Wolf made a snorting sound, and it was exaggerated enough that it made Regan laugh. It also signaled that she’d gotten through to him. She was glad they could have a serious conversation without dragging things on forever. She didn’t do feelings.
“This is not normal for me,” Wolf said again, but now he had a slight smile to his lips, as if to acknowledge he was in danger of becoming a broken record.
“There’s a saying I always relied on when things seemed like they were at their worst. You have to go through it. You can’t get to the other side without going through. It sucks. I get that, but don’t beat yourself up. Keep moving forward. The sooner you move forward, the faster you get through it. It just sucks while you’re in the thick of it.”
That made him laugh. “Profound.”
“I do what I can,” Regan laughed. Then, she leaned into his shoulder, weaving her fingers into his. “I do want to say I’m sorry for my role in all this, though. Lily is treating you like crap because of me. She’s probably a little jealous of me, thinking I’m taking you away. I didn’t mean to cause problems.”
Wolf shook his head. “Don’t. You don’t get to take the blame for this. Lily knows better. She’s usually a very happy, kind girl.”
With that, silence hung between them, companionable and easy. This was why Regan had brought him here. She’d known they could talk through things, and then just breathe in the ocean air and take a break from worrying.
Regan watched a seagull swoop down before flying back into the sky. She silently mused over how easy it was for the birds and other wildlife. Their world hadn’t changed a bit. They kept on doing what they did, not having any idea of the disruption that was happening among the human race. Being on the island was kind of like being in nature, too, it occurred to her now. They were isolated from what was happening in the cities. They didn’t have to worry about finding food, water, or shelter. Their lives had changed, but not nearly so drastically as life had for others who’d been caught completely off guard. The realization made her appreciate Wolf, Lily, and RC even more.
“I really do feel bad,” she whispered. “You guys took us in. I could be in the city right now, struggling to find somewhere safe. I owe her a conversation at the very least. I want to make it right with her. I invaded her territory.”
“I’m not the least bit sorry you’re here,” Wolf answered simply. “I’m so glad you are here, so don’t even think about abandoning me. I know it’s crossed your mind.”
Regan leaned into him. “Thank you. Seriously, thank you for everything you’ve done and will probably do. I’m not thinking about abandoning you, but I do know me being here is causing problems. I won’t be the reason you lose your relationship with your daughter, Wolf. I refuse to let that happen.”
“You aren’t, and I hope it never comes to that. I guess I should have talked to her before I kissed you in front of her…but I think she knew, honestly. I don’t think it’s you she has a problem with. When we first got back, you were her idol. I saw the way she followed you around. She’s mad at me.”
“She liked me until she found out I was with her dad. Now, I’m her number one enemy.”
“We’ll figure this out. She isn’t used to anyone else taking my attention. It’s been the three of us for a long time,” he explained. Then he groaned and shook his head. “It was one kiss! How could one, very chaste kiss result in this much chaos? Imagine if she would have seen something else,” he said, raising his eyebrows and scanning down her body to make his point.
She slapped her hands over her face. “That would have been like dropping a napalm bomb on the island. We really need to be a lot more careful.”
He nodded. “Did she really expect me to be single for the rest of my life?”
“Maybe.”
Regan debated asking him about the ex-wife now, but thought better of it. The man was not in the best mood and she didn’t want to bring up a subject that would make it worse. She knew Lily would have been younger back then, but had she been this upset by that relationship? Maybe her reaction was what had led to the divorce, she suddenly realized.
“Should we start heading back?” she asked, wanting to push the thought from her mind before she could ask something she might not really want the answer to. Plus, it wasn’t as if they needed Lily to stumble upon them again, even if they were only talking.
“Do we have to?”
Regan laughed. “I’m perfectly fine sitting right here and watching the sun go down. Although, my butt is a little sore still and this rock isn’t exactly comfortable.”
“Want me to rub it?” he asked, his slightly cheesy smile playing over his face.
“Maybe later,” she quipped as she stood up, reaching her hand down to help him up. “Time to face the music.”
“I want to show you something first,” he murmured.
She gave him a cheeky grin. “I don’t know if that’s such a good idea.”
He chuckled, the sound washing over her and reminding her there were some good times to be had, even if the world itself felt mostly wrong.
“Not that. Come on. I’ll show you,” he said, taking her hand and leading her down the beach.
“Where are we going?”
“The dock.”
She let him lead, happy to avoid the house a little longer. When they reached the dock, he kicked off his shoes, rolled up his pant legs a bit, and waded into the water.
“What are you doing?” she asked, still standing on solid ground.
He reached down under the dock, digging into the sand and discoloring the water. It wasn’t long before he pulled up a white PVC pipe.
“I want to show you this, just in case.”
Regan stared at him, one eyebrow raised. “A pipe? You want to show me a pipe in case of what?”
He walked out of the water and unscrewed the top of the foot-long, four-inch-wide pipe. Then he reached his hand inside and pulled out a sealed plastic bag.
“In case something happens and you have to get off the island and don’t have time to grab a bug-out bag. Take a minute and grab this. There are a few of them down there.”
