She held his gaze for a long moment, her jaw set in a grim line. Then she shook her head. Fine. Be careful and dont do anything stupid.
Not much in the way of a vote of confidence. Brody downed a couple of doughnuts and another cup of coffee before heading outside to get his stuff out of the rental. The wind stole his breath and the sheets of freezing rain made walking a challenge, but he made it to the car and back without killing himself.
By the time he was ready, a guy named Baker who wasaccording to Mikea volunteer with the fire department, had handed out location assignments.
Okay, people, the guy said. Most of you know April, but for the few that dont, just watch for a nine-year-old girl who isnt safe at home where she belongs. Shes wearing a purple coat, a white hat with a purple pom-pom and pink boots. Lets bring her home.
As they filed out of the gym, Brody looked back at Delaney. He caught her watching him, and he raised a hand to say goodbye. She turned away.
* * *
BREAKFAST WAS NOTHING short of a nightmare. Being a short-order cook for a large group of cranky people who hadnt gotten a good nights sleep was even less fun than registering vehicles for a mob of people whod forgotten it was the last day of December.
One of the reasons they used the elementary school for the town shelter, rather than the high school, was the fact the kitchen was attached to what they called the gym, but was actually a multi-purpose room that doubled as the cafeteria. With space, a kitchen and restrooms in a central location, it was the perfect space.
What was not perfect was people passing through the line and settling for doughnuts, pastries and cold cereal when there was a fully stocked school kitchen behind them. Some of the women wanted to fire up the stoves and turn the place into the neighborhood diner. Delaney was going to lose her voice explaining over and over why that wasnt possible.
Lunch would be primarily do-it-yourself sandwiches, but she wasnt looking forward to supper.
As soon as she could escape the serving line, she brewed more coffee and then grabbed a box of trash bags. There were at least half a dozen garbage barrels in the gym and it seemed as if every time she turned around, they were full again.
It also annoyed Delaney to no end how much she worried about Brody. No matter what she was doing or what minor crisis she was handling, in the back of her mind she was constantly aware of just how long hed been gone. And it had only been about three hours. Though she didnt forget hed been born and raised in Tuckers Point, she worried five years in warmer climates had made him soft.
Im sorry, Delaney.
She hadnt even noticed Sandy standing next to her, gently bouncing the baby on her shoulder.
I wouldnt have come, Sandy continued, but the house was cooling off way too fast and Noahs too little to weather it out.
Delaney jerked a full bag out of the garbage can and shoved down on the contents so she could tie it off. Of course you had to come, Sandy. Dont even worry about it. If he gets too fussy, well take turns walking him and...well, people are going to have deal, thats all.
Thanks, but I was talking about Brody. Im sorry for bringing Brody here.
Delaney sighed and looked at the sleeping baby. Noah looked a lot like Sandy, who looked a lot like Brody. Her heart twisted as she wondered if her and Brodys babies would have looked like little Noah.
Its been five years, Delaney said in a quiet voice. And it was inevitable Id run into him eventually. Im fine. Really.
I wish I could have given you a heads-up, at least.
Delaney laughed. Then I might have stayed home and made smores over emergency candles and who would be here to take out the garbage?
Would you really have avoided him?
I wouldnt have gone out of my way to see him. Delaney sighed. Fine, its a little hard.
At least you didnt bean him with your clipboard.
I thought about it. You know, hed been acting weird for a couple of weeks before he left. She gave a derisive snort. I thought he was working up the nerve to ask me to marry him.
Oh, Delaney. Sandy looked as if she was going to cry, so Delaney focused her attention on putting a fresh bag in the can. We thought he was going to propose, too.
Guess he fooled us all.
I dont think he meant to. Not that it helps any, but I think he was scared and confused.
She wasnt really in the mood to hear Brody defended, but Sandy was his sister, after all. Delaney knew she was only trying to help. It was a long time ago. Im over it.
That was a lie, but Sandy was too busy shifting Noahs weight to her other shoulder to see it on her face. Delaney hadnt spent the last five yearsokay, four and a half years, maybepining away for Brody Rollins, but she hadnt found a man to replace him yet.
