Stranded (10 page)

The charcoal-gray sky held none of yesterday's warmth. A chill bit at Darcy's cheeks as she stood on the soggy ground, mustering her courage to seek out Gage.

She glanced at the group settled around the fire, noting Ted, George, and Phillip's absence. Perhaps they were busy loading the supply ship.

Gage stalked out of the woods at the north side of camp, frustration evident on his creased brow.
Great
. He was already irritated. That would make the conversation they needed to have go so much better.

Taking a deep breath, she started toward him. “Can I talk to you?”

“What's up?” His breath shone like a swirling cloud in the cold morning air.

“Is something wrong?”

“Chef Phillip injured himself.”

“How?”

“He wandered too far off for his morning bathroom break while it was still dark and ended up stepping into some poacher's trap. Nearly cut his foot clean off.”

How had she slept through the commotion? “Is he going to be okay?”

“George had gone for a predawn hike and heard Phillip hollering. Good thing, because he'd gone well beyond earshot of camp. If George hadn't been out there, Phillip could have easily bled out before any of us found him.”

“But he's all right?”

“I hope so. I haven't seen him. Ted and George made the call to head straight back for the
Bering
with Phillip on the supply ship.”

“They're gone?”

“Left over an hour ago. Clint was waiting to tell me when I stepped from my tent.” He was clearly irritated he had been left out of the decision-making process.

“What about the tents, the supplies?”

“We'll bring what we can safely carry on the kayaks—at least the personal stuff—and the
Bering
will have to send the supply ship back out to pick up the rest, or figure out something else if they don't have time before the cruise continues.”

Piper and Kayden hurried toward them.

“Clint just told us what happened,” Kayden said.

“Is Phillip going to be okay?” Piper asked.

“I think so. Clint said they moved quickly because of the amount of blood Phillip had already lost. But they should be able to get him stabilized in the ship's clinic.”

“They've already headed back with the supply ship,” Darcy said to Piper, hoping, since nothing could be done anyway, that she'd let her off the hook, not insist she tell Gage about her fear of water. He had so much on his mind with the circumstances . . . surely it could wait.

“He still needs to know,” Piper said.

“Know what?” Gage asked, his eyes narrowing.

Darcy exhaled, anticipating the blowback that would no doubt be coming. “I can't swim.”

He dipped his head. “Excuse me?”

She swallowed. “I can't swim—I'm terrified of water.”

“And you didn't think that was worth mentioning before climbing in a kayak?”

“I was wearing a life preserver when I was in the kayak. Not everyone that steps aboard a boat knows how to swim.”

“Yes, but you're talking about kayaking Class IV rapids. If you get tossed from the craft . . .”

“Then I'll have my life preserver on.”

“What's going on?” Clint asked, stepping into the huddle. “Something else wrong?”

Darcy grimaced. The guy had impeccable timing. She looked at Gage, pleading with her eyes for him to not out her to Clint.

Gage's jaw tightened. “Just discussing how we're going to get the supplies back to the ship.”

She mouthed
thank you
, but he simply turned and walked away.

Gage, Kayden, and Clint distributed the participants' packs evenly among the kayaks, while Jake saw to loading what he could of the McKennas' supplies. Jake worked with efficiency and great care to assure the integrity of the equipment remained—equipment they'd be relying on to keep them dry and protected for the remainder of the voyage excursions.

“You should wear a water-repellant fleece beneath your life vest,” Gage said, finally speaking to Darcy after an incredibly tense hour. “It's going to be a cold and damp one today.”

All she'd brought on the cruise was her regular fleece.

“You don't have one, do you?” he asked.

“I didn't know I'd need one.” Everything had happened so rapidly, it was a wonder she'd managed to pack what she had.

He slid his jacket off and handed it to her. “Here. It'll be loose, but it's better than nothing, and we'll adjust your life vest accordingly.”

“No. I couldn't.” He'd have nothing but his long-sleeved T-shirt to keep him warm.

