A little exasperated, he opened the door and ran to her. As he reached for her shoulder, he saw her body shudder. She was openly sobbing. Her focus fastened on the remnants that must have been her home.
“Ma’am, come with me,” he said more gently, guiding her back to the truck. Thankfully she didn’t resist. “Is there anyone else who needs help?” From the look of the flattened heap, the answer scared him.
She turned into his chest and held on to his shirt in a tight grip. Her grief seeped into his bones, past the dampness of the rain, past the fatigue in his muscles. He waited a few seconds hoping that she would tell him what he dreaded to hear.
“Please, ma’am, is anyone under that heap?”
“I don’t know. We were leaving and I had gone down to the end of the road. I sent my brother back for the money I’d left. Then the mud came and covered everything. By the time I got up here, I could barely find my house. And I tried looking for him, but…”
“Go sit in the truck. I’ll poke around.” Collin helped her in the passenger side.
There wasn’t much to dig through, but he’d try to do what he could to reassure her. Slowly he used a stick that he’d found to poke through the mud. He made his way down the road, slipping and sliding, following the trail of debris that was once someone’s house. His next steps stopped short.
Partially covered in mud, Athena’s van had slid across the road. But more important, the occupants were missing.
Chapter 12
“Marigold! Oh, God, this can’t be happening.” Athena scooped mud away as fast as she could, flinging it to the side into a slippery new mound of sediment and debris.
She paused only to listen for any telltale signs of where Marigold may be buried.
“Help her!” Luisa grabbed Athena’s arm. Her eyes reflected her heightened distress. “You’ve got to save her.” The weeping mother dropped her hands in the mud and wildly dug in the immediate area.
“I’ve already checked over there.” Athena didn’t want to waste any time searching for the child.
“Call her name again,” Luisa pleaded. “She likes you. She talks about you all the time.” Luisa hoisted a large part of the wall from her house, throwing it to one side. She panted from the exertion. “Marigold.” This time her voice held more fear than desperation.
Athena hadn’t stopped poking several areas with a stick. She wanted a gleam of shiny metal from Marigold’s bracelets. Or maybe she would catch a flash of color from her occasional mismatched socks.
“Marigold!” Athena’s voice grew hoarse. Her throat ached. But she refused to slow down. Each second was precious.
The rain still pelted onto the landscape, chipping away at the unstable ground.
“She knew you’d come for her.” Luisa kneeled, her forearms shoved into the mud up to her elbows. “She liked all the teachers. She’d fight me to go to school. I thought it was a waste of time.” She rocked back. Her head bowed. “But, when you came, she turned into a new person. She wasn’t just a student anymore.” Luisa grunted, as if it was too much effort for any other emotion. “She talked about goals. What does a child at that age know about goals, dreams and passion for life?”
Athena moved to another area. She listened to Luisa, understanding the mother’s need to unburden. But Athena refused to talk about Marigold in the past. Considering Luisa was on the verge of a breakdown, she would allow her to continue with her retrospection. On the other hand, Luisa’s words provided her with a jolt of motivation to keep going.
Luisa continued, “You are the one to bring Marigold to life. I gave her one sort of life, but you are also responsible for another type of life to her soul.” Luisa’s voice trembled. “I hope your parents are proud of you.”
Athena looked up at the sky, not caring if the rain pounded her skin. If this was the final test to her impulsive act of coming to this island, she refused to buckle. Maybe her parents would be proud. Maybe her grandmother would give her a nod of approval. At this moment, she didn’t crave approval. She was in a unique position to be a teacher and a member of various families. The culture allowed for the easy inclusion without blood ties. She relished the acceptance.
“Luisa and Cicely, focus on that part.” Athena pointed to a spot where the front door balanced precariously on top of other debris. “We’re not giving up.” She shifted her position slightly to the right, climbing over appliances. Her legs burned from the injuries she incurred as she navigated through the unfriendly terrain. “Marigold, please answer me, sweetheart.” Athena blinked back the tears from frustration.
“Athena! Cicely! It’s Collin!” The greeting was said three times.
“Over here.” Athena tried to stand but fell in the mud. The wind pushed her back, tossing her as if she weighed nothing. Nothing mattered anymore. Collin had found them. Now he could help her find Marigold.
She struggled to her feet again, pulling against the side of the house to the opening. Everything about the house had blown away except for the partial floor and exterior wall.
“What are you doing?” Collin stared down at her. “Get in the truck.”
“Can’t. Marigold hid under the house. We can’t find her. I’m trying to dig to see if she got buried.”
Collin dropped to his knees and started to dig. He didn’t have time to get caught up with the details. Time was precious.
“I had her use the house to protect her from the wind and rain. Then Luisa had a meltdown. I couldn’t hold both of them. She slipped from my hands.”
“We’ll find her.”
Athena hoped that not only would they find her, but that she would be alive. Her energy doubled as she continued digging.
“I think I have her leg.” Collin maintained his hold on the object covered in mud.
Athena brushed off as much as she could; the sock and shoe were still in place. “It’s her. Get her out of there.”
