Page 51 of Won't Back Down

But if it was Gwen, would it provide closure? Would there be any evidence of what had happened to her? Anything to suggest how she’d ended up here?

This was so damned close to where I’d been in the water. What if there was something buried deep in my lost memories that might answer some of this? Had what happened to me and what happened to Gwen somehow been connected? It wasn’t something I’d allowed myself to consider for years, because even approaching the subject sent me into a blind panic or a migraine. But it was impossible not to wonder now when I knew there were human remains only a few dozen yards inside the treeline.

A shaft of pain shot directly through my eye, and I squeezed them shut.

I needed to stop this line of thought before this migraine struck in earnest. I didn’t know it was Gwen. She was just forefront in my mind. The only thing I knew for sure was that someone was dead on my grandparents’ property. On my property.

What did this even mean for me?

“I think this is enough for now,” Sawyer announced. “I’m gonna get her home. It’s been… a lot.”

“Of course.” Cory looked around, as if only just realizing we didn’t have a vehicle. “I’d give you a ride back, but I’ve been ordered to secure the scene.”

“We understand. We’ll manage. C’mon, Wren.” Sawyer climbed to his feet and lifted me to mine.

My legs felt wobbly, as if they were made of rubber.

Sawyer’s hands tightened on mine. “Okay?”

Not even a little bit. But I would be. “Just get me out of here.”

We both turned at the sound of a motor. Far out on the water, running parallel to the island, a boat was headed in our direction at a rapid clip.

“Do you suppose that’s Chief Carson?” God, I really didn’t want to endure more questions right now.

Sawyer squinted. “I think it’s the Coast Guard.”

As the boat neared, I recognized the familiar red-orange color and shape of a Zodiac as it bounced over the waves. It appeared there were two people aboard—the driver and a dark-haired woman who began waving and pointing as soon as she spotted us.

“Is that… Gabi?” Had my best friend commandeered a Coast Guard vessel to come check on me?

The boat turned in our direction, slowing on the approach until it gently beached on the sand. Gabi was over the side in an instant, rushing toward me.

“Oh my God, Willa! We just heard. Are you okay?”

Of course I wasn’t okay. I’d just found a body that might be our missing best friend. But I didn’t say that.

“I’m not hurt.”

As her critical doctor’s gaze skimmed over me, my own slid to the driver of the boat as he approached. I couldn’t see his eyes behind the mirrored aviator glasses, but he had the same kind of calm, capable demeanor Sawyer projected. He was indeed wearing a Coast Guard uniform beneath his life vest.

“Honey, you have blood on your knees. And if you’re wrapped up in that foil blanket and still cold, you’re definitely in shock. I want to get you into the clinic.”

“No!” The word came out far sharper than I’d intended. But I couldn’t take being in a medical facility after all this. I was so very close to breaking. “I just want to go home.”

“Willa—”

The new arrival pressed a hand to the small of Gabi’s back. “Maybe give her a chance to breathe, Gabs. Reckon she’s done had herself a bit of a scare.” He offered a half smile. “We’ll give y’all a lift somewhere, if you need.”

Sawyer took his proffered hand. “That’d be good. My wife’s had a hell of a day. Who are you, by the way?”

“Pardon me. Petty Officer First Class Daniel LaRue, U.S. Coast Guard. At your service.” His accent immediately called to mind jazz clubs, beignets, and alligators. The bayou accent was so unexpected, it distracted me for a moment from my own discomfort.

It took some effort to get us all loaded into the boat, Roy included. My limbs didn’t much want to cooperate. I clambered gracelessly over the side and would’ve fallen straight to the floor of the rigid hull of the inflatable boat if not for Daniel catching me. I got fitted with a life jacket and dropped down to huddle at the side. Roy flattened himself next to me.

Gabi sat on my other side, moving in close to take my hands. “I’ve gotcha. Headache?”

“Migraine,” I gritted out.