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“Zel.” This time unfettered fear pitched Bennett’s voice.
“I’ll get Scout.”
“Can she track him?”
“She’s our best bet for that.” Hazel looked at Gemma, who stood wide eyed. “Stay by the fire in case he comes back. I’ll give you a flare. If he shows up and we’re out of cell range, go to the dock and fire it over the water.” She turned her attention back to Bennett. “The flashlights are in the cabinet above the sink. I’ll call Hunter.”
Bennett turned and jogged to the house while Hazel dug her phone out of her denim jacket pocket. Gemma started calling Nathan’s name, and Hazel called Hunter.
“Nathan wandered off.” Hazel didn’t bother withhellobut dove straight into it when Hunter answered.
“Which way?”
“He went toward the corral last I saw him. But it’s dark, and it’s been a while.”
“I’ll head your way.”
Hazel hung up as Bennett came out of the cabin with three flashlights. Scout bounded after him, glad to have been let outside with the people. Ice and Cream also trotted behind Bennett.
He handed her a flashlight and gave one to Gemma, who intermittently rent the air with a loud call for her brother, then gestured toward the sled dogs. “Can I take one of these guys?”
“Sure. Take them both. I don’t know if it’ll work, but if you’ve got something of Nathan’s with you, grab it. They’re not bloodhounds, but maybe they’d pick up something.”
“Worth a try. I think his gaming bag is in the car.”
Hazel nodded. “Their leashes are in the tack room, if you want them.”
“Will I need them?”
“Probably not.” Hazel turned her attention to the husky-mix dogs and pointed toward Bennett. “Go with Benji. Help him find Nathan.”
The pair cocked their heads, turned to look at Bennett, looked at each other, and then jogged to Bennett’s side.
“Good dogs.” He bent to scratch Cream’s head. “Let’s find Nathan.”
Hazel looked at Gemma, finding her sunshine had disappeared behind a dark cloud of fear. Gemma bit her lip, let it free, and then called for Nathan again. This time her desperate voice trembled.
Hazel stepped close and squeezed her shoulder. “We’ll find him.”
“He probably took off on purpose.”
“It doesn’t matter right now. We’ll find him. Hunter is coming. He’ll show up from over there.” Hazel pointed in the direction of the trail that went over the ridge separating the big lake from the pond. “I don’t want you to be startled when he comes out of the trees. Okay?”
She nodded.
“We’ll find him, Gemma.” Hazel motioned for Scout and set off toward the corral.Please, let us find him.
It was a refrain she silently repeated well into the night. Never once did it occur to her that she was praying. Perhaps more significantly, it didn’t occur to her that all her hope hung on a God she wasn’t fond of to intercede when she didn’t believe that He cared.
All Hazel could do in between calling out for Nathan, checking her phone for good news, and traipsing through the woods was repeat that plea.
Please. Let us find him.
Seventeen
Huntersqueezedhisphone,using the flashlight app to shed light on the ridge trail as he made his way toward the cabin. His mind spun in several different directions, the relay of events that day causing havoc in his heart.
Pray and surrender, Hunt. And don’t forget—I am here and praying for you.John Brighton’s closing words to their conversation anchored his otherwise tossed-in-the-storm thoughts.
