I stiffen at his callous mention of Mark’s name and look for Natalie, hoping she’s out of earshot. Relief spreads through me when I spot the kids several meters away, preoccupied with building sandcastles.
Finn’s hand settles on my arm, his brows drawing together. “You okay?”
“Yeah.”
He turns his attention back to Garrett, who’s still talking—explaining how the dives into Carter’s Drop are planned to resume next week. I feel awful knowing that their plans are about to fall apart. My boss hasn’t given me the green light to tell anyone what’s going on yet, but I’ll have to say something soon, before they get too far along.
I hate keeping secrets.
A motorcycle engine roars nearby, drowning out Garrett’s voice. We all look over and see a sleek red cruiser pull up a few feet away from the buffet. At the seat, a young woman removes her helmet, freeing long, dark sable hair, which cascades over her shoulders. She parks and jumps off the bike, walking toward us. Her short denim cutoffs and fuchsia-colored cropped tank scream for attention while warningDon’t mess with me. As she approaches, I see that her left arm is adorned with a beautifully elaborate tattoo of a temple garden in vibrant colors, and she’s wearing a golden ring shaped like a curled cat with jade eyes. I’ve never seen her before. She walks straight to a horrified Garrett, arms outstretched.
“Hi, Daddy Dearest.”
He goes pale as she gives him a warm hug.
“Sidney.”
“Miss me?”
Stiff, he sniffs and straightens, inching back and out from her arms. He points to the roped area. “The designated parking is right over there.”
She waves her hand, dismissing his concern. “I’m not staying long. Just wanted to stop by to say hello. Meet the neighbors.”
She greets the rest of us. She’s incredibly poised and confident. Miss Sidney Harlow, orSid,as she asks to be called.
She looks like she’s still in her early twenties. For someone so young, she carries herself with effortless grace, a quality that usually takes decades to develop. Her job filming documentarieshas taken her around the world, from Africa to Mexico, and she’s earned a reputation for provocative underwater cinematography. Fans call her theDiva of the Deep.
There’s a resemblance. Garrett has the same dark sable hair as Sid’s—his is flecked with gray strands. They have dark brown eyes, expressive, with a naughty glimmer. Both attractive, Sid’s face is fresh and open, while Garrett’s is lined from years of scowls and smirks.
“We’ll catch up more at dinner, Sidney,” Garrett cuts into her introductions. “Where the setting is more appropriate.” Garrett glances at us anxiously.
“Isn’t this a picnic?” She looks around. “Seems like as good a place as any for casual chit-chat.”
He looks unwell.
“Okay, Daddy Dearest,” she says and laughs. “Dinner it is. But since I’m already here, I’m going to check this place out.” She softly squeezes Garrett’s shoulder and turns.
His hand lifts, then drops. “Wait. Does your mother… does she know you’re here? And what you’ll be doing?”
“Course she does.” She lifts one shoulder casually. “She asked me to tell you she said hi and told me to have fun.” Her grin widens. “She also told me to get kick-ass footage of those caves—and don’t die.” She meets Garrett’s stare without blinking.
“Dave said hi, too.” She walks off to the picnic tables, leaving her bike.
Frustrated and mumbling something under his breath about Sid’s mother not doing her job, Garrett excuses himself and leaves without another word.
Now it’s just Finn and me. Where did Maddie go?
I spot her at the beach, cradling a crying Natalie in her arms. All the other children are gone.
“Excuse me,” I tell Finn.
When I get to her, she looks up at me with her bright brown eyes.
“Sweetie, what’s wrong?”
“Timmy told me…” She glances at the smashed sandcastle and sniffles, putting her head on Maddie’s shoulder.
“Her friend told her there isn’t any such thing as time travel,” Maddie explains. “She wants to study physics and build a time machine one day.” She brushes the hair out of Natalie’s face.
