NATE
Bailey is shivering again as we trudge toward the clearing at the top of the hill. There are no more sticks. No markers of any kind. We search in a methodical circle, covering as much area as possible, while I make sure that Bailey stays in sight of me at all times.
I already feel more protective of her than I ever have of anyone else.
"Jaaa-cob!" She hollers so loud, I'm afraid she's going to hurt her throat. "Cooo-dy! It's Bailey! You guys want ice cream for dinner?"
Nothing.
Real worry is starting to set in, not just in my guts but in Bailey's lovely eyes as she comes over. "How long has it been?” she asks. “You said at some point we could call in more help, right?"
"Right."
I send a couple of texts. "Looks like a rescue chopper, ATVs, and the phone tree to get the whole town searching are all on standby." My hand reaches out to take hers. "There are no streams or rivers nearby they could have fallen into. Ingrid hasalready searched the hot springs. No dangerous wild animals this close to town. We saw their markers, so we know they're around here. Do you want me to call in the big guns now, or give it ten more minutes?"
When the wind shifts we can hear some of the other men calling out. She stares into the middle distance for a moment. "I think…ten more minutes. Sounds good?"
"Sounds great." I set a timer on my phone and show her. "We're going to spiral out from this point. Stay where I can hear you. Walk carefully, the ground’s uneven. Got it?"
"Yes." Bailey squeezes my hand before releasing it. "Thank you, Nate. You're so calm."
Some people have called me cold in the past. I like her wording better. "Let's go."
We begin fanning out, my strides becoming faster. I have no problem calling in reinforcements, but it makes the town nervous, especially the tourists. So I'm hesitant about ringing the emergency bell too soon, if the boys are close.
Bailey's voice keeps calling out several hundred feet to my right. Up ahead, men's voices holler in the distance.
Then I hear a twig snap on my left.
I turn slowly. It could be a squirrel. Or a dead branch falling. Or I might see the sleeve of a blue coat peeking out from behind that huge rock there.
If I yell when I'm this close, the boys might get spooked and run into the darkening forest. So I approach slowly, whistling as if I were just out for a stroll. "Gosh, I wonder where Bailey's little brothers went," I say just loudly enough to be heard. "She was so excited to take Jacob and Cody for ice cream, then they disappeared. Poor thing was so hungry for a hot fudge sundae, but now?—"
"We're here!" A little face surrounded by sandy hair peeks out from around the rock. He runs toward me, followed by his twin in a slightly darker coat.
I hold out my fist for a bump. "Hey there. Are you by chance Cody and Jacob?"
"Yes!" they chirp together as they tap my hand.
"Do you want me to take you to your sister?"
"Yes please!"
I scoop each boy up under an arm and set them on my hips as if they were two sacks of potatoes, while they laugh hysterically. I head toward Bailey as fast as I can. At the top of my voice, I bellow, "I’ve got them! They’re fine. I've got them."
Bailey meets me in the middle of the clearing, almost collapsing, unshed tears sparkling in her eyes. I set the boys down so they can run to hug her.
I immediately begin texting, letting the team know the search has been called off. Just as I send the message to cancel the helicopter, my phone timer dings.
A little hand tugs at my pant leg. I look down to see one of the boys smiling up at me. "Hey, mister – did you say you had ice cream?"
"We have to hike back down the hill to get it." I reach down to zip up his coat, then do the same for his brother. "And you two have to promise to walk right in front of us and always stay where we can see you. Okay?"
"Okay!" they say together.
I point them in the right direction, then check my phone to make sure everyone received my all-clear message. Looking over, I see Bailey’s face fall as she checks her phone.
"Are your parents freaking out?" I murmur, not wanting the boys to hear.
