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He chuckled. “Yeah, I know.” He squeezed her hand.

“
Did he tell you where he was really going?”
 

He shook his head no. “Just that he wasn’t leaving the state.”

She chewed her bottom lip. “Have you tracked his phone?”

He blinked. “You can do that?”

She laughed and nodded. “Are you on the same plan as he is?”

He nodded. “We all are on the family plan.”

She held out her hand. “Give me your phone.”

She set up the provider app that would show him where his brother was. When it finally came up, she handed the phone back to him.

“
There, he’s on Dog Island.” She pointed to the red dot.
 

“
Dog?” He looked down at the screen. “That’s near Carrabelle. That’s only three hours from home.” He frowned and then set his phone down.
 

“
So, I guess I know what you’ll be doing this week.” She smiled as he nodded.
 

“
Have you texted him?”
 

He nodded again. “He hasn’t answered since before we left for Hawaii.”

“
I’m sure he has his reasons.”
 

“
Yeah, he’s an idiot.” She chuckled and tugged on his hand until he looked at her.
 

“
Willow is like that. She never responds to my messages. Then, when we have plans, she always flakes or forgets. We were supposed to go…” She dropped off and gasped. “Oh my god!” She closed her eyes and rested her head back.
 

“
What?” He leaned towards her. “What’s wrong?”
 

“
The concert,” she whispered, feeling a little light-headed. Reaching into her bag, she pulled out her phone and texted Willow quickly as Cole watched.
 

Her sister didn’t respond, which was nothing new.

“
I can’t believe I forgot.” She shook her head. “I’m a terrible sister.”
 

He tugged on her hand until she looked at him. “Talk to me.”

She sighed. “I was so upset that she’d flaked the last time we were supposed to spend the weekend together, and then I pull something like this.”

“
What?” he asked again.
 

“
We were going to go to the Summer Bash concert at the Hang Out. It was yesterday and I totally forgot.”
 

“
I’m sure she’ll understand.”

She closed her eyes and felt a sinking feeling start to overtake her. “Yeah, I know you’re right. But I should have been there.”

“
Did you at least tell her you were going to Hawaii?”

She glared at him. “Of course I did.”

He chuckled. “Then you’re a better sibling than my brother.” He smiled. “I’m sure she understands that you were excited for the trip and forgot the concert. At least tell me she had her ticket.”

She nodded. “She had both of ours.”

“
See.” He smiled. “Then she probably took her boyfriend.”

At the mention of Jake, she cringed again and shook her head. “No, Jake left a few days ago for basic, and I wasn’t there to help her get over his leaving.”

He sighed. “Wendy, you can’t shelter your sister from everything.”

She glanced at him. “I know.” She frowned, thinking about it. “I don’t.”

His eyebrows shot up. “So, then you’ll tell her you’ve been paying her tuition?”

She sighed and thought about it. “Yes, fine.”

He chuckled. “It’s for the best.”

She knew that and was determined to follow through.

When she parked her Jeep in front of her condo, she felt a wave of happiness overcome her. She’d dropped Cole off at his apartment, even though he’d wanted to come back to her place with her. She had needed some time alone. Besides, it was well after midnight and all she wanted now was a shower and sleep.

When she walked in, there were four messages on her machine. The first two were hang ups, the third was from Willow.

“
Hey, I hope you’re having a good time on your trip. I didn’t want to bug you on your cell phone, but I wanted to let you know that I’m quitting school and following Jake to basic training. When you get home, I’ll most likely be gone
.
So, anyway, I’ll talk to you later.”
 

Wendy felt the room spin, so she quickly sat down and put her head between her knees. Then, through the ringing in her ears, she heard the last message and quickly rushed to rewind it and play it again.

Wendy’s voice sounded muffled and she thought she heard her sniff.
“Hey… I didn’t go. Jake’s been cheating on me. He has a kid! He’s
lied to me. I guess I’m just calling to let you know that I’m back home. Bye.”
 

Wendy rushed over and picked up her phone and dialed her sister’s number. On the third ring, Willow answered.

“
Hello?”

“
Hey, are you okay?” Wendy asked, holding the phone tight to her ear.

“
Yeah.” Silence.

“
I’m sorry about Jake.” She heard sniffling.

“
It’s okay. He’s an ass.”

Wendy chuckled and smiled. “Most men are. I’m sorry I missed the concert.”

“
It’s okay. I took Micayla.” She sighed and Wendy could hear her sister blow her nose. “We met some boys.”

Wendy laughed. “Of course you did.” Wendy sighed. “So you’re back at school Monday?”

Willow sighed. “Yeah, I’ll go back.”

Wendy decided it was now or never. “I don’t know if you knew this or not…”

Willow sighed. “Wendy? I’m really tired.”

“
Yeah.” She sighed and listened to her sister breathe for a while.

“
I’ve known you’re paying for my college from the start,” Willow broke in.

“
How?” Wendy tucked her feet under her and leaned back on the sofa.

Willow laughed. “The first day, they handed me a receipt for my first semester. I plan on paying you back.”

Wendy smiled. “You don’t have…”

“
Wendy,” she broke in. “Thank you.”

***

The next day Wendy walked into work with a huge smile on her face. She’d had the best conversation with her sister since… well… ever.

It was so nice to feel that weight lifted from her shoulders that it took her a while to realize the place was dead. She walked over to the bar, where Alan was leaning against the counter, facing away from the door.

“
Hey, what’s up?” Upon hearing her voice, he spun around and smiled at her.

“
Well, look who’s back from paradise.”

“
Paradise is here.” She smiled and hugged him.

