“I’m sure she is, too,” Maddie said, turning in the direction of the restrooms. “I’ll be back in a few minutes.”
“Thank you.”
Maddie hummed to herself as she cross the dirt pathway that led to the restrooms, lost in thought. She wasn’t particularly worried about Hayley, although she didn’t blame Kelly for going out of her way to find the girl. Teenagers often mistook parental worry for hovering. Kelly didn’t understand there was a real threat out there.
Maddie pulled up short when she almost rammed into an exiting Sydney, frowning as she realized she hadn’t seen the woman in hours. She’d almost convinced herself that she’d left. Of course, that was obviously wishful thinking.
“Excuse me,” Maddie said, pasting a tight smile on her face.
“Whatever,” Sydney muttered, making a face as she moved around Maddie.
“Do you have a problem with me?”
Sydney stilled. “Why would I possibly have a problem with you?”
“Because you’ve been glaring at me for days and flirting with my boyfriend,” Maddie replied. “You also helped Kelly hide my kayak, and I’m pretty sure you’ve been whispering nasty things behind my back every chance you get.
“Now, I understand why Kelly was upset with me and we talked things over,” she continued. “I don’t understand why you seem to have a grudge against me.”
“Ugh, you’re just so full of yourself,” Sydney muttered. “Girlie, you’re nothing to me. You never will be. I have nothing against you. I don’t care about you either way.”
“You just care about Nick,” Maddie supplied.
“Nick and I are … old friends,” Sydney said. “We might become new friends again down the road, but that will be after he moves on from you.”
“I see,” Maddie said, internally debating the merits of putting Sydney in her place. Finally, she realized it simply wasn’t worth it. They had twelve hours left at the campsite and then she’d probably never see Sydney again. There was no reason to make a scene. “Well, I hope things work out for you. I’m actually here on a mission. Have you seen Hayley?”
“Not that I can recall.”
For some reason, the way Sydney phrased her response set Maddie’s teeth on edge. “Are you sure? It’s important that we find her.”
“Why?”
“Because someone followed her on the trail last night and it’s best if she’s not running around in the dark on her own,” Maddie replied. “Have you seen her?”
Sydney blew out an exasperated sigh. “I helped her put some makeup on and then she left to go wow Kevin. There’s no reason to get your panties in a bunch.”
Maddie stiffened, her heart rolling. “What do you mean she left? Where did she go?”
Sydney shrugged. “I don’t know. She said something about the other teenagers meeting over by the registration building.”
“That’s like a half mile down the road.”
“So?”
“So it’s too dangerous for her to be walking down there on her own,” Maddie exploded. “What were you thinking?”
“I’m thinking that what I do is none of your business!”
“Fine,” Maddie said, shaking her head and moving away from Sydney. “Go back to the campground and tell Nick what’s going on. He’ll want to take John and look for Hayley.”
“Where are you going?”
“I have to find her,” Maddie replied. “I’m not joking about it being too dangerous for her to walk around on her own. There could be a predator out there.”
“Oh, whatever,” Sydney said, rolling her eyes.
“Are you going to give Nick my message or not?”
“I’ll head straight for Nick when I get over to the campsite,” Sydney said. “Does that make you happy?”
“Just make sure you tell Nick what’s going on. It’s important.”
“I’ll get right on it,” Sydney said. “You can trust me.”
Twenty-Three
Maddie was determined as she pointed herself in the direction of the registration building. It was really more of a log cabin with a tollbooth to pay for parking, but Maddie remembered its location from when she arrived with Nick.
She’d only gone about five hundred feet when Olivia popped into view next to her.
“Hi, Mom,” Maddie said, not missing a beat. “What’s going on? Is something wrong?”
“Sometimes I just pop in to visit with my favorite daughter,” Olivia chided. “I’m not always here to spread doom and gloom.”
Maddie didn’t point out that she’d spread more doom and gloom than cheer since her return to Blackstone Bay, but then thought better of it. “Have you checked on Granny? Is she doing okay?”
