Chapter 43

43

Every muscle in his body burned as Caleb hauled Grace out of the water. Her body pressed against his chest as he dragged her up the last few steps. He sensed her flagging energy, the way she sagged against him, her arm draped limply around the back of his neck.

The savage pitch of the boat made each step a treacherous gamble, sending him crashing against the walls, his shoulders taking the brunt of the impact as he shielded her with his body. Just a little further.

He gritted his teeth against the pain that speared through his limbs. Get her to safety. That's all that matters.

As they staggered out onto the deck, the bite of fresh air seemed to breathe new life into her. She lifted her head, her eyes meeting his, a brilliant smile spreading across her face despite the rattle of her teeth. "We made it."

Her head dropped before he could answer, her body wracked by violent shivers.

Fuck.

Fear spiked through his heart. She wore no protective clothing, her thin shirt offering no defense against the biting cold. The risk of hypothermia was high. He had to get her to safety and warmed up before the sea claimed the Far Horizon.

He touched his comms, wincing at the loud hiss as he scanned the sky for a glimpse of the Jayhawk.

"Coast Guard Rescue 1909, this is Swimmer one." He kept his voice steady over the howl of the wind. "I have the survivor on deck. She's showing signs of hypothermia. Requesting immediate evacuation. Over."

His eyes never left the stormy sky as the seconds stretched into an eternity.

Come on, come on.

A burst of static crackled in his ear. "Swimmer one, this is Coast Guard Rescue 1909. We have visual on your location. ETA two minutes. Prepare for extraction. Over."

"Caleb." Her voice was a throaty gasp. Grace raised a hand and pointed. A white strobe of light pierced a cloud and the orange form of the Mohawk appeared above them, flashlight flooding the deck.

"Roger that, Coast Guard Rescue 1909. Preparing for extraction. Out." He ended the transmission, switching his attention immediately back to Grace.

The whoop of the Jayhawk's rotors filled the air as the helicopter descended, the downwash whipping the waves into a frenzy, the orange rescue basket spinning toward him.

"I'm so tired." Grace sagged against him, trembling.

"I've got you." He caught her chin between her fingers, held her gaze. "We're going up together, okay? I'm not leaving you."

Grace nodded, but her whole body was shaking. She clung to him, her fingers digging into his arm as she battled to stay upright.

Caleb tracked the progress of the spinning basket. His eyes narrowed against horizontal rain as he calculated the best approach. The wind was making it difficult for Henley to control the descent, and the basket twisted in the air like a pendulum gone mad.

"Get ready," he shouted over the roar of the rotors, locking his grip on Grace. "When I say ‘now,' we're going to move. Just follow my lead."

Grace gave his arm a squeeze. Despite everything, there was still strength in her grip. His woman was a fighter till the last.

The basket was almost upon them now, the orange bright against the gray sky. Caleb tensed, his eyes locked on the twisting target.

"Now!" His voice was a thunderclap above the storm.

He lunged forward, arm outstretched, his fingers closing around the basket edge. The impact sent pain shooting through his shoulder, but he ignored it, too focused on the woman beside him.

He scooped Grace up in his arms and lifted her in, his muscles screaming as he fought the wind and the weight of her waterlogged clothing. She did her best to help, dragging her legs over the basket's edge. As soon as she was safely inside, Caleb climbed in beside her, pressing his body against hers in the cramped space.

He wrapped his arms around her and brushed his lips across her forehead. "I've got you, and I'm never letting go."

He pressed the comms button on his helmet. "Swimmer to Coast Guard Rescue 1909. Survivor and I are in the basket. Survivor is conscious but shows signs of hypothermia. Over."

He waited for the response, his arms still tight around Grace, shielding her from the worst of the wind and spray.

"Coast Guard Rescue 1909 to Swimmer. Roger that. Preparing for extraction. Medical team is standing by. Maintain position and secure survivor. Out."

With a jerk, the basket rose, swaying in the crazy wind as it lifted them to the Jayhawk.

Finally, the winch locked into place, and the basket hung in front of the open door. Henley reached out and grabbed the cable, guiding them into the aircraft.

The steady thrum of the helicopter's rotors replaced the deafening roar of the storm as Henley secured the basket.

Relief poured through Caleb. Home.

A firm hand gripped his shoulder, lodging him in reality. "Caleb, you need to let go of her, man, so I can assess her condition."

Ryder. Caleb blinked, momentarily disorientated. With a nod, he forced himself to release his hold on Grace, stepping aside to allow Ryder room to work. He took a deep breath, attempting to clear the emotional turmoil that clouded his thoughts.

Ryder kneeled beside Grace as he checked her vital signs. Retrieving specialized blankets from his trauma kit, he began the delicate process of gradually rewarming her body and stabilizing her core temperature.

Outside, the Far Horizon was almost submerged beneath the churning waves, a ghostly white gleam as she sank from sight. Caleb forced back the lump that threatened to form in his throat and turned his attention back to the woman who was his entire world.

Ryder was strapping her into a seat. When he finished, he turned to face Caleb, his eyes filled with concern. "That was fucking hairy. I need to check you over, too."

Caleb gave a clipped nod. "In a minute."

He kneeled in front of Grace and took her hands in his. So small, but these hands belonged to a fighter. This woman possessed hidden strength. He kissed each hand, tasting salt on her skin, grateful for the skill to rescue her.

He didn't want to hide anymore. Even if there were no guarantees in life, he could still choose to live. The risk of loving her, of building a life with her, was one he was willing to take.

"Nothing and no one is going to come between us ever again." He cupped the back of her head, threading his fingers through her damp, tangled hair. "Do you hear that?"

Her eyes fluttered open and focussed on him, a flicker of a smile touching her still-bluish lips. "I do."

"No more secrets." Caleb cupped her face in his hands, smoothing the wet strands of hair from her cheeks with his thumbs before capturing her mouth with a kiss.

A tiny moan escaped her, and she leaned into the kiss, into him.

Nothing had ever felt sweeter.