by Carol Ross
A short time later the communication line crackled and her voice came through: “Three survivors. One is in good shape, the other two are injured and incapacitated. I’m sending up the survivor without injury first.”
A voice sounded in the background, loud and agitated. Jay was always amazed at both the bravery and cowardice that emerged from people in the midst of life-and-death situations. He’d seen the burliest, toughest-looking men cry like babies and demand to go first, while the most fragile of women refused to be taken until everyone else was gone. He’d seen men insist that their dogs be rescued before them, while he’d witnessed others charge forward ahead of their own children.
He wondered which case they were dealing with now.
* * *
MIA APPRECIATED THE rescue swimmer’s confidence and take-charge demeanor. After climbing into the plane, she introduced herself, assessed the condition of each of them, talking to both her and Captain Shear the entire time. “Once the water reaches a certain level, the plane is going to start sinking faster. I’m calling my crew now to let them know how we’re going to proceed.” She clicked on the radio and outlined her plan, which Mia was fine with until she heard her say she was sending Mia up first.
“No!” Mia shouted. “I can’t go first. Take my mom and Captain Shear. They need medical attention. My mom is unconscious and—”
“Mia!” Aubrey interrupted firmly. “I understand your opinion. I am aware of her condition. However, if the plane starts to sink then I’ll essentially have to do three difficult rescues. Right now I have one simple rescue and two that are more challenging. We will save you all, but please don’t make my job any more difficult.”
“Oh... Right. I’m sorry.”
“It’s fine. I know you’re worried,” Aubrey assured her as she checked and tightened the straps on Mia’s life jacket. “Your mom will go up right after you.” She made her way to the door as Mia followed.
“The water is going to be really cold. Don’t worry about swimming. Relax and float. I’ll get us into position and then I’ll signal to the helicopter. They will lower a basket, I’ll help you get in and you’ll be up in the helo in a couple minutes.”
“Okay,” she said. She wasn’t worried about the water. Her dad had been an officer in the Navy and made sure she and her brother were strong swimmers. Aubrey jumped into the water and motioned for her to do the same. Mia followed, but despite her confidence and Aubrey’s warning, the cold hit her like an electric shock. Because of the life jacket, she surfaced quickly but found that she was unable to inhale a breath. She felt as if she’d been flash-frozen and her lungs shrink-wrapped in the process.
She could hear Aubrey but all she could think about was air. Gasping and croaking, it seemed an eternity before the tension in her chest finally loosened enough to inhale. Unfortunately, the feeling didn’t last; she sucked in a deep breath at the exact moment a wave rolled over her. Water invaded her lungs. Panic took hold as she thrashed around trying to figure out which way was up until finally, she realized she was floating. I’d be dead without this flotation device, she thought, coughing violently as she tried to calm down. This was so much more difficult than she’d anticipated. She thought about her brother, Kyle, who was a Navy SEAL. How did people do this? Why would they want to? But then suddenly, thankfully, Aubrey was right next to her.
“Lie back,” she instructed. She did as she was told while Aubrey took a hold of her and propelled them away from the plane.
A large metal basket hit the water in front of them.
“Let’s get you inside,” Aubrey shouted in order to be heard above the scream of the helicopter, which had moved closer and was now hovering much lower in the sky above them. The powerful force of the rotor wash took her breath away. Again.
As Aubrey helped her into the basket, she wondered how in the world this woman was going to manage to get her unconscious mother and a seriously injured Captain Shear into it? She didn’t have time to ask. Huddling into a ball as instructed, she closed her eyes as the basket lifted. Fear surged through her as cold air rushed in around her.
Next thing she knew, she was being pulled inside the helicopter. A man in an orange flight suit helped her out of the basket and told her his name was Jay. As he got her seated and dried her with a towel, he asked her name and how she was doing. He pointed at her head. Then warm fingers peeled away the bandage she’d applied.
