Chapter 31
GEORGE
T he coast guard tender sped away over the swells.
I headed back inside and used my binoculars to watch everyone get safely on board. I waited as they filed onto the ship, Rafe getting off last again.
I picked up my receiver “Copy. Go ahead.”
“Is that all the passengers?”
“Yes, it’s just me and my two engineers. I’m going to follow your route.”
“Acknowledged. We’re about thirty minutes from shore.”
The next half hour was the longest of my life.
Luckily, the swells started to calm and, despite the flooding, the sump pumps kept enough water out so we could keep moving.
When I finally spotted the shoreline, I was ready to collapse with relief. Both coast guard vessels were docking, and I was headed in next.
Fifteen minutes later, and after much back and forth with the coast guard and the harbormaster, I pulled into dock. Noah and Flynn got the fenders down and the lines secured. It took twice as long as usual, but no matter. I would owe them both a heavy bonus for their work today.
Once we were docked, I was finally able to head downstairs and get a look at the outside of the ship.
There was a large indent where the other boat had rammed against us, but thankfully no major cracking.
There was the possibility of hairline fissures, but I would leave that to a repair crew to evaluate.
First things first, I texted Rafe to ensure he was okay. Then I talked to Noah and Flynn and took as many pictures as I could. After that, I called Rowan to tell him what had happened as I made my way over to the coast guard ship. Once I’d reassured Rowan that Rafe was fine, he calmed.
I spotted Niall and Willem heading down the plank with Rafe right behind. He almost pushed past them to get to me, and my own steps were frantic as we finally met halfway.
I pulled him into my arms as we both stood there, shaking and too overloaded to speak.
Finally, I found my words. “Are you okay, love?”
“I’m fine now that you’re here, but don’t ever scare me like that again! Or tell me to leave when you’re still on board. Because I’m telling you right now, I’m never doing that again. Where you go, I go.”
I hugged him fiercely and let out a laugh that only this man could provoke. “I’m going to have my hands full with you for the rest of my life, aren’t I?”
“Bloody right you are. Are you okay?”
“I’m fine. In need of a strong drink, but I’m fine.”
“And the ship?”
“The ship is battered but not broken. I’ll probably need to stay on for a week or so to oversee the repairs. Sorry to cut short your trip.”
“I don’t care about that—” His voice broke. “Leaving you on board, that was the hardest thing I’ve ever done. If anything had happened to you…” He turned his face into my chest and sobbed. His tears were my undoing.
“Shhh. Everything is fine. I’ve faced worse situations than that. And with the coast guard nearby, I knew we would be okay.”
“I can’t leave you to fly to Europe. I can’t do it,” Rafe whispered, and I lifted his chin.
His beautiful eyes were bright with tears.
“You’ll be fine, love. It’s just the shock. Do you need to see a doctor?”
“No. I just need you.”
I kissed him, his lips wet with tears and rainwater. Nothing had ever tasted so sweet.
“All right then. Let’s grab our necessities from the ship and go find a hotel for the night.”
Rafe nodded and when I looked up, I noticed everyone gathered around us.
“If you need to go on board to grab your stuff, you can do so. There’s no danger. But be careful of broken glass, since there was a lot of surface damage both inside and out. Everyone stays at a hotel for the next two nights. I’m sorry that your voyage has ended on such a dramatic note.”
“We’re just glad that everyone’s okay. Your staff was amazing. We were frightened but you guys got us out of there fast.” Niall nodded.
Niall, Willem, and Charlie gathered with the other models and the crew and headed over to get their belongings.
I turned back to Rafe. “I have to speak with the coast guard before we leave. I need to know about the status of the charter boat. Stay here.”
“No way. I’m coming with you.”
I didn’t argue and took his hand as I walked the plank and searched for the commander of the ship.
We finally met with the captain, and he informed us that the other coast guard vessel had rescued all five persons aboard Harry’s Haven . I was so relieved. The boat, however, was long gone, probably sunk to the bottom of the ocean by now.
The coast guard was also arranging for two of their members to patrol Now, Voyager overnight until my return. In the meantime, I got out my mobile and sent referrals for the ship repair requests immediately. Then I coordinated with the coast guard for my return.
An hour later, Rafe and I headed back to the ship to pack up.
There was a lot of broken items, but nothing that couldn’t be fixed.
I also sent an email request for a cleaning crew.
I gathered my necessities, but Rafe packed all his stuff since he’d be leaving for good in two days.
The harbormaster had contacted a nearby hotel and had gotten all of us rooms.
