A few seconds later, Katie was pulling her up from the ground and hugging her.
“Oh my God, are you all right? We were so scared.”
“I’m fine,” Jennifer assured. “Where’s the baby?”
“Olive Fanatoon took her,” Katie explained.
Rill Pierce stepped up to her, looking dark, handsome and intense. She’d starred in one of Rill’s films four years ago, and was excited to be doing another with him this upcoming autumn. Of course, there wasn’t an actor in Hollywood who wouldn’t be thrilled to take part in one of Rill’s movies. He’d flown her out to his house in the Shawnee National Forest four days ago to talk over some things about the screenplay and her character. She was already friends with his vibrant, tell-it-like-is, beautiful wife because Katie was the little sister of Everett, her former lover.
“I thought I told you not to go off the forest preserve path,” Rill scolded before he hugged her just as hard as Katie had. Jennifer glanced at Katie next to his shoulder and they shared a little smile. Katie had told her that Rill’s accent came out the most when he was angry or worried, and his Irishness was fully evident at the present moment.
“You’ll be glad when you see how the walking off the beaten path strengthened my acting skills,” she teased.
Rill released her, giving her a stern look that was ruined by the small grin tugging at his mouth. John approached with Lila. Sheriff Mulligan, a middle-aged man with skinny legs, a large belly and what appeared to be a perpetual expression of discontent on his face, started peppering John with questions. Jennifer accepted a bottle of water from Katie. She sipped it while she listened to John explain their ordeal.
“And neither of you are injured?” Sheriff Mulligan demanded.
“I’m fine. Jennifer? Are you all right?” John asked.
“I’m fine. I can’t really speak for the state of my hips and thighs where the rope bit, and I’ve got a rope burn on my jaw, and bruises from the fall yesterday, but all in all I’d say I’m in excellent condition.”
John walked toward the sound of Jennifer’s voice, stumbling slightly against a man who had been standing rather uselessly in the midst of everyone. Jennifer supposed he was Hilbert Hanks, the volunteer fireman Lila had mentioned. He had a length of coiled rope hanging off one thin shoulder. He’d been gawking at Jennifer ever since she’d reached the path. Katie had noticed Jennifer’s growing discomfort at the man’s nonstop staring and came to stand at an angle that blocked his vision. Hilbert mumbled under his breath when John ran into him, but John just ignored him and kept coming toward her. She took his outstretched hands when he neared her.
“You should go to the hospital and get checked out,” he said.
“I agree,” Katie seconded.
Jennifer squeezed John’s hands. His hair really was as black as midnight. It hadn’t just been the shadows in the cave making it seem so. Distantly, she was aware of Katie watching their interaction with interest, but most of her attention was exclusively on the man who stood before her.
“You should probably come to the hospital too, John,” Rill said. “We’ll drive you both there.”
“I don’t need to go, I’m fine,” John said, his face still turned toward Jennifer. “But you’ll see Jennifer does?”
“No, John . . .” Jennifer paused in her protest when she glanced down at his hand. It was red with thick, swelling rope welts. She gasped.
“Oh my God. Look at your hands,” she muttered, horrified. She grabbed his other hand. It was worse. The skin had been completely torn back in a couple spots. Blood was smeared on the palm.
“You have to go to the hospital. That rope tore up your hands.”
“No.” She blinked at his calm, matter-of-fact reply. “I’ve had worse. Besides, you know I’ve got a first-aid kit.” She smiled shakily, recalling how he’d transformed the plastic kit into a cooking utensil.
“Everything is going to be fine. You go ahead,” he murmured. She stepped a little closer to him. It struck her she’d never see the cave again—never see the place where John had taught her to see so vividly in complete darkness.
“Thank you for going down that hole with me,” she said quietly. “Thank you for pulling me it out of it. Thanks for everything.”
He smiled. “I would do it again in an instant.”
The moment stretched. He gave her hand one final squeeze and turned away.
“We should let Rill and Katie get Jennifer to the hospital. If you have any more questions for me, why don’t you follow me to my cabin, Sheriff.” He reached with his hand, palm down, and Enzo raced to his side. Enzo walked next to him along the path. The dog was such an ideal guide, John didn’t even use his black cane.
&
nbsp; Jennifer stood there, feeling like the earth had again swallowed her whole as she watched John Corcoran walk away.
Epilogue
Twelve days later