Free If You Loved Me by Vanessa Grant

just about to land at the camp. I'll be taking off in half an hour to join the search. Can you notify the rescue coordination centre?"
    "Roger, Gray. CF145, this is Prince Rupert Radio clear."
    Gray switched a knob on the radio. "That's the camp," he told Emma, pointing ahead and slightly to the right. "Tourist camp. Kayaking adventure tours."
    The collection of buildings grew larger as Gray flew closer. She hadn't dreamed there was anyone else within miles of Gray's isolated house, but this settlement was just over the hill. She could see the ribbon of water that joined Gray's inlet to the camp on the seaward side of the island. It might be only a half hour's walk from his house.
    There were six or seven buildings down there, a dock with four kayaks lying upside down on its planks, a fishing boat tied to the dock, and several people grouped near it. Emma had the fleeting impression of faces looking up as she and Gray flew over.
    Then the sun lifted over the horizon and she gasped, blinded by the rising sun. The water raced toward them and then she felt the pontoons catch water as they landed. Finally the blur of her vision cleared from the bright red glare of the new day.
    The engine fell silent as the seaplane drifted toward the wharves. Someone caught the wing and pulled it close to the dock. Emma saw a tall, thin man dressed in tattered jeans, his smile easy, three teenage boys crowded around him.
    "Bob Scarborough," said Gray. He introduced the boys—Ed, Carl, and Brian.
    Two of them grinned at Emma. Ed looked to be the youngest, a First Nations boy who inclined his head in an unsmiling gesture that could have been an echo of Gray's. They all walked up the boardwalk together. Gray was talking to Bob, explaining about Chris and Jordy.
    Emma twisted to look back at the plane and Gray touched her arm lightly. "Running off in all directions isn't the fastest way."
    "I heard the notice to mariners," said Bob. "Any results yet?"
    Gray shook his head.
    "What can we do?" asked Carl, the shortest of the three boys. "Do you need marine charts?"
    "I'm good o charts but I'll need a radio watch. Fuel the Cessna and strap a couple of kayak paddles to my starboard pontoon, would you. Lay in a fiberglass repair kit, too, and some extra rations. I'll leave Chico here."
    In seconds, Gray had them all moving to do what he wanted. Ed was taking Chico to the kennel. Carl had gone off to get paddles and Brian was instructed to fuel the plane.
    "I won't forget the filter this time," the boy promised Gray.
    "I know you won't," Gray agreed, and Brian looked relieved. He ran off toward the plane.
    With the boys dispatched, Gray turned to Bob. "What's the score with that party of archaeology students?"
    "They're due today. I could get a relief guide in."
    "No, take them out yourself as we planned, but leave Ed on radio watch. You might see someone who knows something while you're out with the students." He reached out and pushed open the door of the long building. "Emma and I will be here going over our route."
    Inside the building, Gray walked directly to a long cook stove. As Emma watched from the doorway, he pulled down two coffee mugs and filled them from a steaming pot. Behind her, Bob had gone off to supervise the tasks Gray had delegated.
    "This is your camp," she accused. "You're Bob's boss. There was nothing about this camp in the article."
    She had no idea why she should feel betrayed, as if he'd tricked her. Those three tough-looking teenagers adored him, and Bob obviously respected him. But for almost two decades she'd carried an image of Gray alone in the wilderness, surrounded by wild beasts and rough weather. The magazine article had added a house and a seaplane, but hadn't essentially changed her image.
    Gray gestured to a long table. "The boys' route. Let's see your map."
    She pulled the map out of her purse and handed it to him.
    He sat down to make notes on a piece of paper. She sat across from him, reassured somehow. This was