The waves had changed their sound. The watery fingers that had threatened my boat, tossing Robbie and me around like driftwood, were calmer here. The rain still fell, but I could see through it now. I wasn't sure if it just wasn't falling as hard, or if I had just grown numb to the stinging power of the droplets. Lightning still flashed, but the thunder no longer shook the sails. The wind was still screaming in the rigging, though, and I was sure I would never be able to hear again after hours of listening to the deafening noise.
I sailed through the breakwater of the marina, turning my sails into the wind as I approached the dock. Since the mainsail was no longer directly catching the wind, it flopped and danced like a fish out of water. I stared at it, barely registering that the racket it was making was dangerous. Men in yellow raincoats pointed toward my sail as I glided into a slip, yelling words I didn't understand. I knew it was English, but my brain was too tired to make out the words.
The boat slid slowly to a stop, and I let go of the wheel. My fingers ached, and I had to struggle to release it. The sail was still flapping and clattering in the wind. I had to tie it down. I could feel myself screaming as I ran to the lines, sheeting the sail so that the men could come aboard.
"MY SKIPPER!" I shouted as I pulled down the sail, desperate for the men on the dock to save Robbie. I prayed he was still okay. I hadn't been able to check on him, and I was terrified that he might have gone into shock. I needed him to be all right. I needed him to be there when I woke up tomorrow.
Three men tied my boat to the dock, ignoring the rain and the wind as if it didn't exist. I didn't care about the boat. I just wanted them to save Robbie.
I secured the sail, knowing they wouldn't come aboard until it was safe, and as soon as the knot was tied, I was at the hatch. I bounded down the steps, my tears mixing with the rain as I ran to him. Please, please, please... I chanted silently. The cabin seemed to stretch out into infinity as I crossed the space to him.
He was still tied in place, his skin cold and clammy. He gave me a weak smile as I pulled violently at the lee cloths holding him in place. The icepack had melted long ago, and I threw the bag of water on the floor. I touched his cheek. His green eyes were glassy and full of pain.
"We've got him now," a kind voice said behind me, pushing me gently out of the way. A burly sailor with a bushy beard and swarthy features picked Robbie up as though he were a child. An ambulance was waiting by the dock, the red and blue lights swirling in the windy rain. I followed the big man carrying Robbie until we reached the ambulance. I needed to go with him, but the doors closed before I could step in.
I dropped to my knees on the asphalt, the rain running in rivers down the street. I didn't care. Robbie was safe. I had succeeded. I knew they would take care of him. Kind hands lifted me from the ground, and I was half carried to a truck. The motor was running, and it was warm inside. I didn't even remember hearing the door shut before I fell asleep.
Chapter 19
The room was dark, and I could hear rain on the window. Something had awakened me, but I wasn't sure what, so I sat up slowly in the unfamiliar room. There was a dull pressure behind my left eye; I wondered if going back to sleep would make it go away. I knew it wouldn't, but getting up and finding some medicine seemed like a worse choice than just staying in bed and dealing with the pain. Every muscle of my body ached, and any movement sent tendrils of fire into my limbs. To say that I had overdone it yesterday was an understatement. I had never pushed my body as hard or as fast as I had in that storm.
I knew I needed at least a glass of water and a potty break if I was going to go back to sleep. I coaxed my weak body to sit on the edge of the bed, letting my feet dangle just above the cold, hardwood floor. The room was decorated with a cheerful maritime theme, and I could hear activity in the rooms below. Dark curtains kept whatever sunshine was outside at bay and gave me no concept of time. I remembered someone with strong hands placing me in a car and taking me from dock. There was a blurry memory of someone guiding me to a room and pulling back the covers on the bed before I collapsed and fell into a blissful sleep.
I ran a hand through my hair, feeling twists and tangles all snarled together. I groaned slightly, thinking of how terrible it was going to be to brush it out. Maybe just shaving it off would be easier. I hadn't even changed out of my sailing gear, and I felt dirty and gross. A hot shower suddenly sounded like the most amazing idea in the entire world, followed by medicine, and going back to sleep for a week.
