Summer by Summer (30 page)

Baby Girl,

You’ve always been the sunshine in my life. Your mother’s too, although she’s more internal about her words and feelings than me. Summer, we know you’re out there. We know you’re alive and we won’t give up. We won’t stop searching until we find you.

My heart is breaking, but it won’t let me down. I know what a survivor you are. I’ve watched you rise above such hard circumstances. I wish I could have helped you last year. But you shut us out. You’re a little like your mother that way, carrying things without asking for help.

We will search every island and every port until we find you. The Garrisons are as determined as your mother and I. I’m sitting in your room as I write this. It feels so empty here without you. Through the window, the world keeps turning, and I wonder how it can with you gone. And then, I think maybe there were times you sat in this same spot and wondered the same thing with Michael gone.

Come home to us, Summer. Come back.

I love you, Baby Girl,

Dad

I wiped the tears from my eyes and stepped into the bathroom, heavy with the weight of all my folks had gone through in the last three weeks. I forced my focus around me. I flipped on the light. I flipped it off. Then on. Then off again. One switch. All it took to illuminate the whole room. I flipped it on and stared up at the bulb; what a magnificent invention. In the small room, strange sounds echoed to me. The hum of mechanical things around this world replaced the one I’d left — these were sights and sounds I’d never noticed before. The scent of metal in the air, the stark whiteness of the light. The chill of the floor against my bare feet.

I turned on the water, and then angled to look in the mirror. My hands came up to my face. It was so dark. Was that even me looking back? The light streaks in my hair had intensified, brighter than before the island. I ran my hands through it to make sure it felt like mine. Yes, it felt right, it just
looked
wrong.

When I got tired of looking at the mess that was me, I grabbed
the toothbrush and toothpaste. I brushed, and then brushed again. My hospital gown dropped to the floor and I stepped into the shower. My body couldn’t take the sudden heat. I usually loved hot showers.

Sandra had also sent a bodywash, so I used up the whole four-ounce bottle, scrubbing myself from head to toe, rinsing, and scrubbing again. I almost felt clean. The water finally ran clear.

I dressed in the white shorts and black tank top and slipped on the sandals. I was glad to see Sandra had added a gray hoodie. I shrugged it on and pulled it around me like a blanket.

I walked with them to the cafeteria, where so many smells melded in the air, I wasn’t sure if I’d pass out from euphoria or if I’d puke. We got our plates and sat down with the guard hanging nearby.

Sandra nodded toward him. “At least he’s not making a fuss and hovering over us.”

A plate of pot roast sat before me. I really wanted a hamburger, but felt like I needed to wait for Bray for that. I had also slipped off my engagement rope ring and kept it in my pocket. It could cause questions and it wouldn’t be fair to Bray to not save the news. We should tell them together.

The roast melted in my mouth. I savored each bite. I noticed a girl a couple tables away staring at me. When it became too much, I dropped my fork to my plate. “Why is that girl looking at us?”

“Maybe she recognizes you.” Markus shrugged when he said it. “You and Bray have been big news.”

I wasn’t hungry anymore. “What happened while we were gone?”

“First, a cruise ship went down in the storm, and that’s all the news was covering for days. We were so frustrated because we wanted people to be looking for you guys. You know, aware you were out there. Then, Katie showed up.”

Sandra picked up the story when Markus took a bite. “Katie and Bray know each other from college. Her dad is an anchorman for
CBS. When she got word, she put the news wheels into motion. You might say she became the face of the search for you two.”

“Your pictures, information about your lives, all over the news. Every time they stopped talking about you, Katie came up with some reason to get your faces back on TV. She wouldn’t back down.”

This whole thing seemed so surreal. Us. On the news. “The woman Bray met on the island, she said she recognized him.”

“Thanks to Katie,” Markus said, his appreciation evident.

“I guess I owe her a lot.” But it was weird to think of my life being broadcast for the whole world to see.

Sandra reached over the table and took my hand. “You’ll get the chance to thank her. She’ll be here day after tomorrow.”

Markus’s cell phone rang, the mechanical chirping sound causing me to jump. He answered then stood, placing his hand over the bottom half of the phone. “It’s MacAbee. I’ll be right back.”

He exited the cafeteria through a set of glass doors and stood outside in a courtyard. The foliage was lush, and part of me wanted to join him. Just stand there in the sunshine with the trees whistling over my head and the sand beneath my feet. I shook the thought from my system.
What was I
,
crazy?
I was finally back. Back to the real world. Concrete and asphalt. Sturdy walls and safe streets. Showers, mirrors, shoes. All of it. I loved all of it. But . . .

I had to admit, there were things about the island I loved too. The quiet. The solitude. I’d worked through my issues there. Worked through Michael’s death. Maybe it was okay to appreciate the island for what it gave us. In time, I’d get used to this world again. But being a news item . . . that I was sure I wouldn’t get used to.

Markus entered the cafeteria with a smile on his face. “Great news. They caught the animal trafficker and are in the process of breaking down the entire ring.” He reached over and grabbed my arm. “You’re out of danger, Summer.”

I nodded. I was tired. Overloaded. I pushed my plate away. “Do you mind if I go back up to see Bray?”

Sandra stood. “I’ll come with you.”

I held out my hand. “No, you guys finish eating. I know the way.”

