I pushed back from the table, shaking my head. “Who knew the thing that would stop men dead in their tracks, scare them worse than anything else, was just a few tears.”

Griffin chuckled. “You know how to get me.”

We moved through our morning routine with ease. As if we’d all been cleaning up and getting ready for our days together for years. It shouldn’t have been a surprise. Everything with Griffin always just seemed to fit. And the kids flourished under his attention. But I couldn’t help but wonder what would happen when we had to leave.

I dropped off the last of my brood, making sure they knew they could call anytime if they were worried or scared or overwhelmed. Then I simply sat in the elementary school parking lot. Mr. Walters had already asked Max and Molly to cover for me at the store. I had the day totally and completely free. When was the last time that had happened? I honestly couldn’t remember. And I didn’t have the faintest idea how to spend it.

The last thing I wanted was to make a nuisance of myself at the farmhouse. Griffin had already opened his home to us when he was used to solitude. I texted Parker.

Me: Any updates?

It had barely been twelve hours, but I kept hoping for a miracle. That they’d found the perpetrator and they were in jail. That it was a band of kids who had gotten out of hand, but after a scare, they’d learned the error of their ways. Something.

Parker: Nothing yet, but we’re working on it. It’s going to take a while to process all the evidence. You holding up okay?

My shoulders slumped. Time was the thing working against us the most. Because the longer this took, the more opportunities this invisible person had. I shivered, feeling suddenly very exposed in this half-empty school parking lot.

Me: I’m fine. Thanks for everything you’re doing.

I looked like I’d been in a car accident, and my head felt like there was a marching band playing inside, but I wasn’t going to share that.

Parker: I’ll update you as soon as we have anything.

But I didn’t want to wait around for evidence processing or trying to track down every neighbor in a four-block radius. I had some questions that I needed to have answered for myself. I started my SUV’s engine and headed for the ferry.

Normally, ferry rides from island to island were relaxing. I’d get out of my vehicle and go sit on the top deck, taking in all the beauty around me. This time, I stayed put. I let my vision go fuzzy on the line of cars in front of me. I played the arguments back and forth in my mind. But I kept settling on one thing. I had to see her.