“What is that?” she asked, taking the bag.
“Knife, fire starter, water purification tablets, a collapsible cup, whistle, tinder, and a tiny first aid kit. These are the absolute basics. We both know these items can mean the difference between life and death out there,” he explained.
“Wow, that’s smart. See, you have really thought of everything. I knew there was a reason I was sticking with you,” she said with a smile.
“Thanks,” he muttered, sealing the pipe back up before he buried it under the water and sand once again.
“Now, we better get back,” she said, “or they really are going to start looking for us.”
“I’m on dinner duty tonight, too, and I think we deserve something good,” he commented.
“Like?”
“I don’t know, what do you think about spaghetti and meatballs? I should have made some bread earlier,” he mused aloud.
“You’re going to have to show me how to make that bread you and Lily keep talking about.”
“I will. It’s easy with the bread mix I stocked up on. It does need time to rise and bake, though, so it won’t be an option for tonight.”
Wolf moved a tree branch out of the way, allowing her to walk past him as they made their way back to the house. When they broke through the trees, the first thing they spotted was Lily, sitting at the picnic table and furiously writing in her diary. Regan dropped his hand, not wanting to make the situation any worse.
“Who do you think she hates more?” Regan whispered. “I bet those pages are filled with horrible things about me.”
“Remind me to never read that thing,” he replied. “I can practically feel the daggers being driven into my back with each stroke of the pen.”
“Hi, Lily,” Regan greeted the girl as they walked past her and into the house.
Lily didn’t resp
ond. She kept writing, never looking up.
“Oh, good. The silent treatment,” Wolf grumbled.
“It’ll get better. It has to.”
5
Regan walked alongside Lily, neither of them saying a word as they trailed behind Tabitha on the narrow trail that led down to the dock. It cut through shrubs and trees that practically reached out to grab hair and clothing. No matter how often they walked the trail, the brush seemed to constantly overgrow the designated boundaries and reach into the path. Wolf had cut back some of the bushes, but he never wanted to give anyone passing in a boat the idea that there were tended paths, just on the off-chance someone did pass by or come to shore.
Regan was actually looking forward to a day on the water. The morning felt comparatively cool, or at least less humid, making it a nice time to be outdoors. Of course, it would have been nicer if she hadn’t been stuck with a surly preteen who was purposely flicking branches and nearly hitting Regan with every step.
Regan inhaled a deep breath through her nose, trying to maintain her patience with the girl. It had been nearly a week since the kiss. It was about time she got over it. Unfortunately, it didn’t look like that was going to happen anytime soon. In fact, it seemed like the tension between Regan and Lily was only getting worse.
“I don’t know why my dad is making me do this,” she groused.
Tabitha was far too nice to let Lily’s sour mood bring her down. “Because there may come a time when we won’t have gas for the boat. Rowing a boat isn’t always the best choice in rough weather. A sailboat gives us more freedom to move about and, like your dad says, there’s always a chance we’ll have to bug out of this place. The more of us that know how to use the sailboat, the better.”
“We’re not going to have to bug out. My dad made this place strong,” she said, and Regan smiled at the hint of pride in the girl’s voice. She might not be very happy with her father, but she clearly loved and respected him.
“Yes, he did, and we are all grateful to him for it. And you, for keeping things running while he was saving us from the swamp,” Tabitha replied from her position in front.
The trio made their way down to the west beach that housed the small dock. It faced toward the sea, to keep it out of sight from anyone who happened to be using a pair of binoculars on the mainland. The boat with the old engine was tied up on one side, with a sailboat anchored at the end of the dock in the deeper water—the boat was a little old, but Wolf insisted it was in good shape. Regan wasn’t quite as convinced. Lastly, the rowboat they had used to get to the island was currently sitting high on the beach to keep it from being dragged out during high tide.
According to RC, the motor boat hadn’t been running right in the weeks before the EMP, and when the EMP had hit, it had stopped running altogether. Geno was convinced he could fix it and had been tinkering on it as part of his responsibilities. Last night, Geno had announced he had gotten it running and had taken it out for a spin. The group had been elated to have a new mode of transportation, and Geno had walked around like a proud peacock for the rest of the night.
After eyeing the newly working motor boat, Lily glared at Tabitha and Regan in turn. “Well, I don’t see why I have to learn how to use this thing,” she grumbled again, motioning to the pocket cruiser. “It’s not like I can manage the sails on my own. And, if we have to leave, all of us can’t fit on that boat anyway.”
Regan and Tabitha exchanged a look. “It’s better to have the option than have no choice at all,” Regan commented.
Tabitha stepped onto the boat, reaching out to help Lily. Lily shot her a glare instead of taking her offered hand.
“I can get on the boat by myself.”
Regan gladly took Tabitha’s hand. She wasn’t familiar with boats in general, and the gentle rocking made it difficult for her to climb in. She half worried she’d tumble headfirst into the water. Once on board, though, she was surprised at how roomy the boat felt. It had looked a lot smaller from the dock.
