As we both walked outside, I really took Tess in. She was pretty. Older than me, probably closer to thirty. It was then I noticed the wedding band on her hand. I wonder how her husband would like to know how much she flirts?
“How long have you been married?” I asked as I headed over toward an area that had some brush. Beyond that about a mile was the tree line.
“Six years.”
“Wow! Kids?”
She let out a dry laugh. “God, no. He wants them, but he also wants a lot of other women and a divorce, so . . .”
“Damn, I’m sorry to hear that.”
With a shrug, she blew out a breath and pointed straight ahead. “Looks like the tree line is a good walk away. Should we grab something to put the wood in so we can carry it back? I would think we could be here at least a week while they expand the search areas.”
It was then I saw her in a totally different light. She was far from weak, and not on the verge of breaking down like I had thought earlier. Up in the plane we were all scared. Even with a broken wrist, she was ready to pitch in her weight.
“That’s a great idea, Tess. Let’s head back and find something.”
If we all stayed positive and rationed out what little food and water we had . . . we had a fighting chance.
I promise I’ll be home soon, Taylor. I promise.
Taylor
The cool morning breeze felt good hitting my face. Last night was the first night I’d slept over four hours. I was beginning to feel the effects of lack of sleep, but I didn’t care. When I was awake, I could think about Jase. Pray God would keep him safe.
“Tay? You feel like company?”
Turning my head and looking up, I smiled at Meagan and Grace. “I’m not much company, but feel free to join me.”
They both sat on either side of me, each taking my hand and holding it.
“Whitley invited everyone over for lunch. I guess they’re having Coopers cater it. You know how much I love Coopers.”
With a weak grin, I turned to Grace who stared straight ahead. “Yes. I know how much you love it, Grace.”
The next thing I knew, the back screen door flew open and Mireya ran by holding something. “I take it Libby and Luke are here?”
Meagan squeezed my hand. “Hell, the whole gang is here. Whitley may think twice before inviting us all over again.”
I tried to chuckle, but couldn’t.
Grace cleared her throat. I felt her eyes burning into me as she pondered what to say or ask. “Have you um . . . have you heard from Ryder?”
“Yes. The area where the plane was last on radar was pretty rugged. He said something about the plane having some kind of chute it can deploy and help glide it down. They’re hoping they used it and were able to find a safe area to land.”
“So, it’s still a search and rescue?”
My body went numb as those words hit me. I didn’t want to lose hope, but as each hour went on my heart ached even more. “For now.”
“They’re going to find them, Tay. You have to feel it in your heart that he’s okay.”
Swallowing hard, I felt a tear escape from my eye as I wiped it away. “Sometimes I do, but then I’m so overcome with grief sometimes I don’t know what to think. It hits me so hard that I’m almost positive he’s . . . he’s . . .”
“Don’t say it. Until they change it to recovery, or until we know something else, we keep going on that they will find them.”
Turning to Grace, I could see how strongly she believed the words she was saying to me.
“I’m trying, Grace. But I’m so tired and my brain doesn’t know what to think anymore.”