But she was breathing. Andrew covered her with the ugly sweater his mother had bought her for Christmas last year. It had the silhouette of a reindeer on it. She’d packed it because she said it kind of looked like a moose. What better place to wear a moose sweater than Maine?

“I love you, Kate. I’m going to be right back. I’m getting us a canoe, not a priest. You hear me? You just sit tight. Buttons will be right here with you, won’t you, buddy?” The dog’s heavy panting filled the small closet. “You’re going to be okay, honey. I promise.”

He kissed her cheeks, and then her cool, dry lips.

“Don’t you dare leave me, Kate. There’s a Jeff Chandler movie marathon on next weekend. I know you don’t want to miss that.”

It broke his heart to leave her. She looked worse than he’d ever seen her.

Should I just stay here with her and hold her hand until…until…

No. She never gave up. And neither will I.

He patted Buttons. “You watch her. If that thing comes back, it’s not her. Don’t let it take her.”

The dog whined and lay next to Kate.

Andrew closed the door, doubting himself with each step.

The door to the bedroom had a push-button lock on the inside. He closed it, knowing he’d have to kick it in when he got back, which wouldn’t be a problem. He gathered armfuls of wood and lathing, tossing them against the door to create an extra barrier. It wasn’t much, but it was all he could do at the moment.

Taking one last glance out the front – the creature was still nowhere to be seen – he headed out the back, running to the dock, his gait markedly slower than before. The rifle was right where he’d left it. There was no sense picking it up, knowing he could never fire it. He willed himself not to look at Ryker’s body nor give a cursory search for his head. If Ryker were alive, he’d want Andrew to do everything in his power to save his sister.

He wasn’t going to let him down.

He untied the kayak, grabbed the paddle, and hopped inside.

The sun had softened with the dying of the day. A cool breeze whispered along the preternaturally still lake.

He thought of Kate lying in the closet, looking so close to death.

The canoe.

Concentrate on the canoe.

He paddled, his muscles’ protests falling on deaf ears.

Chapter Thirty-Six

The sound of a room being torn asunder propelled Kate from the darkness.

She couldn’t see a thing, but she felt something moving against her.

Then Buttons started barking.

Where the hell was she?

Great crashes and floor-rattling thumps quickened her heartbeat.