His name was the final word on my lips before I slipped under, and nothing but a sea of blackness surrounded me.

46

Brody

The beeping coming from my phone pulled me out of my deep sleep. I groaned as I rolled over, patting the nightstand for the device. My fingers closed around the cool rectangle, and I brought it to my face to see who the hell was interrupting the amazing dream I had been having.

The alert was from our dock cameras. I pulled up the feed, expecting to see our little seal friend using the dock as his own personal sunbathing spot again. Instead, I saw Shay pulling away in the Whaler.

I sat up straight, instantly awake and alert. What the hell? I swung my legs over the side of the bed, hurrying to pull on my jeans and a tee. I tried her cell phone, knowing it was likely a hopeless endeavor. There wasn’t service out on the water.

I jogged downstairs to find Shay’s laptop still open, a cup of coffee in the sink, and a basket of eggs on the kitchen table. Shay never left a space in any sort of disarray. Everything went back to its place immediately after use.

I scanned the kitchen, looking for anything else out of place. My gaze caught on a note by the coffee maker. I crossed to it in four long strides. Plucking it up, I read it quickly and cursed. Why hadn’t she woken me up? I would’ve gone with her.

It had to have been urgent for Shay to have left like she had. But something in my gut wasn’t sitting right. I pulled up my message app and typed out a text.

Me: Hey, Caelyn. Are you opening the store today?

Within seconds, I had a reply.

Caelyn: That I am. We’ll be open at nine. You need something?

Shay would be pissed as hell at me, but I didn’t much care at the moment.

Me: Shay left to pick up a friend at the docks before I woke up. Can you keep an eye out and let me know if you see her?

Caelyn: I’m at the docks now, waiting on our seafood haul for the day. Don’t see her yet. When did she leave?

I glanced at the time on my phone. It had only been ten minutes since she’d left, and it took fifteen to twenty to get to the docks.

Me: She should be there in five to ten.

Caelyn: I’ll be on the lookout. And I’ll be sure to tell her what a worrywart she has for a boyfriend and to go easy on you.