A knock on the door told me what had awakened me in the first place. It was that same gentle rapping that had dragged me from sleep and alerted me to the headache still growing in my skull.
"Come in," I called, but my voice came out hoarse and raspy. I held my hand to my throat, surprised at the sound and the rawness I felt at talking. Just how much had I been screaming? I remembered yelling at Robbie, cursing at the storm, and shrieking for help at the docks, but I didn't think it had been enough to blow my vocal cords.
The door cracked open and a tentative head peeked in. Grace's smile lit up the room as she entered, softly closing the door behind her. She had a tray with food and drink on it that gave a pleasant clink of glass as she set it on the nightstand. I hadn't realized how famished I was until I caught a whiff of toast and eggs. My stomach gave a low growl.
"Sam! I'm glad you're up," Grace said, sitting on the bed and wrapping me up in her arms. I felt a tension relax in my shoulders that I didn't even know was there. Grace was here; she always made sure that things came out right.
"What are you doing here, Grace? I thought you had a test," I whispered. My voice was still too raw to actually speak. Even though I was glad beyond words she was with me, I was still very confused as to why she was here. "Where's Avery? And how's Robbie?"
Grace smoothed my messy hair, a soft smile on her petite features. "Avery is with Robbie downstairs. He's actually in better shape than you right now. As to why we're here, Robbie had the two of us flown out for the weekend as a surprise to greet you at the end of the race. We just got here this morning, actually. "
My head swam with questions, and I couldn't decide which one to pick first. "But you had a test coming up? And what day is it? How long have I been sleeping? And Robbie's okay?"
Grace laughed, a tinkling happy sound. "Here, you eat something and I'll answer all your questions." She handed me the plate of food, and I licked my lips. It smelled so good.
"Shoundsh good," I answered, stuffing my mouth full of eggs. I wasn't sure if it was just ravenous hunger, but they were the most delicious thing I think I have ever eaten. I couldn’t get them down fast enough.
"I'll start with yesterday. You and Robbie finished the race just after noon. Twenty-five hours and thirty-three minutes. Not quite the record, but pretty darn close. The storm was just finishing when they dragged you out of your boat, but it was still pretty hairy. We were supposed to fly in that evening, but the airport was closed due to weather. They brought you here to the hotel, and Robbie to the hospital."
She paused, and I nodded, listening intently as I gulped down some orange juice. It was fresh squeezed, and even though it burned a little at my raw throat, it tasted too good to stop.
"That was yesterday after noon. Avery and I flew in this morning, and it is now almost two. The doctor said to make sure you ate something today, so I brought you breakfast even though it's closer to lunch." She grinned at my shocked look.
"It's two? I feel like I could still sleep for another four hours..."
"How about a shower instead? You look awful."
"Thanks, sis. Love you too," I cracked. She stuck out her tongue and took my empty plate. I hadn't realized I had devoured it so quickly. The headache even seemed to be a little better after getting some food in me. "You said Robbie's downstairs with Avery? Is he okay? What about his arm?"
Grace handed me two round pills which I quickly swallowed. She headed to the bathroom, twisting her head over her shoulder as she started the water
. "Yes, he's downstairs playing with Avery. She loves those princess dresses he got her and is making him have a tea party with her."
I grinned at the image of him playing with Avery. That man was half child himself, so I had no doubt the two of them were getting along splendidly. "What about his arm?"
I could hear the shower running and I stood up, stretching my stiff muscles and moving slowly toward the water. Grace came back into view, her pretty features in a frown.
"It isn't good, Sam. His elbow dislocated, and it tore a ligament. Given the extent of his injury, the doctor says he's not sure it will heal properly. You did fantastic getting him to care in time, but that kind of injury... it just never sets right." Her blue eyes searched mine, waiting to see my response.
I sat back down on the bed, feeling what little strength I had rush out. I had seen this injury once before. It was in college and it had taken her months to recover. Even then, she never had the strength in that arm and had eventually quit racing. This was the type of injury that ended careers. Even if the ligament healed well, it was going to be at least a multiple month recovery. Robbie would never be able to sail safely single-handed again.