Collin pulled her out. Thankfully only her midsection and lower extremities were covered by mud. The rest of her had been under floorboards.
“She’s breathing. No outside injuries.” He checked her eyes with Athena hovering behind him. “Her eyes are responding.”
“Luisa.” Athena touched the weeping mother on the side of the cheek. “She’s here. She’s been found. Come see her.”
Marigold stirred. Her eyes fluttered open. She looked straight ahead at a point beyond them.
“My baby.” Luisa scooped up the little girl and hugged her. Marigold tried to smile, but her lips trembled. Yet the joy of seeing her mother already reversed the pale countenance to a healthy one. The two embraced.
Athena and Cicely hugged each other.
Another lone soul limped toward them. A man who had been knocked around by the storm looked dazed. Then the woman in the truck shouted his name. The couple reunited with lots of hugs. As they hugged, Athena choked with emotion.
“I think the rains are letting up. We need to head back before it gets dark.” Collin lifted Marigold into the truck.
The little girl’s face was beaming up at him. Clearly he had been her hero. Athena helped Luisa, who couldn’t stop thanking her for coming to get them.
The woman and her brother, as they eventually figured out, took the ride to a point where the natural disaster had not been so rampant. Another family member arrived in a car and took them. Not until they were driving away did Athena realize that they didn’t know their names. But that fact didn’t diminish what had just happened. They had saved their lives.
Back at the school, the tearful reunion continued with the rest of the staff. Athena ran home to shower and change into fresh clothes. Now that most of the excitement was over, she was tired and hungry.
“Everyone is settled down for the night. The adults are entertaining the younger ones. Guess we’ll know the extent of the damage in the morning,” Cicely reported. She joined Athena in the kitchen to make a thick peanut butter and jelly sandwich. “Thanks for turning me onto these,” she said, her mouth fill
ed with bread.
“It’s even better if you have grape jelly. But I guess we’ll make do with the guava jelly.”
“Where’s Lorraine and Thelma?” Cicely asked.
“They’re still over at the school. I think Lorraine is going to stay with everyone.”
“Now I feel guilty about jumping into my bed.” Cicely groaned, polishing off the last bite of her sandwich.
“Yes, that would look a little insensitive,” Athena teased. “I gave mine up to Marigold because we’re assuming that she has not suffered any serious injuries. I want her sleeping properly. I’m taking the couch.”
“Fine, I’ll join Lorraine.” Cicely pouted. “I don’t recall this being in the fine print.”
“Life’s surprises are never in the fine print. But you handle them as they come.” And this entire trip had certainly done a number on her with the swiftness of certain things.
“I’m going to go tell Lorraine that the shower is free.”
“Oh, I didn’t know that she was waiting.”
“She wasn’t. But I was hanging around her a few minutes ago. The shower is free.” She wiggled her nose and raised her eyebrows.
“Ah, I get it. Well, you go make your public service announcement. Good luck.” Athena placed her dishes in the sink. She was truly exhausted. All the adrenaline rush, fear and imagining the worst now took its toll. But before she crashed for the evening, she had to put fresh linens on her bed for Marigold.
She didn’t have much to pick from, but chose a soft pastel blue for the bed. After what happened, she was sure Luisa wouldn’t want to leave her daughter’s side. Maybe she could ask Lorraine to allow Luisa use of her room. They weren’t exactly across the hall from each other, but at least she’d be a few feet down the hall.
The sound of the shower alerted her that Lorraine had caught on to Cicely’s hint. At least she could get away with that. Although she and Lorraine had declared a truce to get through today’s events, she still felt a strain in their relationship. After the shower, she’d be relaxed and in a good space for when she had to make the request for Luisa.
Once the bed linens had been exchanged, Athena took the sheets to the hamper in a closet near the shower. She heard the water cease and the shower door pop open. Then the doorknob turned. She waited to talk to Lorraine, not wanting to waste one second.
“Oh!” Not only was Collin standing in front of her, but he was standing there with his shirt partly opened, hair damp, with a towel draped casually over his arm.
“Sorry, I ran over here for a quick shower because there is a long line in the men’s house. And the shower in the school building was being used. I had to get the mud off.”
“No problem. I understand.” She shifted from one foot to the next. She’d done her part to keep the depth of her feelings for him a secret. She hid it from her coworkers. She hid it from him and she didn’t want to reflect on her feelings.
“Are you still angry with me?”
“Why?”
“When you came to the house…?”
“I figure you had something important going on.”
He nodded.
“You can use my room to finish dressing.” She bit down on her disappointment that he didn’t elaborate or provide any further explanation.
“Thanks.” He went to her room, then hesitated in front of the door. “Don’t jump to conclusions, okay? Give me a chance.”
Now was the time for no-holds-barred honesty. “Collin, I’m more than the woman you sleep with. I’m not a dirty little secret. Your whole life is a mystery and shouldn’t have to be. I’m not the enemy.”
He pulled her close. His mouth touched hers before she had time to pull away. He kissed her, the urgency pouring through his very touch. If she stayed this way, enjoying the stroke of his tongue, he would take control of her thoughts and mind.
