Castaways

by Lily Harlem

  Mason looked between Olivia and Evan and grimaced.

  This isn’t looking good.

  “Goddamn it,” Harry muttered. He upended the pouch and tipped the contents onto the orange base of the raft.

  There were several food sachets and a scattering of protein bars. The torch and flares.

  But no matches.

  Harry let out a strange growling sound. “People are going to lose their jobs over this.”

  “There’s definitely a few aspects of Temptress’ emergency systems lacking.” Evan stepped away and picked up swirl of dry grass. “But nothing we can’t improvise with something here.”

  Harry’s cheeks were red. Olivia wasn’t sure if it was anger or embarrassment at the poor quality of the survival pouch.

  “This should do it.” Evan swooped down on a long, flat bit of driftwood. “Perfect.”

  “Man make fire,” Mason said with a grin as he beat his fists on his chest. “Go, Evan.”

  “You bet.” Evan flashed a smile his way, then stomped through the sand in the direction of the camp.

  “You reckon he can?” Harry asked, again pushing his fingers through his hair. Something Olivia had noticed he did when nervous or frustrated.

  “He seems to think so.” Olivia reached for his hand and held him back.

  He turned to her with a quizzical look. “Harry,” she said quietly. “It’s not your fault, any of this.” She nodded at the life raft and the emptied out pouch. “No one is blaming you.”

  He frowned. “I blame myself.”

  “You mustn’t. We were all on board.”

  “But my father, The Challenge team.” He closed his eyes. “This was all for me. This whole thing. To give me something to do and…”

  “And?”

  He hesitated then, “It doesn’t matter.”

  Sadness washed over his features. Harry was someone many people thought they knew because they saw him in magazines or on television. But there was more to him. Much more. And she would find out what.

  “Oh!” She jumped as something brushed her leg.

  Harry laughed and as quickly as his pained expression had arrived, it had gone.

  “What is it?” She spun around.

  “That bird from earlier. It’s so tame.”

  The big creature was right beside them, its large webbed feet leaving prints in the sand as it scuffed around in a small pile of sticks and dried weed. It paused and looked at them with its bright yellow eyes.

  “It’s probably never seen humans before,” Harry said, unwinding his fingers from hers and wrapping his arm around her waist as though protecting her.

  Olivia didn’t need protecting from the bird but was happy to feel Harry’s strong, warm body against hers. She figured it was harder for him than the other guys. Because no matter what she said to reassure him, if it hadn’t been for Dante Vidal setting his son The Challenge, none of them would be here.

  “We should give it a name,” Harry said. “Unless of course we’re going to eat it.”

  The creature tipped his head comically.

  “No, we won’t do that, I hope.” She paused. “Let’s give him a name then. Less chance we’ll want to eat him if we do.”

  “What suits it?” he asked.

  “Is it a boy or girl?”

  “A girl, she’s kind of pretty.”

  “You think?” Olivia laughed “Er… how about Angel, we could do with one of those right now. And my mother always says white feathers are symbols of angels.”

  “I like that.” He tipped her chin with the crook of his finger and brought her face to his. “Angel it is.”

  His eyes sparkled as he ducked his head and brushed his lips over hers.

  Olivia was a little shocked at the sudden light kiss but happy to accept it. She smiled up at him and licked her bottom lip with the tip of her tongue as if subconsciously searching for his flavor.

  “But for the record, you’re my angel,” he said quietly. “I’m so glad you’re here. Well obviously not in danger but here, with us and—”

  “It’s going to be okay,” she said, resting her palm on his cheek. “As long as we all work together. Evan and you—”

  “I know, and don’t worry, I get it, we’re different yet the same, me and Evan.” He paused. “So that has to be our motto. Together we are strong.”

  She went up on tiptoes and returned the gentle kiss. She lingered with her lips on his, enjoying the sensation and the closeness.

  He ran his hand down her back, letting it rest in the hollow as he held her closer.

  “Come on,” she said, eventually pulling away. “Let’s see how that fire is coming on.”