His voice was calm and deep as he asked, “Any other injuries besides this one? That you’re aware of?”
She shook her head, trying to answer through the shivers racking her body, but was pretty sure she was incomprehensible.
He looked her over thoroughly. “This should do for now,” he said, smoothing a fresh dressing into place. He wrapped a blanket around her shoulders. Keeping one edge in each hand, he held it tight around her. “Hey,” he said, shaking it gently until she looked up. His face only inches away now, earnest hazel-green eyes locked onto hers. “We got this, okay?”
For a few seconds, she stared back, frozen with fear. The sob she’d been keeping at bay welled up, taking her by surprise. “My mom...” was all she could manage to mutter.
“Your mom is down there?”
She nodded, hot tears burning the cold flesh of her cheeks.
“Not for long. Aubrey is the best rescue swimmer in the Coast Guard. And I’m the best hoist operator. We’ve also got the best pilot and copilot working with us today. Which makes us the dream team of Coast Guard rescue.” He reached out and squeezed her cold fingers. “Mia, look at me.” She did. How could anyone refuse that gentle yet commanding voice? He seemed to ooze confidence. “I promise we will get your mom out of that airplane and we will do everything we can.” A warm feeling she recognized as hope bubbled inside her. He added an encouraging smile. She gave him another nod and he moved back toward the open door of the helicopter.
Oddly enough, his words helped. Mia noticed and appreciated that he didn’t promise that her mom would be fine. It was the same strategy she used with her patients’ families. You could never guarantee that a patient would be okay, but you could promise that you would do everything in your power to try to make it so.
He arranged the basket in the doorway, studying the scene below, his lips moving again. Even though she couldn’t hear what he was saying over the noise of the helicopter’s motor, both the concentration and competence he displayed managed to keep her calm.
After positioning the basket, he slid it out the open door. It disappeared, but within minutes it appeared again, her mom tucked safely inside. Please, please let her be alive. He easily lifted her mom’s petite form, arranging her on the litter he’d already prepared and covering her with a blanket. Looking up as Mia started to move forward, he gave her a quick thumbs-up before discouraging further movement from her with a palm up and out. Mia nodded, expelling a breath of relief as she sank back in her seat. She wanted to see for herself, but she also didn’t want to get in the way.
It wasn’t long before Captain Shear and the rescue swimmer Aubrey were on board as well. Aubrey examined the captain while Jay inserted an IV into her mom’s arm. He checked her vitals again and then Mia watched, transfixed as he sat beside her unconscious mom, holding her hand and smoothing the hair away from her face. Within minutes they were safely on the landing pad of the hospital’s roof. Mia was positive that she’d never been so grateful for another human being’s kindness in her entire life.
CHAPTER TWO
UNLIKE HIS FRIEND AUBREY, Jay wasn’t comfortable visiting survivors or their family members. He was always afraid that he was imposing. Or that the people would think he had shown up in order for them to express their gratitude. But he knew Captain Shear and, as it turned out, Aubrey knew Nora Frasier.
Nora taught yoga classes at the studio Aubrey frequented and she also worked part-time at the health food st
ore in town where Aubrey shopped. When Aubrey said she was going to the hospital to visit both Nora and Captain Shear, it didn’t seem odd for Jay to volunteer to tag along. Visiting a friend was different. Although it would be nice to see for himself that Nora Frasier was going to be okay. For some reason, Mia Frasier’s terror-filled eyes full of concern for her mom kept flashing through his mind.
After arriving, they had a nice visit with Captain Shear, who was in high spirits after learning he was set to be released in a couple days. They spent some time talking about their Coast Guard service while he reminisced about his twenty years in the Air Force. They swapped stories until his daughter and grandkids showed up to visit.
On their way out, Aubrey asked the captain if he wanted anything. He requested ice cream. Before Jay could offer to go get it, Aubrey sent him to Nora Frasier’s room while she ran down to the cafeteria to fetch his butterscotch sundae.
