Page 258 of Barinov

Ellie is the last one back on board. She unzips her life jacket and shoots Brett a blazing glare.

“BRETT WAYNE BRIGGS!” she screams.

“What, Buttercup?” Brett asks, trying to look innocent and holding back a chuckle.

Ellie marches over and swings to slap him. But Brett catches her wrist, laughs, and scoops her ass up over his shoulder. She screams and beats her fists against his back as he jumps straight off the side of the boat, taking them both down into the lake with a massive splash.

“Unbelievable,” Haley mutters, drying her hair.

I wrap my towel around Bella as she drops her soaked jacket. “You alright, baby?”

“That was terrifying,” she gasps, grinning as she rests her wet head on my chest. “I’m ready to go again.”

Chapter 67

CADE

The Briggs’s lakehouse

41 days since we got our girl back.

The warm spray of the shower fades behind me as I step into the massive family room overlooking the lake. A fresh breeze drifts through the open windows, carrying the smell of charcoal, sunscreen, pine trees, and the unmistakable scent of freshwater.

Caleb’s grandparent’s lakehouse somehow manages to feel rustic and extravagant all at once. Cool, hunter green slate floors stretch beneath my bare feet while warm cedar walls climb toward exposed beams framing faded plexiglass skylights overhead. A towering river-rock fireplace dominates the entire front corner of the room. Above the built-in-bar sits an enormous mounted elk head whose eyes seem to follow you around the room.

Before stepping out front to man the grill, Ty told us the entire story about his grandpa Briggs shooting that thing when they were around seven years old. Apparently it hit some sort of hunting record.

I tug on a clean T-shirt over my head when the backdoor to the deck slams open.

“CADE!”

Haley barrels inside like she’s on fire. Her damp, red hair sprays little droplets across the hardwood as she skids to a stop in front of me.

“Where’s Bella?”

“I… what?”

She points frantically toward the deck.

“We don’t have time! Come on!”

Before I can ask another question, she grabs my wrist and drags me across the slate floor.

Bella pokes her head out of the sunroom, one eyebrow raised. “What’s happening?”

“Just trust me!” Haley whisper-yells, grabbing Bella’s hand too.

The three of us practically jog toward the door. Haley throws it open leading onto the second-story deck. She immediately crouches beneath the railing next to Knox and Brett.

“Were we too late?” she whispers to Knox.

“Not yet,” Brett answers for him, shaking his head.

Bella slowly peeks her head over the top. “For what, Hales?”

“Just look!” Haley squeals, pointing down toward the dock.

The answer becomes obvious the moment I follow her gaze.