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“What’s that expression about?” Linda asks.
“Can I…” I sink to the ground and clasp my arms around my knees. “Can I be alone?”
“Are you okay?”
“Yes, I just need a minute.”
Linda turns to go.
I snatch her hand and hold her for a second. Glancing into her eyes, I say, “Thank you. For everything. Meeting you was one of the best parts of this trip.”
Her brows knit. “You’re welcome, dear. I think.” Turning, she leaves, glancing back at me every so often.
As soon as she disappears into the brush, silence settles around me.
I squeeze my eyes shut.
Memories wash over me like the churning waves of the lake.
That day, I took my eyes off my sister and rescued a stranger. After the funeral, my parents asked around and found out that there were no little boys around that age living by the lake.
I’d started to believe that I’d made the whole thing up.
That maybe the boy hadn’t existed at all.
I was wrong.
I saved someone.
I saved Hawk.
Does this mean we were meant to meet again?
Just then, light blasts from the shack.
A slight whirring sound follows the thunk of a machine and boots landing on wood.
Morgan.
He strides out of the shack and appears in front of me. Stubble lines his square jaw. His broad shoulders strain against a simple T-shirt. His dark hair falls into his stunning green eyes as he offers a hand. “Shanel, it’s time to go.”
“Already?”
“I don’t know how much longer the machine will hold.” He grits his teeth, straining toward me. “Come on.”
“Will it work? Can the portal handle the two of us?”
“We’re about to find out.”
I glance behind me, second-guessing my decision.
“Hurry!” Morgan shakes his hand urgently.
Uncertain, I take a step.
“Shanel!” A voice rings out.
“Hawk?” I gasp.
