Page 57 of Brass Anchor Inn

Then Ethan Walker, Bluestar’s new fire chief, joined them. “Josie, you need to go so we can work. We can’t do our jobs with you in the way.”

“Go ahead,” Lane said. “With everyone here, I’ll be fine.”

She didn’t want to leave his side, but she didn’t want to hold up the rescue. It was with the greatest reluctance that she gave him a brief hug. When Owen went to help her off the rocks, she shrugged off his assistance. She insisted he go back and help Lane.

She made her way off the rocks and climbed the bluff, where she could oversee their rescue efforts. When she reached the top, her mother rushed up to her.

“Are you all right?” The worry threaded through her mother’s voice.

“I’m fine. It’s Lane. He’s trapped.”

“You’re soaked. We need to get you home and changed into something dry.”

“I’m not leaving. Not without Lane.” Her tone was firm.

Her mother seemed to realize that nothing she said was going to get Josie to move from that spot. Her gaze returned to the firefighters working to release Lane.

No one had to tell her it was bad. Those boulders had to weigh thousands of pounds. No man was going to be able to move them. They were going to have to find another way.

And to make matters worse, the tide was continuing to raise the water level. And the waves were getting higher.

Her brother Liam and another guy climbed the hill. When they didn’t stop to speak to her as they ran past, she followed them. “What’s going on? Do you have a plan?”

“We’re going to try the Jaws of Life. We have two of them.”

“There’s no way they’re going to move the boulders.”

“We don’t need the rocks moved. We just need them to shift slightly, and then we can lift Lane out.” He grabbed one from the fire engine while the other guy retrieved one from a smaller rescue before they ran back toward the beach.

She ran behind them and then had to stop at the top of the bluff. She’d never felt so helpless in her life. She blamed herself for Lane being in this precarious position. She knew the island like the back of her hand. She knew the rocks were dangerous. She should have done more to stop him from climbing up on them. Instead all she had were regrets.

“Stay with her,” her mother said to her father. “I’ll be right back.”

Josie kept a bird’s eye view of the rocks. The firefighters had set up portable lights to illuminate the area. She’d never felt so close and yet so far away.

They had to be careful about the tide. When a large wave rolled in over Lane, she had to bite back a scream. This was so horrible. She started for the bluff, but her father stepped in front of her, blocking her path.

“Josie, let the firefighters deal with it.”

“But I have to do something. I can’t just stand here. If it wasn’t for me, Lane wouldn’t be down there. I should have stopped him.”

“You can’t blame yourself.”

“Yes, I can.” Tears rolled down her cheeks. “I know better.”

Her father pulled her into a hug. She pushed him away. She didn’t deserve any comfort, especially with Lane trapped, cold, and in pain.

“I’m sorry.” She started to pace.

“You’re cold. Let me get you a blanket.” He walked to the ambulance.

It seemed like her parents and brothers had all found ways to make themselves useful. It made her feel worse. She should be down there, but she didn’t know how to move those boulders. They were almost as tall as her and about as wide.

“Here.” Her father placed a blanket over her shoulders. “Your mother went to get you dry clothes.”

Josie didn’t argue. What was the point? Her parents would just keep trying to comfort her. As for being cold, she didn’t really notice it now.

Her sole attention was on the emergency scene below. She prayed there wouldn’t be any more big waves—that the tide would go out early—that the rock would move just enough to free Lane.

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