‘You know, when I said I was coming for the weekend I expected sun, surf, and sand,’ Erik complained as our boat roared across the open water and back out to the capsized vessel. ‘Not a rescue mission.’
I elbowed my brother in the gut, shooting him a droll stare.
After talking to him on Thursday, he’d jumped the first plane to the nearest city and driven down to lend a hand. Between the news crews, Navy, coast guard, and emergency services—not to mention those we’d managed to rescue from the ship—the population of Capricorn Cove had tripled overnight.
Three days after it had first run into trouble, the end of the rescue was beginning to come into sight. Of the three thousand people on the cruise ship, only the crew remained aboard. If all went well, everyone would be safe in the next few hours.
And, thanks to the cruisers quick-thinking Captain, if nothing happened between now and then, it would be the largest successful rescue operation in Astipia’s history.
Ella’s voice came over the radio, clear, strong, and reassuring as she relayed orders and coordinated with boats on the harbor.
‘Your woman is a keeper,’ Erik murmured as Ella finished. ‘She knows how to keep her cool in a tough situation.’
In the last seventy-two hours I’d managed to only steal minutes of Ella’s time. Between transporting passengers, supporting refueling, and preventing media and tourists from approaching the wreck—not to mention her own duties as the coordinator—our free time had been minimal.
‘She’s incredible,’ I agreed.
Erik gave me a side-eye.
‘What?’
He shrugged. ‘Just thinking.’
‘I know that look.’
He chuckled. ‘The look that says, ‘hey. I’m an awesome guy capable of holding three babies at once’?’
My brother had made the news the night before after holding three screaming babies while their mother disembarked the boat. The photo of a grateful parent standing next to a laughing Erik had made international news this morning. And, according to our family chat, he had three fan pages set up in his honor.
‘No, it’s you’re ‘ask me what I’m thinking’ look.’
‘I’m just thinking about you and Ella.’
I narrowed my eyes. ‘What about me and Ella?’
He shrugged. ‘The woman is a keeper. But I don’t see her leaving the Cove any time soon.’
Didn’t I know it.
I glanced away, rubbing a hand over my chest. ‘I’ll convince her.’
‘All I’m saying is, maybe there are other options.’
Movement caught my attention. Shielding my eyes from the ocean glare, I spotted a jet boat racing toward the capsized ship. ‘Hold that thought, I think we’ve got our first dickhead of the day.’
Our job today was to provide backup in case the Navy and coast guard needed assistance to get the crew from the cruise ship back to the Cove. In addition, we were asked to prevent any sticky beakers from getting in the way of the rescue operation.
‘I see him,’ Honey called from the cockpit. ‘You guys get ready for an intercept.’
Our boat sped toward the disaster tourists, Collins lifting a megaphone to belt out a warning.
‘This is a restricted area. If you stay in this zone, you will be fined.’
The boat, crammed with young idiots, ignored us.
‘Fuck I hate people.’ I glanced over my shoulder at Honey. ‘Bring her alongside, I’ll see if I can reason with them.’
‘Good luck.’
We drew alongside the vessel, forcing them to slow.
‘You have to turn around.’
The captain, a guy who I pegged as being in his mid-twenties, raised his middle finger, flicking us the bird.
‘Oh man.’ Erik shook his head. ‘We’re gonna have to call in the sworn guys, get them to deal with it.’
I nodded. ‘Collins?’
‘On it.’ She lifted the radio, calling it in.
‘Hey, fuck you! This is a free space!’ One of the passengers lifted a can of beer. ‘Fuck you!’
I dodged the first can. ‘Hey! Calm—’
The second can I saw a split second before everything went black.
Ella
Anika smacked a paperback down in front of me.
‘Eat,’ she demanded, crossing her arms over her chest. ‘Now.’
I ignored my friend, narrowing my eyes at the radio operator beside me. Maeve held up her hands in surrender.
‘Don’t blame me, it was your boyfriend that told her.’
‘And good thing he did.’ Anika tapped the bag. ‘No food and minimal sleep? Ella, you know better than this.’
I sighed, rolling my eyes. ‘It’s not as if I haven’t eaten this whole time. I ate lunch.’
Beside me Maeve coughed, the traitor revealing my deepest secrets. ‘Yesterday.’