Jay found Nora’s room at the end of the hall. He recognized Mia sitting in a chair beside the bed. Tapping lightly on the door frame, he felt a buzz of nerves. He hoped this wasn’t a bad time.
“Hey, Mia? Hi. Do you remember me?”
When she looked up and smiled, he was struck with the thought that if it wasn’t a bad time, then it was definitely a bad idea. Something about her, the earnest expression or the intensity in those striking blue eyes, made him want to both leave and stay at the same time. There was so much...emotion there. Outside of his family, he didn’t do emotion, especially not with women he was attracted to.
“How could I forget? Hi. Officer Johnston, right?”
“Yes, but let’s go with Jay, okay?”
“Sure. Come on in, Jay.”
“Aubrey is here with me,” he said as that awkwardness he was concerned about reared its ugly head. “She, uh, she went down to the cafeteria to get Captain Shear some ice cream.” He pointed down the hall to where he kind of wanted to go. “She’ll be here...soon.”
“Please.” She motioned with one hand. “Come in. It’s so nice of you to stop by.”
“Yeah, it’s, uh,” he muttered as he walked into the room, “it’s a thing Aubrey likes to do, visiting survivors.”
“Survivors,” she repeated with a grin. “I really like that word.”
He’d noticed she was pretty on the helicopter, but she’d also been freezing, soaking wet and terrified. Now, her black hair was dry and silky and settled around her shoulders. Her skin wasn’t nearly as pale, either. She looked tired and very beautiful.
He lowered himself onto the chair next to hers. The space was small, and it took a conscious effort not to allow his long leg to brush against hers. He had no choice but to breathe in the scent of her, which made him think of wildflowers and soft music. Soft music? Clearly, he was tired, too.
Spreading his fingers, he splayed his clammy palms over his knees and reminded himself he was a member of the United States military and a grown man. “How is your mom?”
“She’s going to be fine. No permanent damage. And she’s awake.”
His mood lightened as he looked at the peacefully sleeping woman lying on the bed next to them. Nora had her head turned toward the wall and Jay could hear the comforting sound of her soft snore. For some reason, he couldn’t resist teasing her. With a tip of his head toward the bed, he said drily, “I can see that.”
Mia looked surprised for a second and then let out a chuckle. “Well, not now... Obviously. But she woke up. Finally. This morning her eyes popped open and she asked for a green tea smoothie and a vitamin B12 shot.”
Jay grinned. “That’s so great.” He liked the way her cheeks blushed with color. Her unease somehow made his a little more bearable.
Nora stirred and murmured in her sleep, drawing both of their gazes.
He flipped a thumb toward the doorway. “Should I...? Are we going to wake her up?”
“I really don’t think so. The meds are making her really sleepy. Even though she only wants turmeric, fish oil and cannabis tincture, the doctors insist on giving her actual medication.”
He chuckled. “Aubrey knows your mom. She sounds like a character.”
“You have no idea.” She sighed and then added in a voice choked with emotion, “She’s actually really amazing. I don’t know what I’d do without her...” She sniffled. “I’m so sorry. I keep doing this.” She pointed at her eyes, which were brimming with tears. “Having these little episodes. It’s embarrassing.”
“Don’t be sorry. Trauma like you lived through can be really emotional, even when it has a positive outcome.”
Tears glistened on her cheeks. She swiped them away. “I thought I had a pretty good handle on death. I’m a vet and I deal with animal deaths all the time. But when it’s your own you’re facing or someone that you love...” Her words trailed off and she exhaled a shaky breath. “I’m so grateful we’re all alive.” She surprised him by belting out a laugh. “I’m suddenly grateful for everything.” She gestured around the room. “And not the obvious stuff like hospitals and doctors and antibiotics. But like everything—paper cups, liquid soap, dry-roasted peanuts, plastic wrap, tennis shoes and... And this is kind of a weird topic, huh? I think I might be over-sharing.”
