Page 74 of Jacob
Every one of us is shattered. We all need our beds, but none of us have been able to sleep.
Rhona holds her stomach. “I haven’t eaten all day. I don’t think I could hold anything down if I tried.”
“Same.” I reach out and give her hand a quick squeeze. She and Seth have been incredible, knowing what to say, and when to say it. They’ve organized every search party with military precision, their teacher planning skills playing a strong role. Add that to the fact that the entire community loves and respects the local headmaster and his teacher wife, and you’ve got yourself a clan of non-bloodline family.
I check my phone again for the billionth time, my battery now on red and at ten percent life. I need to find a charger.
“You’re a good man, Jacob.” Rhona’s surprising words turn my head in her direction. “Look at what you did for her. You have helped us so much.”
I eye the missing person posters piled high on the table across the room. I can’t look at the photo of her. It’s too painful. I still can’t believe we are doing this; it all seems so surreal.
“I wish I could do more.” My body is heavy with defeat, my hope dwindling. “I feel like I’ve let you down.”
“Jacob,” she says firmly.
I gaze up tentatively and she smiles at me. “None of us could have known.”
“You’re so strong.”
“I’m not,” she sputters. “I’m bluffing. I’m putting one foot in front of the other because I can’t give up hope. It’s the only thing keeping me going. Plus, the police are on board now. Stupid rules,” she mutters, then turns her seat to face me. “You must stop blaming yourself for this. You could blame me or social media, or anything. Skye missing is nobody’s fault, except for this Jules, who we know nothing about, and I’m trying desperately not to think about him.” She waves her hand in theair as if batting the wretched thoughts away. “As a community, we are all going to work together to get her back, and when she does come back, whatever she’s been put through, she will need us. She will need you.” She raises her eyebrows. “I figure you two are…” She doesn’t say the last few words.
“I love your daughter, Rhona,” I say without hesitation. Those words have been buried in my heart for so long that I want to tell the world, and that includes Owen.
Why hasn’t he called me back?
With a gentle smile and warm eyes, Rhona says, “You’ve always loved her. Do you think I don’t see it? I’ve known you since you were sixteen years old. You spent more time in my house than your own.” She points at Lincoln. “And you.” She looks back at me. “I silently prayed you two would get together. You are perfect for each other and you’ve turned into such a lovely man.”
Too much emotion hits me all at once. Drawing my hands into tight fists, I push them into my eyes. Clenching my jaw together, I groan and shake my head. I don’t want to cry again.
It’s been the worst two days of my life.
“Although you still drive too fast through the town in that silly sports car of yours, Jacob.” Rhona lightens the mood with her smart-ass words, her comment making us all laugh.
It’s only been two days, but I forgot what laughter sounds like.
Fuck, what a day.
“We all need to go home and try to get some sleep.” In full teacher mode, she gives us all a stern look.
Sleeping is the last thing I want to do.
Knowing how we all feel, she says, “You’re all staying right here, aren’t you?” Rhona removes her jacket, hanging it over the back of her chair.
Violet offers to make everyone a cup of tea while Seth organizes a bite to eat for everyone.
We’re not going anywhere.
26
SKYE
It’s daylight outside again. Although I have no idea what time of day it is.
Tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap.
The constant sound vibrates through the sickly yellow and pink floral walls over and over.
It sounds like someone hammering, and it’s the exact same pounding noise I’ve listened to for what feels like hours.
