I wanted him to get some rest before the tournament, so I sat up slowly and stealthily tried to unhook the surfboard leash. I just about had it off when hands snaked around my waist, and I was pulled back down, giggling.
“Where do you think you’re going?” he asked, wrapping his arms around me.
“I wanted to let you sleep,” I said, snuggling up against him.
He kissed my ear and muttered, “Mmm, you’re not making this easy on me.” I blushed, suddenly shy. I sat up and unlatched myself with a smile, “I didn’t wake up last night.” He ran his fingers up and down my spine, making me squirm.
“I wish we could stay here all day,” he said.
“Are you trying to get me in trouble with Cruz?”
“Who... me?” he said, his lazy eyes smiling.
I got up and gathered my clothes for the trip to San Francisco. Evie liked to see me dressed up, and I didn’t plan to disappoint. It looked like a cold blustery day, so I chose accordingly, picking a pair of tall black boots, patterned tights, a short leather skirt and a gorgeous cashmere sweater. I left to go change in the bathroom.
Cleaned up, made up and changed, I looked like a different person. A city girl. I knew Evie would approve. I came back into my room to find the bed empty.
“Ethan?” I closed the door to find him standing behind it.
“Look at you,” he said, reaching out for me. He hugged me to him, and looked me in the eye, “You’re tall today.” I lifted up my boot to show him the four inch heel. His brow wrinkled,
“How are your feet feeling?”
I smiled with a shrug, “Evie loves the designer shoes. She says we must suffer for fashion.” He frowned, and I tried to placate him, “My feet are much better, plus I’m only walking in these from the car to the elevator.” I kissed him, running my hands across his broad shoulders and back. I whispered in his ear, “I wish I could be there to watch you surf.” He held me tighter and pressed his face into my hair.
“You’ll be safer in the city. Just stay away from the water.”
“In these boots?” I asked playfully.
He chuckled and kissed my neck, “Your skin is so soft,” he murmured, brushing his lips up and down my throat. I was having a hard time catching my breath.
I pulled away with considerable regret, “We have to get going,” I sighed, weak at the knees.
“Can I come by tonight?” he asked.
“How long can we keep this up?” I wondered aloud.
He drew me back towards him, enfolding me in a tight embrace as he whispered in my ear,
“As long as it takes.”
I kissed him and backed out of the room in a daze.
“I’ll miss you today,” he called softly after me.
I went down the hall to the kitchen to find Cruz sipping coffee. He was anxious to show Evie her gown and had gotten up and dressed early too.
“You look sharp,” Cruz said, and I took a bow.
“As do you. Where’s your mom?” I asked.
He snorted, “Out all night again,” he said with feigned outrage.
Abby was terrible at sneaking around, and Cruz had caught on right away. It was a good thing. Cruz had one foot out the door, metaphorically speaking, and had been feeling a little conflicted about moving to San Francisco and leaving her all alone. He was relieved that Abby had another man to fuss over.
It turned out to be convenient for me too, for smuggling Ethan in and out had been surprisingly easy due to Abby and Dutch’s rapidly developing relationship. Even when Abby was around she was floating around with her head in the clouds, and Ethan said his dad was the same way. They had thrown caution to the wind and gotten involved quickly; they were happy, and seemed to be a very good match.
I went to go tell Ethan the coast was clear.
We ate some breakfast together before I walked him out the door. This morning, the air felt different, as though it were supercharged with electricity. We touched and there was a spark of static. Ethan laughed and hugged me close. I wished him luck and sent him on his way after a long passionate kiss.
Cruz joined me on the porch, “I thought I was going to have to turn a hose on you guys,” he complained, “I mean, honestly! It’s like the two of you just suck up into each other when you’re together.”
“Let’s get going,” I said, ignoring him, too happy to care. I felt lighthearted despite the dark cloudy morning. We clambered into the Jaguar and drove to the city, full of optimism. It was going to be a wonderful day.