Shed dated. Shed even had a couple of relationships that might have grown serious enough to head to the altar and give her the family she wanted if her stupid, stubborn heart had been able to give up on the man whod broken it.
But, even though shed met some really nice guys who would have made good husbands, she hadnt met one yet who made her feel the way Brody had. And, judging by her reaction to being around him, maybe still did.
* * *
THE ONLY THING worse than driving back into Tuckers Point was riding shotgun around Tuckers Point during an ice storm. The big plow truck with the massive sand-and-salt hopper on the back went okay, but it was still white-knuckle tense in the cab, especially with a little girl lost.
Brody kept his focus on the passing scenery, eyes peeled for a flash of purple or white or pink, but he saw nothing but the town hed grown up in. Theyd been at it for hours, going around the outskirts since people were searching the main downtown area on foot.
This is a waste of time, Mike said, not for the first time. Shes not going to be walking down the side of the road. Shes hiding somewhere. Taking shelter.
You never know what a kid will do. She could be trying to walk home right now.
Not giving up. Just think its a waste of time. Now weve not only got a lost kid, but a whole lot of people who should be safe inside are out looking for her. He handed his Thermos to Brody, signaling he was ready for another hit of coffee.
He poured Mike half a cup, strong and black, then screwed the lid back on. His brother-in-law was going to start getting jittery soon if he didnt lay off the caffeine. Hopefully somebody will find her soon.
Yeah. If it was Noah out there... Mike swallowed some coffee, then shook his head. Id want every able-bodied person in the whole state of Maine out looking for him.
Brody had to agree. Hed only known Noah less than a day and hed already take on a pack of dragons with nothing but a butter knife for the kid.
If this gets any worse, were going to have to head back, Mike said in a grim voice. Ice was sheeting over the windshield so fast the defroster and wipers could barely keep up, and the kids could play pond hockey on the streets. Theyll keep looking. Redll be out on Betsythat John Deere of hisand theyll keep searching on foot. Some of the guys have ATVs with chains on the tires. Theyll go out.
Brody could hear the reluctance to give up in Mikes voice, but he had to agree. Conditions were moving past treacherous and straight into deadly. Its like you said. Shes probably hiding somewhere under cover, anyway. Its the door-to-door searches thatll turn her up and we dont want to pull people off that to come rescue us.
Brody could hear the reluctance to give up in Mikes voice, but he had to agree. Conditions were moving past treacherous and straight into deadly. Its like you said. Shes probably hiding somewhere under cover, anyway. Its the door-to-door searches thatll turn her up and we dont want to pull people off that to come rescue us.
He looked out the window, still looking for a flash of purple, while Mike radioed in for an update and to voice his concerns.
Cased in glittering ice, his hometown looked beautiful and peaceful, like something out of a snow globe. And he had to admire the way the town pulled together. Hed been listening to the chatter on Mikes radio and this was a community that knew how to stand together and help their neighbors.
Maybe it was only as a grown man he could appreciate qualities like that. Growing up and in the few years after he graduated from high school, hed felt nothing but resentment. Now hed seen a little more of the world. Played cards in places like Atlantic City and Las Vegas and Miami. Flipped houses in almost every kind of suburban neighborhood, working his way up to some commercial stuff. It was easier to appreciate the bonds a town like Tuckers Point fostered and why people might stay instead of getting out at the first opportunity, like he had.
Were heading back in, Mike said, breaking into his thoughts. Well take a different route back to cover the ground, but theyre pulling the road crews in.
Brody would be lying if he said he wasnt relieved, but that didnt make it any easier to abandon the search. And with Mike, Sandy and Noah together as a family, Brody was going to be left to his own devices, and there was nowhere to hide in the gym. Either for him or for Delaney.
They were almost back to the school when Mike changed the subject from his job, which Brody now knew more about than hed ever wanted to, to the past. We might have run with different crowds, but I remember you used to date Delaney. Sandy said you were still together when you moved away.
There was no question, but his brother-in-law seemed to be waiting for some kind of response. Yeah.
Must be weird, seeing her again.
