He nodded. “Of course we will. You find Sunny and I’ll get Barney’s leash.”
“I wish I had time to go home and grab some things in case we’re trapped off the island for a few days.”
“Sorry, Robs, no time. I’ll grab a few things, though, and some food and water.”
She went out to the front room and looked at where Sunny had been napping. No sign of her. “Sunny? Where are you? Kitty, kitty, kitty.” She walked around calling for the kitten. Still no sign. She looked under the couch, behind the chairs, anywhere she could think of.
“Jay, I can’t find Sunny. We can’t just leave her,” she called out to him, a bit of panic racing through her. She didn’t rescue the kitten only to have to leave her behind if she couldn’t find her.
Jay strode into the room with the kitten in his arms. “Found her sound asleep on the pillow on my bed. Hope she doesn’t think that’s her new place to sleep. Because it’s not…” Though the softness of his expression contradicted the sternness of his words.
She reached for Sunny and held her close. “Good kitty.” She stroked Sunny’s back and the kitten began to purr.
“I’ll load up the car, then we’ll leave.”
Within a handful of minutes, Jay had the car loaded and they headed out. As they drove down the road, the rain began in earnest with the wipers barely clearing the windshield for them to peer out. Her heart pounded in her chest as they slowly drove with Jay straining to pay close attention to the road.
An alert from her phone grabbed her attention again. She slipped her phone out and read the alert. “Jay, the bridge. It’s closed. It was damaged. The city alert said to go shelter at the community center.”
He glanced over at her and nodded, a frown creasing his face. “The bridge damaged? That’s not good. Okay, we’ll head to the center.” He turned and headed back toward town, soon joining a line of cars pouring into the parking near the center.
He found a spot, leashed up Barney, and she snuggled Sunny close to her. He nodded as he slipped out of the car and raced around to open her door. She slid out and he wrapped an arm around her as they hurried to the door.
They got inside and she shook the rain from her hair, still careful to keep a hold on Sunny.
Sara greeted them. “There you two are. Good. I’ll put your names down. Charlotte just got here with Ben. They’re already inside. Go on in. There are blankets and towels so you can dry off.”
Robin was glad to hear Charlotte had made it safely here, too. She followed Jay and Barney into the main room of the center and soon they were swallowed up by the crowd of townsfolk.
They dried off and Lillian came hurrying up to them. “I checked with Sara, and Etta isn’t here. Have you seen her? Maybe she slipped in without Sara getting her name down?”
“Haven’t seen her.”
“I sent Zoe to search the crowd. I’m worried about her. She lives alone. But surely she got the alert.” The worry was clear in Lillian’s eyes.
Just then Zoe and Mason came up to them. “I’ve looked everywhere. I don’t see her.”
Robin thought for a moment. “You know, I think I saw the light on at the historical society as we drove past. That’s kind of unusual, isn’t it? She would have closed it up and gone home. Though maybe she just forgot and left a light on.”
“I tried calling her, but I didn’t get an answer. She hadn’t made any plans to leave the island last time I talked to her.” Lillian turned and searched the crowd again.
“Let me go check the historical society building,” Jay said. “If she’s not there, I’ll run to her house.”
“I hate to have you go out in this.” Lillian frowned.
“Won’t take long,” Jay assured her.
“I’ll go with you,” Mason offered. “Just in case you need help.”
Jay kissed Robin quickly and handed her the leash. “Here, take Barney. I’ll be back soon.”
“Stay safe.” She frowned, not pleased that he was going back out into the storm. But someone really did need to check on Etta, and of course, Jay wanted to help allay Lillian’s worries.
Mason turned to Zoe. “I’ll be back. You stay here. Stay safe.”
Zoe nodded but didn’t look very pleased that Mason was heading out into the storm, either.
“Ready?” Jay asked.
Mason nodded.
She and Zoe stood side by side and watched as the men left. Jay knew how to be careful. He’d be fine. Just fine. But still, an uneasiness slithered through her. She turned to Zoe, a reassuring smile plastered on her face. “They’ll be fine.”
“Right. I’m sure they will.” But Zoe’s voice sounded as uncertain as hers did.
Chapter 12
“We’ll take my car.” Jay led the way to where he’d gotten a parking spot at the far edge of the lot. The rain poured down, drenching them, and his clothes stuck to him as they hurried along.
Mason grabbed his arm. “Look. The entrance to the parking lot is flooded and a tree fell across the drive.”
Jay looked over and let out a sigh. “Looks like no one is getting in or out of this lot anytime soon. It’s only a couple of blocks. You up for a quick jog over there?”
“Not seeing we have a choice.”
He and Mason jogged through the pelting rain, sloshing through puddles and trying to avoid the flooded areas on the streets. They got to the historical society and Jay tried the door. It swung open easily. “Etta?” He called out as they pushed inside, dripping water everywhere.
“Etta?” He tried again, louder, so his voice could be heard over the howling winds.
“I hear something back that way.” Mason pointed.
They hurried down a hallway. “Etta?” He called out again.
“Back here. Help.”
They rushed into a back room and stopped. A large bookcase had