“I've got a windbreaker that'll work fine.”

But wouldn't keep him nearly as warm.

“I insist.” He tugged her to him—he had the most annoying habit of doing that—and slipped her arms into the warm fleece. It was the same heather gray of his eyes and smelled like him—a sensual mixture of sandalwood and the sea. He zipped her up and rolled the sleeves so her hands showed, then stood back and assessed her. “It'll do. Let's get your preserver on. We need to make sure you stay safe, considering the circumstances.”

She didn't bother fighting him, just let him adjust her accordingly, securing her in the life vest with great care. Gage's attention, even though focused on her safety rather than her person, felt enthralling.

“What?” he questioned at her staring.

“Just watching you work.”

He tightened the last strap. “You're all set.”

She nodded, reveling in the warmth of his fleece and of his tender care. How could he be so caring one moment, and so judgmental and frustrating the next?

“Stick close to Landon. Yesterday's conditions are going to seem like splashing in a kiddie pool compared to today's.”

She clasped her hand on his before he could pull away. “Thank you.”

“Not like I have a choice. Supply boat's gone.”

“But I . . .” There was so much she wanted to say—where did she even start?

Gage lifted his chin. “Here comes your friend.”

She turned to find Clint strolling toward her, then back to find Gage walking away.

“Looks like you've got an admirer,” Clint said.

“Gage? Nah, he's just making sure we're all safe.”

Clint studied Gage double-checking the rest of the passengers' vests. “Seems to have spent a lot more time with you.”

Landon joined them. “You ready, sport?” He squeezed Darcy's shoulder.

She nodded, feeling anything but.

“See ya out there.” Clint winked and headed for his kayak.

Landon leaned in, lowering his voice to a whisper. “Piper and Gage apprised me of the situation. Don't worry, I'll stick close. We'll get through this.”

“Thanks.”

“We should get out there before we hold anyone up.”

Stepping in her kayak, she fought to ignore the terror rushing over her. Once again she dropped into the boat and breathed a deep and heartfelt prayer. She looked at the mushy sand with frustration. She'd left her paddle on the beach.

Gage spotted it and headed toward her before she could climb back out of the red kayak.

“Forget something?” He handed it over.

She gripped the metal as if it were her only hold on life. “Thanks.”

Gage nodded, clearly hesitant to leave her side.

“We ready?” Kayden asked.

Gage shifted his gaze to the group, once again waiting impatiently on him and Darcy.

“Yep. We're set.” He glanced back at Darcy one last time. “Stay safe out there.”

“Will do.”

Once they'd pushed off from shore, Landon butted his kayak against hers. “Be sure to stick to me like glue. If you need
anything
, you let me know. Okay?”

She nodded, following him into the bay. Last night's rain still lingered in the burgeoning waves and whitecaps. Gage had said they'd paddle a quarter mile along the shore to where the bay met up with the Akalux River. She could do this.

Gage eyed the rapids ahead with trepidation. For an experienced kayaker, they were going to be a blast; for an intermediate, a challenge, but for Darcy . . .

He glanced back. She shouldn't be in the water,
period
. But at this point, they had no choice. He could, however, reshuffle. He'd have Jake take over his group at the front, move each of the other leaders up a group, move Landon up to Piper's group, and lead Darcy through himself.

He waved Jake forward during the calmest passage they were likely to encounter. Time was short. They had a couple minutes max before they'd be within the rapids' pull.

He stalled slightly as Jake paddled to his side. “I need you to take lead with my team. I'm going to help Darcy through the rapids.”

“Should she even attempt it?”

“
Should
and
will
are two different matters.”

With a slight shake of his head, Jake pushed forward without any further complaint.

He continued his way back to Kayden and then Piper, garnering the stares of the passengers as he passed.

“Everything okay?” Clint asked.

“Just giving the others a taste of the froth.” He lifted his chin toward the rapids. “I'm going to cover the rear.”