“Your grandmother has decided that the swinging party life is not for her,” Olivia replied, smiling. “She tried to throw another rager this evening because she knows you’re returning home tomorrow and she wants to prove that she’s still the center of the town’s social circle.”
“Why do you think that’s funny?” Maddie asked, glancing at her mother. “You look as if you’re about to burst out laughing.”
“Oh, I already did my laughing when I poked my head in at the party,” Olivia explained. “Mom was passed on out on the couch with her blanket and the keg was untapped in the kitchen. No one bothered to show up after the last party was such a dud.”
“I hate to say it, but I’m kind of relieved,” Maddie admitted. “Granny is a handful when she’s not throwing parties.”
“I think she’s decided bourbon and tea is more her style – and she’s perfectly happy to drink it in the middle of the afternoon.”
“Well, I’m not sure if that’s supposed to make me feel better, but I’ll take it right now,” Maddie said, her smile dipping as she turned her attention back toward her trek.
“What’s wrong?” Olivia asked. “Has something else happened?”
“I don’t think so,” Maddie answered. “I just found out that Hayley took off to meet teenage boys over by the registration building even though her mother specifically told her to stay close to camp. I’m going over to get her.”
“You know that’s going to cut down on your cool quotient, right?” Olivia was clearly enjoying herself.
“I guess that’s something I’m just going to have to live with,” Maddie said. “This is our last night here. If someone is prowling these woods, Hayley can’t just take off and make her mother frantic.”
“I guess now you know how it felt when you and Nick missed curfew because you were out stargazing,” Olivia suggested, causing Maddie to snort.
“Yes, it really must have taxed you to open the window and listen for us in the field right behind our house.”
“I still worried about you, Sunshine,” Olivia said. “A mother always worries. Never forget that.”
“I’ll keep it in mind,” Maddie said. “I actually feel better about you being here. If something goes wrong, at least I know you’ll be able to get a message to Nick.”
“Are you expecting something to go wrong?”
“No. It’s just … I want to be sure,” Maddie said. “No matter how much Hayley wants to be an adult, she’s still just a child. And, as we all know, children and teenagers make absolutely terrible decisions sometimes.”
“And then they make the right decisions as adults and come home,” Olivia supplied. “Don’t worry, Maddie. I’ll go with you. I’m still annoyed about not being able to give you a description of who was hiding in the woods. He just moved too quickly. It’s a beautiful night for a walk with my daughter.”
“It is, Mom. I’m definitely glad you’re here.”
“WHAT an absolutely lovely night,” Sydney said, plopping down next to Nick on his blanket and shooting a flirty smile in his direction. “It’s one of those nights where anything seems possible. Don’t you agree?”
Nick scowled. He’d gone the whole day without seeing Sydney. Apparently it was inevitable that his night would face one road bu
mp. “It is,” Nick agreed, nodding his head. “I thought you left.”
“Were you missing me?”
“No.”
Sydney’s coquettish smile flipped upside down. “There’s no need to be rude,” she said. “I was just trying to make conversation.”
“We both know that’s not true,” Nick shot back. “You came over here to make trouble. I’m putting you on warning that I’m not in the mood for trouble. I’m tired and I just want to enjoy the rest of the night. I don’t think that’s too much to ask.”
Sydney’s lower lip jutted out into what Nick was sure she assumed to be an adorable pout. It did nothing to sway his opinion of her. “Believe it or not, I have no interest in ruining your night, Nicky.”
“Don’t call me that!”
“Why? Your precious Maddie calls you that,” Sydney pointed out. “I thought it was an acceptable nickname.”
“Maddie is the only one who calls me that,” Nick corrected. “She’s called me that since we were eight. I don’t want to hear it come out of anyone else’s mouth, especially yours. Even my mother doesn’t call me that. She never did.”
