The same beach that looked so inviting in the sunlight now looked ominous in the dark.
They were a few yards from the entrance to the caves, and Liza silently sent up another prayer. Dear God, please let us find him.
“There’s Peter.” Daniel pointed farther up the beach to where Peter stood waving his flashlight near the entrance to the caves. They ran over to meet him.
“Let’s go in this one. It’s the most obvious place,” Peter said. He started in to the largest of the caves, and they followed.
Liza quickly remembered to pull up the hood on her jacket. She knew most bats were harmless but still hated the idea of one even brushing by.
They entered the first chamber and walked in a few feet. Peter cupped his hands around his mouth and called for his son. “Will? Are you in here? Answer me, please…”
His voice echoed off the stone walls. They stood very still and listened for an answer-but only heard the sound of water dripping into puddles.
“Will? Please… if you’re in here, please answer,” Liza called. She had meant to leave it all up to Peter but found she couldn’t help herself.
Daniel gazed down at her with a sympathetic look and put his arm around her shoulders.
A few tense moments of silence passed. Liza sensed her brother’s optimistic hopes quickly fading, and her heart went out to him. It was dreadful to see him in so much pain.
“Let’s walk a little farther,” Daniel suggested.
They walked deeper into the caves, ducking their heads to cross into another chamber. The ceiling of the second cave was higher than the first, and Daniel flashed his light around curiously. Then they suddenly heard the furious flap of wings.
Everyone ducked and covered their heads.
Daniel leaned over and shielded Liza with his body. She pressed her head to his chest and squeezed her eyes closed. His embrace lasted just a moment but somehow gave her back the bit of hope she had nearly lost.
“Will? Are you in here?” Peter shouted again. “If you can hear me, please answer.” He paused. “Nobody’s mad at you, Will. We just want you to come home. You’re not in trouble, honest,” he said in a more desperate tone.
They stood very still, listening again. Liza didn’t even dare breathe. But once again, only the sounds of the falling water and the ocean surf out in the distance could be heard.
Peter caught her gaze. His face looked drawn in the dim light. “I guess I was wrong. I guess he’s not in here,” he said quietly. “Just wishful thinking.”
“Maybe,” Liza said, not wanting to agree. She felt so sad for him. “There’s got to be something we-”
But before she could finish her thought, she heard a scraping sound nearby. She jumped, moving closer to Daniel. He quickly swung the light in the direction of the sound. Liza expected to see some creepy, nocturnal animal emerging.
Instead, she saw her nephew, standing in the opening that led to the next cave.
Dirty, wet, and sheepish-looking, Will came toward them and then just stood there. His head slowly lifted, and he looked at his father first, then at Liza and Daniel.
“Hey, guys… What’s up?”
Chapter Fifteen
PETER gasped. “Will! Thank God!”
He seemed so overcome, Liza thought he might faint. He staggered toward his son and wrapped his arms around the boy.
“Will,” Liza said, hardly able to speak. “Thank goodness you’re all right… You are, aren’t you?”
“I’m okay,” he said. He glanced at his father. “I’m sorry, Dad. I-”
Peter hushed him. “That’s okay. We’ll talk about it later. Don’t worry, everything is going to be fine. As long as you’re all right.”
With his arm around Will’s shoulder, Peter led him out of the caves and back up the hill. Liza was glad she had brought the blankets and quickly ran to Daniel’s truck to retrieve them. She carried them over to Peter’s car, where Will sat shivering in the front seat.
Daniel was giving the boy a quick examination to determine whether he needed to go to a hospital.
A few moments later, he said, “Well, he’s chilled and a bit dehydrated, but I don’t think he’s been overexposed. If we get him home and get him warm, give him plenty of fluids and some food tonight, he should be fine.”
“Good. I don’t really want to take him to a hospital,” Peter admitted. “I don’t want to let him out of my sight.”
Liza leaned into the car and covered Will with the blankets, wrapping one around his legs and another around his shoulders.
“I-I can’t seem to stop shivering,” her nephew said, sounding embarrassed.
“You will,” Liza said. “I promise.”
A few feet away she heard Peter on the phone, calling the police officers first and then Claire, sharing the good news.
PETER ushered Will from the car into the house, adjusting the blankets that clung to the boy’s shoulders. Liza got out of the truck, and Daniel walked around from the other side to meet her.
Liza saw Claire standing in the doorway at the top of the steps, her sturdy silhouette outlined by the warm light from within. As Will came closer, Claire stepped out to meet him, then smothered the boy in a comforting embrace, one that briefly took in Peter as well.
As they walked into the house together, Liza remembered how Claire had been waiting there the first night she returned. Even then, not knowing her at all, Claire had been ready to welcome her home. Just as she was there now for all of them.
Liza began to head for the house, then noticed that Daniel hung back. “Guess I’ll say good night,” he said.
“Aren’t you coming in?”
Daniel looked down at her and stuck his hands in his pockets. “Thanks, but it’s late. And it’s going to be hard enough for Peter and you to talk to Will without strangers around.”
“You’re not exactly a stranger,” she replied. “But I know what you mean. Thanks… Thanks for everything. We really appreciated your help today.”
He shook his head. “It was nothing. I was glad I could help. At least there’s a happy ending to the story, right?”
“Yes, to this one,” she said, thinking of the Hardys. Now that Will’s little drama had concluded, she and Peter would have to return to the dilemma of what to do with the inn. What had Claire told her to remember? Worry not.
Daniel gave her a curious look. She was tempted to tell him about the Hardys… to tell him everything. But they had all had enough stress for one day. It was best left for tomorrow.
Instead she asked, “Will you be back to work?”
“Bright and early. Tomorrow could be my last day.”
She didn’t like hearing that but nodded. “Okay. See you then.”
He looked about to walk away, then stopped. “Is there something on your mind, Liza?” he asked quietly.
“Um… no. It can wait.”
“Okay… but there’s something on my mind.”
He stepped closer and put his hands on her waist. Then he lowered his head and kissed her. Liza leaned into him, feeling his warmth and strength. Savoring the sensation of his lips on hers.
Liza felt breathless when they parted. She slowly stepped back and gazed up at him.
“Good night,” he said quietly. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
She smiled, unable to speak for a moment. “Good night, Daniel,” she said finally.
He turned and walked back to his truck, and Liza headed for the house, feeling a bit light-headed and glowing with happiness, as if a low, steady flame had been lit somewhere deep in her heart.
She simply loved being with him. It didn’t seem to matter where they were or what they were doing. It was all good, as Will would say. She was going to miss Daniel so much when she left. But she didn’t dare think about that now.
LIZA found Peter and Claire in the kitchen, fussing over Will. The boy sat at the head of the table, still wrapped in the blankets but practically inhaling a bowl of soup and a big sandwich. Claire stood at the counter, fixing more food for him.