  He smiled and nodded, his eyelids a little heavy.

  As she looked toward camp she saw Mason watching her with Harry. She paused for a second, then noticed the slight smile on his face. He clearly wasn’t bothered about her and Harry sharing a quick kiss. Which was good. She adored all the guys. The last thing she wanted was jealousy rearing its ugly head.

  “How’s it going?” Harry asked, as they marched, still hand in hand, into the shade of the trees.

  Evan was on his knees at the side of the basin shaped dip that had been carved out of the ground. He was rubbing a long thin stick furiously on the strip of driftwood and his bundle of dried kindling sat at the end.

  As he moved his forearms the tendons stretched and bunched beneath his skin, and locks of his hair twitched backward and forward.

  Suddenly Olivia saw a wisp of smoke.

  “Come on, it’s nearly there,” she said.

  “Bloody hell. He’s gonna do it,” Mason said.

  Evan went even faster and the whisper of smoke grew. “That’s it,” he said, carefully picking up the ball of pale brown grass. He held it to his face, pursed his lip and gently blew.

  Olivia, Mason and Harry watched on. Harry was squeezing her hand. The moment was tense. Would they see a flame?

  “Ah, here we go,” Evan said, still hunching forward. “Fire.”

  As he’d spoken a beautiful orange flame licked up into the air.

  “Wow, yes.” Olivia released Harry and stepped forward. “You did it.”

  He looked at her and grinned. “Did you doubt me?”

  “No.” She laughed and smoothed his hair from his damp forehead. “I didn’t, not for a second.”

  “Well done, buddy,” Harry said.

  But Evan’s attention was on the fire he was nursing. He’d set the bunch of flames down and was stacking small strips of wood around it in a tepee shape. “We’ll keep it going, night and day. It will keep this place free of unwanted animals big and small, we can boil water with it and cook.

  “Speaking of cooking,” Mason said. “We need to figure out how to catch fish.”

  “Hey, you made fire,” Raul said as he wandered up the beach with Lucas close behind him. They both carried armfuls of soft pale leaves.

  “Yes, chef,” Evan said, grinning at him. “Just need to find you a pig to spit roast.”

  Raul chuckled. “Si, that would be good.”

  “Or fish,” Mason said. “I’m gonna go and see what we can use as a line or a wee net. Must be something around.”

  “Ah,” Raul said. “I might have a gift for you.”

  They all tore their attention from the fire and looked at him.

  “What are you talking about?” Harry asked.

  Raul dumped the bedding into the shelter then grinned. “Wait here.”

  “Something else from your magic bag?” Evan asked.

  “I will be back…” Raul dashed off.

  “Seriously, that man.” Harry shook his head. “He must have been so quick grabbing all this stuff. And with all that smoke.”

  “Thank goodness he did,” Olivia said.

  Raul returned within seconds. He held a fishing line and a hook with a red fly on the end. “This should help,” he said.

  “Wow, too right it will. We’ll be having fish for supper at this rate,�
�� Harry said with a laugh.

  Olivia’s stomach rumbled at the thought of food. The energy from the protein bar had been used up. “What shall we have until then?” she rubbed her abdomen.

  “You hungry, hen?” Mason asked.

  “A bit. Aren’t you?”

  “I could eat.” Mason nodded and looked upward. He then averted his attention to Lucas. “What do you think?”

  “Aye.” Lucas nodded seriously. “We should.”

  “Come on then,” Mason said. “Let’s feed our woman.”

  Chapter Fifteen

  Mason turned and walked onto the beach. Lucas was at his side. They walked exactly the same, big, light strides, their shoulders shifting in time.

  Olivia stepped past Evan and the fire—which was really taking hold—and followed them, leaving Harry and Raul to fiddle with the fishing line.

  “What are you doing?” she asked.

  “We can’t live off coconut.” Lucas pointed upward. “But it will do for now.”

  “Aye, it will.” Mason said.

  “I like coconut.” Olivia studied the tall trees and the bulging bunches of big green nuts at the top. “But oh if we could find mango or papaya or melon, that would be nice.”

