Chapter Seventeen

REMINGTON'S POV

There was a thick film on the top of the soup, and I stared into it, my mind blank from thinking of what had happened. Dragging myself away, I tidied the rest of the plates into the sink and wiped the counter with the tea towel. I just needed to keep busy, and Matthew would be back at any moment.

Only, I'd been telling myself that for over an hour. When was a suitable time to panic? Because I was starting to lose my patience and close to driving up the trail to find him.

But I didn't, not wanting to seem possessive or clingy. Matthew had probably gotten sidetracked, sketching some view or chatting to some hikers he'd met on the walk.

I paced the kitchen, circling the table a few times, and then the sound of the backdoor unlatching made me sigh with relief. He was back. See, nothing to worry about.

"Hello? Remington, you home?"

Disappointment hit me, and I waved Sean inside. "Hey, what are you doing here?"

He smiled, looking around the room, and I knew he was searching for Matthew. "You on your own? I just thought I'd drop in some veg. We had extra carrots."

I smirked and nodded for him to sit. "Extra carrots? Really? You know, in the forty years that we've been friends, you've never once brought me vegetables."

Sean grinned and shrugged. "What can I say, there's a first time for everything. So, where is the lovely young Matthew? Sorry about yesterday. I should have, uh... knocked. But in my defence, I wasn’t expecting you to have him laid out on the table."

My cheeks felt hot as I remembered Sean walking in on us, Matthew lying on the table as I stood mid-undress.

"It's fine. We were just..." I started laughing and grabbed the kettle, filling it at the sink. "Tea?"

"Please."

"Matthew's not here. He went out for a hike this morning, and he was supposed to be back for lunch. But he's late."

The whine of the kettle unsettled me, and I paced back and forth. Something was wrong, I could sense it.

"Did you try and ring him? He's probably just lost track of time. You know what those trails are like. So many different paths."

"Yeah, you're probably right. I'm just panicking. I sent him a couple of texts. I didn't want to ring in case he thought I was checking up on him."

"Aren't you?" Sean said, giving me a knowing look.

He was right, but I didn't care. I was concerned about Matthew. I'd invited him here and now he was missing.

"I'll try calling him."

"Yes, I think you should."

I grabbed my phone and walked to the kitchen window, staring out at the garden and listening as the phone rang out. "No answer."

Sean sat up and leaned his strong arms on the kitchen island. "Try him again."

Three phone calls, all unanswered. Now I was really starting to worry.

"When was he due back?"

I looked at Sean, wishing he didn't look worried too. "He should have been back by midday and it's after two now."

"Right." Sean straightened up, his strong shoulders stretching the tattered work shirt he was wearing, and he grabbed his keys from the counter. "That's long enough. Let's go for a drive."

We drove in silence, me staring out the window, afraid we'd come around a corner and find Matthew collapsed on the road, or worse. I don't know why my imagination seemed so intent on torturing me, but the closer we got to the start of the trail, the more scenarios I'd thought up.

"We'll park here and walk. Let's go a third of the trail, and if there's no sign of him, we'll head back and call for mountain rescue. I’ll send a text to Brody and see if he’s passed him earlier. He’s always up here hiking at the weekend." Sean patted my shoulder gently. “It’ll be fine. He’s probably just lost his way.”

I swallowed hard, still not wanting to believe this was happening. The sound of my phone startled me, and I dropped it onto the dusty earth, scrambling to answer, and then sighing as I heard Siobhan’s voice.

"Afternoon! Are you two planning to drop around today before Matthew heads back to Dublin? Christopher has suggested a barbecue. What do you think?"

"He's missing."

"Who is?"

"Matthew. He went for a hike and he hasn't come back. I'm looking for him now."

There was silence and then Siobhan roared out. "Christopher! Remi says Matthew is missing. We need to call a search party."

"Siobhan. Siobhan?" I pinched the bridge of my nose and exhaled.

"Yeah?"

"Don't do anything for now. I'm here with Sean, and we're going to search the trail. I’ll let you know if we need any help."

"Okay. God. Let me know as soon as you find him. I'll keep my phone right beside me. Elva, no. Ah, don't put that in your mouth. Sorry, I better go. Call me when you get him. Love you."

I shoved the phone into my jeans. "Right, let's go." I rang Matthew's phone a few times, hoping to hear it as we trudged along the sun scorched path, but there were only the sounds of the dry ground under our feet, and the wind in the trees.

"We should turn back." Sean stopped on the track and turned around to face me after an hour. "I think we need to call for help. Brody said he hasn’t passed anyone matching Matthew's description."

"What if he’s back at the cottage? Maybe he lost his phone, but he's home now. Maybe he's there." I was clutching at straws, but I couldn't help it. Sean's expression was like a punch to the gut, and I knew he was the only one of us being sensible now.

"I'm going to call Brody and get him to contact mountain rescue for us, okay?"

I nodded and sat on a grassy verge, chewing my bottom lip so hard I could taste blood. Brody ran the local hiking business and knew these mountain trails inside out. He was also a volunteer first responder and often assisted the mountain rescue unit. I’d heard many of his stories over the years of inexperienced hikers getting lost in the fog or injured on the mountain, but I’d never thought I’d be the one waiting to find someone.

Sean held the phone to his ear and started pacing as it rang. "Hi Brody, there’s still no sign of him. Can you call it in? I think he’s been gone long enough now to be concerned... yeah... Matthew... that’s right...."

Sean walked away from me, and I dropped my head in my hands. This wasn't happening. I'd already lost the love of my life once and now...

I jumped to my feet and pounded past Sean, heading down the trail back to the Jeep. I couldn't sit there. I couldn't think about this anymore.

When Sean caught up with me, he told me that Brody had called the mountain rescue and they were on their way. We'd been told to go back and wait at the cottage in case Matthew returned.

How was I supposed to do that?

* * *

Siobhan nudged me, and I jerked up as Sean answered his phone. "Yes, that's great. Thank you so much. I'll let him know. Thanks again."

My arm ached from Siobhan’s grip. She'd arrived over as soon as we'd gotten back, leaving my brother to mind the kids.

"What did they say? Did they find him?" she asked Sean while squeezing my wrist tightly.

It was after seven p.m. and I was so exhausted from worrying that I wasn’t able to respond.

"Yes, they've got him. Remington? Did you hear me? They've found Matthew."

I looked up at Sean, hearing the words but failing to reply. Instead, a vast flood of shock shrouded me, and I bit my lip, trying to stop the tremble. I nodded and stood up. "Where? Is he alright?"

"He'd taken a fall on the mountain. He's injured, but he's okay. They've taken him to the hospital. Come on, I'll drive you there."

Siobhan grabbed her handbag, and Sean stood at the door, keys in hand. But I couldn't seem to move.

"Are you coming, Remington?" Sean's eyes were gentle, and I knew he was worried.

"I'm not sure. Maybe I shouldn't. We don't really know each other, and he might not want me there." The words rambled out, and I swallowed back another wave of fear. I can't do this. I can't go through this again.

"Of course he wants you there. Why wouldn't he?" Siobhan’s voice was low, and she took my hand and tugged me towards the door. "Come on, let’s go check up on your silly Matthew."

I can't lose another person. I'm not strong enough.