True Love Waits

Chapter 436 Keeping Hope Alive

At the resort

Wesley didn't return until late that night. Ivan, Niles, and Kinsley had been waiting for him on the shore. "Something bad happened. There's no sign of the boat, or its crew," he told them.

Niles asked anxiously, "How could they just vanish like this? We couldn't find them either. Or their boat. You'd think there would at least be wreckage."

Wesley fell silent. After a few seconds, he said, "Keep calm. I'll dispatch some helicopters tomorrow."

"Get a hold of them now. That way they can be mobilized immediately," Niles urged, scratching his head. He regretted not having gone with Debbie and Carlos. He might have been able to help. They went back to the village to rest and regroup. Ivan was about to walk into his room when he found a woman hanging out, sitting outside the door.

Kasie.

"Any news?" she asked anxiously once she saw him.

Ivan checked the time. It was already past 2 a.m. "Why are you still up?"

"Debbie is not back yet. I couldn't sleep." Tears streamed down Kasie's cheeks. Yesterday, she and Ivan were kissing, and now Debbie vanished. She felt so sorry. She wondered if it were her fault. Ivan's face went solemn. He took Kasie into his arms, giving her a comforting squeeze and patting her back. "Everything will be okay. She's with Carlos. He won't let anything happen to her," he said quietly. Kasie shook her head miserably. "She's my best friend. I can't lose her. Can... can I go with you tomorrow?" She had already lost Emmett. If she lost Debbie too, she wouldn't be able to stand it. Myriad emotions stirred in her heart-anxiety, sadness, and guilt all mixed together.

Ivan looked around. Then he opened the door and invited Kasie in. Closing the door, he hugged her again, consoling her. "Relax. Under Wesley's orders, they'll be sending out search and rescue teams, professionals, helicopters. Debbie and Carlos will be fine."

Kasie rested her head on his chest. They were so close she could feel his heartbeat. His arms were strong and warm. "But I can't sleep. I saw Debbie cry for help as soon as I closed my eyes." She also saw Emmett in her dream. He had called out for her, said her name so sweetly.

Ivan looked at the gargantuan four-poster bed and suggested, "You can sleep here."

Kasie was surprised.

Ivan let her go and reassured her with a smile, "Don't worry. Nothing will happen." He scratched his head. "Maybe I could work during the night while you rest." Ivan pointed at his computer on the desk beside the bed.

okay. I think I'll sleep in my bed.

hurt him. He gave her hand a comforting squeeze and said gently, "Don't be a

mad," she wanted to say. No matter what, Debbie was married to Ivan. Kasie thought she'd be miffed

Carlos, and she's with him. So, go

"Why are you two married, anyway? You don't love each other, so what's up with

now. It's not the

decided to trust him, and stay

his face. She tossed and turned, for God knows how long, but sleep wouldn't come. "Um, maybe you should come to bed too," she

rubbed his forehead. "I'm good. Go back

bed. She walked over to Ivan,

promised he would divorce Debbie. She believed he was a decent man and would never cross the

he heard this, Ivan stopped protesting. He left

face. She opened her eyes and

Then she screamed, "Ahhhhh!" She raised her head and glared at the wheeling, skirling birds flying free

until dawn. He looked at her, trying to

her face. She ran to the stream to

got all over her hands. Looking at the black and white bird droppings in her hands, she was disgusted and pissed. What a

scrubbing her face. "Turn around. I can help you make sure you got it all off,"

around. "I don't think I'll ever feel

too. "You're

likely, it was a female bird.

rolled her

Carlos told her they had to

the forest, foraging for thick branches. He found leaves and vines, which could be braided into a rope to bind the branches. After a few hours, he constructed a crude lean-to. Then, he used the rest of what he gathered, and started in on

killer whale visited