“No, it’s perfectly fine,” he said. “I understand.”
“Do you?” she asked, her expression turning earnest. She went on before he could answer, “You must. Because I’ve been thinking about you a lot. I mean...” Another blush, and Jay found himself trying not to laugh and at the same time wanting to reach out and touch her, calm her down, comfort her. That wasn’t his job at this point, he reminded himself. Under certain circumstances that might be okay, but something told him he might enjoy being close to her a little too much.
She added, “You and the rest of your crew, I mean. I’m embarrassed to admit this... My own brother is a Navy SEAL and I’ve never thought of it in this way before. I can’t believe you guys do what you do. Risking your lives all the time. On purpose. For other people. It’s so selfless and generous and brave.”
Jay shifted in his seat, uncomfortable with her gratitude, reminding him of why he didn’t like to visit survivors. “So others may live,” he said.
“What?” Her brow scrunched.
“It’s the motto for Coast Guard rescue swimmers—so others may live.”
“Oh...right. Well, that’s perfect.”
He lifted a shoulder. “It’s an honor, actually. It’s the best feeling in the world to play a part in saving someone’s life. Human life is the most precious thing on this planet.” Who was over-sharing now? he asked himself, startled by his admission. He wasn’t normally one to share anything with anyone outside of his family.
She narrowed her eyes thoughtfully. “I think I get that.”
“Sure, yeah, saving animals must be rewarding, too.” Her lips parted like she was going to comment, but then they stayed that way. Her eyes traveled over his face. He watched, riveted because he could almost feel the intensity radiating from her.
“It is,” she finally agreed with a little nod.
He suspected that wasn’t what she’d been about to say as her gaze flickered to his and then to her mom and back to him again. “Thank you,” she added. “For saving me—us—especially my mom.”
“You are welcome.” His gaze traveled up to her left temple. He remembered how she’d had a bloody bandage stuck there when he’d pulled her into the helo, how she’d insisted it was nothing, how scared she’d been about her mom. A rush of tenderness coursed through him and he found himself reaching toward it. “How’s your noggin?” He traced a thumb around the edge of the dressing. Yep, exactly as he’d expected, he liked the feel of her skin a little too much.
The quick intake of breath and the widening of her eyes confirmed his belief that she was feeling the chemistry between them, too. He reminded himself that on her
part, some of that could be gratitude manifesting as attraction toward him. Which also meant he shouldn’t be thinking about what a striking shade of blue her eyes were and how sweet she seemed. This woman with her compassion that already had him saying more than he liked to say could only mean trouble for him.
Removing his hand, he attempted to make light of his actions. “Do I need to take a look at it? Do these doctors know what they’re doing around here?”
She laughed. “They seem competent.”
He grinned. “It’s difficult to set the job aside sometimes.”
“I understand. I offered to stitch this up myself so the doctor could go help my mom. I, um, sort of demanded it, actually. She was already being treated at the time. It’s possible I may have been a little, um, overly distraught?”
Aubrey had told him that she’d insisted her mom be taken up into the helicopter first. That was the commotion they’d heard on the radio. It was obvious this woman loved her mother. He wished he could relate. It wasn’t that he didn’t love his mom, it was just that circumstances didn’t allow him to love her in this way.
“What does your mom do?”
“She’s a retired teacher. A retired schoolteacher, that is. She still teaches, though. These days it’s yoga at Vela Studio and nutritional workshops at Clean and Green, the health food store here in town?”
“Aubrey told me that she knows your mom from yoga. She’s also been to a couple of her health workshops. I think there’s one about how bad sugar is for you?”
“Ah.” Mia nodded. “The Sweet Life, Short Life classes? All about the dangers of sugar and how to break your addiction.”
“That sounds right.” He glanced toward the door and lowered his voice. “Aubrey seriously believes sugar is toxic.”
