Page 97 of Home Tears

He winked at her as he climbed off the flat runner. He anchored the first flat runner inside as Jonah darted across all of them to confer with Trent, who drove the other pair.

“How’s it going, Hawk?”

“It’s wet.” Hawk grunted and turned to grab the pile of blankets that Aiden gathered inside the house’s door.

He handed them to Dani, who handed them to Jonah when he returned to the first boat.

“We can hand them out when everyone comes out.”

“That’s a good idea.” But Jonah took one and said, “Before we bring everyone out, we’re going to find Bubba.” He took one blanket, then disappeared again as Dani heard one of the back flat runners zoom off.

Kate and Jake came over.

“Do you have all the flashlights handy?” Dani asked.

Kate nodded.

Hawk said, “We’re going to need five more drivers. Two drivers per boat, one for backup. Just in case. You know anyone who’s driven these things before?”

“We can’t keep them all together?” Kate asked.

“They’ll tip with all that weight. It’s just safer if they separate.”

Dani offered, “Boone. He knows how to drive a jet ski, and I think he told me once his father owns a place down south, by a swamp.”

“That’d work. Who else?”

“I can drive one,” Dani said. “I’ve got experience with this stuff.” She flattened her hand to her side, to stop the shaking.

“Huh?” Kate asked, dumbfounded.

“She does,” Boone spoke from behind her. He gazed outside. “So this is what’s going on.”

Kate held up a hand. “Getting back to Dani knowing how to drive one of these things. What’d you mean by that?”

Boone gestured to Dani. “She’s had to before, and if anyone knows water, it’s—”

Dani cut in, “Jonah, because he’s the Water Whisperer.”

“Great.” Hawk nodded. “Back-ups?”

“Jake can do it.” Dani looked to him. “He’s driven these things since we were little.”

He nodded, stepping forward. “I can do it.”

The sound of an engine was coming back, getting closer and closer. Not far from them, the engine was cut, and a moment later, Jonah darted back over to the other three boats.

“Okay.” He quickly skimmed over the group. “We’re good to go. Flashlights, blankets?”

“Check and check.” Jake nodded, slapping a hand to the pile. “We’ll hand them out. We don’t have enough blankets and flashlights for everyone, but we’re hoping that people can sit together and share. Every third person will get a blanket.”

“Thank God my sister’s a slight pack rat.” Jonah grinned and stood beside Dani. He turned to Hawk. “Drivers?”

Dani answered, “Me. Jake. And Boone. We all have experience.”

Jonah studied her and briefly studied Boone, but he didn’t comment.

Hawk said, “We need two more.”

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