Page 21 of Beyond the Hate

“Welp! I’m off to kiss my sexy cop husband goodbye before going home to calm my daughter who has been yelling at her dad all day about how they should have moved somewhere without hurricanes.”

Chloe waves before jumping on her bike and pedaling away.

“I’m off as well. There’s nothing more to be done here,” I say.

Maya and Caleb fall into step with me. “You sure you’re okay by yourself?”

“I’m fine. Be safe,” I say before turning in the opposite direction of them.

♥♥♥

Two days later

My heart is in my throat as I walk toward the brewery. Hurricane Isaac has come and gone. And he wreaked havoc in his wake.

There’s no cell phone reception, and the electricity is out. I have no idea what to expect. DidFive Fathoms Brewingsurvive?

I glance around the street as I walk. Most of the houses appear okay. There are some trees down and debris litters the road but otherwise, there’s no extensive damage.

But I know hurricane damage can vary widely – even on a small island. It’s entirely possible this part of the island was unaffected but other areas experienced more extensive damage.

As I walk, I pick up debris and tree branches and place them on the side of the road. As much as a hurry I’m in to check on the brewery, I can’t ignore the debris.

I reach the main street and scan the area. The sight fills my heart with hope. There’s hardly any damage here at all. A few broken windows and some trash sprinkled on the street but nothing major.

My pace increases as I make my way to the brewery. If the businesses on the main drag are fine, maybe the brewery is, too.

“Wait for me!” Maya shouts.

I glance over my shoulder. She’s running toward me.

“I really need to do more cardio,” she says before bending over and gasping for breath.

“No Caleb?”

“He’s on his way to the resort. Although he did make me promise to be safe.”

I motion toward the street the brewery is on. “Shall we?”

We start walking but are stopped when another voice shouts for us to, “Hold up!”

This time it’s Chloe running toward us with her daughter, Natalia.

“Shouldn’t you be at home where your daughter is safe?” I ask when she reaches us.

“Lucas said the damage is minimal.”

The spark of hope in my belly grows. “Let’s hope he’s right.”

We continue to the brewery. When we arrive, Sophia is waiting with Nova next to her car.

“Hudson let you leave the resort?” I ask Nova.

“The resort is mostly fine. There’s some flooding and damage to the landscaping but no structural damage.”

“Great news! Let’s hopeFive Fathomsis as lucky,” I say.

“The restaurant appears fine,” Chloe says as we walk across the parking lot.

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