“No. I can’t. We can’t bury whatever is between us with your kisses.” She laid her forehead against his chest. His heartbeat matched hers, pounding away at a steady clip.
The smallest act between them had a gigantic reaction. Their energy grew exponentially, recharging with every kiss, embrace or time spent making love.
“I can’t resist you.”
“That may be true.” She sighed. “I know it’s true, but that doesn’t make it all right.”
“You have to trust me.”
She looked up into his face. Those dark eyes that had a depth within them had captured her heart. She gasped.
“What is it?”
“Nothing.” None of her sorority sisters had explained that falling in love had such power. She’d seen how they had reacted, but chalked it up to the dopiness that came when in a new relationship. She’d also chalked it up to that lustful period when either side couldn’t keep their hands off the other.
“I can see that you’re not happy with me,” Collin stated.
“I have to go to see to Marigold.”
He raised her chin with the crook of his finger.
Athena focused on the fact that he was hiding something from her to break the effect. She blinked, keeping her eyes closed for a second. Mentally she wiped away his words, empty promises, that held no future. If he was mixed up in anything shady, he could not be part of her life. She didn’t want to be one of those women who were too blind to see the obvious.
Three months on the job and her career plans had taken a slight detour. She couldn’t continue to see him as much as she had pushed for all this to happen. Her heart wasn’t supposed to be compromised. Maybe her inexperience at falling in love had led her to this uncomfortable rocky place where every turn jabbed at her. But he seemed so sincere about this special school and the community he served.
“You don’t want to kiss me,” he remarked.
She shook her head, twisting her chin out of his hold.
“I think that you’re…”
“Collin, you’re needed at the school. One of the parents may need to be taken to the hospital. And there’s a man waiting for you.” Lorraine stood at the beginning of the hall.
“A man?”
“Kitchner.”
“Damn!” Collin turned to say something, but shook his head. “If the weather has let up, Lorraine, get Bill to take the person to the hospital.”
She nodded, but didn’t turn to leave. Instead she looked at Athena and then at Collin. Her cool blue eyes held judgment.
“Athena, when you’re done in here, there is work to be done with our guests,” Lorraine shouted.
Athena knew she stated the obvious, but the ugliness in her tone provided the undercurrent that Lorraine was furious. She didn’t know how much the woman had witnessed or listened to, but she’d have to deal with the consequences and have a heart-to-heart.
“I’ll be there.” Athena waited until Collin walked ahead, before she also exited.
Over at the school, most had settled in for the night. The dinner of soup, bread and cookies had been cleared away. Some of the younger children still snacked on crackers and milk.
Athena stopped to talk to everyone as she passed. Despite the hectic pace of the rescue mission and the unexpected number and range of guests, she was happy as she looked over the small sea of faces.
“You know you’re going to have tell me what’s up with you and the boss?”
Athena spun around to see Cicely grinning at her. She shook her head. This was not the time. And after tonight, there was nothing between the boss and her. She had to return to the plain facts to survive. Collin was her boss, nothing else.
“Okay, I can see that you’re not in the best of mood. Did Lorraine say something? I saw her heading to the house. I tried to stop her, but she had an objective and wasn’t going to be denied.”
“It was like breathing in the fire from a dragon. She probably would have stomped me down if she could.”
Cicely laughed. But Athena really couldn’t find humor in the situation.
She worked for another hour and then decided to tak
e the first shift in keeping watch over everyone. Thankfully with so many of them, she only had a two-hour shift. Then she could escape to her makeshift bed on the living-room couch.
Cicely opted to play cards for a little while with the guys. Lorraine and Thelma had disappeared. But Athena didn’t complain about that. She much preferred it that way.
Now that things had calmed down, her mind drifted to Collin and the mysterious Kitchner.
Curious to see if Collin had left, she walked toward his office. The door had to be open because a shaft of light lit the otherwise semidark hallway. She slowed her approach, easing against the wall. Muffled voices filtered back to her.
She stepped closer. This time she would find out even if it meant getting caught. She wanted evidence that Collin hadn’t taken a desperate act to sell his soul to Kitchner.
“You refuse everything from me as if I was contagious. I have never crossed your path. I have never stabbed you in the back. I only want to help you.” The man who had to be Kitchner had a thick, distinctively raspy voice, perfect for a bad guy. Instead of being comforted by the tone, Athena imagined the slick wiliness of a snake.
“This is my school. I have worked hard for it. You cannot come in here and try to buy me.”
“Buy you? I wanted this school here. I wanted these children to have a future. Now that you’ve got a couple years under your belt, you want to act as if you can put distance from me.”
“I’m tired. We keep going around in circles.” Collin’s voice bore the fatigue that had hit all of them. The volume of his voice lowered and Athena had to step closer to hear. “I don’t need your money.”
“I’m not giving you money. I have computers, overhead LCD equipment, educational computer software. You say the word and they will be delivered.”
“I’m not answering you tonight.”
“At least that’s better than your shutting the door in my face. You’d better let me help you, protect what you’ve got, rather than deal with the bosses. I can control them only up to a point. You’re giving people hope and that’s a dangerous thing.”
“Well, that must not earn you any points either.”
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