Page 102 of SEAL Summer Escape

Chapter 11

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BAILEY STIRRED, WARMsunlight beating down on her.Her pillow felt harder and lumpier than usual, but she was so tired and so warm.She shifted slightly, trying to fall back into a deep slumber and ignore her slightly stiff neck.The sun was so damn bright though.Had she forgotten to close her shades last night?

Sniffing the air, the scent of wood burning had her instantly awake.

She sat up with a start, gasping.The bonfire fifty feet away on the beach was baffling.Smoke rose high in the air, and she noted with a frown that dark clouds were off in the distance.

The boat.

The storm.

Memories of their day came flooding back.

She wasn’t at a beach bonfire with Taylor and the guys.She wasn’t dreaming, sound asleep in her own bed.

She was stuck here with Noah.

Rubbing her eyes as she pushed away the emergency blanket and glanced around, she realized he was nowhere in sight.The sun was lower in the sky than earlier, and fear crept through her as she realized they might be stranded out here all night.The fire should alert the rescuers, but with the rain in the distance, would they even be able to come?

Would the rain put the fire out before they even saw it?

A hot tear slid down her cheek, and she hastily swiped it away.

She was being silly.She was safe here with Noah.They had food.A few basic supplies.The pending rain would be somewhat of a challenge, but they could move back beneath the shelter of the trees.

Her gaze tracked upward, focusing on the tall palm trees.Her eyes widened as she spotted some coconuts.They could drink coconut water, too, to stay hydrated.If they could somehow get one down.

Sniffling, she swiped at her eyes again as her stomach rumbled.She’d barely eaten anything all day—just the few crackers earlier.And breakfast this morning at the condo, which now felt like a lifetime ago.

Were Taylor and Mason out looking for them now?Had something happened to them, too?

“Hey!”Noah called out, suddenly appearing from the tree line.He looked tall and self-assured as he moved forward, barefoot and wearing his swim trunks and tee shirt.He frowned as he walked toward her, his eyes crinkling with concern.“Hell, sunshine, are you okay?”

He crouched down beside her, and she instantly felt foolish.Noah had been out here gathering wood and starting a fire while she slept.He’d probably been searching the skies and water for any sign of someone.She should be helping him, not sitting here feeling sorry for herself.

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