I’m reckless, urgently needing to be there. Because the stakes are so much higher than a deal.
As I veer off the path and into the sand, my leather soles slipping with each stride, the memory of Annie telling me how badly she wanted to do this at sunset echoes in my head.
I round the last outbuilding, and my chest eases a little when I see everyone there, torches lighting the way.
Something’s wrong. There’s Harry and Beck and Elle and Pen and Rae, standing with Sophie. Mason’s baby stroller…
“Where’s Annie?” I pull up, panting.
They’re all looking at me.
“She left.” Beck’s the one to answer, and the heaviness in his tone has cold fear spiking through me.
“Left,” I echo. I look toward the horizon, my first awful thought that she’s gone from the island even though it’s impossible. From the way I grew up, my mind still works in absolutes when I’m panicked—all or nothing. Things and people are gone forever.
“Sophie let Hugo out of his cage,” Rae explains. “Annie didn’t want him to get hurt, so she’s going to the cove.” She nods toward the ocean.
“Wait. She went after a bird?”
Annie has a soft heart. It’s one thing I love about her, but even though I can’t understand this, I need to fix it.
“It’s getting dark,” says our attendant. “It’s dangerous to be out there alone. I’ve radioed a boat.”
“How long will that take?”
“Twenty minutes.”
“She’s out there,” I insist. “Get me a jet ski. A raft. Something.” Impatience and panic claw at my throat. “How did you get there before?”
Beck nods down the beach and inland a bit—toward the stable. A string of horses is still tethered outside.
Jesus.