Chapter 30
RAFE
A WEEK LATER
W e were on our way back to Sydney, a few hours away, when the storm season finally unleashed.
I’d noticed the winds picking up and the swells, but like other days, I thought we’d outrun it.
Until I was sitting on deck with Niall and noticed the deck crew running around like mad. Even Jana looked tense as she ordered us inside, and that had never happened.
An hour later, the rain poured down as the ship began to rock.
Suddenly, I heard shouting. I recognized George’s voice. A door slammed and then silence.
I headed up to the wheelhouse too see what was going on. I knocked once and waited, but there was no response except the murmur of voices on the other side of the door.
Cautiously, I opened it to find George in his usual spot with Charlie standing at his side, binoculars in hand. I followed their line of vision and glanced out the window.
A charter boat was bobbing dangerously up and down, then spinning right and left. The high waves and the winds overpowering the boat. It was headed in our direction.
I didn’t know much about vessels, but I knew when one was far too close and getting closer.
George turned and when he saw me, surprise lit his face, then he waved me in with one hand while talking into the radio with the other.
“Your vessel is less than ten meters from our port side. Now, Voyager can’t go faster than 35 knots given the swells. If we slow down too much, we risk our stabilization. At this rate, your ship and ours are on a path to collision. Acknowledge.”
Dead air filled the room. Then a crackle erupted as the radio came to life. I held my breath, unable to believe what was happening in front of me.
“ Harry’s Haven …captain…reduced speed. I’m trying to turn but the swells are carrying us forward…can’t…control…”
The radio crackled again and went silent.
George tried to reach them again but to no avail.
He tapped on the controls and held up the receiver.
“This is Captain George Bernard from Now, Voyager. Current coordinates 35 latitude, 76 longitude, requesting emergency assistance from the coast guard. There is a charter boat, Harry’s Haven , in distress nearby and they’re veering in our direction.
We are in danger of collision. We have twenty people aboard.
I’m not sure how many are on the charter; we tried communicating but the radio cut out.
The charter is being buffeted by the swells and unable to veer away from our oncoming path. Acknowledge. Over.”
Another voice echoed out. “Copy, Captain Bernard. This is coast guard 586. We’re got two vessels in your area but they’re about five minutes out. Over.”
“Acknowledged. Thank you. Out.”
George adjusted something on the controls, calmly and carefully. I, on the other hand, was too shocked and frightened to move, let alone speak.
“Charlie, gather everyone in the main lounge, get their life vests on, and wait for my direction. I’m going to slow down our speed as much as I’m able,” George said quietly.
“Will do.” Charlie replied.
“Is there anything I can do to help, love?” I finally asked, my initial shock turning to action.
I hated waiting for anything. As long as I kept doing something, my anxiety would abate.
“Please head down with Charlie and get your vest on.”
“I’m staying with you.”
“No, my heart. Go with Charlie. If there’s a need to evacuate, listen to him. Promise me, Rafe.”
Wait, what?
“Don’t you mean listen to you?” I asked.
George shook his head and took hold of my hands. I relished his warmth, safety, and strength. Then his green eyes met mine. They were filled with worry.
“I’ll stay on board as long as needed. Passengers come first,” he insisted.
“That’s absurd. You’re not risking your life for Rowan’s ship. I don’t care how much he spent on it. And I’m not leaving you alone up here, love.”
I didn’t care that Charlie was standing nearby, watching and listening, and neither did George. After giving me a quick kiss, he let go.
Our eyes remained tethered. No matter the day or time or place, whenever we were near each other, we were always tethered.
“Charlie, please escort Rafe downstairs.”
“No,” I reached for George again. “I’m not leaving. I love you,” I whispered.
“I love you more,” he replied and let go of me, turning back to his duties.
“Come on, Rafe. You need to listen to George, and he needs to work,” Charlie insisted as he guided me to the door, and I reluctantly went.
Just before I reached the stairs, I looked back over my shoulder.
There was obvious tension on George’s face, but he moved as he always did—confidently.
My George was a man of honor and integrity.
A man dedicated to the well-being of his crew, his guests, his friends, and his family.
Always putting others’ needs above his own. Maybe even his life too .
No, don’t think of that.
I was frightened beyond measure, but so fucking proud. I thought I couldn’t have loved him more, but I was wrong.
I made a promise, right there. I would do everything, for the rest of our lives, to show him just how much I loved and adored him. He was my always.