“Alright, ladies!” Tabitha said with enthusiasm. “Let’s go sailing!”
Lily had plopped down on the long seat at the back of the boat, her arms crossed and a pout on her face. Regan knew this outing was supposed to try and bring them closer. She had a feeling it was only going to make things worse.
“This is going to be so much fun,” Regan said overly sarcastic, mimicking Lily’s mood.
“It’ll be as fun as you make it. You can choose to have a good time and learn, or you can pout,” Tabitha said, directing the comment at the surly Lily.
Regan watched as Tabitha began to unfurl the sails, explaining what she was doing as she worked. Lily watched, but didn’t move to help steer or do much of anything. Regan had been feeling like a sponge over the past few days, and today was no different. She had been learning so much. It was exciting to her, actually, though she hadn’t expected to feel so engaged in the island home’s workings. She liked knowing she was becoming a little more independent with each new skill she learned, too. If the time ever came where she had to leave the island, she’d be feeling better about her chances by the time it happened.
“Why are you teaching us how to sail when you can’t even swim?” Lily asked in a snide voice, earning a scolding look from Regan.
Tabitha didn’t let the intended insult bother her a bit. “I’m an excellent sailor. I don’t need to know how to swim,” she said with a wink. “You are going to be ahead of the game because you already know how to swim and you’re going to learn how to sail.”
“I know how to run a boat just fine.”
“Yes, you do, but you don’t know how to sail, which is not the same thing. The motor on this boat is fried. If this were the last boat off the island, wouldn’t you want to know how to use it?” Tabitha asked, staring the girl down.
Lily shrugged a shoulder. But Regan certainly wanted to know how to use the only means of escaping the island in an emergency. She paid close attention, watching and asking Tabitha questions all while fighting back the nausea that had been brewing since they’d hit the open water. The bobbing and swaying was literally making her seasick, which made it difficult to concentrate. She fought through it, however, doing her best to commit everything Tabitha said to memory.
Soon enough, they bobbed along in the open sea. Regan had always been fascinated with the vastness of the open water. It looked like it stretched on forever.
“Can this boat survive way out in the ocean?” Regan asked.
Tabitha giggled. “I don’t think so. I’d rather not try.”
They sailed for a while, practicing the furling and unfurling of the sails before Tabitha declared that it was time to go back in.
“It’s so nice and peaceful out here. Do we have to go back?” Regan pouted, listening to the soothing sound of the water. Her stomach had settled, and she was finally enjoying the ride.
“We’ve got other things to do. I agree, though. I love sailing,” Tabitha said.
“I’m ready to get off this thing,” Lily commented.
Regan ignored the snark and focused her gaze on the mainland that looked like a floating shelf in the distance. Her eyes drifted up to the huge white sails that would certainly stand out against the blue of the sky and sea.
“Shouldn’t we be worried someone from the shore will see us out here?” Regan asked, offering the same question she had asked earlier, worried someone would see the sails and try to come and take the boat.
Tabitha waved the question off. “We’re pretty far out. We’re nothing but a dot on the horizon, and I don’t know that anybody is going to be looking out here. The island will provide a screen for us as we make our way toward the dock.”
Regan nodded her head, not entirely convinced no one would notice them, but she had to rely on the expert opinions of the others.
“Do you want to do the honors?” Tabitha asked, getting up from her position behind the tiller.
“I’ll try, but you should probably be the one to doc
k it. I don’t want to slam into the dock.”
Lily snorted. “It’s not exactly a small target.”
Regan turned to snap a retort out, but bit it back when Tabitha slowly shook her head. Giving in to the jibes would only give Lily what she was seeking—a fight. A reason to be nasty and say things that were unkind.
As they approached the dock, they could see Geno standing on it.
“He doesn’t look happy,” Regan said, noting the scowl on the man’s face and the position of his hands on his hips that made his chest appear broader than normal. He looked pissed.
Tabitha took over the steering of the boat and gently navigated alongside the dock. Geno caught the rope Regan threw in and anchored it to the dock, carefully pulling them alongside and tying up the rope.
“Hey, babe!” Tabitha said, stepping onto the dock and into her husband’s arms.
He gave his wife a quick hug that seemed to lack real feeling. Instead of being focused on Tabitha, Geno was glaring at Regan. She instantly went on guard, ready to deal with more of his accusations.
“Did you take the boat out last night?” he snarled.
“Me?” she asked, looking from him to the boat and back in surprise. “Why would I take the boat out?”
Lily walked down the dock and climbed into the small boat. “Can I take it for a spin? This is a boat I know how to drive; unlike some people on this island, I’m used to being in a boat and don’t get sick. I’ve been driving this boat since I was like five.”
Geno shot her a look, but turned his focus back to Regan as if waiting for an answer. She pursed her lips and glared back at him, but couldn’t help being distracted by Lily. Regan knew the dig had been directed at her, but she wasn’t the first person to suffer from seasickness. It wasn’t like she had been hurling over the side of the boat the entire trip. It had eventually passed, too, but Lily was never going to let her live it down.
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