herself to the force of the darkness, she felt strong arms around her, pulling her up. When her face broke the surface, she gasped in a blessed scoop of air. Hudson’s arm was around her, taking her back to the safety of the boat. Relief rolled over her as she half-cried and half-laughed. “You saved me,” she said hoarsely.
Luna felt herself being lifted and realized Dustin had her arms and was pulling her onto the boat. He lay her back on the seat. Dizziness wafted over her, and for a second, she felt like she was still in the water. Hudson sat down beside her and scooped her up in his arms. Her body was trembling uncontrollably from the cold. It occurred to her that it was still raining.
“Get her some blankets,” he ordered. “I’m so sorry,” he said, his voice breaking. “I thought I’d lost you.”
Luna was so cold. Her teeth were chattering to the point where she thought they might break out of her mouth. The boat was still rocking wildly, making her feel like she might throw up again.
Hudson rubbed her arms vigorously, but he too was shaking from the cold.
Finally, Dustin returned with blankets.
Luna settled into the warmth they afforded, but her body was still so cold. “Let’s get you down below,” Hudson said. He picked her up and carried her down the stairs where he placed her gently on the couch. Tenderly, he brushed her hair back from her forehead. She thought he might sit with her, but he pulled away. “Stay with her,” he said gruffly.
That’s when Luna realized that Margot was in the cabin. Tears stained Margot’s cheeks. “I’m so sorry for everything I said,” she cried as she rushed forward and threw her arms around Luna’s neck, enveloping her in a tight hug.
Luna was too tired to fight. “It’s okay.”
Margot pulled back. “No guy is worth our friendship. If you want Hudson, you can have him.”
A wry grin touched Luna’s mouth. “Good to know. I guess some good came out of me almost dying.” The horror of the experience rushed back, bringing with it a shiver that had nothing to do with the cold. When that wave hit, she’d thought she was a goner.
Margot’s eyes rounded. “Don’t joke about that.” She sat down beside Luna. “We’ve gotta get you out of these wet clothes,” she said practically, “before you freeze to death.”
“Good idea,” Luna agreed through clacking teeth.
6
“You could’ve died!”
“I almost did die. Thankfully, Hudson got me out.” Luna shuddered, remembering the bleak cold water and how it had numbed every part of her body, threatening to pull her under and snuff out her life.
Ava’s head moved back and forth. “Wow. I’m so glad you’re okay.”
“Me too.” Luna sat back in her seat, hugging her arms. She looked at Ava, whose injured shoulder was still in a sling. Both of them had had near misses with death recently. Ava’s experience was much worse than Luna’s. Still, the accident had jolted Luna. A shiver ran down her spine. Was fate punishing the sisters for their deception? No, she couldn’t think like that. She had to remain positive.
“You are okay, right?” Ava asked, her penetrating eyes piercing through the large screen on the desktop computer.
Ava let out a half laugh. The concern in Ava’s eyes was touching. It was nice having a sister to look out for her. “Yeah, I’m doing fine. I mean, my back is sore from where the boom hit me, but I’ll live,” she finished dryly.
“The boom?” Ava frowned. “What’s that?”
“The bottom frame section of the mainsail. A storm came up. Hudson asked Dustin to lower the sails and lash them so the wind wouldn’t rip them apart, but the moron didn’t have a clue what he was doing.” Her jaw tightened. “He did something wrong. The sail swung, hit me in the back, and knocked me overboard.”
Ava’s eyes were large pools of sympathy. “I’m so sorry.” She dipped her head. “Who’s Dustin?”
“Dustin Lawrence.”
“Seriously?” Ava scoffed. “I can’t stand that guy. Why was he there?”
Luna rolled her eyes. “Because Margot brought him as her date.”
“Oh, I guess it’s good that you and Margot are getting along well. Did you invite her sailing?”
“Of course not,” Luna retorted. “She called me last night. I told her I was going sailing today, and she just showed up … even though I specifically told her not to come.” Her voice hardened, irritation coming back full force. “I don’t understand how you could be friends