Forever Friends

by Sarah Mackenzie

  Sadie’s eyes widened at the elaborate room where she and Lincoln would be staying. “How many bedrooms does Bree have? How does she keep up with all the housework? I can barely keep the dust bunnies at bay in our little cottage.”

  “There are five bedrooms in this house, plus the turret. It’s our parents’ old place.” Renee swiped a finger across a dusty piece of cherry furniture. “As for keeping up the housework, I’m not so sure she does.”

  “How long has she lived here?” Sadie asked.

  Renee shrugged. “She has never lived anywhere else. She loves it here as much as I love my cottage.”

  Sadie’s lower lip quivered. “Do you think our homes will be safe?”

  “Of course,” Renee said, forcing the lie to come out calm and reassuring. She gently shut the door behind them, smiling at the sound of Lincoln already attempting to jump on the bed. Bree would definitely approve.

  She took a deep breath and walked down the dark hall to find Dan exiting the bathroom, toothbrush in one hand, flashlight in the other. Outside, rain pelted but the wind seemed to be dying down.

  “Okay, looks like we’ve got the weird room,” Renee announced when she walked back to him.

  She was rewarded with a megawatt grin. “We?”

  “It has a waterbed.” She opened the door, to the guest room with lavender walls and a bay window, and sat on the bed’s edge. Dan sat beside her, and the water shifted, lifting Renee up in its wave inducing a chuckle out of them both. “What do you think? Ready to transport back into the seventies?”

  “Kinky.”

  “Definitely. But less kinky than getting it on in my old bed. I couldn’t handle Mr. Snuffles watching.”

  Dan arched an amused brow. “Mister…?”

  “Snuffles. He’s a knit dog that’s still perched on my dresser. It’s Bree’s place now. She can do what she likes. But she’s not big on change.”

  “Well, I did want one of these so bad when I was a kid,” he said, pulling her close and planting a long kiss on the top of her head. “But I hope we don’t pop it.”

  “Seriously. The last thing we need around here is more flooding!” Renee suddenly grew quiet, her thoughts once again on Bree’s uncertain future.

  “Hey.” Dan held her tighter. “Where’d you go?”

  She stared at the family portrait hanging on the wall across from them. It was taken during the time when they both had insisted on matching plaid outfits and pigtails. Their mother had Renee’s same red hair and was standing behind them, and their father’s arms were wrapped snugly around their little family.

  “Bree found a lump,” Renee muttered. She hated saying the words out loud, like speaking the thing made it true. “It’s why she’s been acting so weird. She didn’t want to tell anyone.”

  “People react in different ways to health scares.” His hand twitched. “Has she had it tested yet? Most times a lump ends up being harmless.”

  “We have PTSD. Our mom was only fifty-five when she found her own lump. It was stage four. The cancer had spread everywhere.”

  He blew out a quiet breath and reached out to stroke her hair. “That must have been devastating.”

  “I can’t lose Bree that same way,” Renee admitted, leaning into his touch, reveling in the warmth and security. “I’m not sure I could survive that.”

  He took her into his arms, and she finally allowed the tears to come. “It’s sort of terrifying how fast your life can change.”

  Dan, surely thinking of Meggie and her own diagnosis, nodded. “We never know how much time we have. That’s why we owe those who have gone before to live every day to the absolute fullest. No regrets.”

  “You’re right.” Renee took a deep breath. “I guess now is a good time to tell you a few things.”

  He raised his eyebrows. “Yeah?”

  “The first is that I’m officially resigning from the practice. Sorry, not sorry.”

  “Hot damn.” A smile creased his craggy features. “I’ve never been so happy to receive a resignation. Now what’s the second? You’re naming a pie after me? Your sexy and modest-as-hell former boss who happens to be good with his mouth?”

  Her cheeks heated. The man didn’t lie. “That’s still a possibility, but no. It’s better than that.” She picked up both of his hands and held them in her own as she sucked in a deep breath. “Okay, ready or not. Here it goes. I love you, Dan Hanlon. And I…well, I think I’ve known it for a while. Because my favorite part of the day is that very first moment I get to see you, when you tumble through the front door all fresh-shaven and smelling like a pine forest. And I hate it when we say goodbye in the evening.”

