Page 38 of Redemption Island

“I love you,” he kissed over my back.

“I love you,” I said through harried breaths. The words seemed a farewell.

+ +

“Let me go with you,” he said, as we descended the mountain. We drew closer to the tree house, but still distant enough we couldn’t be seen yet. The cries of my name grew louder, more insistent, and spreading as Lillian seemed to travel in one direction and Franco in the other.

“I haven’t ever mentioned you to Lillian. I don’t think she would receive it well if you suddenly showed up with me. I’ll be okay. Let me go down to them and then I’ll come find you after they leave.” We had stopped walking as he paused us with his hand on my arm. He stepped closer to me.

“I don’t like this.”

I shrugged. “They’ve only come to check on me. Make sure I survived the storm.” I tipped up on my toes and kissed him briefly.

“I’ll find you,” I said, pushing back on his chest as I took a step backward. In that moment, I memorized his face for some reason. Moss green eyes alight with concern, sparkled with something I hadn’t noticed before in them. His skin was tan, and his lips full from our kissing. He licked at the bottom one and sucked it in, exposing a hint of his white teeth. He reached out for me again, catching my arm and tugging me back to him for another soul-rocking kiss. His mouth was my heaven, and I smiled at the thought, with my lips over his. He let me go, joining my smile, his expression confirming we shared a secret.

“I’ll find you,” I said again, waved once and turned for the brush.

“I’ll be waiting,” he whispered. His eyes pressed on my back until I disappeared. It was as if I felt the exact moment he could no longer see me. I took a deep breath.

“Lillian,” I called out, feeling my heart collapse with grief.

30

Day 69 – Tack

I waited until I could no longer see her and then I turned for my camp. I didn’t expect much to remain. If the waves crashed the land like I anticipated, there was a high possibility most of my things washed away. I trudged over the wrecked land of crushed small trees and snapped trunks perched against others for support. I neared the pond and took a moment to pause, admiring how it seemed unscathed. The waterfall still fell, although the pond looked fuller. The water was clear of color and a vision of Juliet on that first day I saw her came to my mind. An ache in my chest pressed me forward.

I cleared the low brush near the shore, and to my surprise, I found Colton staring at the water and Garvey pacing the sand. The ocean still collided on the beach, but the waves were gentler than the days before. The speed boat that brought me here rocked where it was anchored.

Garvey sighed as he spun in his pacing and froze when he saw me. “Thank God,” he barked. Colton looked up from his spot, kicking the sand at his feet.

“How are my things?” I asked, walking toward my trunks.

“How are you?” Colton asked, a strange sound of relief in his question.

“I’m fine,” I said, too calm, too easily. The two men glanced at one another and looked back at me.

“You just survived a hurricane,” Colton stated as if I didn’t know the depth of severity that storm brought to the island. I shrugged as I walked forward. Only two trunks remained tied to trees. I spun slowly, taking in the beach as if I expected the other trunks to magically appear or be found somewhere among the rocks lining the bay.

“The Vixen,” I sighed, noticing immediately that my craft was gone. I should have known better. Although I tried to tie it to a tree, made of simple bark and saplings, the wind alone might have ripped it from its holding.

“The what?” Colton asked.

“My boat,” I answered, a touch of sadness that my hard work and the work shared with Juliet had been washed out to sea.

“You guys are early,” I added, attempting to change the subject as I stood before one trunk, unsnapping the locks, ready to assess the internal damage. The lid was only partially raised when Garvey spoke.

“We’re here to remove you.”

“What?” The lid released from my hold and fell with a snap against the case. I spun to face them. “My time isn’t finished.” Panic filled my voice. Juliet raced through my mind.

“There’s another hurricane coming within a day or two. Now is our window to get you back to a bigger island, possibly to the mainland.”

“But I don’t want to go,” I said, stepping forward. This caused Colton to glance at his father again.

“Why not?” the elder asked.

“I’m not ready,” I said, lowering my tone. “I didn’t finish my sentence.”