Chapter 19

“Wyatt has suffered head trauma,” Doctor Houghton said. “He’s in a medically induced coma to protect his brain and hopefully curb some of the swelling. He’s been moved to the intensive care area of the ER.”

Kelly let out a small cry. Her husband pulled her closer. “I know it may be too soon to tell, but do you think there will be permanent brain injury?”

“From what I understand and have heard from the first responders who were on the scene, Wyatt saw the vehicle coming toward him and attempted to jump out of the way. He hit a pole. Unfortunately, the angle that the vehicle struck him amplified his head injury. Despite his head taking the brunt of the crash, I am very hopeful he will make a complete recovery. Although, it is too soon to tell.”

Wyatt’s parents asked a few more questions, and the doctor told them she would escort them to the back for a brief visit.

“This is Wyatt’s girlfriend,” Kelly said. “And his best friend. Can they come back too?”

“Unfortunately, it’s only immediate family at this time.”

The couple left with the doctor. Grady touched Morgan’s shoulder. “I need to make a couple of phone calls. Are you all right?”

“Y-yes.” Morgan sucked in a breath. “I’ll be okay.”

After Grady left, she dialed Elizabeth's number.

“How is Wyatt?”

“The doctor sounded…optimistic. He’s in a coma.” Morgan squeezed her eyes shut. A hot tear trailed down her cheek. “I’m trying to stay positive, but all I can think about is Mom and how it ended.”

“I’m heading to the hospital, Morgan.”

“You don’t have to.”

“I want to be with you. I am on my way.” Elizabeth ended the call and promptly dialed Quinn’s number. Morgan needed loved ones around her, especially if Wyatt’s prognosis took a turn for the worse.

*****

“Morgan needs me,” Quinn said.

“She does. I hate to burden you, and I know you’re very busy in Florida, but if you are at a spot which allows you to leave for a day or two, please consider coming back.” Elizabeth offered to pay for Quinn’s airfare.

“Of course. I’m packing as we speak. I’ll catch the first flight available to Detroit.”

“And I’ll contact Denver to see what he can arrange.”

“Let’s do this,” Quinn said. “I’ll see how soon I can get up there and then call Denver to find out if he can help me get from Detroit to Easton Island.”

“Not only does Morgan need us, but so does Wyatt.”

“And I’ll do everything in my power to be there by the end of the day.” As soon as Quinn hung up, she hopped on the internet, searching for a flight. It took a few tries before she found what she was looking for. It meant having to drive to a larger airport, but she finally snagged a seat on a plane scheduled to leave in two hours.

She threw some clothes into a carry-on, grabbed her purse and phone and tracked down her parents. Quinn briefly explained what had happened.

“I’ll drop you off at the airport.”

“Thanks, Dad.”

The evening rush hour had ended, which meant it didn’t take long for Quinn and her father to arrive at the passenger drop-off area. “When are you coming home?”

“I’m not sure,” Quinn said. “It depends on Wyatt’s condition.”

“Travel safe.”

She gave him a thumbs up. “I’ll let you know when I get there.”

Without a checked bag, Quinn made it through security within minutes and hurried to her gate. Her flight, still an hour out, gave her time to research ways to reach Easton Island. She could always rent a car, but it would mean even more hours spent trying to reach her friends.

Finding a commuter flight was proving difficult. She finally gave up and dialed Denver Coates, the manager of Easton Island Airport’s number.

“Quinn Schultz.” Denver’s booming voice echoed across the miles. “Elizabeth told me I might be hearing from you.”

“I’m at the airport, waiting for my flight to Detroit. I’m having trouble deciding the best way to get to Easton Island this late at night.”

“Captain Davey is here with me. We’re going to help you figure it out,” Denver promised. “When are you landing in Detroit?”

Quinn gave him the arrival time along with her flight number. “Do you think it’s best to rent a car, drive to Port Huron and then wait until morning to catch the ferry?”

“Davey will make a special trip if we determine driving and the ferry is your best option.” Quinn could hear tapping on the other end of the line. “I found a commuter plane leaving not long after you land in Detroit. It can get you to Port Huron quickly. From there, Captain Davey will bring you over to the island.”

“Are you sure?”

“Positive. Morgan needs you. The islanders who have heard about the accident are taking this very hard. Everyone loves Wyatt.” Denver gave her the flight number and told her he’d reserved a seat. “It will be tight. The good news is I know the company and all the pilots by name. I’ll see what I can do to convince them to wait for you.”

