While the quilt wasn’t finished nor the palm leaf mattress, there was enough of both to ensure that Lucien and Abel spent a comfortable night safely in their cave. As the first light of a new day crept in through the entrance, Lucien stirred first.
He glanced at Abel, snoring quietly, and after finding the binoculars, he left the cave. A trail of smoke, thin and wispy, rose from the beach. It meant the fire had gone out and only embers remained. That was a good sign. Lucien lay on his stomach and brought the binoculars to his eyes. With great care, he scanned the scenery below, seeing no movement. Perhaps the natives were sleeping. But nor could he see their canoe.
A hand on his shoulder practically made him leap out of his skin.
“Sorry. Sorry. It’s just me.”
Lucien’s heart was poundin
