I looked at him like he’d just handed me a wrapped gift.
“Only if you want to,” he added.
“Oh my God. I’m so excited,” I said, taking another bite of casserole. Then I grabbed the water pitcher and topped off everyone’s glasses. “This was such a good idea, coming here.”
I didn’t remember the last time I’d felt this calm. Or this peaceful. Being here with all of them, it just felt right. Like the family I’d always wanted and never had.
My chair creaked softly as I sat back down and did my best to ignore the burning sensation behind my eyes. I wasn’t going to cry over lunch. Not over a meal with a group of people I’d only just met. That would look ridiculous. So I swallowed the tears and forced myself to smile.
But Daniel noticed. I saw it in the way he paused mid-bite, his eyes lingering on me. Then his gaze drifted, just slightly, toward the hallway. His expression shifted for a moment, like something flickered behind his eyes. It was a flicker of worry, or maybe something else entirely.
Whatever it was, he shook it off quickly and looked back at me with his wide, easy smile.
“Glad you like it here,” he said.
Chapter 10
We had set up Mochi’s new cage in the library. It was massive, and he was already playing with the new toys inside. Tara stayed behind, as she hated boats and wanted to play with Mochi a little while we headed out.
Our motorboat skimmed across the glittering bay. Sunlight bounced off the water, making the sea look like it was full of scattered coins. Hudson took the wheel. Daniel said he wasn’t confident in operating a boat anymore, and we all agreed it was safer if Hudson gave him a refresher.
We hadn’t gone far. The cliffs of the Breakers were still clearly visible, the house perched above like a crown. But it already felt like a world away, like we were on a trip within a trip.
The wind slapped at my face as the boat picked up speed. I held on to my hat, smiling into the sun, surrounded by shimmering blue. Warmth hit my cheeks, and for a moment, everything felt perfect. I leaned back, my eyes closed, letting the moment soak into my skin.
Then the boat slowed. Not a jolt. Just enough to snap me out of my trance.
Daniel was next to Hudson, watching him steer, when Hudson straightened abruptly. His face was pale.
“What is it?” I asked, following Hudson’s gaze.
A blur of white darted across the massive rocks surrounding the Breakers.
“Rascal!” Hudson’s voice cracked over the sound of the waves.
The little dog stood stiff on a boulder, barking sharply and wildly in panic. He edged forward, testing the drop with his front paws.
“Rascal, no! Stay!” Hudson yelled.
“Rascal!” Daniel joined him. “Get back! Stay!”
But the little dog didn’t listen. He let out one more frantic bark, shrill and heart-wrenching, then launched himself into the sea.
“Stupid dog!” Hudson cursed, already swinging the boat around hard.
My heart climbed into my throat. Water sprayed into the air as we surged toward the cliff. We reached the rocks just as Rascal’s white head dipped under the surface and didn’t come back up.
“Rascal!” Hudson shouted, yanking the boat to a stop. He bolted to the edge, his eyes locked on the water, ready to dive in.
“Hudson, wait!” Daniel reached for him. “You know how dangerous the current is near the rocks.”
But Hudson launched himself overboard, disappearing beneath the surface.
“Hudson!” Daniel yelled, scanning the water. “Hudson!”
Everything inside me clenched. I stood frozen, my arms locked across my chest.
“Oh, God.” The words barely made it past my lips.
