Page 45 of Shielding Instinct

But truth be told, Hawkeye was winging it.

Rounding the board until he was within arm’s reach, Hawkeye kept his voice loud but calm. “Sir, I’m a retired Green Beret. I’m here to help you. If you follow my instructions, I’ll get you back to the shore and get you the medical help you need.”

The man bobbled his head.

Hawkeye turned onto his stomach, spread his legs, and backed toward the man until his knees were on either side of Roy.

“I’m almost in place, Roy. Do me a favor. Just keep your hand on the board. You’re doing great. Now, I need you to turn and face out to sea. I’m going to keep talking you through this. You’ll know every step. Okay, Roy?”

Roy didn’t answer, and if he made a gesture, from Hawkeye’s position facing the shore, Hawkeye missed it.

“You’ll feel my legs positioning on either side of you.” Hawkeye used the board to slide his thighs along the outside of Roy’s ribs. “You should feel my legs around you now. You’ve seen the rescue harness that the Coast Guard uses? That’s what I’m going to do with my body. I’m making a harness for you with my legs. We’re going to work together, Roy. And together, we’re going to get you to shore. I’m in place now. I’m bending my legs at the knee to bring my feet toward the sky to make that safety harness. Your head leans back and uses my ass as a pillow. Put one arm over my thigh. Good. I’ve got you. You won’t go under. I need you to let go of the surfboard now.”

Roy didn’t comply.

“Roy. I’ve got you. You’re safe. The sooner we get you in position, the sooner I can get us to shore. Let go of the board.”

After a moment when Hawkeye could feel the man’s inner fight to obey Hawkeye’s command, Roy let go.

“See? Like I said, it’s like a Coast Guard safety harness. You just hold onto my shins. You’re doing great, sir. I’m going to cross my ankles over the top of you. That’s right, hold onto my calf. Don’t reach for the board. I’ve got you.”

Hawkeye pulled the board along until he had it heading parallel to the shore.

“This next part, Roy, I need you to be really still so I can focus on keeping us out of that current.”

Hawkeye reached to either side of the board and gripped tightly as he pushed the back down into the water and heaved himself up and over the end. Reaching forward and pulling hard, Hawkeye edged his torso on, then his hips, and with this last effort, he was able to get a bit of his thighs on board.

With his head resting back on Hawkeye’s butt, Roy’s body stretched out in the water.

Getting a man this size far enough south that they could safely tack back to shore was going to be a trick.

The sound of a jet ski gunning its engine pulled Hawkeye’s attention seaward.

Someone with a motor would sure make this event easier and safer.

Were they close enough that he could signal for help?

Sweeping his gaze along the horizon, Hawkeye spotted the white pleasure boat he’d seen earlier, the one with the joyful red flags.

Not too far away, considering how sound travels over water. Laughter brewed amongst the group on the deck, but they were all facing away from him.

A guy on a jet ski circled the yacht, popping out of the water and doing a few quick tricks.

The jet skier had his eye on the audience, watching as they cheered him on.

What he didn’t see was a monstrous wave rolling over the sea's surface.

With his weight on his elbows, Hawkeye cupped his mouth and yelled, “Wave!” to give his teammates a heads-up.

That swell was so big that Hawkeye changed his plans and decided to ride the crest to shore. It had to be stronger than the rip current. And Roy was struggling to breathe.

“Jeezus! Wave!” Levi called.

“Wave!” Hawkeye could hear the message passing from one brother to another.

The person who didn’t hear the warning was the guy on the jet ski wrapped in the cloud of his revving engine noises. The rider pulled up on the handles as he stood and arched backward to make the jet ski flip through the air.

It was a spectacular sight.

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