“Thank you, Denver. Please tell Captain Davey I said thank you too.”

The airline called for boarding, and Quinn told him goodbye.

The flight to Detroit was on time and uneventful. Quinn ran from the terminal to another terminal at the other end of the airport. She reached the gate, her heart plummeting when she discovered it was empty.

A woman stood at the desk staring at the computer screen in front of her.

Quinn rushed over. “I’m looking for flight DET276 to Port Huron.”

The airline employee looked her up and down. “The passengers have already boarded,” she primly replied.

“I-I’m supposed to be on that flight.”

“What’s your name?”

“Quinn Schultz.”

The woman’s fingers flew over the keys. “No wonder the plane hasn’t left. The pilot and crew are waiting for you to board.” She snatched the boarding pass from the printer, scanned it, and handed it to Quinn. “This is your lucky day. Or should I say, lucky night.”

“I hope so.” Quinn thanked her and hurried down the jetway.

A flight attendant greeted her and escorted her to her seat. She got more than a few perturbed looks, and Quinn knew not everyone on board was thrilled about having to wait for her.

“Thank you, Denver,” she whispered as she reached for her seatbelt.

While the flight to Detroit had been smooth, the trip to Port Huron was bumpy. The good news was it didn’t last long. Soon, she was back on the ground.

Quinn gathered her things and exited the plane. She pulled her phone from her purse, intending to call for a rideshare, when she noticed someone standing on the other side of the security checkpoint holding a sign with her name on it.

Denver and Captain Davey hadn’t missed a beat. She hurried over. “I’m Quinn Schultz.”

“You’re heading to the harbor?”

“I am.”

“Captain Davey is waiting for you.”

The driver grabbed Quinn’s carry-on and whisked her out of the terminal. The drive to the port lasted only a few minutes. She tipped the man and started the trek down the long dock.

Her breath caught in her throat when she spotted Captain Davey standing under the streetlight in front of his ferryboat.

Picking up the pace, Quinn hustled as fast as she could. Davey met her halfway. “You are a sight for sore eyes. We’ve missed you Quinn.”

“And I’ve missed you too.” She blinked back sudden tears, impulsively hugging the man who had befriended her from the moment she and Morgan first arrived on Easton Island.

The deckhand, a man Quinn knew by name, hugged her and welcomed her back. During the ride over, she took it all in, overcome with emotion, and she realized how much she missed Easton Island, missed everything about it, but most of all, Quinn missed the islanders…her friends.

Reaching the harbor, another deckhand and employee stood waiting for them. Like the pros they were, the vessel was quickly secured and Quinn, the only passenger, hopped off.

She hugged Captain Davey again. “Thank you so much for making a special trip to get me here this late at night.”

“You’re welcome. Welcome home, Quinn.” Captain Davey’s eyes misted. “We’ll be sad to see you leave us again.”

“Me too.”

He cleared his throat. “Ben is at the end of the dock, waiting to take you to the hospital. Elizabeth is there with Morgan.”

“And Wyatt?”

Davey shook his head. “We don’t know. Unfortunately, we just don’t know.”

A somber Ben greeted her. He placed her bag in the trunk and helped her into the back of the car. “It’s good to see you, Quinn. I only wish it was under different circumstances.”

“You and me both. How is Morgan, do you know?”

“She’s in rough shape. Elizabeth called while I was waiting. Morgan is pretty shaken up.” During the drive, Ben made small talk, sharing snippets and stories of things that had taken place during her absence.

Quinn quietly listened, gazing out the windows as they passed by so many familiar places. Halfway there, a calm settled over her. It would be all right. Wyatt was tough. He couldn’t die.

Morgan needed him. Easton Island needed him. He was one of the good guys. Both Wyatt and Grady.

They reached the hospital’s emergency room drop-off area. Ben stopped the car. He jumped out and hurried around. “I’ll take your suitcase to Easton Estate,” he said.

“Thank you, Ben. Thank you for coming to get me.” Quinn turned to go and spun back around. “On second thought, would you mind dropping it off at Looking Glass Cottage and leaving it in the garage? I want to go home tonight, or at this point sometime tomorrow morning.”

A slow smile spread across his face. He gave her a snappy salute. “Yes, ma’am. Will do.”