I could practically see the steam exploding from Ani’s ears.
‘Yesterday?’ she repeated. ‘Yesterday? Ella Renee Artemis Bronze, yesterday?’
Anika wasn’t an official coast guard volunteer, instead volunteering as the president of the town’s food bank. But during emergencies, you could always find her in our food van cranking out delicious, wholesome meals for anyone who needed them.
I sighed, knowing I wouldn’t get any relief from my best friend.
‘Maeve, you okay if I get a quick bite for a few minutes?’
‘Half an hour,’ Anika ordered.
‘Fine, half an hour.’
She nodded, her stunning blue eyes dancing with amusement. ‘I’ll be fine. We’re only expecting the next transfers anyway. The real work won’t start back up for another hour or so.’
Discarding my headset, I allowed Anika to drag me from the makeshift control room and out into the sunshine.
‘Gorgeous day.’ I tipped my face toward the sun.
‘Sit.’ She stabbed a finger at a park bench. ‘Eat.’
With a sigh, I sat, opening the paper bag to find a couscous and lamb salad, some flatbread, two pieces of fruit, and a cookie.
‘You’re the best.’
‘I am,’ she agreed, taking a seat beside me. ‘Now eat.’
With a small sigh, I dug into my mountain of food, nearly moaning when the flavors hit my tongue. My stomach rumbled in appreciation, the poorly abused organ roaring to life.
We didn’t speak until Anika was satisfied I’d eaten enough to be comfortable.
‘So,’ she said, glancing at her wristwatch. ‘You still have five minutes before you’re due back. Hit me with it.’
I raised an eyebrow, my mouth full of cookie.
‘The thing that’s got you avoiding the man you’re apparently shacked up with.’
‘Nothing.’
‘Ella.’ She crossed her arms, giving me a look. ‘I’ve known you since we were twelve years old and both faking a period to get out of swimming class. Tell me what’s happening.’
I sighed, wrapping up the remainder of my cookie. ‘Gunnar… did something.’
‘Do I need to kill him?’
I smiled. ‘No. But he was simultaneously an ass and giving me my wildest dreams. I don’t know how to process it.’
She glanced at her watch again. ‘You’ve got four minutes. Give me the cliff notes.’
With as much abbreviated detail as I could muster, I explained Gunnar’s misstep.
‘So the guy wants you enough to move you across the country but not enough to have a conversation with you or recognize that you’re also tied to your own town—did I get that?’
I chuckled. ‘Spot on.’
She nodded. ‘I’d like to reiterate my initial position that one-night stands are preferable to relationships. You don’t have to deal with any of this nonsense.’
‘Noted. I’ll try to do better next time.’
She reached out to muss my hair. ‘Don’t sweat it, little friend. Be firm in your boundaries and clear in your communication. If it’s meant to be, it will be.’
‘But what if I want it to be and he can’t compromise?’
She sighed. ‘Then you’ll have to. And as much as it pains me to say this—if he’s the one you really want, noting I’m not sure you can really decide that in the short time you’ve been together, then I’ll support you.’ She pulled me in for a hug. ‘You’ll work it out.’
I squeezed her tight, accepting the comfort she offered.
‘I love you.’
‘I know.’ She sat back. ‘I’m too awesome not to love.’
I laughed, giving her a shove. ‘And modest too.’
‘Ella?’
I straightened, stiffening at the Chief’s call. My head twisted, spotting him striding toward us across the park. I rose, meeting him halfway.
‘What’s wrong?’
He shook his head. ‘Look, I don’t know how to say this but… Gunnar’s had an accident.’
And just like that, the bottom fell out of my world.
I clutched Gunnar’s hand as the paramedics rolled him down the corridor into the hospital.
‘I’m fine,’ he grumbled. ‘This is nothing but an overreaction. Give me some painkillers and send me home.’
‘You got hit with a can and passed out. Your head is cracked open and you’re bleeding, Gunnar. I’m not letting you leave here until you get an x-ray and stitches.’
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw the paramedics exchange an amused glance.
‘You should listen to your girlfriend,’ one of them advised. ‘She’s right. Head injuries need to be taken seriously.’
‘I’d take it more seriously if I wasn’t half-naked,’ Gunnar muttered, squinting against the bright lights in the hall.
