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She pointed it out when it first came into view. “See if you spot a kayak or any bright clothing on the beach. It’s a rough landing spot without much sand to pull up on.”
He nodded but remained silent as they approached the area. She didn’t see anything out of the ordinary with the naked eye either. She cut the engine and moved to drop anchor. “I need to go ashore and see if there’s any sign she was out here. An old fire, footprints, anything.”
“If she was here, last night’s storm would have washed away a lot of the tracks.”
“I know, but just in case she’s still there, I need to search.” Shethrew out the inflatable raft and got it ready. When it was fully inflated, she dropped it overboard by the ladder and descended.
When Jon started after her, she held up her hand. “No, I can do this alone. It won’t take long. The place is tiny. It’s a lousy spot to camp, and I’m not sure why she chose it. Not much cover from the wind, and there isn’t even much firewood.”
She saw the objection gathering in his eyes and pushed off from the boat before he could try to change her mind. He needed to get over his constant worry about her. Her job was never going to be behind a desk where she was completely safe. But even then, was anyone completely safe? A roof could cave in while she sat at a computer. A tornado could lift her right out of her chair. Life would never be safe. It wasn’t meant to be.
Her arms ached from fighting the waves when the raft bumped the rocks on the sliver of beach. A gull squawked at her when she nearly stepped on it as she jumped out and pulled the raft ashore. Once it was secured, she scoured the area for any proof Ella had made it here.
She found evidence of a fire in the middle of the tiny island, but it was impossible to tell how long ago it had been lit. A couple of beverage bottles lay strewn nearby, one a soft drink and the other water. She found no sign of a kayak being dragged ashore, but last night’s storm would have washed away the disrupted sand.
If Ella had ever been here, she’d left no sign of her presence.
Annie decided to circle the island as close to the water as possible in case the current had brought something ashore. She picked her way through the rocks and sparse vegetation. On the east side of the island, she spied a small glint of something gold in the weeds. She reached into them and picked up a necklace with a small, round charm dangling on it with the engraved lettersEA.
Ella Anderson?
Annie’s gut clenched at the possibility that she might have to tell Ella’s brother she was never coming home. Annie knew all too well how hard news like that hit. Her gaze wandered over the rolling waves to glimpse the Tremolo Island dock in the distance. A tiny figure sat on the side with her feet dangling.
Sarah.
How did Sarah stand going out there where her life had changed forever? Annie fought with the fear and terror every time she went to the island.
Fear.
She’d just been condemning Jon for his constant worry and fear for her when she was neck-deep in it herself. All these years she’d let fear control her. When it came to her job, she charged in without worry, but when it came to her sister, she shut down in a quicksand of fear and doubt.
It was at the heart of her unforgiving attitude toward Sarah. Annie feared losing Kylie, and she feared trusting Sarah ever again. How could she ask Jon to let go of his fear when she hugged her own to her chest? But how did she get past it? How did anyone get past that lump in the throat and the pressure in the chest that fear brought?
She’d always believed in trusting God, but when it came to her giving up something she’d clung to for protection, she’d been unable to do it. Did God expect her never to have fear? She didn’t think that was possible.
A verse in Psalms she’d learned as a child came to her.
“When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.”
Notifbutwhen. Everyone had fear. All her fears were grounded in the love she had for others. For Kylie, for Sarah,for her parents and Nate. Losing Nate and her parents had been horrible, and the experience had only reinforced her fears of losing others she loved. Especially Kylie.
But she had to turn from that fear and trust God to do what was best. If she kept up the walls of fear around her heart, she’d never get past living this way. Of being afraid every second her daughter was away from her. These past few days had left her sleeping poorly and waiting for every call from Kylie or Bree.
Her gaze lingered on her sister’s distant figure. She had to start by forgiving Sarah and giving her a second chance. Not with Kylie but with Annie’s own heart.
It wouldn’t be easy, but she had to try.
***
On Sunday before church Jon had set up the movie camera in a nearby oak tree. His trial run of a minute was successful with a clear line of sight and intelligible audio, though there’d been a boat accident just west of the dock. He’d been afraid there would be activity out there and he’d have to scrap his plan, but the Coast Guard had towed the boat away and rescued the occupants. Everything was ready.
He and Annie had both changed clothes, and he’d grabbed the food from the fridge inside the cabin where he’d stashed it.
Everything was in order, except for his racing pulse.
Annie had covered the old table with a white cloth, and she decorated the top with wildflowers and real china.
He set the containers on a nearby bench seat. The aroma of fish and chips mingled with the fresh scent of Lake Superior. “I thought we’d have a Finnish feast today.”
