Page 49 of The Beachside Rental

There was an extended silence.When Simon didn’t hand her his phone, she asked, “What’s wrong?”

“I don’t have my phone.I must have put it down when I grabbed Gus’s leash.But it’s no big deal.I’ll just go grab it and be back.”He got up and headed for the door.

Gus got off the couch and followed him.She wasn’t sure Simon was even aware of the dog following him because the dog did have the capability of moving stealthily.And with the wind still blowing, there was enough noise to cover up the dog’s footsteps.

Simon opened the door and stepped outside.

Wanting to let him know the dog was following him, she called out, “Simon, the dog.”

Gus was on his heels.And then there was the brightest flash of lightning.It lit up everything around them like it was daylight out.Just as quickly they were plunged back into darkness.

And then there was a whine from Gus followed immediately by a house-shuddering crack of thunder.It reverberated through Jenna’s entire body.The thunder continued to roll out.

“Gus, no!”She heard Simon’s voice over the thunder.“Come back.”

Jenna was off the couch in a heartbeat.When she reached the door, both man and dog were gone.She stepped out onto the porch.

Simon raced down the stairs.“Gus, come back!”His outline got lost in the darkness, even though she could still hear his voice.“Gus!Here, boy!”

A few minutes later, Simon charged up the stairs.He was soaked.“I lost him.”

She walked over to him.She put her hand on his wet arm.“He’ll be back.He always is.”

Simon shook his head.“He’s scared to death of storms.I should have been more careful with the door.I should have made sure to have his leash on him.I didn’t know he was there.I didn’t know he’d followed me.”

She could hear the worry in his voice.“It’s okay.We’ll find him.”She formulated a plan.It wasn’t elaborate, but it was better than standing around worrying.“I have some flashlights.You go get your phone.And meet me back here in a minute.”

He didn’t say a word.He quietly moved toward his half of the duplex while she moved to hers.

Gus would be fine.They would find him.He would be wet but otherwise fine.She held those thoughts close to her as they prepared to go searching in the storm.

Chapter Fourteen

Hewouldbeallright.

Simon kept that thought firmly in mind as he tramped around in the rain.He was soaked.Even the inside of his shoes were wet.There was a squishy feeling with each step.But he didn’t have time to worry about that.He had to find Gus.

He couldn’t imagine how scared Gus must be.Not only was he outside and alone, but there was still thunder rumbling through the night air.Thankfully, it was starting to fade off into the distance.Hopefully, they’d seen the worst of it.

As he looked around for Gus, he noticed there was a lot of damage from the storm.Most of it was from downed tree limbs.They wouldn’t know the true extent of the damage until the sun came up.At that moment, it felt as though daybreak was a long way off.

He could hear Jenna calling for Gus.Even though he’d told her to stay inside where it was safe and dry, she wouldn’t listen to him.She was insistent that she was going to help him find the dog.

He continued to work his way down the street while she worked her way up the street.He flashed the light here and there.He could only hope when Gus heard his voice that he would come out from wherever he was hiding.Simon shouted out Gus’s name.There was no response.

Rain ran down his face and dripped off his chin as he made his way back to the house without his faithful sidekick.He was really worried now.What if Gus had hurt himself?

And then he had a worse thought.What if Gus headed for the beach?The dog loved the beach.

But tonight there was flooding on the beach with a strong current.If Gus was to get caught in that fast-moving water—

Simon halted his thoughts.That wouldn’t have happened.Gus would have stayed away from the water.

But then Simon thought about how much Gus loved to run into the water up to his chest.He thought it was great fun.Gus was like a great big child, and children didn’t always recognize danger.

Simon picked up his pace as he retraced his steps.He prayed that Jenna had found Gus, but if she hadn’t, he knew where he had to check next.

Then he noticed the glow of Jenna’s flashlight as she headed in his direction.It was too dark to see if she had Gus or not.