Page 78 of Enemies to Lobsters
When we reach my truck, I fling open my door, anxious to help with the search. But there’s a blond-haired boy curled on the bench seat, fast asleep.
He’s safe.
“Boone?!” Diana is gawking at the sleeping kid from the passenger door. She covers her heart with her hands and pinches her eyes shut. She sighs with relief. Her anxiety over the kid who still smacks her on occasion makes me love her even more.
Boone stirs at the sound of his name, huddling closer to the back of the seat. His skinny arms are covered in goosebumps and wrapped around his knees. His mud-caked Pikachu pajama pants can’t be doing much to keep him warm. But he’s safe. I can’t believe he’s here. I need to get him back to Louise.
“Boone, get up. We need to get you home.” I shake his shoulder. “Everyone is looking for you, buddy.”
His eyes pop open and he glares at me, then scrambles to the passenger seat with a panicky grunt. He throws his skinny arms around Diana, and his familiar guttural moan says a thousand words. He must’ve been so cold. So frightened.
Diana wraps her arms around his small shoulders, looking at me over his head with awe in her blinking, teary eyes. She smoothes his blond hair over and over. “You’re okay, buddy.”
He sobs against her shoulder. “You stay with Ike,” Boone mumbles, tucking his blond head against Diana’s neck. “Youstay with Ike.” He repeats the words a few more times, trailing off. His small body relaxes, and he slumps against Diana.
“I didn’t teach him to say that, I promise.” Not that I mind the help from my wingman.
“Yeah, right.” Diana laughs through her tears, holding Boone a little tighter. “Ike is going to take you to your mom. She’s worried about you,” she says softly. He lets Diana help him with his buckle and when she’s done she looks at me, her brow furrowed. “I need to check on my grandparents. My phone was dead all night, and I’m worried…” She bites her lip.
I nod. “Take your car. I’ll take him back to Louise and meet up with you in a few.” I can’t stand the worry on her face, and I really don’t want to be separated from her after everything that’s happened in the last twenty-four hours. “Everything is going to be okay, Di. Your grandparents’ place has survived a lot worse. We’re both safe. All of this is repairable. You love me. Remember how you said that you love me?” I grin. “From where I’m standing, things are good.”
“Classic Ike.” She rolls her eyes, but she can’t hide the smile in them. “Meet me later?”
I climb into the truck beside Boone. “Obviously.” Now that the stress of finding Boone is gone, I’m invigorated. I curl my finger at Diana, beckoning her closer. “C’mere.”
She leans over Boone with a question in her eyes. “Yeah?”
I stare at her for a beat, taking her in. I’m going to do everything I can to convince her to extend our contract. “I love you, Diana.”
She smirks. “I know.” She straightens, slamming the door with a wag of her perfectly-arched eyebrows.
I crank the engine. I can’t believe my wife just Han Solo-ed me. I laugh as I navigate muddy streets toward Louise’s place. The damage isn’t great, but it’s not as horrible as I pictured while I listened to the storm rage through the night. We have plentyof debris to clear. We’ll be mucking out the houses closest to the shore for a week or two. My back hurts thinking about it, but it’s fixable.
A few minutes later I walk into Marlow’s with Boone in tow. Louise is standing at the counter, her phone pressed to her ear. It clatters to the floor.
“Boone!” she screeches as she darts toward us, gathering him into her arms. She laughs through her tears, running her hand down the back of his short hair, holding him to her. A crowd gathers around them. “Where did you find him?”
“He was sleeping in my truck.” I shake my head. This town was overdue for a miracle. “In the lighthouse parking area.”
My mom is here, standing off to the side, her eyes brimming with unshed tears. “I’ll call everyone and get the word out. Let them know to stop searching.”
“I can’t believe it.” Louise’s voice is tight. “Ike… I-I can’t thank you enough. You always save us.” Boone is still wrapped around her torso. I’m guessing he won’t be out of her sight for a decade or so.
I hate receiving praise for this. It was dumb luck that he spent the night in my truck. It makes sense, though. Boone likes to visit exactly two places: The fire station, and the view overlooking the lighthouse. I’m surprised no one thought to check there.
“Good work, as usual.” Muffie leans in for a wrinkly hug, then holds me at arms’ length, a lecture written all over her face. “But a few of us couldn’t help but notice your wife didn’t join in the search.”
A few of her old biddy friends nod, smug with their puckered frowns.
Marlow chimes in from behind her counter before I have a chance. “Muffie, you and your friends should know that Dianaand Ike were stuck on the island all night.” She glares at the women. “I just got off the phone with her and—”
“Okay, you know what?” I’m glad Diana has an ally, but this needs to be said. “Sorry to cut you off, Marlow. Everyone gather around. I’m only going to say this once, so maybe take notes.” I search the room. “Where’s Tina?”
Tina raises her hand in the back, her acrylic nails painted orange, yellow, and red for the season. “I’m right here.” She grins. “Because people who love this town arehere. They don’t run off to the city and only come back when—”
“Okay, that’s exactly what I’m getting at. That, right there.” I straighten at the front of the diner. We’re doing this press conference right here, right now. “My wife won’t be this town’s whipping post. Not anymore. And neither will I.”
Chapter 37