I just hoped that mother nature was listening.
GEORGE
While I understood Rafe’s concern about my safety, I was only worried about his.
About everyone on board, least of all myself. No matter what, I would ensure the safety of my passengers and crew.
I slowed our speed down as much as I could, but it was useless.
The charter boat was ebbing closer and closer, the bow shifting left, then right, the force of the waves dictating its movement.
My stomach dropped as I realized a crash was inevitable.
All I could do was slow my speed, hopefully enough to mitigate the impact and save both vessels from catastrophic damage.
Wave after powerful wave slammed us, and the boat nearby, nearly toppling it over.
The sea spray and rain hit the windows with a thunderous clap.
The swells had risen again, another two meters.
I contemplated lowering the fenders, but it was impossible with the high winds.
I was worried they’d get caught on the other boat and pull us into them instead.
“Captain,” my radio crackled, and Noah’s voice echoed. “We’ve got flooding in the engine room.”
“Are the sump pumps working?”
“They are, but the water’s coming in faster than it can be pumped out.”
“Shut down the A/C and whatever else you need to save power. The coast guard is on their way, but we may be stranded out here for a bit. We can’t lose those pumps.”
“Copy.”
The boat was closer now, two or three meters from us. So close in fact, I saw the captain using maritime signals to indicate their distress. I responded back but there wasn’t much more I could do at this point.
I picked up the radio again and tapped the intercom button.
“Attention, all crew. Attention, all crew. Brace for impact.”
I hoped to God that Rafe was listening to Charlie, and that he would be safe. If anything happened to my love, I’m not sure my heart could take it.
Not thirty seconds later, it happened.
Harry’s Haven slammed into our port side.
While we were a huge vessel, the surge of power from the waves and the impact as we collided had Now, Voyager tilting and shaking.
Like the worst kind of airplane turbulence, we shook and dropped violently.
The sound of crashing glass, tumbling objects, and shouts echoed above the wail of the wind.
All the emergency alarms activated and blared out like air sirens.
The charter bore the brunt of the crash, and I could see the damaged hull.
They drifted away from us, the waves carrying them.
I hoped to God that we would avoid another collision, and I worried about their crew.
I had no doubt that with that kind of damage, their boat was flooding, their risk of going under getting higher with each passing second.
Would the coast guard make it in time?
I pressed the intercom button.
“Charlie, is everyone all right?”
“Everyone’s fine down here, George.”
Immediate relief flooded my system.
“But Rafe wants to head up to see you,” Charlie commented.
That was my fierce Rafe, never one to just do what he’s told.
“Tell him to stay where he is. That’s a direct order.”
I was sure to get retaliation for that later, but I didn’t care. I tapped on the engine room intercom to talk to Noah.
“Noah, what’s the status on the flooding?”
“The sump pump is working, but not as fast as I’d like.”
“I’m going to increase our speed again to see if I can outrun the swells.”
I looked at the radar and spotted another vessel headed towards us.
My radio crackled to life again and I picked up the receiver.
“Captain Bernard speaking. Over.”
“Captain, this is the coast guard, we have you in sight. Our second vessel is on its way to assist the crew of Harry’s Haven . Do you need to evacuate?”
“Yes. The engine room has flooding, and the sump pump is not able to keep pace. I don’t want to take any chances with my passengers or crew.”
I picked up my binoculars and spotted the coast guard vessel through the rain. It was as big as Now, Voyager .
Thank God.
I tapped the intercom. “Charlie, the coast guard is approaching. Get the passengers ready to disembark, then the interior crew and remaining deck crew, including yourself. I want everyone but me, Noah, and Flynn to get off the ship.”
“Copy, Captain.”
I had a bad feeling Rafe was going to refuse to go, but I put my faith in my first officer. Charlie was a nice bloke, but he could be just as demanding as me if needed, and I hoped he wouldn’t let Rafe dissuade him.
I saw the coast guard vessel getting closer, releasing a tender to pick up our passengers.
Once they got near our stern, I headed outside, quickly, and saw them, one by one, exiting Now, Voyager and settling into the tender.
The boat was rocking and dipping, and I prayed that they would hurry up.
I noticed Rafe get on last and yell something at Charlie. Then he looked up at me.
I didn’t want to cause a scene given the rescue operation underway, so I stood there and stared down at him as the rain and wind lashed my body.
At first, I couldn’t tell if he’d seen me. Until he placed his hand over his heart.