“Stinks to be you.” Clint smiled, clearly enamored with the day's ride and the action ahead.

Shuffling Piper up was easy. She'd already assessed the situation and, as always, was eager to help in any way she could. Piper glanced back as Gage approached her fiancé.

He lifted his chin to Landon. “Move up to Piper's group. I'll take Darcy through.”

Landon nodded, a measure of relief crossing his brow. Landon was a fine kayaker, but he'd never led a beginner through such a challenging pass. The rain had knocked the rapids up. It was going to be one bumpy ride.

“You can stay up front.” Darcy continued to paddle, determination evident on her perspiring brow. “I'll be fine.” A shaft of sunlight beat down through the clouds, but its warmth wasn't causing the moisture on her brow. He watched her chest rising and falling, studying her hurried breaths. She was scared.

“Settle down. I'll get you through this.”

“I told you, I'm fine.”

His brow dipped. “I'm not sure if you're being arrogant or ignorant.”

“I'm holding my own.”

“So far, yes, but we've had a pretty smooth path. The road's about to get real bumpy.”

She shifted her gaze past him, and her eyes widened at the rapids swirling thirty yards ahead.

“We've got a strong current along with pounding surf where the river dumps out on the island's eastern shore. You're going to need my help if you hope to make it through this passage in one piece.”

Gage instructed the entire excursion team to circle up before the current pulled any of them into the section of the rapids called the Crush Zone. “The important thing to remember going through this passage is to avoid the hole.”

Darcy looked at Gage.

“The flow in the hole forms a recirculating vortex that if you're pulled into can prove extremely difficult to escape from. This area is particularly tricky as we have the white-water rapids mixing with the ocean current beneath the vortex, flushing up through the sea caves.”

“Sea caves?” Heath's face lit. “Cool!”

“Not cool.” Gage shook his head. “The wave height might not be that high out here, but in the caves they compress. You could be entrapped or smashed against the rocks.”

Amber's eyes widened.

“He's just trying to frighten you.” Heath chuckled at his fiancée.

“You're right,” Gage said. “I am. This is serious. Avoid the hole at all costs. Take the upper route around its edge, where the current is weakest.” He pointed out the direction he wanted them to go.

“You mean the boring way around,” Heath grumbled.

“The safe way,” Gage reiterated. “Stick with your team and follow your guide's lead. Everyone understand?”

Everyone nodded, but Darcy didn't miss the irritation on Heath's face. Gage was right. He was going to be trouble, but she couldn't worry about him. Her job was to stick like glue to Gage through the pass. She wouldn't risk getting pulled toward the caves.

“I'm going to send the groups through in a different order,” Gage said. “Kayden, you'll take your group through first.”

Darcy watched as Henry and his two sons studiously followed Gage's sister in a wide arc around the hole's path, as Gage had instructed.

Landon went next with the two married couples. Again they followed Landon's lead and Darcy breathed a slight sigh of relief after they'd safely made it past the danger zone. Jake's group made it through cleanly as well—even Heath moderated his daredevil posturing and maintained a safe route. She could do this. She could trust Gage to lead her through.

Gage signaled for Piper to go next with Whitney, Clint, and the newlyweds. Piper led while Clint took the rear of the tiny group. As Piper and the newlyweds crested the far end of the Crush Zone, Gage readied to signal Darcy to move.

“Now?” Her chest tightened.

He smiled. “Now or never. Just follow me. Stroke for stroke.”

She nodded and gripped the paddle until her fingers burned. She followed Gage along the edge. The vortex grew closer with each stroke, and she could feel the current fighting to drag her under. Fear pricked her spine, her vision narrowing.

Not now. Don't panic. You will get through this. It's not the same. It's not the same.

Gage angled against the current, and she struggled to do the same, her craft not cooperating nearly as smoothly as Gage's. Panic rose in her chest, heating her limbs as rain began to fall.

A piercing scream tore from Whitney's lips.

