“I have no idea,” Jack said, turning to walk out of the bar. All he knew was that he was going to find Emma and say something. The last time he’d seen her, he’d said all the wrong things. This time he hoped he said something right.
* * *
Emma had searched her entire house for her mom’s bandana. It wasn’t there. Then she’d searched the café and ended up at the tavern, hoping to forget her troubles. Instead, she’d figured out where her bandana must have fallen off.
Blue Sky Point.
After the event, she’d hiked up there to think. If this was where she’d lost the bandana, she needed to find it soon. Otherwise it would be ruined by the rain and mud. Or worse, it would blow off the cliff and she’d never see it again.
It was just a silly bandana, but it meant something to her. Her mom had worn it with grace and courage. Emma needed to get it back.
She aimed the flashlight on the path and kept walking, climbing higher and higher into elevation. Everyone who lived in the mountains knew not to hike at nighttime for a million justifiable reasons. For one, there was wildlife out here. Two, it was easy to get lost if you strayed off the path.
But Emma knew how to deal with wildlife. She had a flashlight and a knife in her side satchel. She also knew to stay on the path. She’d just get her mom’s bandana and turn back, making it home ahead of the storm.
At least that was the plan.
Thunder rumbled overhead, and Emma picked up her pace, moving faster. Her breaths were labored as she climbed higher. When she was almost there, her cell phone rang. Once again she was surprised that she had reception out here.
She pulled out her phone and checked the ID. When she saw Jack’s name, she considered not answering, but in her haste, she’d forgotten to tell anyone where she was. And in the unlikely case that something did happen out here, someone should know where to locate her.
“Hi, Jack.”
“Emma. Where are you?”
“What makes you think I’m not at home?” she asked, already suspecting his answer.
“Because I’m parked in your driveway and you’re not. Are you okay?”
“I’m fine. Just taking a nice, long hike,” she said sarcastically.
“What?”
“I’m going up to Blue Sky Point. I left something important up there earlier today. I don’t want the storm to ruin it.”
“Emma, it’s dark, and the sky is about to break open. It’s not safe—”
“Which is why I don’t have time to argue with you. I need to hurry. But please don’t be at my house when I get home, Jack. I’m not up for any more lectures tonight on how silly you think I am, or stupid, or whatever else you think about my train of thought.”
“Emma,” Jack said, “you shouldn’t be going to Blue Sky Point alone right now. That’s crazy.”
“See? You’re already lecturing me. Save it, Jack. I’ll be fine on my own.”
“Damn it, Emma. You don’t have to do everything on your own. You could’ve called me. I could’ve come with you if you insisted on going. I can be with you for it all, come what may.”
“We’re not talking about my hike right now. And I’m not talking about anything else. I’ll text you when I get back to my car, Jack. Now go home.”
She disconnected the call and stopped for a moment to gain control of her breath and her emotions. A light sprinkle began to fall as she stood there.
Crap. She needed to keep moving. More thunder rumbled and then Emma’s flashlight flickered and cut off.
“No. No, no, no.” She hit it against her palm, but the light didn’t come back on. This was bad. She reached for her phone in her pocket and turned on the flashlight app. The battery was only at 30 percent, and using the app would drain the rest of it fast. Hopefully it would be enough to get her to Blue Sky Point, find her mom’s bandana, and get back to her car.
Hopefully.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Jack would grant Emma’s plea to leave her alone. But not until he found her and made sure she was safe.
Jack reversed out of Emma’s driveway and sped toward Blue Sky Point. He made what would’ve been a fifteen-minute drive in ten minutes despite the rain, which had started to come down