"It's my fault, Grace... I should have told him no when he wanted to ride through the storm. He just wanted to win so badly...for me."
Grace knelt on the floor in front of me, taking my hands in hers and forcing me to look into her eyes. "This is not your fault, Samantha Conners. Even he says it. He told the doctors it was his decision to go into the storm and that you wanted to go to port. He underestimated the storm and it ended up biting him, but this is in no way your fault."
I stayed silent, the guilt in my stomach chewing at my ribs. The idea that Robbie would lose the thing he loved most in this world because he was helping me was the worst part. He hadn't even planned on being in this race until I came along and he volunteered to be my partner.
"Sam, I can see where your thoughts are going. Robbie Saunders made his own choice to sail in this race. He chose to sail with you. He could have gotten you a different partner, but he didn't. He could have chosen to pull the sails and wait out the storm, but he didn't. He was the skipper, and he made the choice to go into it. You just happened to be there." Grace paused and made sure I was listening. "It's a damn good thing you were, too. Anyone else, and that ship would have sank. Instead you made it fly and got him the help that he needed. You probably saved his life."
"I guess." I sighed. The idea that Robbie might never race again was horrible. It didn't matter how fast I had gone; I couldn't have stopped the injury. "When'd they let him out of the hospital?"
"This morning. You were actually in worse shape since you sailed through the storm and he was below deck. He's still pretty worn out, but the important thing is that he's going to be fine."
Except for his arm, I thought. Grace frowned and pulled me to my feet. "Okay, no more moping. Get in the shower and when you get out, things won't look so bad."
I scowled at her. I wondered if they taught that cheery-get-your-butt-moving smile in nursing school or if she had just always had it. But I shuffled off to the shower like a dutiful patient.
I stepped onto the tile floor, the ceramic smooth against my feet. Steam already coated the mirror and made the little bathroom delightfully warm. Just as I was about to close the door and slither out of my grungy gear, Grace called out, "Oh yeah, I just realized you probably don't know. They said you were pretty out of it when you landed. You two won the race."
My jaw hit the floor. "What?"
Grace came around to stand in the doorway, a proud grin lighting up her features. "Yup. First place. Think about where you want to put the trophy while you wash your hair." And then she closed the door on me.
I stood staring at the white wooden bathroom door, feeling like I had been in a boxing match instead of a storm. Robbie might never sail again, but we had won. Pulling my shirt off over my head made me grimace. It felt like I was pulling off skin with it. Even though we had sailed in freshwater, I was sticky with salt from sweat.
I moved like a robot, taking off the remaining clothes and leaving them in a dirty pile by the door. I didn't even bother to brush my hair before stepping under the spray of the shower. It felt divine, and for a second, I let myself forget everything and just revel in the sensation of being warm, wet, and clean.
I did the conditioner first, finding that Grace had put several bottles in the shower for me. I worked an entire sample-sized bottle of the slippery stuff into my tangled hair, massaging it into every tress to help the knots slide out. I grabbed the brush from the counter and worked from the tips to the roots, the steam filling the small bathroom as I worked. The water cascaded onto my legs and it felt so good to be warm. The simple task of brushing my hair and untangling it, provided a soothing quality to my confused mind.
We had won the race. My sailing career would take off. I would race in the nationals next season. But Robbie wouldn't. He might be able to sail again, but competitive racing would put demands on his elbow that it wouldn't be able to handle.
I ducked my head under the water, rinsing out the conditioner and leaving me with untangled hair. I let the water drum on my head for a moment before reaching for the shampoo. I knew it wasn't my fault, but I still felt guilty. Robbie was my best friend and I knew this would be devastating for him. If I could, I would go back and take that sheet myself. He didn't deserve to have his racing career end like this.
I rinsed the suds from my hair and squeezed another bottle of conditioner into it. The steam was almost hard to see through, but it felt good. After wondering if I would ever feel warm again, it was a pleasant sensation to boil.