Now that the sucker punch of seeing her face had been absorbed, Brody was starting to like the idea of seeing Delaney again.
They definitely had unfinished business between them.
CHAPTER FOUR
BECAUSE, DESPITE HERSELF, shed been watching for his return, Delaney knew the first thing Brody did when he walked through the gym door was scan the room until he found her. Their eyes met and she held his gaze until Mike said something to him, drawing his attention.
She was in trouble. Now matter how often she reminded herself of how badly hed hurt her, the magnetism that had first drawn her to Brody and the chemistry that pulled them together were still as strong as theyd ever been. He was a rip tide that would suck her in and pull her under, but some reckless part of her wanted to throw caution to the wind and dive in headfirst.
But several members of the road crew, besides Mike, were arriving, so she went into the kitchen to brew a fresh urn of coffee. Most of them would crash for a while, but she wanted to have it ready, just in case.
Miss Delaney? The small voice startled her, and she turned to see Mariah Turner standing in the doorway. Did those men find April?
Not yet, honey. Mariah and the little girl who was lost would be classmates, she realized. And no matter how discreet adults tried to be in their conversations, shed obviously overheard somebody talking about April. There are still people out there looking, though. Theyll find her, honey.
Did she run away?
I dont know. Delaney gave her a comforting smile. Did she say anything about running away? Was she unhappy at school?
Nope. But if she didnt run away, did somebody take her?
Delaney didnt know what to say. There was no training for this during the towns emergency response drills. I dont know what happened to April, Mariah. But were going to think positive thoughts and when the searchers find her, well be able to ask her ourselves, okay?
Okay. Can me and my sister have some oyster crackers?
That she could deal with. She reached into a big box the restaurant had donated and took out two packets of oyster crackers. They were good snacks for antsy young people. Tasty, crunchy andmost importantlynot loaded with sugar.
Thanks, Miss Delaney! Mariah skipped out, almost colliding with Brody.
Whoa! He did a side step to keep from tripping over the child, then smiled after her. The world was a less complicated place when a package of oyster crackers made everything better.
Id give anything to have half her energy right now.
I was hoping for some artificial, caffeine-fueled energy.
Then youve come to the right place. The conversation was so...normal, Delaney could hardly believe she was having it with Brody. The fresh stuffs still brewing, but theres some left in that pot thats not too old.
It could be motor oil and, with a little cream and sugar, Id drink it right now.
Bad out there?
Pretty bad. I think Im going to be here awhile.
Was that a warning? Sandy will be happy to hear it. Shes missed you.
I can help with Noah, too.
And John and Camille must have been happy to see you.
I, uh...havent been to see them. She gave him a look designed to make him feel like something scraped off the bottom of a shoe, but he only shrugged. I was going to stop by on my way out of town tomorrow, but the power went out.
Sandy talked to them while you guys were out. Not for long because Noah woke up in a really bad mood, but she said theyre doing okay.
Theyre hardy. And stubborn. He took a sip of the coffee and, when he closed his eyes to savor it, she looked away. I really am sorry about the way I left town, Delaney.
She forced herself to shrug, as though it was all so far in the past it didnt hurt a bit. Its been five years.
Which means youre five years overdue for an apology. I should have called you after I left.
You know what would have been better? If youd called before you left.
His mouth twisted and she saw the guilt on his face. I knew if I told you I was leaving, youd be hurt and Id see it on your face. I was afraid youd cry and I wouldnt be able to walk away from you.
Oh, clearly its all my fault, then. Shame on me for loving you, I guess.
I knew if I stayed, eventually Id hate you.
She blinked, feeling his words like a slap across the face.
Brody shoved his hands through his hair. I hated fishing. I hated my parents for not wanting a better life. I hated this town. If I stayed for you, in time I would have hated you, too.
I thought we were happy and that it would be enough.
You were happy because, at the end of the day, you went home to your parents. No matter how much time we spent together, it wasnt the same as being married and on our own. It wouldnt have been a few years as my wife before you were exhausted from doing laundry that smelled like low tide no matter how many times you washed it and trying to pay bills and feed kids on short pay. And I would have been a bitter, chain-smoking drunk, just like my old man.