Page 60 of The Sandbar saga

Chapter 22

The meeting at thecommunity hospital in Long Beach, Washington, took longer than Race planned. Driving over the Megler Bridge to cut his travel time, he said, "Call Katie."

His call connected on the cell phone as the waves splashed against the railing of the bridge on the north side. Ringing sounded over the speaker until the voice message for Katie's phone came on. When the beep sounded, he said, "Call me as soon as you get this message."

Verbally disconnecting the call, he paused and said, "Check voice mail."

He hadn't had time to check his phone when he'd hurried out of the hospital. Once the meeting had adjourned, he'd walked out to a storm brewing and a desperate need to get home to Katie.

"There are two messages..."

He turned the speed up on the windshield wipers as his only afternoon appointment canceled. The second message started in silence. Then, he heard her voice calling his name.

"...my car broke down." The wind cut out her voice. "I'm on the wharf un-under the Megler Bridge at the building... please come and get me."

The shaky voice repeated please before disconnecting. He smacked the steering wheel with his hand. He'd seen her go through many storms. There were two ways she'd react. Total fear or total fascination. He couldn't tell which way she was triggered over the recording.

A white car slowed in front of him. He tapped the brakes, feeling the bridge sway under his vehicle.

His biggest fear was that she'd walk straight out in the storm. Walk out on the sandbar and try and prove to everyone, including him, that she was responsible for her father's death.

He hoped she hunkered down and hid inside somewhere. It would be easier to pull her out of a panic than the high that often grasped her, making her ignore the dangers around her.

"Come on," he muttered.

With the storm, it took twice as long to get off the bridge. Other drivers were cautious, aware of the risks of driving too fast, and probably caught up in seeing the power of the tide slam against the steel cantilever from close-up.

By the time he looped around, came down on the street and entered the flow of traffic, daylight had gone, and he had to strain to see in the beam of headlights with the downpour bouncing off the asphalt and his windshield. He spotted the two-story, brick building Katie planned to show possible buyers up ahead.

He changed lanes, cutting in front of a crew cab. Going one more street, he turned and made a U-turn on the side street. Then, he parked his car against the curb.

Katie's broken-down vehicle sat four spots ahead, near the corner. He grabbed his keys and ran through the rain, stopping at the passenger window of her car. Using his shirt sleeve, he wiped the rain off the glass and peered inside.

The car was empty.

He turned around and scanned the sidewalk, hoping he missed her. Not seeing her, he shouted, "Katie?"

Reaching into his pocket for his phone, he came away empty. He ran back to the car, reached inside, and grabbed the cell he'd left behind in his hurry to find her.

He tapped Katie's contact number and put the phone to his ear while he walked down to the vacant building.

Her voice mail came on. Not bothering to leave a message, he shoved the phone in his pocket and kept looking for her. If she wasn't in her car, there was a chance that she was drawn to the storm.

He jogged around the building, looking for any alcove she could've ducked into to get out of the rain. The longer it took, the harder he breathed, and the more worried he became.

"Katie?" The wind sucked his voice away.

Going along the boardwalk, he scanned the docks. There were six of them altogether. He'd been down here enough to know in rough weather, it was dangerous to stand on the floating boards. The current could sweep him, or anyone, off his feet before he knew what hit him.

Reaching the third one, he spotted a lone figure standing at the bottom of the stairs at the entrance to the dock. He strained to see through the rain and darkness.

Blonde hair blew in the wind. His chest throbbed. Knowing Katie wouldn't hear him next to the water, he ran, taking the steps three at a time. He reached her before she noticed him behind her.

Hooking his arm around her waist, he pulled her back, forcing her up the stairs. Once he had her on safe ground, he turned her around.

She stared blankly in his face. "Did you drive over the bridge?"

Was that what she worried about? He wrapped her in his arms, holding her sheltered against his body, trying to protect her from the wind. Soaked to the bone, she shook against him.