‘He’s the one who stripped off. Said he didn’t want to be covered in blood,’ Erik called from down the hall, trailing behind us. ‘I tried to stop him but it was no use. Apparently, he just had to be naked.’
The stretcher rolled to a stop as one of the paramedics broke off, moving towards the nurse’s station.
‘Won’t be long,’ the other told us cheerfully. ‘Jim’s just checking you in. They’ll get you settled in a room in a moment.’
I continued to grip Gunnar’s hand, needing the reassuring heat of his skin against mine.
‘Ella?’
I glanced down at Gunnar.
‘You should go back. They need you.’
‘You need me more,’ I snapped, soothing a gentle hand over his cheek. ‘There are other people who can help.’
A slow smile crept across his face. ‘You still love me.’
‘I—’
‘Ella?’
Grateful for the interruption, I turned, a relieved smile lifting my lips. ‘Blue! Thank the Gods.’
Blue stopped in front of Gunnar’s bed, her hands going to her hips. ‘I hear you’ve been in the war, young man.’
Gunnar laughed then groaned, clutching his head. ‘Shit, don’t make me laugh.’
She tutted, gripping the end of the stretcher. ‘Let’s get you to a room.’
She took charge, easily steering us down a corridor as the paramedics briefed her on Gunnar’s condition. In the small curtained space, they transferred him from the stretcher to a bed, wishing us luck before they left.
‘Now,’ Blue tucked a stray chunk of her dark hair behind her ear. ‘Tell me what happened.’
Erik answered, explaining the confrontation and Gunnar’s injury.
Blue nodded, checking Gunnar’s vitals. ‘Any vomiting?’
I listened as Erik answered her questions, stroking my thumb over Gunnar’s hand.
‘No. He passed out for twenty minutes. Lots of blood but seems in decent condition.’
‘Any confusion?’
Erik settled in the chair beside the bed. ‘He doesn’t remember the first hour after the incident.’
She nodded, making a note on her clipboard. ‘Any change in behavior?’
‘A little aggression but it’s settled now.’
‘I’m right here. I can speak for myself you know,’ Gunnar protested, as Blue shone a light in his squinting eyes. ‘It’s just a headache and a tiny cut.’
She snorted. ‘The doctor will confirm but it’s looking like a concussion. You don’t want to be like someone I know who thought it was ‘just a tiny bump’ and ended up with a horrible concussion for three months.’
A memory popped into my head. ‘That was Drake, wasn’t it?’
Blue shot me a surprised look. ‘You remember that?’
I chuckled. ‘Of course. He had to take all that time off school. You and Dane seemed like lost little lambs without him.’
She blushed, her hair falling forward to cover her expression. ‘That was a long time ago.’
‘Your brothers?’ Gunnar asked.
Blue shook her head. ‘No, they were foster kids my parents looked after until they aged out of the system. They’re in the Navy now.’
The privacy curtain snapped open, an older woman wearing a funky shirt and capri pants entered the small space.
‘I’m Doctor Peg. Let’s see what we’re working with.’ She took the offered chart, listening intently as Blue explained Gunnar’s situation.
With a brisk bedside manner, she checked him over, unwrapping the bandage from around his head, and making a little tutting sound when she examined the sliced skin.
‘Let’s run an MRI just to be sure there’s no internal bleeding. I suspect not but I want to be sure before we send you home.’ She removed her gloves. ‘Blue, can you please organize a tetanus shot and painkillers—I’ll make a note on his chart of the dosage—and clean the wound area. I’ll staple it after the MRI.’
She offered us a reassuring smile. ‘If the MRI comes back fine, we’ll send you home tonight.’
‘And if it doesn’t?’ I asked, my gut twisting anxiously.
‘We’ll deal with that if it happens. Likely overnight observations at the very least but we’ll see what the scans come back with.’
I nodded, Gunnar’s hand squeezing mine.
‘We’ll be right back with the shot.’ They both exited, drawing the curtain closed behind them.
‘Hey,’ Gunnar said softly, drawing my attention to him. His eyes were still narrowed and his brow pinched as if he were trying to avoid the light. ‘I’m fine. It’ll all be okay.’
I drew in a shuddering breath. ‘I’m meant to be reassuring you.’
‘Yeah well, you can make it up to me with a sponge bath later.’