Rafe was silent as we checked into the modern hotel overlooking the bay. When we finally got to our suite, I asked him again if he needed to see a doctor. He still looked awfully pale.
“I’m fine. Promise. I need a drink and then a lie down with you.”
We took a hot shower together and ordered room service. Double gin and tonics for both of us.
After we ate and had our drinks, we settled into bed and promptly fell asleep in each other’s arms. All the stress of the day had finally caught up to us.
The next morning, we woke up at 6 a.m. to the sound of our phones blowing up. We’d made the news again, and concerned family and friends were texting and calling like mad. I replied to my mates Oscar and Simon, and then Rafe and I had a video call with his parents and sister.
Rafe told them about the storm and about us. After his father’s initial shock, they seemed pleased, but it was hard to tell. Jamie Carter, Rafe’s dad, was a tough bloke to read.
It was clear from previous interactions that Jamie loved his family, but I’d heard him complain about Rafe’s lack of ambition and his career, and I hoped that sort of talk was gone for good.
Rafe needed to follow his own path, and I would do everything to encourage and support him.
That included standing up to his father if I heard even the slightest hint of derision.
I hoped it wouldn’t come to that, but I would be prepared for our first family visit.
I had a feeling that would be sooner rather than later, with Jamie suggesting they’d head down to the Caribbean in a month’s time.
After we’d reassured everyone in our lives that we were okay, we ordered breakfast and enjoyed the sunrise on the balcony.
“What time is your flight to Geneva tomorrow?”
“9 a.m.”
“So, we have all day to spend together before you leave.”
“I suspect you’ll be busy working most of it though, trying to get the ship back to shape,” he said as he sat beside me, his head on my shoulder.
“Yes, but you can stay with me. If you don’t mind.”
“There’s no place else I want to be,” Rafe sighed. “I can work on my laptop. Rowan referred me to an agent in Miami and I’ve given building management permission to let the realtor look round the flat so we can get it up for sale. He’s supposed to email me today.”
“Are you still sure that’s what you want to do?” I asked.
“No question. I didn’t mind living there temporarily, but the city was never my home. We need someplace quieter for most of the year. A place with unspoilt beaches and friendly people. And then when we need our dose of urban chaos, we can head back to London.”
I slipped on my glasses, pulled out my mobile and scrolled through pictures of my condo.
“This is my place in Tortola. It’s only two bedrooms, two bath. Not the usual palatial estates you’re used to, but it’s home.”
Rafe held out his hand and I passed him the phone. Nerves kicked up in my stomach, my concern that maybe my place was a bit too spartan for him. After all, Rafe had family money and was used to luxury. I was comfortable, but not his level of wealthy.
“I love it!” he exclaimed with his usual exuberance as he swiped the pictures.
The features that had sold me were the floor to ceiling windows that looked out over the water and the private beach.
I’d done the place up in a typical Caribbean style, lots of whitewashed wood, with touches of blue to add color.
The main bedroom as well as the living and dining area had a perfect view of the water.
The balcony ran the whole length of the unit, and I spent most of my time out there.
“We need a patio set and a barbecue. Ooh, and a hammock for the far end. And then we can get a…” Rafe stifled whatever it was he was about to say next.
“What? Tell me.”
“Well, you might think this is odd, and I’m not sure if we could manage, but I’d like to get a dog.”
Of all the things that ran through my mind at what he was about to say, a dog was the least of them. But I loved the idea of having something that belonged to the two of us. The start of our very own family.
“I think it’s a great idea, as long as Rowan would allow me to bring the dog on board. That way we wouldn’t have to leave them alone for long periods of time.”
“I’m sure I can persuade him,” Rafe chuckled darkly.
“Rafe,” I warned. “What are you planning?”
“Nothing. Let’s just say Rowan owes me a favor.”
I didn’t ask any further questions. I was staying out of the sibling showdown.
“It would have to be a small dog though. And I’d have to train them to ensure they would be comfortable on the ship.”
“A chihuahua. I love them and I wanted one so badly, but with my modeling and traveling, I just didn’t think it was fair. But now I’m ready if you are,” Rafe exclaimed and the joy in his eyes made my heart swell to epic proportions.
“There’s an animal rescue center on Tortola. Maybe we could check them out first? There are a lot of dogs that need good homes.”
“And this is why I love you.” He leaned over and kissed me soundly. “That’s a perfect idea. When I come to visit, that’s where we’ll go. First thing.”
“It’s a date.”