Chapter 39

Darkness descended and Bonnie waited, minute after minute, breath after breath, for the worry to cease and the calm to return. One call from her dad and she was right back in the lonely hole she’d been trying so desperately to climb out of. She sighed, regret lodged in her chest. She couldn’t blame David. How could he not doubt her when there were times she doubted herself?

Duchess’s talons clipped along the fiber-glass deck as she approached Bonnie and dropped her new toy, the plastic keys, into Bonnie’s lap. Bonnie managed a weak smile and drew her finger down the parrot’s head.

“You’re such a pretty girl, Duchess.” she whispered.

“Make it work.” Duchess bobbed her head.

“You’re also lucky, Duchess. Flying from boat to boat. Nothing to worry about other than who you’re going to annoy next. No one to disappoint.”

“No one’s disappointed in you, Bonnie.” David’s voice echoed out of the darkness.

She was shocked when she heard him and even embarrass