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and the mainland without any problem. This boat is big enough to handle it.”
    I still couldn’t believe that I was headed over to an island in the middle of the bay with no means of escape other than this boat. It seemed like the perfect setup for a really horrific experience. Add the stormy weather to that, and it was just the wrong mix.
    “Tell us about Bird’s Nest Island. We’re excited to see it,” Riley continued, not missing a beat, even as the wind caused more water to splatter into the boat.
    Riley would fit in easily here. His parents were fairly wealthy. He’d grown up in a different world than I had. That was probably one of the reasons he’d broken up with me. He’d never said so, but I’d always suspected it deep down inside.
    “Oh, it’s a great place. Not very large. It used to be a playground for the wealthy. There’s an old lodge where hunters and fishermen stayed.”
    “What happened?” As I asked the question, my hair nearly suctioned itself to my face. Just as I removed several strands, several more grabbed at my features. So much for straightening it earlier. By the time this weather finished with it, I’d look like I stuck my finger in a light socket.
    “The lodge closed down in the late thirties after the stock market crash. It was never revitalized until about five years ago. Now the owner, Mr. Robinson, rents it out to groups like Dr. Turner. But, of course, you know all this, correct? Because you’re friends with Mr. Robinson?”
    Riley nodded. “That’s right.”
    In truth, Brad Thorn knew the man personally and had pulled some strings.
    “We are, but he never told us the history of the place,” I said. Thunder rumbled above us and caused me to tremble.
    Captain Leroy nodded, unaffected by the storm. “Well, there’s some good folklore about the island, but that’s not why you’re going. Dr. Turner just started leasing this location for his therapy groups. This is our first retreat series here.”
    “He has other locations?” I asked, curious now about this program. If I could stay focused, the storm wouldn’t freak me out as much.
    “That’s right. One up in Baltimore and another in the mountains. He started these retreats after his wife passed away. He says they help him heal.”
    “I didn’t realize he was a widower,” I said.
    Captain Leroy’s gaze remained on the choppy water. “His wife died in a car accident. She was the love of his life, and he’s never quite been the same. That’s why he feels so strongly about helping other couples. He wants people to have a happy and fulfilling marriage, just like he did. He’s made a lot of money on his books. He was a therapist in New York City for a while. His practice was thriving, for that matter. He gave it all up to start these retreats, though.”
    “It sounds like you know him well,” I said.
    “We met when I was working at a country club in Maryland. I knew both him and his wife. When he told me about these retreats and offered me a job, I couldn’t say no. Now I run the boat, do some maintenance, and anything else the doctor asks me to do.”
    “Sounds like a good fit,” Riley said.
    Captain Leroy nodded. “It is. Dr. Turner is a good man. I’ve seen a lot of couples who’ve left these sessions changed. That makes it all even more worth it—seeing someone leave with hope where there was once hopelessness.”
    My interest spiked. Maybe there was more to this retreat than I’d initially assumed. A little more of my anxiety turned into excitement.
    I sat back and felt the wind whip around me. As Riley and Leroy’s conversation veered off into fishing again, I pulled out my cell phone and tried to send a text to Sierra. It wouldn’t go through.
    What? How was that possible? I mean, we weren’t that far from civilization . . . were we?
    “There’s no service out here,” Captain Leroy said. “We’ve passed the point of no return.”
    “What?” There were actually places in the US with no