A crack of thunder made Lane jump, bringing her back to the present. She wrapped her hands around her waist to stop the tremors that were wracking her body beneath the pelting rain.

“The sheriff is on his way.” The deputy glanced up from his phone. “My GPS says the Coastal Highway is just over—hey, are you okay?”

Lane wanted to tell him she was, but as an angry strike of lightning lit up the sky, she could feel her legs begin to shake and all at once his arms were wrapped around her body.

“You’re in shock.”

“N-no. I’m f-fine,” she said, pulling herself out of his hold. “Just wet and cold.”

“There’ll be blankets in the squad car. Do you think you can walk? I can carry your backpack.”

“I’ve got it,” she said through clenched teeth and took a step in the direction he pointed to prove she did.

By the time they reached the side of the Coastal Highway, sirens echoed in the distance and Lane could see flashing red and blue lights barreling toward them. The deputy led her to the sheriff’s car but paused. He turned so their eyes met.

“Death is never easy.” Rain trailed over the features of his face. Chiseled jaw with a day or two’s growth. Deep blue eyes mining, it seemed, for information. “I’m really sorry you had to see that.”

Lane swallowed and pushed her gaze over the deputy’s shoulder to the squad car that pulled up, followed by two more that parked along the side of the road. “Y-yeah. Me too.”

A tall, burly man with a shock of white hair emerged from the first car and rushed over. The deputy stood back as Sheriff Huggins wrapped his big arms around her, swallowing her in a hug. “Honey, are you okay?”

That question. Again. Lane understood why they were asking, but it didn’t stop her eyes from cutting to the deputy hanging back. His comment about death not being easy seemed to come from a place of understanding—maybe even experience—but it was the look in his eyes that scared her more. The one that suggested he understood why she was at the bridge today.

“Lane?” The lines deepened around the sheriff’s gray eyes.

“Y-yes. I’ll be fine.” Lane rubbed her arms. “Just need to warm up and dry off.”

“Let’s get you into the car.” Sheriff Huggins walked her to his car with the deputy close on their heels. “There’s a blanket in the trunk, Charlie.”

Lane sat in the passenger seat of the squad car as Sheriff Huggins turned on the heat. A second later, the deputy returned with a blanket and the two men exchanged a glance before Sheriff Huggins tucked the fabric around her shoulders.

“Honey, can you tell me where you found the body?”

“I-I don’t know exactly. I got scared and ran—”