  Dan moved his face toward Renee, his lips brushing hers softly before pressing them more urgently. “And I love you, Renee Rhodes. I have since the first time we met. You had just taken a bite of scone, and the way you covered your mouth and brushed off your lap. God, it was just adorable. I was smitten from that very moment.”

  Renee scrunched up her nose. “You were?”

  “It’s hard to explain, but in that instant, this relief washed over me, a sort of warmth. I knew everything was going to somehow be okay,” he said. “You made me come back to life. I want to be with you. I want us to be a real thing.”

  “I want that too. So, so, much.”

  They moved with such natural, fluid movements, it was as though the two had rehearsed this act. Slowly, carefully, they tugged on one another’s clothing. They kissed and caressed, tenderly pushing aside any remaining barriers.

  There in the soft candlelight, they pressed their bodies together for a second time, hungry and curious. When he entered her with a sharp gasp, it was as if their souls connected. She threw back her head as a sweet pain filled her chest, like a part of his heart entered hers. And together, despite the storm, they found safe harbor in each other’s arms.

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Sadie sat in the wingback chair, studying Lincoln in the pale early morning light. His hair was matted, and his cheeks were rosy. He ran hot, just like Ethan, and always woke sweaty and groggy. He slept soundly now, just like he had all night long. The angels-bowling theory worked like a charm and each thunderclap and flash of lightning made him giggle until finally, he drifted off. Sadie, on the other hand, hadn’t gotten a single wink. She spent the long raging night curled on her side, one arm wrapped around Lincoln and the other clutching her pillow in lieu of her missing husband.

  Where was he? No way of knowing with the phone lines down.

  Lincoln stirred and she returned to the bed, nestling in beside him, forcing herself to calm down, or at least look as if she was the picture of motherly reassurance.

  “Mommy?” He blinked before rubbing the sleep from his eyes. “Where are we?”

  “Bree’s. We had a sleepover, remember?”

  He threw back the covers and cocked his head, listening. “Storm all gone?”

  She nodded. “All gone, baby. We’re safe.”

  “Daddy?” Lincoln popped his thumb into his mouth, a bad habit she was usually quick to correct, though right now she was half tempted to suck on her own.

  Her hug would have to suffice in lieu of an answer, and she wrapped the blanket around them. A snug cocoon to keep out the world.

  There was a knock on the door.

  Guess the world didn’t enjoy being ignored.

  “Come in,” Sadie called, sitting up.

  Renee poked her head inside. “Morning, you two. Everyone sleep okay?”

  “Lincoln loved listening to all of the angels bowling. Wasn’t that fun, honey?”

  She didn’t want to burden Renee with her insomnia. Her friend would somehow find a reason why she herself could have prevented this, maybe by bringing a heavier blanket or choosing a different guest room.

  Plus, Sadie didn’t feel like explaining the true reason why she’d tossed and turned. She didn’t want to share how Ethan was still MIA. It hurt too much just to think the words.

  “How did y
ou sleep?” she asked instead.

  “Oh, you know.” Renee fidgeted, casting her eyes toward the floor. And God—was she blushing?

  “Renee! You better dish.”

  “I can’t say I got a lot of sleep.” She was glowing. “But the reason why I wasn’t sleeping was…um, lovely. Really lovely. Honestly, it was sort of the best ever. The best, um, not sleeping ever.”

  Sadie’s eyes widened in understanding. She squealed, jumping to her feet and nearly toppling Renee with a giant hug while Lincoln clapped in amusement.

  “I know it’s not like it was the first time,” Sadie said. “But something is different about you! This was a more important time, wasn’t it?”

  “Uh-huh,” Renee said with a wistful sigh. “We were much more, um, in sync this go-around.”

  “You mean you both finished at the same time?” Sadie cocked her head to the side. “I have to admit, that has literally never happened for us—”

  Renee covered her mouth, looking scandalized. “Do you want the whole house to hear?”

  Dan appeared behind her. “Good morning, gang! How did you two sleep?”

  Not as well as you, Dr. McDreamy! Sadie grinned. “Oh, we got along fine.”