‘And that’s my cue to leave.’ Erik stood, stretching. ‘I’ll just go get a coffee or something. Ella, you want anything?’
I shook my head.
‘I’ll get you a donut just in case.’
I chuckled, watching as he left. ‘Your brother is ridiculous.’
‘If you think that then I’m worried about what you’ll think of the rest of my family.’
I reached out to brush fingers across his brow. ‘I should call them, make sure they know you’re okay.’
He groaned, his eyes closing. ‘How about we wait for the MRI results first?’
‘Gunnar… what happens if you go into a coma? I don’t know all your medical history. Does Erik?’
‘Fuck no. He’s a great brother but barely remembers my birthday let alone medical shit.’ He sighed dramatically. ‘Fine, but don’t call Liv. She’s a nut and will freak out.’
Gunnar had four younger siblings—Erik, Liv, Astrid, and Rune. While Eric shared the running of the shipbuilding business with Gunnar, the other siblings had branched out into their own careers. Liv was a television producer, Astrid was at college finishing a master’s in Architecture, while Rune ran a bookstore.
‘I’ll call your mom. What’s her number?’
He rattled it off as I pressed the digits into my mobile.
It was answered on the third ring. ‘Hello, Larsson residence; this is Jemma?’
‘Mrs. Larsson?’
‘Yes?’
I swallowed, feeling strangely nervous. ‘This is Ella. I’m here with Gunnar who’s—’
‘Oh, Ella! Hello! Please, call me Jemma. I’ve been dying to talk with you. How is my boy? Treating you well, I hope?’
I swallowed, making big eyes at Gunnar who rolled his then grimaced.
‘Um, yeah he is. Only he’s had an accident. He’s a wake and functioning, just a laceration on his head that will require staples, and a suspected concussion. They’re doing an MRI to double check there’s nothing they’ve missed but they’re positive at the moment.’
A beat of silence followed.
‘Ella?’ Jemma’s voice had changed, her tone serious.
‘Yes?’
‘Put Gunnar on, please.’
I glanced at him. ‘Um, sure.’ I held the phone out to him. ‘Your Mom wants a word.’
He sighed heavily, accepting the cell phone. ‘Hi Ma.’
I could hear the shrieks from where I sat. Gunnar winced, pulling the phone away from his ear.
‘Ma, calm down. It’s not a big deal. No, I wasn’t being an idiot. Some dick threw a beer can at me and I hit my head when I fell over. No, I wouldn’t have died. Yes, I understand you want grandchildren. Yes, she’s very nice. Yes, I love her. Yes, I’ve told her. No, I don’t need you to come here. No, I’m fine.’
He sighed heavily.
‘Ma. Ma. Ma! Put Dad on.’
My body warmed, a happy little fire crackling in my gut as his admission of loving me.
‘Dad? Yeah, I’m fine. A bump to the head and a cut. Yep, couple of staples because of the location. Nah, we’re fine. Ella’s good.’ He shot me a smile. ‘Yep, Erik’s here. Sure, I’ll keep you posted. Thanks.’
There was a pause then another eyeroll followed by an immediate grimace. ‘Love you too. Here’s Ella.’
He handed the phone back to me.
‘Hello?’
‘Ella, it’s Sune. Thanks for taking care of our boy.’
Gunnar’s dad had the same booming voice as his son and I couldn’t help but smile upon hearing it.
‘Oh, no problem. He’s easy to care for.’
Gunnar reached out to entwine our fingers.
‘Keep us posted. If you need anything let us know. He’s got a thick head so I expect they’ll send him home where he’ll act like a man-child for at least a few days. Don’t let him fool you with the poor-little-me act.’
I grinned, already liking his parents. ‘I’ll keep that in mind.’
‘Call us once you know more.’
‘Will do,’ I promised.
‘Bye, Ella.’
‘Bye.’ I hung up, sliding the phone back into my pocket.
‘Thanks,’ Gunnar sighed. ‘Sorry, they’re nutty.’
I lifted one shoulder in a half-shrug. ‘I don’t know, they seem pretty normal to me.’
He raised an eyebrow. ‘Normal? Shit, what do I have to expect from your family?’
‘Oh, Viking.’ I raised up, leaning over the bed to press a kiss to his forehead. ‘I have four brothers. You can expect all the crazy.’
