“You’re okay,” she said. “The bleeding stopped.”
He drew her to her feet while he stared at his plane, completely flipped nose down and sinking. “I’ve never personally seen that happen.”
Nor had he experienced anything like it. That he’d lost a plane today, to add to the loss of his mother’s plane, pressed against nerve centers he hadn’t known he possessed. But that was nothing compared to losing his mother.
Still, none of these thoughts would help Sylvie. Getting her someplace warm and safe was his priority. And knowing he had a mission, someone to help, would keep his head in the game, despite his losses.
“How did I get here?” He looked back at her, grateful the rain had eased up. “You pulled me out and swam me to safety?”
She nodded, rubbed her arms.
“Thank you.”
“I didn’t know where to go after that, what to do. Seemed like I was back where I started, only with an injured man this time. But at least no one is trying to find and kill me at the moment.”
As far as you know. But he didn’t voice his thoughts.
Will hoped that would remain the case for a long while. Forever would be nice. He grabbed her hand and squeezed. “It’s going to be okay, Sylvie. We’re going to be okay.”
Those words reminded him of something else, but he couldn’t quite remember what. Something hovered at the edge of his mind. Something about today that connected him to Sylvie. He hoped he’d remember while it still mattered.
A smile softened her grim features. He hadn’t thought her pretty at first, but now he changed his mind. Her smile brightened her eyes and emphasized appealing dimples against soft, smooth skin. Something else thrived behind her determined gaze that drew him to her.
Her shiver snapped his focus back to where it should be.
“I have a friend who lives not too far. I’m sure he saw us go down—I’m surprised he hasn’t already shown up.” That was only partially true. He’d said the man was a friend, but in fact, he was only a client and a recluse who liked his privacy. Will had no idea what reaction they would get when they showed up. Will had never actually been invited to the cabin, but knew from flying over where it was relative to the beach.
“Are you okay to walk?”
“Yes, lead the way.” She hugged herself.
“Good. Shouldn’t take long.” He trudged ahead of her.
Will wished he could hold her close to share some body heat, but that would be awkward. He didn’t think they were that desperate yet. Yes, Sylvie had taken a beating today. With her ripped suit, circles under her eyes, bluish skin and lips, anyone could look at her and see how badly she’d been hurt. But in her eyes, those hazel eyes, Will saw her unbridled determination and knew she wouldn’t accept his help.
What man could help but admire her?
They neared the tree line and he followed the brook that would eventually lead them to the off-grid cabin where John Snake lived. Snake—he liked the nickname to keep out the riffraff—usually met Will near the beach for his packages, but that was when he knew to expect Will.
He turned to check on Sylvie, but she was farther behind than he’d thought. Frowning, he made his way back. She was strong, but she’d been through a lot both before and after he’d come on the scene in his floatplane.
“Hey, you doing okay?”
Seeing her purse her lips, he got the sense she wanted to smile, but couldn’t. “How much farther?”
Will hated to tell her it was still a couple more miles, and the terrain wasn’t getting any easier. Add to that, the rain was icy cold and coming down harder.
He didn’t like the glazed look in her eyes. “A mile, maybe.”
She dropped to a log and hung her head. “Okay. I can do that. I just... I think I might have sprained my ankle. These diving boots are no good in this type of terrain.”
He frowned. “No kidding.”
“Give me a minute to rest.”
Was she serious? Will wouldn’t expect her to walk if she was injured. In fact, he shouldn’t have let her walk to the cabin even before finding out about her ankle. What with hypothermia setting in and she hinting at having decompression sickness, she was in a world of hurt, but he didn’t want to step on her strong and capable toes, so he hadn’t offered any help.
Until now. There wasn’t time to rest. They had to get out of the weather.
He scraped his arms under her knees and around her back and lifted her.
“What are you doing?” Alarm jumped from her gaze and her voice.
Will settled her against him until she felt right. She was lean and solid, as divers tended to be, but light enough he could manage the distance. “Don’t take offense, Sylvie. I need to get you out of this weather.”
Her gaze softened. “Thank you. I didn’t mean for you to have to do this.”
“I figure I owe you. After all, you pulled me from a sinking plane and swam me to shore. Saved my life. So it’s my turn to carry you.” There. Hopefully, he hadn’t offended her strong and capable woman sensibilities.
Sylvie didn’t argue and instead rested her head against his shoulder. That ignited familiar feelings inside. Protective feelings. He’d forgotten he could feel that way and instantly remembered why he hadn’t wanted to. A year ago he’d given it all to Michelle and she’d made a fool of him, practically leading him around town by the proverbial ring in his nose until she’d dumped him. In the end she couldn’t take the fact Will was a bush
