Captiva Ever After (Captiva Island Series #7)

If she did, Eliza was the master of masking her true feelings. “Not at all. We have plenty of room,” looking at the cat carrier with disdain.

Sarah and Trevor walked down the curved stairway and joined them. “Mom!” Sarah yelled.

“Hi, honey. We’re here.”

“Eliza, I can show them their rooms. I know where everyone is staying,” Sarah said.

“That’s fine dear. I have to let the cook know we have two more for dinner.”

Noah pushed through to get ahead of his mother. “I can show them. Grandma, it’s this way.”

Maggie loved how grown up Noah had become over the last year. His confidence showed and ever since little Maggie was born he seemed to take the role of big brother very seriously.

As soon as Ciara finished unpacking, she came into Maggie and Paolo’s room.

“Oh, my goodness, I thought my room was beautiful. Your room is stunning.”

“I know, and we even have a balcony.” Maggie opened the doors that led outside.

“This place really is something,” Ciara said. “I actually feel guilty living in such luxury while others are fighting to keep their homes.”

“I feel the same way. I accepted Trevor’s invitation but now that I’m here, I feel awful.”

Paolo wasn’t suffering from the same malady. “Feeling bad isn’t going to help anyone. It’s not like we’re here to party. We’ll be back on Captiva in a couple of days and will feel grateful to have been safe during the storm.”

“I just hope no one gets hurt in all this,” Ciara said. “But, I’m angry, too. I’m angry that people like Linda St. James thought staying was the right thing to do.”

“What? Linda didn’t leave the island?” Maggie asked.

“No, and I forgot to tell Crawford she was staying. I was sweeping the sidewalk in front of the store and she came over to talk about the weddings. We talked about the storm and she told me they’d have to hoist her out of her place with a crane before she’d leave the island.”

Suddenly, fear gripped Maggie’s stomach. “Ciara, Linda lives alone. She doesn’t have children or anyone to check on her. You have to call Crawford right now and let him know.”

Ciara nodded and Maggie could tell from her response that she understood the seriousness of the situation.

Ciara dialed Crawford’s cell phone and waited. “Crawford, hopefully you’ll get this message. Linda St. James stayed in her house. She didn’t leave and has no one to check on her. Please see if she’s all right and call me back soon as you get this message.”

She ended the call and looked at Maggie.

“It didn’t ring, it went directly to voicemail.”

Maggie began pacing the bedroom. “This isn’t good. We have to go back.”

“What? Go back? Are you crazy?” Paolo asked. “The storm is making landfall later tonight. It will be too dangerous by the time we get there.”

Maggie had an idea. “Ciara, call the emergency number that Harold Myersmith gave everyone. Tell them about Linda.”

Jefferson Mackie, a local bartender and volunteer firefighter, answered the call.

“Jefferson, this is Ciara Moretti. I’m calling because I believe Linda St. James is staying on the island during the hurricane. I don’t know how many people know that, but I thought I should let you know so that you can check on her.”

“Linda’s place is over the Captiva Chronicle, right?”

“Yes, that’s her. Can you go over there and see if she’s all right? Maybe you can talk her into going someplace safer. The Captiva Chronicle is awfully close to the water.”

“I’m about to do a drive-by of the Southern Seas Resort area, but I’ll stop by Linda’s first.”

“Thank you so much, Jefferson. Can you call me back and let me know what you find?”