Mama!

Dani jerked awake gasping for air and shot up obeying an urgent need to find her son. Her heart pounded and panic loomed, but she pushed aside the unwelcome emotion.

Meredith and Jacob's sleeping bags were mussed as if they'd just crawled out of them. There was no reason to worry, but she shoved her feet into sneakers and went outside. The sun was breaking over the horizon, creating a beautiful sunrise. They were probably enjoying it right now on a bluff somewhere.

"Meredith! Jacob!" she called, walking down the hill towards the water.

Her voice bounced off the hills creating an eerie echo. A thick fog hugged the top of the old mountain and a flock of birds soared in the clouds above. There was no reason for the dread rising within her, but Dani couldn't stop it.

She tried to slow her breathing and calm down. Jacob might have needed to go to the bathroom and Meredith had woken up. She'd have gone with him to make sure he wasn't alone. Meredith would keep him safe, Dani was sure.

"Meredith! Jacob!"

She heard the gentle rapids, and when she reached the bottom of the hill, she saw the clear flowing water rushing over river rocks. Terror iced her veins. Could Jacob swim? Dani didn't know. She did not even know if her son could swim!

You're a failure! You don't deserve to be his mother. He's better off with Meredith!

"No!" she cried, shaking off the frightening voice.

Claws of fear tightened around her like a vise making it difficult to focus. Had something unthinkable happened? A sob tore from her lips because she knew, without a doubt, they'd answer her if they could.

Be still.

I am afraid, Lord.

Breathe.

"Dani!"

She inhaled but no air blessed her lungs. Her eyes widened with alarm. She felt her knees buckling, and big hands gripping her shoulders, steadying her like an anchor in the storm.

"Easy. Take it easy. Just breathe." Josh's voice wrestled her from the clutches of darkness where fear and panic reigned. "Talk to me, sweetheart."

Dani calmed.

"Josh," she whispered, and he pulled her against his chest. She held on tight, absorbing his warmth, and borrowing his strength.

He pulled back, just barely, and looked down at her. "What's wrong?"

"I-I can't find Jacob and Meredith."

As that sank in his brows knitted, but he didn't seem overly concerned, and that soothed her. "They're probably back at camp now."

She managed a nod. "Yeah, you're right. I just woke up and they were gone. I've been searching ever since."

"You should have gotten me." His gaze darkened. "How long have you been out here?"

"I'm not sure. Half an hour?"

"Hey, don't worry. Mer's an early riser. She probably took Jacob fishing or on a hike."

"She'd do that without telling you?" Dani felt him tense.

"Under normal circumstances, no. But she's upset. She loves Jacob, and she won't be spending much time with him anymore." His voice was low and reassuring.

"That's understandable. You're right they're fishing or hiking." His hand was making slow circles on her back. Dani felt better. "I overreacted. They're just on an adventure."

Josh's lips curled in a smile, but he glanced up at the sky and hesitated. "A storm's coming. We should get back." His gaze caught hers. "I bet Mer and Jacob are wondering where we are."

Hand in hand they made their way to the others, but Meredith and Jacob weren't at camp. They split up into three groups and searched the area, but there was no sign of either of them.

Meredith and Jacob had disappeared.

***

"We need to notify the park ranger." Dani paced beside the fire.

"I called before we went looking for them, and they also formed a search party." Ty's voice was calm and matter-of-fact. "We need to pray."

"I've been praying." Dani had never been this afraid. Not even when she thought she might die. "It's been hours. We've got to do something."

"Dani." Josh's voice was grounding, pulling her out of her own head and back to him. His arm went around her shoulders. "Ty's right. We have to pray."

Obey, daughter.

The others circled around them, joining hands and bowing their heads. Ty's strong voice led them. Suddenly a flash of lightning split the sky and a vicious crack of thunder seemed to shake the ground. With a jolt, they all looked up at the darkening sky. Ominous clouds twisted creating a wicked picture.

With a sinister whistle, a powerful gust of wind hit them. She turned and found Josh's eyes on her. His expression was stoic, but she knew him well enough to know that something was very wrong.

"What is it?" she asked, seeing Ty and Caleb's somber expressions.

"Ty?" Annie whispered. When his gaze met his wife's Dani knew Ty hadn't told her whatever was going on.

"A storm's coming." Josh's voice was steady. "It wasn't supposed to land anywhere near here, but it changed direction and is headed straight for us. The Park Ranger ordered an evacuation."

She heard someone gasp, possibly Rachel or Lindy. She thought Tanner uttered, "Lord, help us."

God, please watch over Jacob and Meredith.

Tanner asked, "What do we do?"

Ty didn't hesitate. "We take refuge in the Lord."

"Yes." Rachel swallowed hard, visibly shaken. "But what do we do?"

"We let Ty finish his prayer." Josh's voice was calm.

Joining hands, they thanked God and prayed for Jacob and Meredith's safety and everyone else who might be affected by the unexpected force of nature.

A tent collapsed during the prayer and items—paper plates, a lantern, and a chair, began to fly around them.

"We should get outta here while we can," Caleb told Josh. The two of them shared a long look. Suddenly, Caleb smiled. "I said should. That's not what we're gonna do. We'll stay, but the women should go with the park ranger."

"No. I'm not leaving. Not without my son and Meredith."

"Dani, the river is rising." Josh closed the distance between them, his hands cupping her face. His eyes glittered. "If you don't leave now, you won't be able to."

"I won't go without Jacob!"  A tear rolled from her chin. "I'm staying."

"I'm staying too," she heard Annie say. "For better or worse."

Dani turned her head and saw that Ty was about to protest when Rachel spoke.

"I'm not going anywhere," Rachel insisted. "I won't leave you, Caleb."

"You will," Caleb growled. "There's a better chance of us dying in this canyon than making it out alive!"

Lindy let out a soft sob, her arm tightening around Charlie. Parker reached out and pulled them into his arms.

Rachel lifted her chin. "God is with us."

"Yes, but scripture says do not test the Lord God. I can't function if you're not safe." Caleb seemed like he might break.

"I'll help keep her safe, Caleb. Dani and Annie too," Tanner said, turning to Parker. "You need to get Lindy and Charlie to safety."

Parker's expression was torn. "You guys need all the help you can get."

"We need you to take care of them." Ty nodded to Lindy and Charlie.

Parker nodded, looking grim.

They all hugged one another said goodbye, and wondered if this was really the last time they would all be together.

Josh took Dani's hand and entwined his fingers with hers. "Faith in God has never felt this real," she said shivering.

His gaze tangled with Dani's. "God is all we need."