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THRASHING MORE THAN swimming in the deep, dark water, Rivers aimed toward the shore. The surf splattering her face spurred panic. Wild ideas flashed through her mind—terrifying movies she’d watched where sharks circled before attacking. Her chest tightened, and she swam harder.
A good bit of water lay between them and the bank, so she needed to stop freaking out. Maybe Cooper knew how to keep them safe. She glanced over her shoulder for a glimpse of his face.
Where was he?
Nothing. She stopped swimming and flipped onto her back for a better view.
Still on the boat behind the captain’s chair, he stood holding a fire extinguisher. He couldn’t seem to get it to work. Why hadn’t he jumped in with her?
Flames burst from the motor, towering several feet, orange against the blue sky.
Rivers could barely breathe, but she forced her voice out. “Cooper, jump!”
He turned toward her with a torn expression.
“Please!”
He moved to the front edge of the boat. “I’m—”
An explosion rent the air, throwing debris high before plummeting shrapnel into the water. Her heart catapulted to her throat.
“Cooper? Cooper!” Oh, God, where is he? She kicked back toward the wreckage floating on the surface. Let him be okay.
A cloud of black smoke ballooned from the remnants of the boat, incongruent with the white clouds above. As she swam closer, she turned in circles trying to locate him in the chaos.
God, help us.
A wave splatted against her, and she blinked against the salt water burning her eyes. A spot of orange materialized near the flaming vessel. Her heart leapt, and she swam hard toward it.
As she neared, her heart thrashed in her chest. Cooper. He wasn’t moving. His skin was a ghostly white. His life vest had kept his face above water, but clearly the blast had walloped him.
“Cooper, can you hear me?” She cradled his head in her hands. “Wake up, please.”
A trickle of red ran down his temple. Her breath stuttered. His face seemed so lifeless. White spots clouded her vision. Images of Jordan crowded her mind, the blood seeping from his chest.
No! He can’t be gone. “Cooper, you have to stay with me.” Was he breathing? She placed her hand near his mouth and nose, hoping to feel air coming and going, keeping him alive. Maybe she felt something. So hard to tell.
She wiped a strand of damp hair from his eyes. “I need you. Please don’t leave. I don’t care what anyone thinks about us.”
What should she do? She had to keep heading to shore, pulling him with her. Gripping the back of his vest, she kicked, keeping the lighthouse in sight as a guide. With wobbly arms and fatiguing legs, she continued a steady pace. The currents seemed to fight her every move. Desperation swamped her hope as the waves pulled them back toward the fire.
“Oh, God, I need help.”
Behind her, a motor rumbled, and her heart skipped. She flipped onto her back, still holding Cooper.
“Miss, are you okay?” An older man called from the side of a fishing boat.
“Help him!”
“That thing might blow again.” The man piloting the vessel motioned toward the fire.
The boat angled sideways, and the first man leaned over the side. “Please hurry, miss.” He eyed the flames still consuming Shane’s boat.
“Him first. Careful. He’s hurt.”
“We’ll get him. Cut the motor, Clyde, and come back here.” He tore off his shirt and shoes, then slipped into the water.
His partner leaned over the back of the boat. Together they eased Cooper on board.
Once they helped her in, she scrambled to Cooper’s side. “Oh, Lord, save him.”
“Call 911 again, Pete. Have them meet us at the pier near the lighthouse.” Clyde went back to the captain’s chair while his friend spoke on the phone.
The ride to shore took forever, though they jarred hard over the waves at an alarming speed.
A moan slipped from Cooper, then a ragged, shallow breath. His lips took on a bluish tinge.
“Cooper, can you hear me?”
Again, no answer. He was alive, but something was very wrong.
~~~
WHY HADN’T SHE TOLD Cooper she loved him when she had the chance?
After an intense ambulance ride to the hospital and a night spent pacing the waiting room, Rivers stood at Cooper’s bedside. Tubes and needles hung from his hands, his mouth, his chest. With ribs broken and one lung collapsed, the ER doctors had intubated him to help him breathe. A bruise darkened the skin near his left eye, and a cut had been glued together on his forehead.
They wouldn’t give her much information since she wasn’t related to him. Should she call his family? Would Mr. and Mrs. Knight even want to know? Gabby hadn’t been certain of what to do either when she’d stopped by.
Rivers touched Cooper’s fingertips, not wanting to risk dislodging his IV or the monitor wrapped around his index finger.
“God, you won’t take Cooper from me, too, will you?” A sob escaped from deep within her chest, and she raised her eyes upward, tears streaming. “I love him. Please let him be okay. I have to tell him.”
“Rivers?” a familiar voice spoke behind her, and she turned.
“Daddy?”
Her father stood just inside the small room. Another man spoke with the doctor. The man had salt and pepper dark hair, and when he turned toward Rivers, her breath caught. Cooper’s dad was here too.
“Mr. Knight?”
“Rivers.” Cooper’s father nodded, his expression grim and his attention focused on his son.
Dad strode to reach her, concern creasing his brows, his hair a little more gray than she remembered. “Were you hurt? I heard a boat exploded.”
“I’m fine. What are you doing here?” Her gaze bounced between her father and Cooper’s.
“Jim called and said you needed help finishing up at the cottage.” Daddy nodded toward Mr. Knight. “So we decided to bring your paintings and check on you. I picked him up in Atlanta on the way yesterday afternoon. We would’ve come sooner, but getting a sub at school for the week took a few days.”
“How did you find me here? And where’s Mom?”
“When we arrived at the cottage, your neighbor explained you were at the hospital. The young woman helping her said your mother could stay with them.” He touched her shoulder. “Are you sure you’re okay?”
“I’m fine, but...” Her voice broke, and she fell into his arms. “Oh, Daddy, pray for Cooper.”
