Page 32 of Save Me

She shrugged. “That’s okay. I’ll call Brenda.”

“You don’t call her. Do you hear me?” Greg shouted.

“You don’t tell me what to do,” Tina said. “Not anymore.” Then she picked up her phone and locked herself in the adjoining bathroom to make the call.

BRENDA GRAY WAS a mother in mourning. She feared the day Hunt disappeared that he would never be back, and became certain after all the years that had come and gone without a word. She had already accepted he could be dead, and they would never know.

And then he called.

One question. He’d asked them only one question, and her hesitation was their downfall. She could only imagine the shock he’d received, and the hate he must feel. Only after he hung up in her ear did she realize the immensity of damage they’d done. She knew in her heart that seeing him now wouldn’t change anything between them, and there was a part of her wishing they hadn’t even come.

And then her cell phone rang, and that tiny spark of hope flared as she looked at caller ID. Tina? Why would she—oh my God... Lainie!

Chuck hit Mute on the TV remote and looked up. “Who’s calling?”

“Tina. It must be about Lainie,” she said.

“Put it on speaker. I want to hear,” Chuck said.

Brenda nodded, then answered. “Hello?”

“It’s me, Tina. I just wanted you to know the ranger called us. Hunt found Lainie alive.”

“Oh, my God, Tina! That’s wonderful news. I’m so happy for you.”

“Well, Lainie won’t believe we give a damn about what happens to her, but I’m happy. I just wanted you to know. She has injuries, but none are life-threatening. They said Hunt had administered first aid and was taking care of her. They’re bringing her down in the morning.”

“Thank you for telling us. We’re hoping to get to speak to Hunt then, so we’ll see you at the trailhead in the morning.”

Tina rolled her eyes. Greg was hammering on the bathroom door and cursing her, but she wasn’t finished and went on to tell her what the ranger had told them about Hunt’s military service. As she was talking, Greg kicked the door.

TINA ROLLED HER eyes again. “I gotta go. Greg’s pitching a fit because I locked myself in the bathroom to call you.”

The call ended.

Brenda looked at Chuck. He was smiling.

“That’s a son to be proud of,” he said.

“If you had been prouder of him before, and less focused on the stupid war with your stepbrother, none of this would have happened,” she snapped. “I’m going to bed. We need to be at the trailhead early. I don’t want to miss our last chance to see him.”

HUNT COULDN’T SLEEP. He’d given Lainie a couple more pain pills in the night. She turned to face him and slid her arm around his upper body as he tucked them back in.

“If this is another dream, I don’t want to wake up,” she mumbled, and fell back to sleep again with her cheek against his chest.

“Just rest, love,” he whispered, and pulled her close.

Night had never been darker. The stars had never been brighter. And the slice of moon was mostly worthless when it came to shining. But it didn’t deter the mountain nightlife.

A coyote yipped, and another answered.

Hunt watched a small herd of mule deer move past their shelter, and there was an owl hooting in a nearby tree. Once, he thought he smelled bear, but he didn’t hear or see it, and was thankful Lainie was asleep when the odor dissipated.

He kept thinking of all he’d learned, and if anything could be done about it. It enraged him, and it frustrated him that all of it was old news. His only satisfaction was punching Greg Mayes in the face, even before he’d learned the depth of his betrayal.

Then he felt her breathing change. She was dreaming again. He cupped the back of her head and began whispering in her ear.

“Shush, baby, shush...you’re okay. I’m here, I’m here.”

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