Page 43 of Not Another Beach Read
My friends were the best, and I loved how willing they were to jump into action when needed.
Thank you all. I'm not sure what I need right now. I'm looking for her at the shops in Clearwater, hoping she's doing some window shopping.
Paige: Ben is off today and we are headed your way. Where should we go?
Paige: Never mind. Ben has some ideas. We're going to just start looking for her. Let us know if you find her.
Thank you.
It was all that I could muster, and I'm sure they understood why I wasn't more verbose at that moment.
I went in and out of every shop that looked like it would draw her attention. I tried calling her phone to no avail and kicked myself for not signing up for Life360 for moments like these. After about a half an hour of searching, I was about to give up and head back home in case she showed up there when I got a text.
Paige: We've got her. We're headed to your house.
The relief I felt in that moment was indescribable. I raced out of the gift shop I was in, ran to my car as fast as I could, and was home within ten minutes. Holly was nowhere to be seen, but Paige and Ben were sitting on my front porch.
"She's here," said Paige as I flung my car door open. "She jumped out of the car and went straight inside when we pulled up. I didn't want to just go in, but I didn't want to just leave until you got here and I could give you a big hug. I know how scary this must have been for you," she said as she wrapped her arms around me.
"Where was she?" I asked, finally able to form words.
Ben stood next to Paige and took his turn for a hug when she stepped back. After a brief embrace, we walked up to the porch swing.
"She was at the beach."
"Thebeach." I said, slapping my forehead with my palm. "Iwasn't sure if she would be there or at the shops. Good thinking."
"Well, it's where I used to always go when I needed to think as a teenager."
"And she came back with you willingly?"
Paige laughed. "I think she was getting a little hot and was more than willing to get in Ben's truck as soon as she saw him. We sat and talked for a few minutes first, but she was silent all the way home. She's got a lot going on in that beautiful head of hers."
"Well, I'm gonna have to talk to her."
"What happened?" asked Paige.
"She overheard a conversation between me and my dad. My sister reached out and wants to terminate her parental rights."
"You're kidding," said Paige.
"I wish I were."
"So what's next then?" asked Ben.
"I'm not really sure, but I have to call my dad back. We were in the middle of the conversation when I heard Holly gasp, and you know the rest of the story."
"Well, we will leave you to that," said Paige.
"Thank you both so much for coming to my rescue and helping me find Holly. I would still be looking through the shops."
I foundHolly sitting on the back porch steps, her knees pulled up to her chest, staring out at nothing in particular. The evening air was thick with humidity, but she didn't seem to notice the stickiness or the mosquitoes that would soon be out in full force. Eden lay beside her, head on paws, offering the silent comfort only dogs seem to know how to give.
My heart ached looking at her—this fierce, beautiful girlwho'd already weathered more storms than anyone her age should have to face. Paige and Ben had brought her home an hour ago, and she'd immediately retreated outside without saying more than two words.
I slid the glass door open and stepped out, making enough noise that I wouldn't startle her.
"Mind if I join you?" I asked.
