“We have to go because Grandma’s house isn’t high enough to keep you dry. So we have to get to my house. Understand?” I zipped up her raincoat.

She nodded.

“I need you to listen really carefully and do exactly as I say, and sometimes it might be scary, but we’re going to be okay. I’m going to take Grandma to the truck, and I want you to wait right here until I come get you.” I needed Finley in the safest place, and right now, that was the house. In an hour, it wouldn’t be.

“My mommy left,” she whispered, tightening her grip on Juno’s carrier.

I bit back the anger that saturated my tongue when I thought about Claire heading to an audition. That was the last thing Finley needed.

I cupped her cheeks in my hands. “I. Will. Not. Leave. You. Not now. Not today. Not ever. I promise.”

“Because you love Daddy?” Her eyes filled with tears.

“Because I love you. I came all the way back—that’s how much I love you. I even made a policeman very mad to get to you. I won’t leave you, Fin. You’re the only reason I’m here.” I wiped her tears with my thumbs. “Are you ready?”

She nodded, and I pressed a kiss to her forehead.

“You wait right here with Juno. Promise.”

“I promise.”

The winds blew impossibly harder, and the rain fell in driving sheets as I took Vivian out of the house, dragging her by her armpits. “Hold onto the bag,” I ordered her, and she pulled Fin’s pets closer. Then I walked backward down the steps, dragging her along at an angle so that the two-by-four slid instead of thumped.

“Hold on!” I shouted once we made it to the bottom.

A trampoline flew by, flipping end-over-end down the road.

Don’t even think about it. Just keep moving.

I got the back door open, and with Vivian hopping, we managed to get her across the backseat. “Buckle up! I’m grabbing Fin!” I shut the door, which was no easy feat, even given the shelter from the garage.

I raced up the stairs and looked out over the neighborhood from the top of the deck. The surge was here. Water pushed in with each wave, and it had already overtaken the houses up the block.

The dune will protect your house. You can get there.

I threw open the door and held my arms out for Fin, silently thanking Jackson for buying her backpack carrier.

Fin rushed at me with obvious relief, and I lifted her into my arms. “Do you have your phone?”

She nodded. “But not my clothes. They’re upstairs.”