“
Not for long,” he said and then nodded towards the television. “Hurricanes a-comin.”

“
Oh, yeah?” She’d ridden out some rough ones and since she’d been born and raised on the gulf, she knew which ones to flee and which ones to ride out. “Bad one?”

“
Naw, nothing we haven’t seen before.” He smiled and bumped her hip and then sighed. “But, of course, that means it will be dead around here until it passes.”

“
Yeah.” She bit her bottom lip. She was really hoping to make up some of that money she’d spent in Hawaii.

“
Look on the bright side.” Alan chuckled. “At least we get to have another hurricane party.”

C
ole glanced down at the red dot on his phone and cursed. He’d been sitting outside of the small house for almost an hour. Still, when he rang the door, no one answered, least of all his brother.
 

The most he could tell was that the place was well kept. The metal roof looked fairly new and the siding was freshly painted a light teal. Even the white picket fence out front was spotless. He wondered whose house it was, and why his brother’s cell phone would be left there, unattended.

Roman never went anywhere without his phone. Then he remembered the day his brother had left and felt a sick feeling wash over him, causing him to curse once more.

Just then, a dark-haired kid rode his bike up to the house. When the kid dumped his bike in the front yard, Cole jumped from the truck and rushed over.

“
Hey,” he called out, and the boy turned around quickly and glared at him.
 

“
Hey,” he finally said when he realized Cole wasn’t going to cross the fence line.
 

“
Do you know Roman Grayton?” he called out.
 

The kid squinted his eyes at him, and Cole felt a wave of deja vu hit him. Then the kid put his hand up and blocked out the sun. “Yeah.”

Cole sighed. “Is he staying here?”

The kid shrugged his shoulders. “Maybe. Why?”

“
He’s my brother and I’m looking for him.”
 

“
He’s down at the docks,” the kid said, and then he turned to go into the house.
 

“
Which docks?” he called out, but the kid was already inside. Cole smiled when he heard the locks click behind him. Smart kid.
 

The docks were less than three blocks away, but he drove since he didn’t know exactly where he’d end up. He spotted his brother’s car right away, since there were only two large buildings along the road.

Pulling in next to Roman’s car, he sighed and looked at the sign above the door.

“
Dog’s Landing”
was etched in thick wood and painted a bright teal. The shop looked like a free-for-all type of store, not unlike many he’d seen in his life.
 

When he walked in, he realized it wasn’t actually like any he’d seen before. While most shops like this were cluttered and unorganized, this one was spotless. Its narrow aisles were neatly filled with groceries, gifts, and everything one would need on a vacation stay in the area, including bait and fishing tackle.

Walking up to the counter, he smiled at the pretty brunette behind the counter.

“
Can I help you?”
 

“
I hope so.” He glanced at her name tag. “Jenny. I’m looking for my brother, Roman.”
 

She smiled and nodded. “He’s helping Missy out on the boats today.” Cole felt his fingers start to tingle.

“
Missy? Marissa?” His voice sounded hollow
.
 

When Jenny nodded, he felt a wave of relief rush through him, followed quickly by anger. “Where can I find him?” he asked between clenched teeth.

Jenny blinked and looked around. “Um, the boat should be coming back”—she looked down at her watch—“in about ten minutes.”

He nodded and left the store without another word. He stepped out on the large deck of the pier, reached in his pocket for his phone, and dialed Marcus.

“
Hey.” Hearing his brother’s voice helped calm him a little.
 

“
You’ll never believe where I am.”
 

“
Aren’t you back from Hawaii yet?”
 

“
Yes, I’m in Carrabelle, chasing down our crazy brother, who appears to have found Marissa.”
 

“
What?” Cole could hear he had his brother’s full attention. “Have you seen her?”
 

“
No, not yet.” The phone was silent for a while.
 

“
Maybe you should come back.”
 

“
What?” Cole blinked a few times.
 

“
Listen, if Roman hasn’t called to tell us that he’s found Marissa, maybe he has a good reason.”
 

Cole shook his head, not sure if he was hearing Marcus right. “Are you nuts?”

“
Maybe he’s trying to convince her not to get spooked away again.”
 

He thought about it and felt his heart skip. Damn, why hadn’t he thought of it. Marissa might still be running from whatever had caused her to leave all those years ago, and if anyone could convince her to come back, it was Roman.

He turned his head when he heard a boat engine. He watched as a ferry made its way slowly towards the dock. Quickly making up his mind, he rushed from the dock and jumped in the car.

“
You still there?” he heard Marcus say.
 

“
No, I’m going.”
 

“
Good. Give Roman a little more time. At least we know they’re both alive and well.”
 

“
I think she has a kid,” he blurted out.
 

“
What?”
 

“
Marissa. The kid looked just like her.” He remembered that expression on the boy’s face and knew that’s where he’d seen it before. On Marissa’s face, years ago, when she’d first come to the Grayton’s.
 

“
Well, dang. We were hoping we’d be the first ones.”
 

“
First ones what?” he asked as he drove by the little house again.
 

“
To have a kid in the family.”
 

“
You’re doing what now?” He blinked and stopped at a stop sign.
 

“
We’re having a kid.” Marcus laughed. “Just found out yesterday.”
 

“
Well damn!” He laughed. “Congratulations. I’ll be home in a few hours and we’ll go out to celebrate.”
 

“
Sounds good.” He heard Marcus sigh. “I was just hoping we’d wait until after the house was done.”
 

“
Not to mention the wedding.” Cole chuckled.
 

“
That doesn’t matter much.” Marcus laughed. “At least to me.” Cole laughed.