"Hey, the city called and they want to make sure there's some water left for the town," Grace called through the door. I wondered just how long I had been standing there, letting the hot water wash away the ache in my muscles as my brain chewed on the problem at hand.
"I'll be out in a minute," I yelled back, dipping my head under the water to rinse my hair one final time.
"I have some clean clothes on the bed. Come downstairs when you're done," Grace said through the door.
I reluctantly hit the faucet for the shower, ending the wonderful spray of hot water. My skin was bright red and hot to the touch, but I didn't care. It felt amazing to be clean. I wrapped a fluffy towel around me and put a towel around my hair as well. I rubbed a spot clean on the mirror with a corner of the towel around my waist; serious, gray eyes stared back at me. What happened to Robbie wasn't my fault. There wasn't anything I could do to change what had come to pass, and there was no way for me to fix it. The only thing I could do to help Robbie would be to support him. To help him with rehab and to help him sail again. I loved him. The gray eyes looking back at me were now happier and less somber. I let the mirror re-fog, and I got ready to go downstairs.
Chapter 20
I slipped on a comfy pair of sweats and headed down the stairs. The little bed and breakfast was cozy and warm with a maritime theme. Paintings of ocean scenes and ships decorated the walls, with soft yellow and navy blue accents. I could hear laughter coming from the kitchen so I made my way there.
Avery and Robbie sat drinking tea out of doll-sized tea-cups at the cozy wooden table. Grace wasn't in the kitchen, but I figured she must be nearby. I leaned against the doorway, watching Robbie play at tea with Avery.
"Would you like some sugar, sir?" Avery asked him, batting her eyelashes as she poured more imaginary tea into his cup.
"Why yes, good miss. I'd love some more," he answered her solemnly. His arm was nestled against his chest in a dark blue sling. Sandy hair brushed the tops of his eyebrows; his green eyes were bright despite his pale skin. My heart ached with happiness to see him sitting there alive and well. I had been terrified that I might lose him.
"Hi, Aunt Sam!" Avery shouted as she set the teapot down. I smiled and pushed off the door-frame, stepping into the room.
"Sam..." Robbie's lips curved into a smile, and
he stood reaching his good arm out toward me. I merged into him, feeling his arm wrap around me and pull me to him. His lips were warm and soft, and the stubble on his chin tickled my cheek as he kissed me. I dove into the kiss, my fear of losing him melting away. I had needed that kiss. I had needed it in order to know he was still with me.
"Eww... gross..." Avery made a face, sticking out her tongue and acting like she was going to puke. Robbie laughed, releasing me from the kiss but not his grasp. I loved being pressed up against him, feeling his body strong and solid beneath mine. I kissed him one more time, making a loud lip-smacking noise just to make Avery mad. She rolled her eyes and tried to ignore us by playing with her teacups.
"Are you okay?" I whispered, my arms still wrapped around Robbie's neck. Now that I had him with me, I didn't want to let him go. I put my head on his shoulder, breathing in the scent of him and letting it fill me. It was masculine and clean, with just a hint of salt. "I was so afraid I wasn't going to make it in time."
Robbie nuzzled my cheek, a smile playing across his face. "You made it just fine. And you did it all by yourself."
"Not all. You did the first half with me," I said, cuddling further into his shoulder. He felt so strong and safe beneath me.
"Then I'll just take the bottom half of the trophy tonight," he answered. I lifted my head to look at him. A self-deprecating smile was on his face, but something about it just seemed off. A distance appeared in his eyes. "I guess you can sail single-handed now..."
I gave him a gentle shove on his good shoulder. "No way!"
"You did it yesterday and got first place in one of the most difficult competitions in the world," he said. I shook my head.
"No, I didn't. You were still there."
His green eyes were dark and distant. Storm clouds still lingered there. "Useless and broken in the hold doesn't count as being there." He dropped his arm from my waist and turned away from me.
Freshwater Kisses: A Billionaire Love Story Page 13