Sydney rolled her eyes. “Wow, you’re in a mood. What’s wrong, Romeo? Aren’t you getting enough … romance … to ease those frazzled nerves of yours? There’s an easy fix for that, if you’re interested.” Sydney’s fingers moved to Nick’s arm and lightly started walking up it. “A very easy fix.”
“Yes, I remember how easy you are,” Nick replied, jerking his arm away from Sydney’s creepy-crawly fingers. “I’m not interested. Why can’t you get that through your head?”
“Your sister told me the deal,” Sydney said, dropping her hand and shifting to a different tactic. “She told met that you and Maddie won’t last and that as soon as the relationship runs its course you’ll finally be ready to move into a real relationship with someone else. I think that you and I could pick up right where we left off if you would just open your mind to the possibilities.”
“There are no possibilities for us, Sydney,” Nick clarified. “Never. None. Not one. I’m still kicking myself for dating you in the first place.”
Sydney licked her lips, Nick’s reticence starting to grate on her. “You had a lot of fun in that relationship, if I remember correctly.”
“I don’t think you are remembering it correctly,” Nick retorted. “I remember going out two nights a week. I remember a little sex. I don’t remember inviting you to meet my family. I do remember you inviting yourself. I remember feeling relieved when I finally ended it. I don’t remember any particularly good times.”
“There’s no reason to be a jackass,” Sydney said, rolling to her knees. “I can see you’re not ready to think about anything but your insipid blonde. Call me when you come to your senses. Until then, I don’t have to take this from anyone.”
“You’re going to grow old and gray if you sit by your phone waiting for me to call,” Nick warned. “That’s never going to happen.”
“Because of your precious Maddie?”
“I’ve already explained this to you,” Nick seethed. “Even if there was no Maddie, that doesn’t mean I would ever fall for you. It’s just not possible. You’re not my type.”
“I was your type long enough for you to screw me over!”
“If you want an apology, fine, I’ll give you one,” Nick said. “I’m sorry you got hurt in all of this. I made quite a few bad decisions when Maddie was gone. I had a hole in my heart that I kept trying to fill with other people. Deep down, though, I knew that I only wanted her. I knew it then. I know it now.”
“I see,” Sydney said, cracking her neck. “So, essentially you’re saying that you used me.”
“If that’s the way you want to look at it, I guess I am,” Nick conceded. “I didn’t mean to hurt you, Sydney. I didn’t mean to hurt any of the women I dated. I think I did it more than I realized, though. For that, I am genuinely sorry.”
“And that’s it?” Sydney was nonplussed. “That’s all you have to say?”
“That’s all I have to say,” Nick confirmed.
“Well, great,” Sydney said, hopping to her feet. “This entire week has been a huge waste of time. I’ve been insulted … annoyed … bitten by bugs … and I haven’t had a good shower in days. This has been the worst week of my life!”
“I’m sure things will get better when you leave,” John offered, appearing out of the darkness. “Nick, have you seen Hayley?”
“No, why?” Nick asked, tension growing in his shoulders. “I thought she was hanging around with Kevin and Kyle.”
“Kelly is starting to panic,” John said. “She says she’s looked everywhere, but Hayley is gone. She said she ran into Maddie over by the coolers and that Maddie was going to check the restrooms for her. Has Maddie come back?”
Worry niggled the back of Nick’s brain. “No,” he replied, rolling to his feet. “Now that you mention it, though, Maddie has been gone a long time. She was just supposed to be getting beer and then coming back so I could make us s’mores.”
“It’s like a G-rated nightmare,” Sydney muttered.
The brothers ignored her. “We need to look for both of them,” Nick said, his eyes darting around the campground. “If someone really was watching Hayley last night, they might’ve followed her someplace tonight. She could’ve easily been grabbed when no one was looking. Dammit! I knew we should’ve made a bigger deal about what we found in the woods.”
“We didn’t want to panic everyone,” John reminded him. “I still don’t think it’s time to freak out.”
“What did you guys find in the woods?” Sydney asked, genuinely curious.
