Page 15 of Since the Day We Wished

“Is everything okay? Is something wrong with the wrap?” Margie asked.

Emma shook her head and stood up from her stool. “No, it looks great. I’m just not hungry anymore.”

“Okay, dear, I’ll get this boxed up for you.”

Once Margie had returned with a plastic bag, Lisa walked Emma to the door. “Want me to go with you? We can just do margaritas at your place.”

“No, you stay, have fun. I’ll call you later.”

Emma scrambled to her car, hoping that no one would try to make her stay. The thought of trying to have fun with Chad and his girlfriend nearby made her stomach turn.

Once inside the car and away from prying eyes, she shifted it into drive. As she did so, the tension within her began to unravel. With every mile she placed between herself and Chad, she could feel her racing heartbeat return to its normal rhythm.

***

When Emma arrived at the cottage, she took her bag and walked inside, eager to spend the afternoon watching movies and cuddling with Riley rather than pretending to be in a good mood. She looked over at his dog bed in the corner, hoping to see him snoozing, but it was empty.

“Riley? Where are you?” Emma walked into the kitchen and put her wrap in the fridge. Riley’s water and food dish were still full and untouched.

She searched the bathroom, then the bedroom, checking in the closet and under the bed.

“Where are you hiding, boy?” Panic rose as she returned down the hall and saw the back door hanging wide open. She had forgotten to close it earlier when she was on the phone with Lisa.

Riley was gone.

Emma frantically called out for him while running onto the porch, hoping he hadn’t strayed too far. “Riley! Here, boy! Come here!”

She shouted his name, scanning the beach for any trace of Riley. A few people walked by, but there was no sign of him. Desperation mounted as she asked the beachgoers if they'd seen a loose golden retriever. But no one had.

A lump formed in her throat as she reached for her phone and dialed Kara’s number.

Kara answered on the second ring. “Hey Emma. Charlotte and I just made it to the beach. Are you here somewhere?”

“No, I’m not at the beach.” Emma’s voice shook. “It’s Riley. I left the back door open, and he got out. I can’t find him anywhere.”

“Okay, he couldn’t have gone far. I’ll start walking toward your cottage and ask anyone if they’ve seen him.”

“Thanks, Kara. I'm heading out to look around the neighborhood..”

After hanging up, she grabbed her keys, hoping against all odds she’d find him. She drove around town and the outskirts for hours, asking anyone and everyone if they’d seen Riley. But it was hopeless.

No one had seen him.

As the sun was setting, her phone rang. It was Kara. She pulled over, her heart pounding with anticipation. “Did you find him? Please say you found him.”

“Sorry, Em. No luck on our end so far, but it's not over. Our volunteer team is gonna search around town early in the AM. I texted our coordinator, and she’s arranging it as we speak.”

Emma broke down in tears, regretting she hadn’t been more careful. “Kara, how could I let this happen? I should’ve shut the back door.”

“Don’t be so hard on yourself. Accidents happen. Go home and get some sleep. I’ll text you in a bit to let you know when we’re meeting.”

There was something reassuring in Kara’s voice that allowed Emma to regain her composure. At least somewhat. “Okay, sounds like a plan. And I should’ve said this earlier, but thanks for today. You and Charlotte didn’t have to spend your day doing this.”

“Emma, we’d do anything for you. You know that.”

After they hung up, Emma leaned back into the seat, massaging her temples in a circular motion to ease the tension behind her eyes. She sat for a moment longer before pulling back onto the road.

As she drove home, she prayed for a miracle: They’d find Riley, he’d be okay, and they’d move on with their lives.

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