Page 114 of Home Tears

“I’m sorry. I know you’re invested here, but I’m going. We’re going to be wasting an entire night, and they’ll only come in the morning to tell us to leave. I’m going to save myself the wait and leave now.”

“They told us to stay here for our safety.” Robbie rose.

“From what? We’re in the clear. The flooding is up north, and the water’s not coming down or it would’ve been here by now.”

“The topsoil is eroding up there. They’re worried about what that’ll do to the river down here.”

Mae could’ve rolled her eyes, her tone gave the same effect. “The river hasn’t flooded since the dam was built. We’re fine. We’re always fine. I’m going.”

Barney and Jeffries stood, too.

“Let’s go, guys.” Mae motioned and followed behind. Jeffries offered Dani an apologetic smile, but fell in line.

Robbie shook his head. “Huh.”

“What?” Dani asked, but her attention had just left the building. If they left, she knew the ones who remained would follow. It only took one pebble to fall down for the whole pile to crash. This so wasn’t good, and she had no idea where Jonah was.

“I didn’t know Jeffries was married.”

“There are some secrets that are just meant to be. I’m sure that’s what it is. I’ve learned that much since moving home.” She had to find Jonah. He’d know what to do. “I have to go. I’m not going far. I’ll be back.” She patted his arm. “Make a list.”

“For what?”

“For Kate.” They’d been discussing his love life before Mae decided to lead a revolution. “If she’s the one for you, start making a list of nice things to say and do for her. Trust me. Tell her she’s beautiful and give her gifts. Lots of gifts. She’ll melt.”

“You sure?”

“Oh, yeah.” She gestured outside the center. “I need to find Jonah. I don’t have a good feeling about this.”

But going outside, she couldn’t find him. He wouldn’t have been in the center, or he would’ve found her instead. The town was near vacant. Everyone left for their homes while the others remained inside. She walked around, hoping to see something or someone who might know where Jonah could be.

She found herself in front of the boat store.

“Dani?”

She turned around. “Jake.”

“I saw you, and I figured you were out for a walk, to clear your head or some sorts.”

“What are you doing here?”

“Folks can’t get arrested for going to their homes.” Jake shrugged. “I saw you leave. Figured I should try to protect someone tonight.”

Dani knew it was time. It was the conversation and the person they never talked about. She knew this talk would happen, and on some level, she’d been waiting the entire time. Almost everything was done. She made peace with Julia, and said her goodbye to Kathryn. It felt right to have this talk now.

It was time.

“Did Erica say anything? When she died? Like—” Dani had no idea.

“No.” His eyebrows bunched together, and his head fell abruptly. “She did say some things, but…”

“It’s okay.” Her throat tightened with emotion. She felt something. Something was awakening inside of her.

“She was so much like you, but she was different, too.”

“She was stronger.”

“No.” His response was swift. “She was different. That’s all.”

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