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James sighed, running a hand over his face. Then he crossed his arms and looked at her. “Then what do you suggest?”
She stared back at him. “How convinced are you that the radio would work if it had a clear signal?”
“Ninety-nine percent sure.”
She nodded, seeing the map in her head that she’d memorized. “If I go that way,” she said, pointing to the right, “then I’ll make it to the city by the time you guys are halfway through the canyon—“
“No,” Maddie cut her off, immediately shaking her head. “No way.”
Saff looked at her, waiting a beat before continuing. “From the city, there’s nothing that would block the signal. If it does work, then I’ll be able to get through to them.”
Maddie gripped her arm, turning to face her. “I said no,” she gritted out.
Josh stepped forward, scratching a hand through the back of his short brown hair. “I can do it.”
Saff shook her head. “No. You’re not fast enough with your leg.”
He opened his mouth, as if to argue, but then he stopped himself, closing it again as his eyes cast down with an almost shameful look.
“You can’t be serious,” Maddie scoffed. “We are not splitting up.”
Saff looked at her, a slight guilt growing in her chest, knowing how she would feel if Maddie had told her she wanted to do what she’d just suggested.
But she forced herself to swallow that feeling down, looking instead to James.
It was the best plan, and she couldn’t let her feelings for Maddie get in the way of that.
James wasn’t looking at her, though. Instead, he was looking at his daughter, his face holding its own expression of remorse.
And that’s when she knew he agreed with her, even if he felt guilty for it.
He exchanged one look with Erin, before glancing back at Saff, his eyes filled with a somber gratitude.
“Okay,” he agreed softly.
Maddie shook her head fiercely. “No,” she said, her other hand clutching Saff’s hip. “Its too dangerous.”
Saff slowly turned to her, her hand finding Maddie’s.
“It’ll be fine,” she said softly, even as Maddie shook her head. “I’ll meet you guys in the harbor where your dad said the boat docks. I’ll be safe and back before you know it.”
Maddie opened her mouth to argue, but then stopped, closing it again.
A beat passed before her face evened out into a cool, determined mask.
“Fine,” she said. “Then I’m going with you.”
Saff immediately shook her head, but it was Erin that got the words out before she could.
“No,” she hissed. “Absolutely not. You are not leaving.”
Maddie didn’t move a muscle, her calm demeanor now firmly set in place.
“Yes,” she answered cooly. “I am.”
Saff pursed her lips, shooting a glance at James, waiting for him to interject. But instead, he looked defeated, like he already knew how the conversation would end.
And maybe she did too.
