“Caleb took his tent and backpack—he’s gone exploring. He’s looking for gold.”
And thank goodness I know Paige’s dad well because he doesn’t look at me like I’ve lost my mind.
“We have rangers searching the nearby trails,” Officer Hilden assures me.
“Can you radio them? Tell them to check out Gideon’s shanty and a few of the local mines? We were supposed to take him back, but he just found out his family’s leaving in a few days.”
Officer Hilden steps to the side, pulling his radio off his belt. Immediately, he relays the information. I feel sick with worry and guilt. I promised I’d take Caleb next weekend…and then he found out there wouldn’t be a next weekend. He looked so crushed yesterday, but he should know better than to take off by himself.
Satisfied I’ve given them all I can, I turn back to Landon. “I’m going to go keep McKenna and Hunter company.”
“Thank you,” he says, squeezing my hand.
“Be careful, okay?”
He nods.
“We’ll find him,” Paige’s brother assures me.
Reluctant to leave, wishing I could search, I walk down the campground road, using my phone as a flashlight.
The first thing I notice when I near Site Twenty-nine is Caleb and McKenna’s toys scattered on the rug in front of the door. It looks like Caleb tossed everything out of their play tent and just left it all lying there. I knock at the door, sending Candy into a frazzled, yapping rage.
“Who is it?” Paige hollers, not about to unlock it for just anyone.
“It’s me.”
With a click of a lock, the door flies open. “I’m so glad you’re back.”
Candy darts out of the camper, barking like a mad thing. Once she realizes it’s me, the racket ceases, and she follows me inside.
McKenna’s sitting on the couch, knees drawn up to her chest, eyes puffy, and face red from her tears.
Hunter’s next to her, looking pale. He sits with a throw pillow clutched to his stomach. He’s holding it so tightly, he looks like a toddler with a security blanket. My heart breaks for him.
I kneel in front of them, not quite sure how to handle the situation. “Hey, guys.”
“Is Landon out there?” Hunter asks.
I nod, and Hunter clutches the pillow tighter, looking angry. “Dad won’t let me join a team.”
“It’s all right. There are so many people out there—someone’s bound to find him soon.”
Hunter meets my gaze. His eyes glisten with unshed tears. “Did they tell you it’s my fault? It is. I was supposed to be watching him.”
“It’s going to be okay.”
He finally breaks down. Several tears escape his eyes, but he scrubs them away with the back of his wrist.
“He wasright there,” he says, choking back a sob.
As nice as it is to see Hunter acting like a human, I wish I could take away his worry and guilt. Paige lingers behind me, unsure how to help.
We end up putting on a bright and happy movie that no one watches. Thirty minutes later, we turn it off. No one’s in the mood for chipper right now.
Finally, we urge the kids to go to bed.
Unnaturally obedient, they go into the bunkhouse without argument and crawl into their beds without bothering to change into pajamas.
