“You think you can show us where to start the search?”
She nodded. “We were taught to look for the same things when making shelter. He’ll want trees, not brushland. A source of running water. If he built a true shelter, he might’ve wanted to bring things in. That means he’s not up in the mountains.”
Addie walked slowly towards the island, and Calder didn’t move an inch. She gestured to the pencil in his hand. “May I?”
He extended it to her. “Have at it.”
She studied the map, her brows furrowing. Then she used the length of the pencil to measure miles. Doing a little math on the side of the map, she then drew three circles. “I think these are your best bets. You can trailer horses in?”
Calder nodded. “I’ve got the trailer hooked up to a ranch truck and two mounts ready to go.”
She pointed to a forest road. “Drive in here until you get to mile marker eighty-two, then head east. That loop will take the least amount of time.”
Calder smiled. “I’m thinking you should get a job as a park ranger.”
Addie looked down, dropping the pencil as she turned away.
“Shit,” he muttered. “I didn’t mean to scare her off.”
“It’s not you. She’s been through a lot lately.” And I had a feeling I only knew the tip of the iceberg. I looked at my friend. “Are you sure you want to do this with me?”
Calder’s face hardened. “Of course, I do.”
But he had girls at home that he was an only parent to. Responsibilities that I couldn’t dream of. “I can go alone.”
“I’m going with you, so quit arguing. The truck is loaded with supplies. You ready to go?”
“Let’s go.” I could only pray that Addie’s suspicions were right and that Ev could just hold on a little longer.
44
Everly
“I bet you’re thirsty.” Ben moved from the threshold to the small kitchen, lifting a bucket onto the counter. “I need to boil this before you can drink it, though. You’ve been living the city life for a long time. Don’t forget, you can’t drink straight from the creek. You’ll get sick.”
I watched as he stoked the fire in the woodstove in the kitchen area, then poured the water into a pot on top. I couldn’t find any words. Ben. My sweet, kind, gentle Ben. He was the one who had taken me. Chained me.
My fingers itched to reach for the nail. At least that would be some sort of protection. But never in a million years had I thought I’d need protection from Ben.
“Did you try to take me before? Outside the vet?” I didn’t know which would be better, that another psycho was running around, or that Ben had left me with a concussion and bruised ribs.
He stilled his movements, not looking at me. “I’m sorry you got hurt. That wasn’t what I wanted.”
“I know you wouldn’t want to hurt me.”
Ben turned, raising his gaze to me. “Not ever.”
“This?” I lifted my foot that was chained. “It hurts me.”
“You have your jeans protecting you.”
“It doesn’t hurt me physically, Ben. It hurts me here.” I patted my chest. “It scares me.”
“You don’t have to be scared.” He moved across the room.
I couldn’t help my reaction. I skittered back on the bed.
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