Submerged

“We need to call the police. Someone tried to kill me.” Cobie pressed her face into her hands. “And Laura and Jen are on their way to the island. They should be there any minute. We’d planned to meet at the cabin to go caving. They were running late, so I went to the cave to scout it out. If they arrive and go looking for me, they could run right into the man who tried to kill me.”

“What?” the male voices asked in unison.

She dropped her hands and stared at them, forcing urgency into her voice. “A man tried to strangle me. I ran away. I got trapped when he followed. I had no choice. I had to face him or jump.”

Adam’s strong jaw dropped along with the blanket. “Call 9-1-1.”

“Coast Guard’s all there is out here.” Nate held up his cell. “And these don’t work here at all.”

“Then call the Coast Guard,” she said. “Someone in authority needs to know.”

Adam scraped the SAT phone from the counter. “I could call Ray. I told him we were mapping the cave and he said he might try to get some time off and join us.”

“Ray?” Cobie asked.

“Forest Service Law Enforcement and Investigation. He’s an agent. Investigates crimes. Drugs. Poaching. Anything illegal that happens out here.”

Had she really almost been a victim? And now she would have to give a statement. Answer questions. Cobie’s mind ran back over what had happened. Concern for her friends made her tense. If only she hadn’t been such an idiot. The number where she could reach Laura was with the phone at the cabin.

Adam kept his gaze on her. “He’s probably close. We’ll ask him what to do. Tell him what happened.”

Shivering, Cobie slipped out of the booth. “Can we go ahead and make our way to the other side of the island? Maybe we can intercept Laura and Jen. In the meantime, I’m changing into dry clothes.”

“Why didn’t you travel with your friends?” Jared leaned against the counter. “Why come alone?”

Adam cocked a brow.

“I took a seaplane. The pilot passes over these parts delivering mail and packages and people. My friends are coming by boat from the opposite direction. They were delayed, and I couldn’t change my flight.”

“Why not wait for them to arrive before exploring the cave?” Adam asked. “Why go alone?”

She was a big girl, but saying so would make it sound otherwise. “It shouldn’t have been dangerous. There shouldn’t have been someone else there—much less a man who wanted to kill me. Besides, he could have found me alone at the cabin, too.”

Not wanting to say more, or hear a lecture, Cobie scuttled down the small stairway below deck. She didn’t have to explain her actions to them. Adam said something to his friends, but she couldn’t make out his words, then he followed her down.

“I’ll show you where to go.”

The quarters were tight. Hard to get lost on a boat this size. She could find her own way without his help, but she kept her thoughts to herself. He showed her the master cabin with its walk-around queen bed and then took her through the private guest cabin. Beyond that, berth to port, was a large guest room. Then to starboard, Adam showed her the shower with the private door back to the master cabin where they’d started. The former fishing boat had been refurbished into a near-luxurious recreational boat.

Clinging to the clothes she meant to change into, probably getting them wet as she did, Cobie hung back, near the door to the master cabin. “I thought you were calling your forest service friend.”

“Jared is calling so I can change clothes, too. Gary will contact the Coast Guard. He’s heading to the lagoon where your friends will probably anchor.” The small space forced their proximity, and Adam stared down at her. “I...I’m glad you’re okay, Cobie.” He scraped his hand through his wet hair and looked away, then back at her. “It’s good to see you.”

She didn’t miss the pain in his eyes.

“Thanks...thanks for saving me today.” She wanted to tell him that it was good to see him, too, but she couldn’t find the words. She’d never wanted to see him again.

His clothes were still wet, like hers, and must be cold, but there was a heat emanating from him. The way he looked at her now made that heat wrap around her. She didn’t want to feel that from him, even though she was chilled to her bones.

He cleared his throat. “You can use this room to change.”

“Okay, thanks.” Cobie waited for him to leave.

He lifted a hand. Scratched the back of his head as if he was unsure what else to say. As if he wanted to say more.

Cobie knew she had more to say, too, and to a man she’d never wanted to see or speak to again. Could the day get any stranger? “I’ll be right out.”

He nodded. “Don’t worry, Cobie. We’ll find your friends and warn them.”

“I hope so.” Once she slipped inside and shut the door behind her, she quickly changed into the dry clothes she carried, though they’d grown damp from her clinging. They smelled like Adam. Musky and masculine and outdoorsy. The smells made more images rush back at her.

She pressed her face into the blue-and-gray-plaid sleeve and breathed in the scent. Made her dizzy. Memories of how she used to feel about the guy surged. But that’s all those feelings were now. Memories.

Weird that he’d never even known.

Tears threatened behind her eyes. She dropped onto the bed to gather her composure before she faced Adam again.

She let her thoughts turn to the way he had looked at her. He seemed different somehow. Changed by that day as much as she had been. Especially five years later. Weird how a tragedy, added to a few years of separation, could change a person. And yet even though Adam was different now, plenty about him remained the same. He was...well...he could have been the next all-American hero to star in a Marvel movie, with those broad shoulders and lean, muscular biceps. And he was handsome enough to make plenty of girls swoon. But not Cobie. Not anymore.

At least that’s what she tried to convince herself of, but it wasn’t working because being next to Adam made her float like it had before Brad’s death.

Cobie shoved herself to her feet. She was grateful that Adam had saved her today. Grateful for the spare too-big shirt and pants she wore now. But in spite of the few good memories that taunted her, she could never forget that Adam was to blame for her brother’s death.

* * *

Adam stumbled around in the guest cabin, trying desperately to clear his thoughts. Cobie was here on this boat.

And someone had tried to kill her.

Thank You, Lord, for saving her.

Adam reminded himself that while he’d pulled her from the water, God had been the one to save her. Bittersweet, considering Adam hadn’t been able to pull her brother from the water that day. Some things in life he’d never understand. He grabbed a towel and dried his hair. Pulled in a few calming breaths.

It took a lot for Adam to be in the same room with Cobie. He hadn’t realized just how much. Funny how five years hadn’t diminished how she affected him. At one time, she’d been the girl of his dreams. Now she was the girl he could never have. Even if he could have her, he couldn’t want her or anyone. But none of that mattered. All that mattered was that he’d make sure she was safe.

He sucked in another breath. Opened the door.

Heading back to join the rest, he passed the master cabin. Was she still inside? Maybe he’d wait for her. He had a few questions before she talked to the authorities. Leaning against the wall, he noticed the boat rocked less. Gary must have made it to smoother waters.

The door whipped open.

Cobie’s eyes widened. “You waited on me?”

“Yep.” Feeling like an idiot, he shoved his hands in his pockets. He looked her up and down. She wore his clothes now. His shirt hung off her—jeans, too. He wouldn’t be able to wear those again without thinking of her.

Reacting to his scrutiny, she looked down, held out her arms. “What? You don’t like my new duds?”

Adam smiled. Good she could find some humor. It made things bearable.