My shoulders deflate as I listen for a reply and hear nothing.
It’s so freaking cold out here, and my worry for these girls is increasing by the second. I can hear Zander and Zoey to the left of me, their calls drifting into the woods. I’m glad they’ve managed to work out that angst between them.
At least she’s speaking to us again.
I know I need to have a talk with her and clear the air between us as well, but most of her anger was directed at Zander, and I’m relieved that’s been figured out. When I glanced back before, he had her in a side hug and she wasn’t rolling her eyes or scowling at him. In fact, she had this sweet little smile on her face. Thank God for that.
I’m also relieved I told Zander about Davis and my personal crisis. He was so understanding, which deep down I knew he would be. So why did I take so freaking long to talk to him about it?
I don’t know.
And I still don’t know what my future holds, but it’s nice to know he’ll support me as I try to figure it out.
“Harley!” I shout again.
“Kendall!” Zander hollers, although his voice is getting farther away as I take another right around a big fat tree trunk, then jolt to a stop.
“Help.” The cry is soft and barely audible.
Did I just imagine that?
“Kendall?” I stay where I am, straining for another soft cry.
“Help.”
My breath hitches. Where did that come from?
I start running in what I think is the right direction.
“Harley! Kendall! Where are you?”
There’s a pause as I slow my pace and try to listen.
“Here.”
I whip my head to the left and change course, darting through the trees.
“Keep talking!” I shout. “Help me find you!”
“Aunt Senna?”
My chest caves with relief, and I can’t help blubbering, “Yeah, it’s me. Where are you, sweetheart?”
“Here.” The voice gets louder as I run toward it, and then I spot a little head popping out from behind a tree trunk.
“Oh, thank God,” I whimper, racing forward and pulling Kendall into my arms. Wrapping her in a hug that is probably way too tight, I hold her against me and start shouting, “I’ve found them!”
Little Kendall’s shivering, her icy fingers making me jump when she touches my face. “Harley stuck.”
“What? Where is she?”
“Down there.” Kendall points behind her, and I set her down, letting her pull me toward a hole in the ground.
“Oh my gosh.” I drop to my knees, staring into the hole and spotting Harley curled up against the edge of it. “Harley, sweetie. I’m here.”
“Mommy?” She looks up, her little face streaked with dirt and tears.
“No, baby. It’s Aunt Sienna.”
