Page 98 of Home Tears

Jonah jerked his head toward the last boat. “Bubba and Eddie. We just picked ’em both up, but both have used these boats before.”

“We’re good then. We can go.”

Jake held up a hand. “Someone needs to tell everyone inside what’s going on.”

Everyone looked at Jonah. Kate said to him, “You go. They’ll listen to you.”

“Okay.” Jonah nodded to Hawk, and three sets of keys were dished out.

Kate took a blanket and climbed to one of the back boats. Jake disappeared inside, as well as Boone. Dani thought Jonah would follow behind, but he stepped close to her first. “You okay with this?”

She nodded. “I’ll be fine. Sure, I was freaking out a few minutes ago, but I’ve got this. I feel safer with an engine.”

He was weighing her words. “You sure?”

“I am.”

“Okay.” He pressed a kiss to her forehead. His hand touched hers. “Don’t get on the boat yet. Wait till I come back out.”

“Okay.”

He headed inside, and Jake and Boone came out a beat later. Jenny and Julia were in tow, both looking like they were crying.

All the boats were unhooked from each other, and the ones who had drivers pulled out. They waited as one boat was filled, then they would switch places. People began to come out, and though they looked fearful, some were crying. For the most part, everyone wasn’t downright panicking like she had. They were able to grab a blanket and climb onto their boats, but not a life jacket.

Bubba’s boat came to the side, and he jumped out. Aiden gasped, but caught Dani’s eyes. Dani tried to nod at her, letting her know everything would be fine. Aiden swallowed and returned the nod. She pulled her blanket closer around her, and Bubba began to hand out the remaining life jackets. The boats came in close enough so he could wade over to them.

And then they were down to two boats.

Jonah came to stand next to her. “You ready?” His hand touched her hip.

She nodded. “I am.”

“Okay.” He pressed another kiss to her forehead. “I want you with me. You’ll be my backup driver.”

The one boat filled up, and Hawk pushed off with Jake as his back-up driver. Then it was only their boat. Dani took a breath, a blanket, and stepped onto the wobbly flat runner.

Trenton sidled up next to them, helping to hold their boat steady. “Hi, Dani!” He was too damned cheerful. “I’d offer a hand, but I’m a little busy.”

“Thanks,” she said dryly.

“So, how does it feel, Dani?”

“Rather be in bed right now.”

Trenton laughed and commented, “Yeah. I’m sure Jonah’d like that, too. I don’t think the Quandrys are going to want to still build here anymore. Not when they need to get flood insurance.”

This was close to his usual day at the job. She got that, but she asked, “Trent?”

“Yeah?”

“Can you shut up?”

“Sure.” He laughed anyway. “Don’t take too much to natural disasters?”

“You’d be surprised.”

Once they were full, with Jonah in the driver’s seat, Trenton turned around to the next boat. He waved, calling out, “Alright. Here we go. Mr. Guy Back There—you’re in charge of the back of the boat. Watch the engine for me. Let me know if anything’s wrong. Make sure no one falls out, too. Jonah’ll take the lead, then Hawk. We’ve got the rear.”

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