“Someone was watching the trail last night in the exact spot Maddie heard noises before Hayley caught up with her,” John explained. “Whoever it was originally watched Maddie and then shifted his attention to Hayley when they split up.”
“I don’t understand what that means.”
“Someone was also watching Jessica when Maddie and Kelly found her,” Nick supplied. “If it was the same person, Maddie could be the common denominator. The problem with that is, the guy in the trees opted to go after Hayley instead of Maddie.”
“I … I’m still confused,” Sydney said. “Why is that such a big deal?”
“The one thing Hayley and Jessica have in common is that they’re younger,” John answered. “Hayley isn’t technically a child, but she still looks like one. If someone is really targeting kids, that’s not a good thing.”
“Oh,” Sydney said, realization dawning. “You think there’s some sort of weird pedophile out in the woods, don’t you?”
“We think it’s a definite possibility,” John confirmed.
“Well, then I guess I should probably tell you that Hayley was in the bathroom about a half hour ago and she asked me to put makeup on her so she could impress Kevin,” Sydney volunteered.
“Why didn’t you tell us that sooner?” Nick was ready to explode.
“You know why,” Sydney shot back. “I thought we could spend a little time together.”
“I’m taking it that didn’t go well,” John said.
Nick rolled his eyes. “If Maddie found Hayley in the bathroom, why aren’t they back yet?”
“I told Maddie that Hayley already left when she showed up at the bathroom,” Sydney explained. “Hayley mentioned meeting Kevin behind the registration building. She was really excited to show off her new look.”
“What did Maddie do?”
“She said she was going to get Hayley and to tell you where she was going.”
Nick reached for Sydney, the urge to shake her overwhelming. John slapped his hands down. “Now is not the time to commit a murder, Nick,” John chided. “Sydney, be very specific, what did Maddie say?”
“She said to make sure Nick knew where she was going and to send him after her,” Sydney replied, unruffled. “What? Why are you looking at me that way?”
“Sydney, you’ve been over here for twent
y minutes,” Nick snapped. “Why are you just bringing this up now?”
Sydney shrugged. “I forgot.”
Nick turned to John, his face unreadable. “Get all the men who aren’t so drunk they’ll get lost in the woods and head over to the registration building,” he ordered. “Don’t let anyone go out without a partner. We need to find Maddie and Hayley, and we need to do it now.”
“Don’t you think you’re blowing this all out of proportion?” Sydney asked. “I’m sure everyone is fine.”
“You need to shut your mouth,” Nick seethed.
“What are you going to do?” John asked, grabbing his brother’s arm and turning him away from the object of his rage. “Are you going to go after them on your own?”
“I won’t be on my own,” Nick replied, waiting for John to understand what he was saying. “I need you to get everyone together and form a search party, though. Try to catch up with me if you can. The more bodies that are out in the woods the better. You understand why, right?”
“We need to scare whoever is out there away,” John answered. “He’ll be less likely to go after Maddie and Hayley if he knows he’s not alone. I’ve got it.”
“Do it fast,” Nick ordered, already moving in the direction of the trail. “We need to get to Maddie and Hayley before it’s too late, so you need to be quick about this.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll handle it now.” John moved to walk past Sydney, but she stilled him with a look.
“What do you want me to do?” she asked.
“Leave.”
Twenty-Four
Hayley was so excited she was ready to burst when she approached the registration building. Her conversation with Sydney left her more confused than before she went into the bathroom with the older woman, but after giving it some thought she realized Sydney’s life perspective made more sense than the one her mother espoused.
Her mother was never happy. She never wanted to be happy. That wasn’t the life Hayley desired for herself. Still, ever since Maddie and Kelly found Jessica, Hayley had noticed a discernible shift in her mother. It wasn’t anything big. It wasn’t anything she could identify. There was definitely something different, though. She didn’t want to get too hopeful about the situation, but part of Hayley was elated at the thought her mother would snap out of her constant doldrums.
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