She felt a confused mix of emotions at that. But then when were her emotions not confused regarding Cliff? It sounded like the Cliff she’d known when he was a boy. How many storms had she seen him help people board up? But it was hard to reconcile that with the man who now wanted to change their hometown into something unrecognizable.
She turned to Dale. “Did you hear anything more about the storm’s path?”
“Still tracking northwest. Fort Lauderdale should just get the outer bands, not the worst of it. Better than being on the island, right?” Dale squeezed Maxine’s hand.
Beverly looked back at where Magnolia Key had disappeared from view. The wind grew stronger, and more raindrops splattered across the outside deck.
“Should we go down to the cars?” Maxine suggested. “Looks like the weather’s starting to turn.”
“Probably smart,” she agreed. “We’ve got a long drive ahead. Might as well stick together in the evacuation traffic.”
The three made their way back toward the lower deck, joining the stream of their fellow islanders, all heading into uncertain hours ahead.
Chapter 9
Cliff had planned on taking the first ferry out of town, but then he’d driven past Mrs. Henderson’s place and saw her still loading things into her car. After he stopped to help her, she actually thanked him and gave him an approving look. Probably the first time she’d ever approved of anything he’d ever done. Then he decided to swing by his mother’s house, just to make sure she’d evacuated like she’d said she would.
Cliff pulled up to her house, surprised to see her car still in the driveway. The wind was picking up some, and the palm fronds danced in the breeze. A light rain splattered on his windshield. His mother and Jonah stood on the front porch. He grabbed his raincoat and hurried to the house. As he approached, he heard her calling out Winston’s name.
“Mother, what are you still doing here? The last ferry leaves in forty-five minutes.”
“Winston got spooked by that branch falling.” She pointed to a large palm branch on the ground. “He was standing right beside me one minute, and the next, he bolted away from me. I’m not leaving without him.”
“You’ll miss the ferry. You need to get out of here.”
“I won’t leave Winston behind.” Her chin lifted in that stubborn way he remembered from his childhood. The way that said arguing would do no good. The same expression she’d worn when he tried to explain why he’d broken curfew or failed algebra.
He had to hand it to her. She was loyal to those she loved. Even if that loyalty was to an aging spaniel. Though he had to admit, he didn’t want to leave the old dog behind either. Winston was always happier to see him than his mother was.
“I’ll help find him.” The words tumbled out before he fully considered how soon the last ferry was leaving and the darkening clouds.
To his surprise, his mother nodded. “Thank you.” The appreciation in her eyes made him wonder when he’d last seen that look directed at him.
Jonah stepped forward. “Ellie and I will head up the street. You take the other direction.”
“Let me get you a leash.” She hurried inside and came back with another leash. “Here, take this.”
He took the leash. “Call if you find him. And Mother, we’ve got thirty minutes max before we need to head to the ferry.”
Her lips pressed into a thin line, but she didn’t argue. She and Jonah headed up the street, calling Winston’s name.
He jogged in the opposite direction, scanning yards and porches for any sign of the dog. He should have thought to grab an umbrella. The rain came down in a steady pour now. The streets were eerily quiet with everyone evacuated. Well, everyone except his mother, Jonah, and him.
“Winston! Here, boy!” He called out as he hurried along the sidewalk. He glanced at his phone and frowned. No cell service. Just great. He finally turned around and headed back, hoping they’d found Winston. Jonah and his mother were just reaching the house but didn’t have Winston with them.
“Mother, we have to go right now, or we’ll miss the ferry. Winston’s a smart dog. He’ll find shelter.” Unless the storm surge came and Winston couldn’t find a safe, high spot, but he wasn’t going to say that to his mother.
“I’m not leaving Winston.”
“Well, I’m not leaving Ellie here alone.”
He looked at both of them and let out a long sigh. “Let’s keep looking. I’ll cut over to Bayview. You two try Main.” He glanced at his phone again. “Okay, it looks like I have cell service again.”
Jonah pulled out his phone. “So do I.”
“Service might come and go. Let’s meet back here in thirty minutes if the cell service goes out again.”
Jonah nodded. “Come on, Ellie.”