  “I’ll find that for you tomorrow,” Lucas said.

  She didn’t doubt him.

  “Step back, hen,” Mason said, motioning with his hands. “We don’t want them to land on you.”

  “How are you going to get them down?” she asked.

  “Are you doing the honors?” Mason asked Lucas.

  “Aye, shouldn’t be too much of a problem.” He frowned at the row of coconut trees in front of them. “Which one do you think?”

  “That one,” Mason said. “It’s not as tall as the others and at an angle. Will be easier to climb.”

  Lucas nodded and stepped up to it. After glancing at the wide fronds, he took a deep breath then wrapped his arms around the trunk. He burst upward, so his feet were also on it, knees sticking out.

  “Careful,” Olivia said. It didn’t look easy and she hoped he was well practiced at climbing the ropes at the gym.

  Lucas sprang upward again and the soles of his feet landed higher up the trunk.

  As he repeated the impossible looking action several times, Olivia admired his strength and the sheer control he had over his body. “How the hell can he do that?”

  “The dojo.”

  “The what?” She tore her gaze from Lucas to Mason.

  “The dojo. Karate. It’s where we spend a lot of time, if we’re not working or sailing that is.”

  “You do karate?” She set her attention on Lucas again. “What belt?”

  “Black.”

  “Both of you?”

  Mason huffed. “Aye.”

  Wow, the guys she’d landed on this island with really did have a host of skills up their sleeves.

  It didn’t take long for Lucas to reach the top. Gripping one of the higher up fronds, he twisted the nearest nut. Within seconds it had come loose and dropped to the sand with a loud whump.

  “He got one,” Olivia said. She went to step forward.

  Mason held her back. “No, stay here. Otherwise the next one will land on your head.”

  “Okay.” She grinned. “Don’t want a nut on my head.”

  “Definitely not.”

  Lucas freed another coconut, then another. Within a few minutes he had six on the ground. “Is that enough?” he called.

  “It will do for now,” Mason said.

  “Okay, I’m coming down.”

  “Wait here,” Mason said to Olivia. “I need to get something.”

  As Mason walked back to the camp, Olivia watched Lucas shimmy down the tree. He jumped the last five feet, landing squarely then brushing his palms over each other.

  “I should call you monkey man,” she said, strolling over to him.

  He smiled, the skin at the corners of his eyes creasing.

  “That was impressive.” She set her hand on his shoulder then pressed a kiss to his cheek. She stayed close. “Thank you, on behalf of all of us.”

  “I don’t want you to be hungry or thirsty,” he said. “Not once, while we’re here.” He pressed his hand over hers, trapping her palm against his shoulder. “And I promise to do my best to make sure that doesn’t happen.”

  Her heart swelled with affection for him. She believed him, totally. Lucas was a man of his word, she could tell that about him. “You’re a great guy to have around, you know that.”

  He didn’t answer, just looked deep into her eyes, as if seeing her soul.

  God, he’s gorgeous.

  “Right, let’s get these things open,” Mason called. “So we can eat and drink.”

  Lucas stepped away and turned his attention to Mason who was swinging the big knife as he walked.

  “Oh, be careful,” Olivia said. The last thing they needed was another injury. Raul’s burn was bad enough.

  “It’ll be okay, hen.” Mason winked at her, grabbed the nearest coconut and set it apart from the others on the sand.

  He hacked at it until the green flesh split open.

  “I hope everyone likes coconut,” Olivia said.

  “If not, they’ll have to learn.” Mason pulled the coconut open revealing the husky brown shell inside. He then sliced off the top revealing brilliant white flesh.

  “Here.” He passed it to Olivia. “Should be okay to drink from.”

  She took a sip. The liquid was sweet and aromatic. She closed her eyes and drank deep, loving how the flavor spread on her tongue.

  “Good?” Lucas asked when she’d finished.

  “Oh yeah.” She licked her lips and nodded. “Very.”

  He grinned. “I’ll get a whole stack down, so you can have one whenever you want.”