  Lincoln wiggled off the bed. “Where my daddy?”

  Please stop asking, Sadie thought, as Renee and Dan’s gazes focused on her. “I still haven’t heard from him,” she revealed after a long pause.

  “Oh, Sadie—”

  She held up a hand. “Can we please not talk about it? At least, not yet?”

  Renee frowned, looking uncertain. But Dan was quick to move the conversation along. “Let’s make breakfast,” he said. “I don’t know about anyone else, but I’m starving.”

  “Yeah?” Renee paused, the wheels almost visibly churning in her head as she seemed to debate if she should let the topic go or probe further. “Yeah, okay. I guess I am pretty hungry, too.”

  “Oh, we are too,” Sadie fibbed, as she was decidedly not hungry. Thank God Renee had backed off. She was this close to cracking. “Just let me make the bed and straighten up a bit, and we’ll be right down.”

  Maybe Ethan would call in the next sixty seconds, explaining everything and sparing her from the pitying eyes at the breakfast table. But even if there wasn’t a miracle, she could use these moments to gather her breath, to push away the terrifying thoughts in her head and plaster on a happy face.

  Of course, no one called, so after she puttered around for as long as she could, she scooped up Lincoln and trudged down the creaky staircase.

  “Have you looked outside?” Renee asked as she slid into an empty chair, bouncing Lincoln in her lap.

  “No,” she admitted. She’d been too nervous to face it. “Is it bad?”

  “Depends on who you ask.” Bree was standing at the stove. She flipped a large pancake before giving another pan with sizzling bacon a little shake. Renee had luckily brought supplies when she’d landed on her sister’s doorstep with a horde of people. “It doesn’t sound good for Castaway’s. Luckily the inventory is safe and dry but the roof is mostly off.”

  “Oh, Bree. I’m so sorry,” Sadie said. “How do you feel?”

  “It’s still sinking in, honestly. Jill came by a half hour ago. Chickadee Studios is in the same boat.” Bree stopped cooking, running a dish towel over her damp forehead. “We’re not sure what to do.”

  “That’s awful,” Sadie breathed, wondering if her own cottage was obliterated or if the mill was damaged beyond repair.

  “I’m just glad it sounds like no one was hurt,” Bree said.

  “I’ll drink to that,” Dr. Dan agreed, holding up his cup of orange juice. “I can take you guys home after breakfast. And then come back to help with the cleanup, of course.” Dan took a bite of his blueberry pancake and chewed thoughtfully. Despite the bad news, the edges of his mouth seemed permanently turned upward, and Sadie wondered if it was the maple syrup or the sex.

  Her money was on the sex.

  “So far, it only looks like a bunch of downed tree limbs in this neighborhood,” Renee said. “At least as far as I can see from the windows.”

  “Yeah?” Talking felt impossible this morning with the unknown status of her husband looming so darkly over her head. How was she supposed to manage morning small talk during this sort of crisis? “That’s good.”

  Bree set a plate in front of Sadie, and she thanked her, saying she and Lincoln would be fine splitting the meal. In truth, Sadie felt sick to her stomach and knew she wouldn’t be able to manage more than a bite or two (and even then, only for the sake of being polite).

  She understood that everyone wanted to talk about the storm’s damage, but for all she cared, her house could have been swept right off the map and carried into the Atlantic Ocean. Maybe some mermaid family could rehab the cottage next, or a school of clown fish could move in.

  It’s okay if the cottage is destroyed. Sadie began to bargain with God. But please bring Ethan home safely. She rubbed her lower abdomen. He or she needs to meet their daddy.

  “When are you due?” Bree asked, noticing Sadie’s discreet caress.

  “Right before Thanksgiving.” Sadie blew on a forkful of bacon, recalling an article she’d read just last week about the benefits of maintaining a vegan diet during pregnancy. Oh well. “We could go with Macy for the big parade. Or Peregrine, after the first child born to the pilgrims.

  Bree gave a low whistle. “Look at you Ms. History Buff. Maybe you want something with more passion. Because Scorpions? They’re intense.” Bree stirred a generous spoonful of sugar into her coffee. “A force to be reckoned with.”

