Page 10 of Renewal After Dark

“Of course you do. You were with him for years and had a child together. I’d be worried if you weren’t upset.”

“The last time I saw him… when he brought Ashleigh home before the storm… All I could think about was how I wished he’d go away and never come back. And now…”

“It’s not your fault that something might’ve happened to him. He was probably taking risks he shouldn’t have been taking during the storm. People do that stuff. Deacon and his team rescued thirty people off the rocks on the north end before the storm hit. They’d gone out there to watch the surf. People are so stupid, and my guys had to risk their lives to rescue them. So many think they’re invincible. Jim was probably one of them.”

Tiffany turned and looked up at him. “What’ll I tell Ash?”

“Nothing until we know for sure what happened.”

“What if we never know?”

“Let’s take it one minute at a time and see what happens. I’ve got my whole crew looking for him, the Coast Guard is assisting, and Jack has brought in additional state police help to look for him and Billy. We’ll find them.”

Tiffany rested her head on his broad chest. “You should be out there with them.”

“I’m right where I need to be, babe. With you.”

Her phone rang, and she pulled back from Blaine to grab it off a table. “It’s Maddie.”

“I’m sure she’s worried about you.”

Tiffany took the call from her older sister as she leaned on her husband’s unwavering support. “Hey.”

“I just heard the news, sweetie. I don’t know what to say.”

“Me either. I’m all over the place.”

“I’m sure. Anyone would be. Has there been any word?”

“Nothing yet. Blaine said everyone is out looking for him and Billy. They might’ve been together.”

“What can I do for you?”

“I have no idea. It’s a wait-and-see thing at this point.” Her voice broke on that last word. “I’ve had very bad thoughts about him, so many times, but I never wanted anything like this to happen.”

“I know that, Tiff. We all know that. Do you want me to come over?”

“That’s okay. Blaine is here with me, and Mom has the girls.”

“Call me later?”

“For sure. Thanks for checking on me.”

“Love you. No matter what happens, we’ve got you.”

“That makes everything better,” she said as tears rolled down her face. “Love you, too.”

How in the world was she crying over a man who’d broken her heart in every way it was possible to break a heart? He’d been a monster to her, and still… She wept. In front of her new husband, who was the undisputed love of her life.

That wouldn’t do.

She wiped away her tears and made a valiant attempt to rally. “Are you hungry? You must be. I’ll see what we have.”

He took her hand to keep her from walking away. “Stop, Tiff. Just stop.”

“I need to be busy, or I’ll go crazy.”

“You don’t need to worry about feeding me or what I might think about you crying over Jim or anything else.”

---