“Really, it’s no trouble.” She started to gather her things.

Markus placed a hand on hers, stopping her. “She might like to spend a few minutes with Bray, honey. The guard will walk her up. Let’s give them a little time.”

Sandra nodded slowly, came around the table, and hugged me tightly, almost like she was scared to let go. It was wonderful to be so cherished. “We’ll be up in about fifteen minutes.”

I headed for the door, guard in tow.

“Hey there, Wildcat.” Bray’s voice was still groggy from the pain medicine, but his smile grew as I drew closer and reached for him.

He took my hand, turned it over to inspect my ring finger. “You didn’t give up on me, did you?”

“Never.” I bent at the waist and kissed his cheek. Wincing, he scooted to make room for me on the bed. “I just thought we should tell our families together. Is that okay?”

“Whatever my princess wants.” His eyes closed for a few seconds.

“I just want you, Bray. How are you feeling?”

“Hurts like crazy, but the doctor said I can probably go home tomorrow or the next day.”

“That’s great.”

“We’re here, Summer. We’re home.”

“We’re safe. It looks like the guys who tried to kill us have all been arrested.”

His hand came up to rummage through my hair. “You smell different.”

“Well, let’s
hope
so.”

“I loved the way you smelled.” It seemed like a sick thought, but I knew what he meant. Our bond was birthed in survival and sweat. “How weird is it out there?”

“Being back? It’s weird. I mean, everything sounds so different. I grew up with these sounds, so you’d think I’d be comfortable, but it’s strange for sure.”

“Yeah, we’ll get used to it again.”

“Yes.”

His blue eyes settled on me in that way he had of looking right into my soul. “I love you.”

“I love you too.”

Markus, Sandra, and Joshie entered the room. “You’re released, Summer. Your mom and dad gave me permission to speak with the doctor on your behalf. They ran some blood tests, but everything looks fine.”

Markus placed a hand on my shoulder. “Your folks will be here around seven this evening. We have a room for them at the house. I thought we’d leave here in a couple hours and pick up dinner on the way home for all of us.”

I didn’t want to leave Bray. At the same time, I really wanted to see my mom and dad. Sandra must have noticed my hesitation.

“It’s okay, Summer. I’m going to stay here with Bray. He won’t be alone.”

I opened my mouth to protest, but what could I say? Bray was her son. She deserved this time with him.

Bray leaned up. “You don’t need to stay, Mom. I’m fine.”

He got three dirty looks in answer to that. His mom cupped his face. “I’m staying. No argument. Besides, Summer’s parents have been here so much, they’re practically family now. They’ll understand why I’m not there to greet them.”

When she said that, Bray’s eyes skated to mine. The spark of excitement was undeniable. “Speaking of almost family —”

I cut him off. “Yes, speaking of that, it’s so gracious of you to let them stay at your house.” I reached for Bray and gave his hand a warning squeeze.

He bit back the smile. Poor guy. He was bursting at the seams to tell them. But I really wanted my parents there when we told them. “We’ll all be together by tomorrow evening or the next,” I squeezed again, “so we can
really
catch up then. Tell you guys everything that happened on the island. But we’ll
wait
. Until we’re all together. Agreed?”

He rolled his eyes.

The doctor came in to check on Bray and seemed pleased with his post-surgery recovery. We stayed at his bedside while he drifted in and out of sleep. At six, Markus suggested we go ahead and leave. I felt like I was abandoning Bray, though I knew I left him in Sandra’s capable hands. Before leaving, I bent down to kiss his cheek. He turned and caught my mouth with his in a quick peck. I froze. His
parents
were in the room. I glanced over, but neither of them saw. They were chatting with each other, and I watched Markus take his wife’s face in his hands and kiss her on the lips. It was just a peck, followed by a long, slow smile as they looked into each other’s eyes. I didn’t think Bray and I were the only ones in the room who were in love. With a hand against my neck, Bray angled his lips to my ear and whispered, “Good night, future Mrs. Garrison.” My heart soared.

“Good night.” We left, and I couldn’t wipe the smile off my face.

CHAPTER 18

Summer

My mom and dad trapped me in a hug that lasted a good five minutes. We ate at the long dining table in the Garrison home with flickering candlelight playing against the windows. Beyond the pane, I heard the roar of the ocean working its way to the shore.

We talked and joked, but when the conversation turned to the island, I told them I wanted to wait for Bray. We’d tell them everything together. They seemed satisfied with this and with the fact that we were back and safe. For them, that’s all that really mattered. By nine, I was exhausted. I slipped upstairs and found my favorite T-shirt to sleep in, tempted,
really tempted
, to take yet another shower. But my body wouldn’t comply, so I settled on sleep.

The soft rap on my door surprised me. I’d already told everyone good night. I slipped into a pair of sweatpants. “Come in.”

My mom entered the room with a glass of water. “Markus told me the doctor said you should continue to drink lots of liquids. You were both dehydrated when they admitted you.”

She busied herself at the bedside, folding back the covers and fluffing my pillow. Moms are great. When I crawled under the blankets, she tucked them around me. “Thanks, Mom.”

A light kiss brushed my forehead. “Need anything else?”

The bed was heaven and it instantly made my eyes drowsy. “No. Wait, could you open the window? I’d like to hear the ocean.”