  “You’re too good to me, you know that, Lucas.”

  A small rise of color attacked his cheeks. “Just trying to help.”

  “You are.”

  “You want me to get some of the flesh for you?” Mason asked.

  “Mmm, please.”

  He set about splitting the nut in half then carving out the inner edible layer.

  As Olivia munched happily, Mason prepared one for Lucas.

  “Hey, how’s it going?” Harry strolled from the canopy of trees. Behind him Evan followed.

  “Good,” Mason said. “Want one?”

  “Hell yeah, but make sure everyone else has one first.” Harry looked back over his shoulder. “Fire is going well. Hopefully we’ll be lucky with the line and have something to cook later.”

  “Plenty of fish in the sea,” Evan said, rubbing his hands together and looking out at the horizon. “We really should be making an effort to keep watch, don’t you think?”

  “For passing boats, yeah, we should.” Olivia glanced at Harry. “Shall we have a rota? Take turns.”

  “I’m happy with that,” he said. He nodded up at the sky, the sun had gone well beyond midday. “I’m hoping search and rescue will have been alerted by now. And as much as they’re looking for us, we should keep an eye out for them.” He paused and took a coconut Mason had prepared for him to drink from. ‘Thanks, buddy.” He took a sip then licked his lips. “If there’s a boat in sight, we definitely need to be on that radio, trying to find their frequency.”

  “I agree.” Mason pointed the knife at the tall rocky outcrop at the end of the beach. “And we could do with a fire up there, ready to be lit. Like a beacon.”

  “Good plan.” Evan nodded, and swallowed a mouthful of coconut. “But what’s going to be essential is fresh water. We need to do a search.” He gestured in the opposite direction of the rock. “I think that will be the best way to start. Looking at the shape of the hills we might get lucky with a stream.”

  “Okay.” Harry began to munch on his coconut with a slight frown on his brow. “And Raul is out there, doing his best to catch dinner. I reckon he could do with help as food is a priority too.”

  “I�
�ll do it,” Lucas said.

  “Good man.” Harry nodded.

  Olivia caught Lucas’s eye and smiled as he stepped toward the shoreline. She hoped he’d take her earlier advice and spark up a friendship with Raul. It would be good for him.

  “And I’ll go up to that rock and prepare another fire as Mason suggested,” Harry said.

  “I don’t think you should go alone,” Olivia worried, her attention flicking to him. “We have no idea what’s out there, animals and that. Plus it looks pretty steep. What if you sprain your ankle or something?”

  His expression softened. “I’ll be okay. Don’t worry.”

  “I am worried.” She felt she should stand her ground. “I think if we’re going to leave camp, we should go in pairs. Much safer. At least to start with.”

  Harry opened his mouth, as if to disagree.

  Olivia, having finished her coconut, folded her arms and tipped her head. Was he really going to argue with such a sensible suggestion? Well, he could try, but he wouldn’t win.

  “She’s right,” Evan said. “It makes sense to have a wingman out there in the trees. And to be honest, the beacon can wait. We need fresh water.” Once again he gestured down the beach. “I’ll head this way.”

  “And I’ll come with you,” Harry said.

  Evan shook his head. “No, you stay and man the radio, Harry. Try and get hold of the rescue team or anyone that comes in sight.” He looked at Mason. “You cool to keep the fire alight?”

  “Aye, I can do that.” Mason continued to open coconuts, tossing the discarded shells into a pile at the base of the tree. Angel, the big white bird, had already discovered them and was pecking at the husks.

  “Which means you’re with me,” he said to Olivia. “Are you up for it?”

  “Of course.” More than up for it. The thought of exploring with Evan was very appealing. “And we should take as many empty Evian bottles as we can, so if we do find water, we can bring some back.”

  “Good idea.” Evan finished his coconut then nodded at the raft. “I’m going to have to take another knife, Harry, from Raul’s collection.”

  Harry shoved his hand through his hair and glanced out at sea.

  Raul and Lucas were now absorbed in their task of setting the line and it seemed they were talking too.