“They were excited about everything," she says with a soft smile. "My stepdad Jeremy gets them all riled up. Kaitlyn – Mom – just laughs her head off. She thinks it's adorable."
She stares into space out the front windshield. "Like yesterday… They thought the sunset was so pretty out here. Laughing about all the colors, and the big crayon box in the sky. Jeremy said it was a shame they didn't have time to climb over the hill and watch the sunset again from the other side."
It's a clear night and the sky is already streaked with orange and pink. "Do you think they'd go over the hill? Would they be brave enough?"
Bailey shoots me a look. "You haven't spent any time with twin boys, have you? They're always hugely confident because there's two of them. They think they're invincible. And they constantly egg each other on."
"Shit," I mutter. "You're right."
I forward the photo and description to Cal, our sheriff, mentioning that the boys could be anywhere, but might be headed over the hill. Then I send the same to Eli of Hollow PeakMountain Rescue, telling him this is still just a search, but he might be needed shortly.
I hand her one of the walkies just as mine crackles to life. "Nate – you there?" Cal’s voice is already concerned. He’s like that when it comes to kids.
"Yeah." I throw the truck into gear and start driving down the road with one hand on the wheel and the other holding the walkie. "I've got the older sister with me. She thinks they may have gone up the hill to see the sunset from the other side. Did you get the photo?”
A short pause. "Yep, got it. I see you've already sent the search team into action. You'll probably get there first. We’ll start swinging around from the other side. Crazy kids. Well, not to worry. We’ll find them before dark."
"For sure. Their sister Bailey has the other walkie. She'll check in for me." I drop my receiver onto the seat so I can hit the gas to zoom down the quickly darkening road. The base of the trail is only two minutes away. “Have the boys seen this spot yet?"
Bailey nods. "Yes. We were here yesterday, but Mom forgot bug spray and walking shoes for the boys. I explained it wasn’t safe to go hiking in sandals, so Jeremy took us all to the pool instead."
All thoughts of the search and rescue momentarily fly out of my head at the distracting image of Bailey's lithe figure in a bathing suit.
She grabs her walkie as well as her phone and jumps out of the truck, pacing around the beginning of the trail while calling out for the boys. Then she spots a handful of sticks laid in a straight line. "Look!"
I come up behind her, examining them with my flashlight. "Do you think the boys did that?"
She flashes me a gorgeous smile. "They really wanted to join the local Adventure Kids troop, but you can't miss more than two meetings." Her smile turns sad. "I hate to say it, but my parents are incapable of sticking to a schedule unless it's something important to them personally. The boys were kicked out for too many no-shows."
"So they learned on their own?"
"Whenever I babysit them, which, honestly, happens far too often, I take them out if the weather is good for a little hike, and teach them some mountaineering stuff." She points to the sticks. "Like leaving trail markers, for on the way back."
My hand claps her on the shoulder without thinking. Even through my coat, I love the feeling of her shoulder under my palm.
"Good job, Bailey. You taught them well." She beams.
We start hiking up the trail, finding a few more rows of sticks that confirm her theory.
"You're right." I stop walking and pull out my phone. "I'm sending a text to the search team now. The guys can drive around to the other side and keep an eye out."
Before I can respond, Bailey hits the button on her walkie and says, "Sheriff, we have a reasonably clear sign that the boys started along Overlook Trail. We're searching now."
The sheriff replies, "Gotcha." There's a pause. "Okay, just got Nate's text."
"Thank you," Bailey says. Then she looks up at me. "People don't say over and out?"
"In the military, or as part of an official search team, yes. We're a bit more casual here."
"Got it. Thanks."
I check my texts. “Great. Eli was at the switchback and grabbed Beck, Hale, and Knox.” I send a quick message. “They’ll surround the hill from various points and work inward."
She takes off at a brisk walk.
"Hey, slow down," I call out.
Bailey stops. "Shouldn't we hurry?"