CHAPTER TWENTYFOUR
PREMONITION
We arrived at Evie’s to warm greetings all around. I settled down on the couch with a poodle on either side of me, mindful of staying off my feet as much as possible. Cruz nervously pulled the gown out of its garment bag and presented it to Evie. He needn’t have worried; the dress was an absolute showstopper and I could tell that Evie was pleased before she even tried it on.
“Told you so!” I smiled at Cruz as Evie rhapsodized over the lace and fine handwork. She excused herself, taking the gown to her dressing room, while Cruz paced nervously, toying with his eyebrow piercings.
“Relax,” I said, getting up to give him a reassuring hug, “It’s beautiful.”
“Do you really think she likes it?” he asked. Evie’s squeals of delight echoed in the background.
“I’m not sure...” I teased him, and he squeezed me tightly with relief.
“Ahk!” I gasped, “I don’t need a spinal adjustment!”
“Sorry,” Cruz smiled sheepishly, kissing both my cheeks, “I’m just so happy!” I beamed at him, for his joy was infectious, and delighted me as if it were my own.
Evie came floating out, looking beautiful. The cut of the gown flattered her, and its golden blonde lace picked up the undertones in her hair. Cruz had worked relentlessly, putting his heart and soul into this piece, and it showed. He circled around her, checking the fit and noting tiny alterations he would make.
“I have news!” Evie beamed. She’d called my father with congratulations, and he’d invited her to join our group at the award ceremony in Oslo. She had her travel agent rework our plans and made reservations for suites at the Grand Hotel. She reminisced about some of her previous visits to the award ceremonies, telling us all about the beautiful architecture in the charming city.
“I can wear this gown to the banquet!” cried Evie.
“I still can’t believe I’m going to Norway! And now I’m going with Evelyn Pond!” Cruz put his hands on his cheeks and shook his head like it was just too much to take in all at once.
Evie reached over to pat Cruz’s back, “You’ll love the shopping!” she enthused.
Cruz started peppering her with questions about where we would go and what kinds of clothes he should pack.
“Darling, bring an empty suitcase and we’ll find some wonderful new things. The Scandinavian style is absolutely fabulous! I’ll show you all the best places.” I gave her a big hug, grateful for her kindness to Cruz, “I’m so glad we’ll have you there.” Evie was family, a part of us, and I was overjoyed that we were all drawing closer together.
I smiled wryly when I remembered how much I had resisted the move to Aptos. The place had changed me, and now I realized that it had always been a part of me, and that I belonged there. I thought of Ethan, and realized he had become part of me too. I felt a happy little chill run down my spine as I counted my blessings.
When the wrenching pain hit me right behind the eyes I reeled backwards, nearly crashing into an end table. Cruz was by my side in a flash, steadying me and backing me up to the sofa. I struggled to catch a breath, the wind completely knocked out of me by the shocking vision that was being projected inside my head.
I saw a vivid image of Ethan, and it terrified me. I could see his face clearly, surrounded by a stormy sea. He wore his wetsuit along with a look of unimaginable agony. My blood ran cold and my heart clenched tightly, seizing my chest in agony. I couldn’t breathe.
; “Marina! Marina!” I could hear Cruz’s voice echoing from far away, and a rushing sound like the sea swept through my mind until I opened my eyes to find myself lying back on Evie’s couch.
“No...” I whispered, looking into Cruz and Evie’s frightened eyes. I sprang to my feet.
“Cruz– I have to go back. Something’s going to happen to Ethan! Something bad.”
“What? What’s going on?” said Cruz, hands on my arms, “Marina, you need to sit down.”
“No!” I screeched ferociously, “This happened before… the last time we were here!” I looked at him intensely, “We came home to find him in the hospital!” I turned to Evie, “I saw something... a vision of him. It came true last time and now it’s happening again.” She looked stunned, “Fatima told me you could...” her voice trailed off.
“Aunt Evie, I have to get to him. I love him.”
“I know, sweetheart,” she said, coming over to give me a hug.
