Page 10 of The Library on Plum Island
Moments later, the outside world was bathed in a brilliant glow, revealing the sprawling rocks and the frothy white spray of the ocean against them. In the stillness of the night, the sea’s whispers were magnified, a haunting backdrop as the waves crashed relentlessly onto the shore.
Alex assessed the stretch of beach that unfurled from his property, a vast expanse of sand and rock that had become the focal point of their urgent search. The tide whispered secrets to the shore, indifferent to the drama unfolding upon its sands. With Harriet, Harley, and Daniella ready to comb the beach, Alex quickly devised a plan, partitioning the area into manageable sections for them to scour.
He assigned himself the area closest to his house, knowing it was riddled with hidden crevices and jagged rocks—places where danger lurked, but he knew well. As the four of them set off to their respective search area, Alex moved with careful purpose, his gaze sharp as he navigated the treacherous terrain.
His eyes scanned every shadow and shape. The natural beauty of the place was usually a source of solace, but now it seemed cold, foreboding, and fraught with peril. His heart raced, driven by a mixture of determination and fear. The tide was coming in, and soon, these rocks would become part of the sea. If Emily was here… He swallowed, not allowing his mind to go there.
Alex called her name, but only the sea answered his calls by slapping another wave against the rocks. He navigated his way to the massive boulder that he’d nicknamedthe old manas it looked like an old man huddled over, fishing. As he rounded the boulder, he heard the sound of a low warning growl. Alex’s heart pounded in his chest, spurred on by a surge of adrenaline at the thought of having found Emily. He shone the light keeping low so as not to blind her and found Emily huddled against the cold stone, clutching Hicks, who growled a low warning, baring his teeth as Alex approached.
“It’s okay, boy,” Alex said softly to the protective dog. “Emily, I’m Alex, a friend of your mother’s. We’ve been looking for you and Hicks.”
He stopped in his tracks when Emily looked up at him, her eyes wide with fear, and began to speak and sign simultaneously, revealing her inability to hear him clearly. Alex’s own heart skipped a beat as he switched to signing, a gentle smile on his face.
“It’s okay. We can sign, and I can read lips too,” Alex signed and spoke.
Relief washed over Emily’s features, but it was short-lived as Alex noticed the way she cradled her leg. Moving closer, he saw the extent of her injury. There was a deep gash on her calf that was bleeding profusely, and her ankle was swollen. Emily’s shorts and deck shoes had done little to protect her from the jagged rocks that had torn through her skin.
“I’m going to try and call my friend Harriet or Harley to let them know I’ve found you,” Alex told her, pulling his phone from his pocket.
Neither Harriet nor Harley answered their phones, and he didn’t have Daniella’s number.
“Do you have a phone with your mother’s number?” Alex asked her.
No. But I know my mother’s number,Emily signed and gave him the number.
But Daniella didn’t pick up either, and then he realized that they were on what Alex called a dead-zone stretch of the beach because there was no signal for some reason. He glanced at the sea, which was starting to reclaim the rocks for high tide and Emily’s leg. Alex knew they had to move quickly.
Alex pulled his sweatshirt from around his waist and bandaged Emily’s leg to stop the bleeding. As he gently wrapped it around her calf, he kept the conversation flowing with Emily, trying to keep her distracted so she wouldn’t panic as the sea crept closer to them.
“I’m nearly done wrapping your leg,” Alex signed and spoke. “Do you want to know a secret, but you can’t tell anyone?” He smiled conspiratorially at her.
Emily nodded and signed she wouldn’t tell anyone, then joked that he could trust Hicks too.
Alex eyed the sturdy dog, who was watching him with distrustful eyes.
The feeling’s mutual, bud, Alex thought to himself as he sat on his heels after he had finished with the makeshift bandage before signing.
“I’m deaf in my left ear,” Alex admitted. Not many people knew that. “I lost my hearing in it when I was twenty after having meningitis.”
He saw Emily’s eyes widen in disbelief, and she shared the story of her deafness with him. She, too, had lost her hearing at age ten, also from meningitis.
“I know how it feels. I was lucky enough to regain hearing in my one ear.” Alex’s heart went out to the fifteen-year-old. “I’m so sorry that happened to you, Emily.”
Me too!Emily signed.I’m sorry that struck you as well.
A wave hit a little too close for Alex’s comfort, and water pooled beneath Emily. There was only one way he was going to get Emily to safety, and that was to carry her. Alex carefully lifted Emily, not caring about water wetting his cast and ignoring the searing pain the pressure put on his hand. The dog stopped its low, throaty growl as Alex cradled Emily in his arms and carefully made his way back to the sand. The bull terrier, followed by his side as he carried Emily back toward the safety of his house.
CHAPTER 3
ThesightthatgreetedDaniella as she rounded the corner onto Alex’s property was one she’d never forget: Alex, bearing the weight of her injured daughter with a tenderness she hadn’t imagined possible, his own injuries overlooked in the face of Emily’s need. Relief surged through her, propelling her forward.
“Alex!” Daniella’s voice cracked with emotion as she caught up to them, her eyes darting between Emily’s pale face and the makeshift bandage. “Thank goodness you found her.”
“I’m sorry, Mom,” Emily said, her hands reaching out for her mothers. “I didn’t mean to leave the Beach Hut like that, but when Hicks took off after that bird…”
“I’m just glad you’re okay, honey,” Daniella told Emily as they walked into Alex’s house.
Alex gently laid Emily on a sofa in the entertainment room. Daniella’s relief that Emily was safe quickly turned to concern as she noticed the state of Alex’s hand; the wet cast a clear sign of his disregard for his own well-being.
