Page 76 of Sachie's Hero

EVERGLADES OVERWATCH BOOK # 1

USA Today

Bestselling Author

JEN TALTY

New York Times&USA Today

Bestselling Author

ELLE JAMES

PROLOGUE

SIXTEEN YEARS AGO…

“Seriously, Dad.”Audra McCain huffed as she climbed into her father’s airboat in the dead of night. “I believe you, so no need to prove it to me.” Only, she didn’t believe. Not really. Not anymore. She’d accepted that her dad was a little left of normal long ago. His quirks—while annoying—were something she’d learned to live with because, at the end of the day, no one loved her like her daddy. He’d taught her how to survive in Calusa Cove.

Especially when the kids and their parents had started calling her a Stigini. Or an Owl Witch. At first, she hadn’t known which was worse.That, or having a father the town considered a loon because he believed in conspiracy theories. But what difference did it make? No one but her father—not even Ken—would ever see her as a whole person.

However, just because she listened to his crazy theories didn’t mean she believed a single word. Those days had died when they’d buried her mother.

Truth be told, her mama’s Native American heritage, and her ties to what some confused with witchcraft, were where the rumors of Audra being an owl-like creature had started. No one understood that her mom hadn’t been a witch. Her mother had been tethered to the earth, to all the elements, and believed humans needed to be spiritually grounded.

Audra’s dark freckled skin and red hair resulted from her combined one-quarter Seminole and three-quarters Irish heritage, giving her a unique look. But as she’d become a teenager, that mixture had only made her feel more like an outsider.

“I want a witness, and you have that smartphone thingy to take pictures,” her dad said. “Just humor your old man. Before you know it, you’ll be flying the coop.” He arched a brow. “You’ll probably run off with that boyfriend of yours.”

She cringed, remembering the fight she’d had earlier with her dad, right in the center of town for all to see, hear, and judge. The argument where she’d told her dad what a whack job he was and she wished it had been him who had died six years ago and not her sweet, kind, and loving mother. Ken had a lot to say about that.

It was rare that she and her dad fought, but when they did, the words that tumbled from her mouth were harsh and were meant to hurt.

And she’d cut him to the core. She hadn’t meant to. But he’d pushed her buttons. He used the past to force her hand. To make her feel guilty for choosing something other than him. Had it only been in front of Ken, Baily, and Fletcher—it wouldn’t have been as devastating. They understood the dynamic. But her dad had done it in front of half the school. It wasn’t even that the entire school had heard his crazy rant because everyone knew her old man thought weird shit happened deep in the Everglades. It was a running joke, and no one believed him. Not anymore. She was just tired of being looked at as though the crazy would rub off on her.

However, everyone still enjoyed the old stories. The ones this town had been made on. The myths and legends that made people stop for a hot minute on the way to their posh vacation destination to stroll through Calusa Cove and take in one of the sights. Maybe even go on a tour of the Everglades. But no one wanted to hear this new insane crap about things that went bump in the night, about the boats carrying bad men with bad things that came and went every couple of months.

She sighed. She was stuck in this small town for so many reasons, destined to be nothing but a redhead with a mouth as fiery as her hair.

“You did bring your phone, didn’t you?” her father asked, his voice laced with a sense of desperation.

“Yes, Daddy,” she said softly.

It was odd that he was fixated on that. He wouldn’t allow the internet in the home because someone could listen. Someone was always listening. Spying. Looking into what he was doing.

She was lucky that her dad allowed her to have a television with cable, though he did ask her to unplug every electronic device when she wasn’t using it—her computer included.

He’d gone ballistic when he found out she bought a smartphone with her own money. He demanded she power it off when she wasn’t using it. Actually, he’d asked that she only use it outside, but she didn’t listen. It was her only connection to the world outside of Calusa Cove.

And to her boyfriend. Though, currently, Ken was being a selfish asshole. She understood. This was Ken’s opportunity to get an education. His family couldn’t afford to send him to college, but the military could provide one.

Plus, his best friend was going with him—making it a no-brainer for Ken.

However, Ken failed to comprehend that he broke her heart every time he smiled and spoke gleefully about leaving Calusa Cove in the dust. Following him, even after she graduated high school, wasn’t something she could just up and do. Who would watch after her old man in this backward town? For years, her father had cared for her, ensuring she had everything she needed and could fend for herself. It was her turn to take care of the man who loved her more than he loved anything.

Even his stupid conspiracy theories.

She took the ear protection her father handed her and placed it over her ears just as he reeved the engines. Raising the spotlight, she helped her dad navigate the wilds of the Everglades. They could be so beautiful and peaceful at night. The stars and the moon hung in the sky like an umbrella. The water danced as if it didn’t hide death and destruction. Eyes and tails everywhere, slinking through the water, waiting for their next meal to fall in.

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