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I couldn’t help but chuckle. “Mom, this isn’t the first storm we’ve been through.”
She exhaled a breath. “I know, but it’s hard when your babies aren’t with you.”
“Everything’s fine, Mom. Give Dad and Brax a hug and kiss from all of us.”
“Will do. Talk soon.”
I hit End and then let out my own long, slow breath. It was going to be a long day and night if the power didn’t come back on.
“Anyone want a protein bar?” Harlee asked.
Palmer stood and made her way toward the kitchen. “Maybe we should eat the ice cream in the freezer. You know, in case we don’t get power for a while. I’d hate to see it melt.”
We all laughed, because there was no way it would melt that fast unless we opened the door to the freezer and left it wide open. Laughing felt good, though, taking some of the pressure off my chest. I hadn’t ever really dealt with anxiety and worry like this before, except when my father had his heart attack. The stress of the last twenty-four hours was starting to take its toll.
“I’ll grab the bowls, you get the chocolate syrup,” Sutton said to Harlee.
“I’m on it!”
I followed and watched as the three of them got busy making four bowls of ice cream…but then something drew me to the windows.
Even though it was only three in the afternoon, it was already dark out. The clouds looked so ominous, it sent a chill right through me. Harlee had a view of the bay, and my eyes went straight to the water.
At that moment, a sharp pain hit me in the chest, and I gasped for air.
“Addie, what’s wrong?” Sutton asked, rushing toward me.
My entire body felt cold as a chill ran up and then back down my spine. “Something’s happened,” I whispered.
“What?” Sutton asked, clearly confused as she turned and looked out the window. “What do you mean, something’s happened? What did you see?”
I turned and rushed back into the living room, to where I’d set my phone down on the coffee table.
I pulled up my messages and sent Chip a text.
Me: Did he get onboard okay?
I stared at the phone, willing him to text me back. A good two minutes passed before I felt someone put their hand on my shoulder.
“Addie, come eat your ice cream,” Sutton said. “Chip said he’d let you know when Gannon was onboard. He’s probably trying to stay alongside the boat and can’t answer you yet.”
Shrugging away from her, I spun around. “Something’s wrong, Sutton. I can feel it!”
She stared at me like I’d lost my mind. When she started to speak, I shook my head violently.
“And don’t you dare tell me I need to calm down! I’m telling you, something happened. Something is…I…he’s…”
Quickly pulling me into her arms, Sutton whispered, “Shh, you’re worried and scared, but it’s going to be okay.”
My cell phone rang, and Braxton’s name appeared on the lock screen. I quickly answered it.
“Hel-hello?”
“Addie?”
“What’s wrong?” I asked.
“I got a call to help in a search and rescue.”
My legs felt weak. “For who?”
He paused for what felt like forever.
“Gannon and Josh. The vessel made a sharp roll and caused the pilot boat to tip. Chip and Mike are okay, but Gannon and Josh fell overboard. I’m pulling up now to the docks.”
My legs went out from under me, and I let out a howl that sounded like it came from an animal caught in a trap. I didn’t even notice when Sutton took my phone and Palmer and Harlee both pulled me up and over to the sofa. Tears streamed down my face while sobs racked my body.
“Oh my God, he fell off! He fell off!”
I couldn’t stop repeating those words. Gannon was in the water. During the storm. Alone.
I turned to look at Palmer and saw the fear in her eyes. I slowly shook my head. “What if this is our fate?”
“No. This is not your fate, Adelaide, and don’t you dare give up on him, do you hear me. Don’t think that way.” Palmer cupped my face and forced me to look at her. “Addie, do not give up on him. He’s going to be okay. Say it.”
I attempted to speak but nothing came out.
“Say it!” Palmer shouted.
“He’s…he’s…going to be…o-okay.”
She forced a smile, then pulled me into a hug. “He’s going to be okay,” she whispered.
I looked over to where Harlee was standing next to Sutton, who was still on the phone.
“Braxton, you be careful, do you hear me? Call or text as soon as you…um…find…” Her eyes met mine. “Call as soon as you find anything out.”
I closed my eyes and cried harder while my sister rocked me in her arms.
Gannon
“I haven’t seen it this bad in a long time,” Josh called out as Chip made his way expertly over the waves toward the cargo ship.
