Page 49 of Kayak Girl

“Estelle?” I asked. As I moved in her direction, my hopes grew as I was ninety-nine percent sure it was her.

She stood, and I ran to close the distance between us. As soon as I reached her, she covered her eyes and sobbed.

“Elle, are you okay?” I said, as I took her in my arms. She kept her hands over her eyes and rested her head on my shoulder as she sobbed. “Did you get hurt? Are you okay?” I asked again, desperate to know what was wrong. I rubbed her back to comfort her. She was ripping my heart out with these sobs. “What’s wrong?” I asked a third time.

This time she looked up and her tear-streaked face pierced my soul. “Oh, Elle.”

“I’m fine. Just scared and lonely. I just prayed for God to send someone to help me, and He sent you,” she said and then covered her face and cried again.

“It’s okay, I’m here now. You don’t have to be lonely. I’ll always be here. I’m so sorry.”

Elle didn’t talk again; she only cried into my shirt. I would hold her as long as she needed. Relief covered me, and I realized I’d better call off the search.

“Let me just tell Weston and Dad I found you,” I said, as I took my phone out of my pocket. I kept one arm around her while I typed.

Gray to WhatsApp group: Praise God. I found her. You guys can head home. I’ll get her packed up and head home ASAP. Thank you for helping me. I appreciate it.

Weston: Great news. Need help?

Dad: Thank you Jesus.

Gray: Nope. All good. Thanks guys.

When I finished typing, Elle had stopped crying and looked at me in confusion. “Were Weston and your dad looking for me, too? How did you know where to look?”

“Becky told Weston where she thought you were, and we started searching for you just after lunchtime.”

“Becky talked to Weston?” Elle asked, clearly shocked that the two had conversed.

I nodded, but didn’t elaborate, there were other more pressing words I was aching to say, “Elle, I need you to know I am so sorry for refusing to offer you grace when I found out about the car. I was wrong. I acted like a jerk. Will you forgive me?”

“I already forgave you,” Elle said in a quiet whisper.

“Thank you. I promise I’ll never do that to you again.”

“I’m not sure it’s a good idea for there to be a next time.”

Elle may as well have sucker punched me with her words. I couldn’t accept them. But now was not the time to talk through everything. Elle must be at least as cold, wet, and hungry as I was.

“I understand, but let’s not talk about it now. Let’s get you home and dry. We can chat later. I just want to help you get somewhere safe. Please, just let me help you.”

Elle wiped her face and nodded. She showed me where all her stuff was and we both worked to load it all into my Jeep. It was a snug fit to have both kayaks on my roof, but we made it work with some extra cam straps. Elle introduced me to a few of the people at the shelter and we both thanked them profusely for their help as we left. It would be great to stay and help, but Elle and I would take up the space that other flood victims needed, so it was better to go.

Once we got into the car, I gave Elle the food and coffee my mom had prepared.

“Ah, this is heaven,” Elle said as she sipped the lukewarm coffee.

I smiled. Some of the worry from the day fell off my shoulders at hearing her say something happy. “Have I told you how relieved I am to see you safe and sound?”

“Like, ten times already,” Elle said sweetly.

“Get some sleep while we drive. I haven’t been fighting floods for two days. I’ll get us home safe.”

Chapter 37

ELLE

Icould only describe it as delightful to be in a warm, dry car drifting in and out of sleep with Gray nearby. Honestly, I didn’t know what the future would hold for us, but I knew I couldn’t be perfect. Gray needed someone who wouldn’t mess up so much.

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