“My God! The contest!” my heart pounded with a flood of adrenalin as I thought about where he was. My hands were shaking and I was starting to panic, hyperventilating.
Evie looked at me solemnly and nodded, “Cruz, you’d better drive her back.” She hugged each of us quickly, and kissed me on both cheeks. “Be careful my love.” We drove home as fast as possible, but our progress was slowed by driving rain that came from out of nowhere. The windshield wipers could barely keep up with the downpour. Rivers of water ran across the roadway and the skies were black with the darkest clouds I’d ever encountered.
Cruz gasped, clinging to the steering wheel, “I’ve never seen it come down this hard!” We made our way home, driving into the blinding sheets of rain at an agonizingly slow pace.
“Thanks for listening to me,” I said, wringing my hands.
“You should have seen yourself. You went as white as a ghost. Your eyes rolled all the way back– it was creepy as all hell! Listen... calm down, it’s probably just being at Evie’s reminded you of what happened last time.”
“It wasn’t this bad last time,” I moaned.
He reached over to pat my arm, “It’s going to be alright.” I hoped that he was right, and I told Cruz what I saw. He knew how to get to the spot where the competition was being held, so I closed my eyes and prayed as we crept along the rain slicked roads at a snail’s pace. We finally arrived at the point, only to find a deserted rocky beach. The wind lashed the waves and the rain was pouring down on the rugged shoreline.
There wasn’t a soul in sight.
We drove a ways down the coast and pulled over at lonely gas station. I got out and ran into the garage, looking around frantically for any sign of life. A man working on a car glanced up at me. Startled, he hit his head on the fender.
“Can I help you miss?” he sputtered out. He stared at me as if I were an apparition.
“The big wave contest at the point – what happened?” I asked, panicked.
“Oh, they called that thing off when the storm rolled in,” he said, “This is no kinda weather to be out in.”
“Thanks!” I cried and ran back to the car in the driving rain. Maybe I was wrong. Maybe nothing had happened. I told Cruz the news and he was relieved.
“See? Nothing to worry your pretty little head about!”
“Can you take me to Ethan’s, just to be sure?” I asked.
We drove to the apartment, amazed at the size of the waves we saw along the coast. The sea looked angry, raging at the sky and tearing at the land. I felt a little tingle of fear in my spine. I raced up the stairs despite my crippling boots, and pounded on the door.
Ethan opened it, a hard, worried look on his handsome face.
“Thank God!” I threw myself onto him, wrapping my arms around him with relief.
Cruz came up behind me, “She thinks something’s going to happen to you. You should have seen her– she just went totally ballistic! Hey mom… What’s going on?” I looked up to see Abby’s tear streaked face. The pain behind my eyes returned with a vengeance, and the roar of the ocean filled my ears. This time I saw Dutch, surrounded by huge waves. He was covered in bright orange and clinging to a white cube. My knees gave out and I slumped to the floor.
Now it was Ethan’s voice calling my name as I struggled back to consciousness. Abby was holding my hands, and Ethan was kneeling over me. I was lying on the couch. I bolted upright.
“Oh my God! It wasn’t you, it was your dad! We have to go find him!” Ethan looked at me in stunned silence.
“Oh Abby,” I hugged her, “Don’t worry, we can find him.” They looked at me as if I’d gone crazy, and I made a serious effort to regain my composure, drawing in a deep, shaky breath.
“What’s going on?” I asked, “Tell me.”
Ethan sat down and grimly explained what had happened. Dutch had taken a group out on a fishing charter when he got caught in the sudden squall. He had radioed in a distress call before his signal was cut off. The coast guard sent a clipper boat out to his last known position and they’d been sitting in the apartment, anxiously waiting for word. Ethan looked miserable, and my heart ached for him.
“It will be fine,” I said slowly and firmly, “They’ll bring him back. I saw him.” They all looked at me funny, and started trying their best to get me to lie back down. I finally clammed up in frustration, unable to find a way to make them believe me.