  Sadie laughed, enjoying the welcome distraction from her scary thoughts. “Hopefully not too intense. I had a third-degree tear pushing out Lincoln.”

  “Damn woman, I don’t know what that means but it doesn’t sound like anything good.”

  “I love my kid, but real talk, childbirth is for the birds.”

  Bree wrinkled her nose. “I’ll take your word for it.”

  They clinked mugs.

  After what felt like forever—Dan had asked for seconds on the blueberry pancakes—it was finally time to head back to Seashell Lane. No one spoke during the short drive down the road, as each of them prepared for the worst and prayed for the best.

  “Our homes! They’re okay!” Renee shouted at the first sight of the two cottages. “Sadie, your cherry tree survived, too! I can’t believe it.”

  “How awesome! Thank God!” Sadie hoped she sounded convincing.

  She was thankful, she truly was.

  But she was also crestfallen, devastated. Because when Dan pulled in front of her home, the only thing she registered was the empty driveway.

  She thanked both of them for all their help before quickly retreating inside her cottage. She set Lincoln down in front of the TV with a sippy cup of juice and some Goldfish crackers. Then, she slipped inside the first-floor powder room, sat on the closed toilet seat, and gave herself over to her tears.

  Should she begin calling hospitals? Or was it customary to alert the police first? Something terrible had happened to her husband. She felt it in every cell of her being. But where did she begin? Where should she turn?

  She splashed cold water on her face before gulping down handfuls from the faucet. The mirror reflected a sober sight. Dark bags bruised the delicate skin beneath her eyes, and her complexion looked ashen.

  She imagined Ethan in a ditch off the side of the road, his hood flat against a tree. She gasped, stumbling toward the toilet, braced her hands on the cool porcelain and vomited the contents of her stomach.

  All this fear wasn’t hurting the baby, right? Because she couldn’t lose it.

  Not now. Not if—

  “Mommy! Someone here!” Lincoln was pounding the door. “Answer, Mommy! Answer!”

  She wiped her face on her sleeve because naturally, she’d forgotten to replace the hand towel in here the last time she’d done the wash. She took a deep breath before o
pening the door, picking Lincoln up as she strode into the foyer. “Good boy for getting Mommy. Mommies and Daddies always open the door, right?”

  “No Lincolns!”

  “That’s right. Unless Mommy or Daddy is with you,” she confirmed.

  Sadie swung open the front door, expecting Renee or maybe even Essie Park reporting on the status of the Old Red Mill, and nearly threw up a second time when she saw their unexpected visitor.

  It was Officer Tyler Cox, hat in hand.

  The bottom fell out of her world. It was as if the sky itself had started to cave in.

  “Oh my God,” she gasped. “No! No no no no.”

  This was it then. She sank to floor still holding Lincoln against her chest and leaned her back against the doorframe. “I can’t handle this.”

  Tyler knelt beside her. “Sadie? Shit. Breathe.”

  “Lincoln, go and play with your blocks, okay, baby?” she said weakly, setting him on the floor and giving him a gentle nudge.

  “Why?”

  Thankfully, Tyler stepped in. “I want to see the tallest block tower you can build. Can you do that for me, Link?”

  Lincoln looked out at the police car longingly. “Kay. I can. Be right back!”

  And off he went, scampering toward the living room.

  “W-what’s happened?” Sadie asked once Lincoln was out of earshot. “Just say it and be done.”

  “Ethan was in a car accident yesterday. He was trying to get home to you,” Tyler explained. “It was serious, and his car is totaled. But your husband is going to be fine. He’s in the hospital now, but it looks like he’s coming out of this with a few stitches and a broken foot. He is extremely fortunate that his injuries weren’t worse.”

  Sadie couldn’t breathe, much less speak.

  “Ethan’s okay,” he repeated. “The doctors think he’ll be released by tomorrow.”

  “Alive? Okay?” She started to cry all over again.

  “I’m sorry as heck to show up here and scare you like this,” Tyler said. “But all of the phone lines are down. I’m sure Ethan would have called you himself if he’d been able.”

  Sadie nodded, but still, she struggled for words.