as he tried to mimic Cody.
    “Thank you,” Kasey met the gaze of each of