We waited for several hours. Cruz made some coffee and sat with his arm around Abby, who was fighting back tears. Ethan paced nervously, sitting and standing every few minutes. I didn’t know what to do. The wind and rain howled outside.
There was a rap on the door and we all jumped. It was the harbormaster with news. He looked sick as he spoke to Ethan.
“Son, your dad’s vessel went down.” Ethan blanched and I stepped to his side.
The man went on to say that they had rescued the passengers clinging to the inflatable, but Dutch hadn’t made it onto the lifeboat. They’d called off the search due to hazardous conditions, but would mount a recovery operation at first light. I shuddered at the word “recovery”, and looked up to see Ethan’s face had gone completely bloodless.
The harbormaster told Ethan where he had secured the inflatable, said a few awkward words about Dutch being a hero, and hurried away.
Ethan clung to me like a drowning man, and I could hear Abby’s heart-wrenching sobs in the background.
“Ethan, I saw him. I know he’s alive,” I said, looking him squarely in the eye. I took his face in my hands, “Please believe me.”
“How can that be?” he choked out.
“Sit down,” I said seriously, and led him to the kitchen table. He looked numb. I sat down next to him, taking his hands in mine, needing to make him listen.
“Ever since I met Lorelei I’ve been seeing, well, having... visions.” He looked at me like I had gone completely out of my mind. Determined, I went on, “Sometimes I see an image and blurt out something in mermaid– something I know will happen. I don’t know how, I just know. I get that it sounds crazy– but I saw Cruz being a famous designer, and I saw the house you’re going to build.”
He put his head in his hands as I continued, “When I met your dad in the hospital, I saw he was going to be with Abby. I saw a picture of them standing together, before they even saw each other. And just now I saw your father. He’s in the water, and we have to go get him!” He looked up at me with sad, grim, skeptical eyes, “What exactly did you see?”
“He was in the waves, holding onto something white.” Ethan put his head down again. “Like a box or something…” I remembered, and added, “He was wearing something bright orange.” His head snapped up and he looked at me with a flicker of hope.
“Ethan, we can get him, I know it.” He stood up out of his chair and I hugged him, overwhelmed with relief, “Let’s go!” I said.
“You’re not going anywhere,” he said, “I am.” He went to go get his gear with me following after him. A deadly calm passed over me, and my mind was ma
de up.
“You need me to find him,” I said firmly, “I’m coming.”
“No. It’s too dangerous out there.”
“Ethan, they can help. I can make them help me.”
He stared at me, “Are you out of your mind?” he asked.
I looked at him with steady serious eyes, “It’s safer for me than it is for you. I can talk to them. You can’t. They owe me something, according to them. We can make a deal.”
“No,” he said, fear in his blue eyes.
“I’m going– with or without you. You can’t stop me.”
“Marina–” he choked out. He had no idea how pointless arguing with me was.
“My mind is made up. Are you going to make me swim?”
He finally gave in, but he really had no choice, for I meant every word with all of my heart.
He put on his wetsuit and gave me another one to try. It was much bigger than mine, so I slipped out of my boots and zipped it on over my clothes. I felt calm and still inside, certain beyond a shadow of a doubt that we needed to find Dutch and bring him home.
He explained to me that his dad had an orange survival suit onboard his boat, and if he had managed to get it on he might still be alive. We only had a few hours of daylight left, and Dutch certainly couldn’t survive overnight in the water. He made me swear to hold on tight, and warned me that the waves would be strong enough to throw me out of the boat.
Cruz was on the couch with Abby, who was completely beside herself.
“This isn’t such a good idea…” he said, his voice tight with tension. I turned and looked at him with fiery eyes and he stopped. We ran out for the inflatable.
The wind was screaming and the waves were massive as we motored out of the harbor. I held onto the boat tightly and began calling for Lorelei. I tried to imagine talking to her in mermaid and focused on the water. Ethan was steering, heading out in the direction of the last known sighting of his dad’s boat.
Derrolyn Anderson - [Marinas Tales #1] - Between The Land And The Sea Page 27
