Page 85 of Cornered

But it still bothered her that this felt like she was picking one friend over the other. “It’s a birthday dinner for Nash. I’m sure no one will mind if you join us.”

“Oh, no. It’s totally fine.” She slid into her car. “Maybe I’ll see you at the festival tomorrow or something.”

“Yeah.” Lahela felt like she was letting Nancy down somehow. “But we’re still on for Mocha Monday, right?”

Nancy’s face brightened. “Yep! I have a feeling I’m going to need extra caffeine if I’m going to survive this year as Ms. Fart.”

It helped that Nancy was quick to laugh at herself. It easedsome of Lahela’s guilt as she watched Nancy zoom off in her little car with a wave. On Lahela’s first day, the woman had quickly made it her mission to make Lahela feel welcomed at Cottonwood Elementary. She’d personally introduced the entire faculty, invited her to coffee dates and lunch, and even talked Lahela into signing up for spin class. Lahela regretted that last decision immediately after a sculpted man named Basil tortured her via stationary bike for thirty-three minutes and nineteen seconds. She counted down the seconds and then waddled up to the front desk afterward, politely canceling her membership.

Nancy had even been there for her after Trevor.

Maybe she should’ve insisted Nancy come to dinner with her and her friends. She didn’t think any of them would’ve minded ... except ...

Lahela opened the text message from Daphne.

Reading the message again turned her insides tingly. But she was also conflicted.

Lahela placed her phone in the cupholder, started her car, and then twisted her long, dark brown hair off her shoulders and up into a bun on the top of her head. It was October and summer hadfinallyended in Texas, bringing cooler temps—but thinking about Briggs had suddenly driven up the temperature for her.

Or maybe that wasn’t it at all.

It’d been six months since she’d had her world flipped and the man she thought wanted a future with her—the man she’d left her home on the islands for—had decided he wasn’t ready to commit.

A different kind of heat flooded her face. Embarrassment.

This was when homesickness hit rock bottom. When she missed her family the most. Buckling her seat belt, she stared at the two-story brick building where she taught. Even if she wanted to go back to O?ahu, she couldn’t afford it. She’d spentmost of her savings to move across the Pacific Ocean, find a house, and fill it with furniture in the hope that she’d one day be sharing it with the man she’d loved.

So what made her think dating Briggs was a good idea? Clearly, she’d made a huge mistake with Trevor. What if she did the same with Briggs? They were friends—good friends. And she literally had only a handful of them here in Miracle Springs. Was she willing to risk it for the hope of something more?

The warmth blooming in her chest said yes. But the reality of her past with Trevor echoed in her head like a tsunami warning. Briggs, Daphne, and Nash were a group of friends before she came into their lives. If things didn’t work out, she could lose them all.

Reaching for her phone, she decided inviting Nancy might not be a bad idea after all. Her text message was interrupted by a call. Lahela’s breath stalled in her chest at a number she didn’t recognize. She swallowed, debating whether to answer it or not.It’s been weeks. And she’d changed her number...

“Hello.”

Silence. A chill skirted down the back of Lahela’s neck and stretched down her spine.

“Hello?”

Nothing. A stinging sensation burned at the back of her eyes, but she didn’t know if it was fear or frustration. Was it the same person? How would they have gotten her new number? Why were they doing this?

Pulling the phone away from her ear, she stared at it a second before ending the call and immediately blocking it. Her eyes moved across the now-empty school parking lot, and she suddenly felt not only alone but exposed.

TWO

BRIGGS TURNER’S PULSEthumped louder in his ears when he saw the torn piece of clothing on the branch. A quick look at the photo on his phone confirmed it was a match for his missing hikers.

“This way,” he called over his shoulder before clicking his tongue, sending Durango, his quarter horse, down the rocky slope. Durango’s hooves slipped as the dry earth gave way beneath them. Briggs grabbed his radio and called back to let the rest of the Search and Rescue team know they might be close to finding the two missing teenage girls.

This part of Esperanza National Park had seen record flooding in the spring, which had changed the topography of the area, destroying some of the man-made trails and closing off others due to mudslides. Smart hikers avoided the area, but a few wanting to see or swim in the spring-fed pools would ignore posted warnings. That meant they’d forge their way into terrain unsafe for the other members of the SAR team to get to on foot.

Behind him, he heard the soft snort of Jett’s horse, Duke, and Jett steadying the four-year-old gelding who was still new to off-trail riding. “Do they have any idea how dangerous this is?”

“Probably not.” Branches scraped against Briggs’s pants. He kept guiding Durango forward, but honestly, he could let go of the reins and his horse would know where to go. “Chief said the last photo the girls posted on their Instagram was about a half mile from the north parking lot.”

“We’re about two miles in.” The trail was wide enough for Jett to walk Duke forward. “Seems like a lot of effort for two sixteen-year-old girls, if you ask me.”

“You must not realize the importance of the perfect social media photo.” Briggs scanned the landscape ahead of him, searching for where two image-obsessed teenage girls might brave for the most likes.

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