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Chapter Nineteen
Sadie staredout the window through the sheeting rain, scanning the coastline for any sign of the kids or their vessel. Darker clouds built along the southern horizon, lightning flashing in the almost black. Drew, Bo, and Craig had showed up a minute after Gunnar, and they’d been out searching for over two hours. They still had seen no sign of the kids. Neither had any other team, which filled her with so much dread her fingers felt frozen to the window where she gripped it.
“Bjørn, remember that rafting trip growing up where we got lost?” Gunnar’s question came over the headset.
He’d scared the snot out of her with his whole cranky brother act. The worry that she and Bjørn had opposition from both families had turned her insides into a knot. When Gunnar had followed the scowling with a wide smile and brotherly hug, her heart almost couldn’t take the support.
“Yeah.” Bjørn glanced back at his brother, sitting next to her.
“Remember how we took the wrong creek?” Gunnar traced his finger on the map in his lap, and Sadie scooted over so she could see what he was thinking.
“You think they went the wrong way?” Bjørn shook his head. “Miller said his son knows this area inside and out.”
“Yep.” Gunnar glanced at Sadie, giving her a what do you think look. “We did too. But remember, Julie and that girl you were dating came. The annoying one that giggled at every word you said.”
“She did not.” Bjørn scoffed, but Gunnar nodded, then made a gagging face.
Sadie’s smile hurt her cheeks as she bit her bottom lip to keep from laughing.
“Anyway, distraction and all, we took the wrong creek.” Gunnar followed the coastline farther south from Seward and tapped an island outside of the current search area.
Sadie nodded. “That might be possi—”
“Rebel, this is Chief.” Dad’s voice cut her off through the headset.
“Go ahead, Chief,” Bjørn answered.
“Big storm is coming up fast.” Frustration coated every single word her dad said. “We have to call everyone in.”
She gritted her teeth against his anguish. Miller wouldn’t let this ride. He’d have someone’s head.
Bjørn turned back to her and Gunnar. “How far out of the way are you thinking?”
Gunnar crouched between the two seats and showed Bjørn the map. Bjørn’s cheek muscle popped. He glanced out the window toward the building weather. He’d already said he wanted to help her dad, but would he challenge orders again?
“Chief, this is Rebel.” Bjørn swallowed, his gaze grabbing Sadie’s with such determination shining from him. She knew he’d go against orders if he had to.
She took a deep breath and nodded. If Bjørn thought he could fly through the weather, they needed to keep going. Even if doing so brought trouble on her dad.
“Go ahead, Rebel.” Her dad’s voice fired back, causing her pulse to pound like the fast rotors whirling above them.
Thump-thump-thump.
“We have an idea we’d like to check out.” Bjørn kept his eyes on her. “Might be nothing, but we’re gonna swing wide around the tip of Montgomery Island and come home along the south coast.”
Anyone listening who understood the area would know it wasn’t just an alternate way home. It was miles out of the way. The silence hung in the cockpit for an eternity, and her palms slicked with sweat. She begged her dad to trust Bjørn. Begged that they were right, and the kids had gone off course.
“Copy that.” No hesitation colored her dad’s tone. “Keep us posted. Chief out.”
“Will do. Rebel out.” Bjørn gave Sadie a triumphant smile and turned forward.
He swung the chopper toward Montgomery Island, and they all settled back into their seats. The farther south they flew, the harder the rain pelted against the windows. A gust of wind rocked them sideways, and Rowdy whined, laying his head in her lap.
Please don’t puke all over me.
Her stomach heaved as the chopper dipped again. She might be the one getting sick before her dog did. Lightning flashed less than a quarter mile away. Thunder boomed almost simultaneously. Rowdy whined again, pawing her knee.
“It’s okay, buddy.” She rubbed behind his ears.