Darcy's gaze flashed to Whitney flailing in her kayak, smacking at the water with her paddle.
What is . . . ?

Before she could finish her thought, the current grabbed hold, swirling her craft around at a dizzying speed. She'd given up her attention for one second, and that's all it had taken.

Her name tore from Gage's lips.

The current pulled strong, yanking her toward the swirling vortex.

No. Not again. Please, God, not again.

She caught sight of movement ahead. Was that Clint coming for her? He rounded the far side of the hole only to be smashed against the rocks. A guttural moan escaped his lips.

Movement swirled all around, the colorful kayaks and life vests moving toward her, but it was too late.

The vortex sucked her in, the waves swelling over her as her kayak rolled, pinning her beneath. Salt water stung her eyes; water filled her throat, burning her nostrils.

A whoosh rushed around her, and the kayak shifted, the front end nose-diving and then jettisoning up with frightening speed.

Gage grounded his kayak and ran into the water after Darcy, with Jake following. One minute Darcy's red kayak was visible, the next it upended, and now only the smallest
tip showed above the surface. She was being sucked into the sea caves. The wash was strong; it would pin her down. He only hoped it would pop her above the surface once inside instead of smashing her against the rocks.

Kayden moved to assist Clint at the far end of the wash as Gage waded into the swirling rapids. Grabbing the guide rope Jake tossed his way, he wrapped it through the safety loop of his vest and triggered the strobe mounted just above it. Taking a large gulp of air, he dove beneath the surface into the heart of the vortex.

The swirling whirlpool drew him down, pulling him to the bottom and then propelling him up into the sea cave's wash. The strobe illuminated Darcy's kayak—nose down, embedded in the sand of the sea cave floor. She was struggling to free herself. He swam to her side and, pulling the utility knife from his pants pocket, worked to cut her loose. Her eyes widened and quickened in the flash of his strobe—but not on him, rather on something over his shoulder. He kicked, swimming up above the cave's waterline with Darcy practically limp in his arms.

“Body,” she gurgled, gulping for air.

“You're hurt? Where?”

“No.” She spluttered. “Down there.”

“What?”

“There's a body. A person.” As she pointed, her eyes widened again.

Gage followed her outstretched hand, directing his strobe at the head of a person bobbing above the water's surface. “We need to get back up top.”

“But . . .”

“I'll get you to safety, and then we'll contact local search and rescue to help us retrieve the body.”

She was shivering beside him, and he feared she wasn't registering what he was saying.

He cupped her face. “Darc, look at me.” He caressed her cold cheeks. “Let's focus on getting you back to the surface, and then we'll see to the body. Do you understand?”

She nodded, her lips paling in the cold water.

They needed to move fast; hypothermia was no doubt already setting in. “We're going to have to dive back under and then swim up through the vortex.”

“What? Are you crazy?”

“There are only two ways out of here, and the way we came in is safest.”

“How on earth can you say that?”

“The other end of the cave system is littered with boulders and is pummeled by surging waves.”

“And the way we came in was a picnic?”

He smiled. At least she was getting her fight back. That was a good sign.

“See this?” He lifted the guide rope attached to his vest. “Jake's got the other end. We tug twice to signal we're ready to come up, and he'll make sure we get there.”

“You're saying . . . ?”

“I swim you back under and out.”

She shook her head, her skin pearly white in the strobe's light. “I can't.”

“We have to, honey. I'll do all the work. You just have to hold on.” He stepped behind her. “I'm going to latch you to me.”

“What?” She squirmed as he secured her vest to the guide rope and locked his arm under hers and across her chest in a secure hold.

“I'll swim you out as if you're unconscious.”

“If you do, then everyone will know I can't swim.”

“Darcy, you could have died and you're worried about what everyone else will think?”

“I have to.”

“No. What you have to do is live. Now, take a deep breath.”

He didn't give her time to argue, just tugged on the rope twice and dove back under the water, fighting his way to the surface, his hold on her steadfast and unwavering.