Maggie walked around to the deep end. She and Erin had agreed on twice a week for lessons, and Maggie was pleased with the progress Mia had made with this first one. Each small step would go a long way toward building her confidence.
As Maggie reached the end of the pool, she pulled down her goggles. It was hard to believe it was only Wednesday. The week was passing like a kidney stone as she awaited the trip to Rock Hill. She and Josh had looked for Ethan’s twin at the beach, at several of his favorite restaurants, and down at the pier. A couple of people on the pier thought he seemed familiar but couldn’t provide any practical help.
She glanced back at the house. She felt guilty for hiding this monumental secret from her best friend. But it would be unkind to raise Erin’s hopes unnecessarily.
At the other end of the pool, Maggie lined her toes up on the curved edge. It had been a few weeks since she’d been in the water for a real swim. The end of a school year was hectic, and when she’d managed to make it to the Y, she always had Zoey along. But now with her daughter in Erin’s capable hands, the thought of diving into that liquid heaven brought a smile to her face.
She bent her knees, aligned her hands, tucked her head, and sprang from the edge. She sliced into the pool hands first, barely aware of the coolness as the water sluiced over her skin. She completedher pullout and began swimming freestyle, falling into an easy rhythm, a little slow as her body awakened.
Swimming was as easy, as natural, as breathing for her. The water was like home. A place where she was always welcome. A place where she felt safe and free, at peace. Cocooned from the world and all its troubles.
Her legs fluttered fluidly and her arms windmilled through the water.Catch and pull. Catch and pull. Catch and pull. Breathe.
When she reached the wall, she did a flip, placed her feet on the wall, and got a good push—an arrow shot from a quiver. Her body glided effortlessly through the water, aerodynamic.
At the surface she lifted an arm, kicked a leg, her face in the water, her lungs still full of oxygen. She was reborn. Her mind, now fully engaged, focused on the physical. She found her rhythm with the water and her speed increased. She could swim to Aruba.
It may have been weeks but her muscles knew what to do. Once again her body cruised through the water, taking her to that mindless place, that dreamlike space where she was free from worry and fear and grief.
Chapter 11
While Josh drove to Rock Hill, Maggie kept Zoey occupied in the back seat. They drew pictures, assembled puzzles, and played tic-tac-toe and I Spy. Maggie had packed an entertainment arsenal fit for a little princess. She was such a good mom.
It was Maggie who fidgeted, at turns biting her nails and checking her watch. He understood her nerves. As much as he’d wished the whole week away, now that the day had arrived, his anxiety swelled like a wave.
He’d given a lot of thought to this field trip. It could go one of four ways: They wouldn’t find Rocky and would go home empty-handed; they would locate Rocky and he’d have no definitive answers; they’d track down Rocky only to confirm Ethan really had died five years ago; or they’d find Rocky and learn Ethan was still alive.
The first and second would end with no answers and disappointment. The third would dash hopes that had swelled over the past nine days despite their best intentions. The fourth and least likely scenario would be a miracle of epic proportions.
At most, there was a one-quarter chance this trip would end well. He didn’t love those odds. They needed to resolve this perplexing mystery, but he didn’t relish the thought of dragging Maggie back into that vortex of grief—or going there himself. Part of him wishedshe’d never seen that man at the carnival. But the slim hope that Ethan might still be alive carried him past that fleeting regret.
Come what may, he was glad he was here for her. Having Zoey along might prove tricky. They’d told the girl they were visiting a friend.
Josh turned and caught Maggie’s gaze in the rearview mirror. Hope battled fear in the depths of her eyes. He knew just how she felt. He wished he could wrap his arm around her and tell her it was going to be okay. He settled for a wink.
***
“Your destination is on the right,” the GPS announced. “Fourteen forty-four Cherry Road.”
Maggie checked the visor mirror as Josh pulled the rental car into a parking lot. She smoothed her hair and added a bit of lip gloss. She’d worn a comfortable pair of jeans and a nice summer top with flutter sleeves. She was probably thinking too hard, but she wanted to appear decent and trustworthy.
Josh turned into the one open parking spot at the front of the building. Cindy’s House Diner was aptly named since the restaurant was located in an old brick house.
Only two diners were open today, and they’d started here because it closed at one. “This place must be popular with the church crowd.”
“Apparently so.”
Maggie checked the back seat and her spirits flagged. “She fell asleep.”
“Want me to carry her in?”
“She’ll likely wake up and then she’ll be grumpy all afternoon.”
“I can go in alone then.”
Maggie stared at the neon Open sign in the window. “I’ll go.” She opened the door and stepped out into the southern heat. “Wish me luck.”
“You’ve got this.”
