Page 22 of Turn the Tide
“No.”
“Used to come here as a kid.”
“Okay. Where are we headed?”
He tilted his head back, not wanting to release her hand. “See that cliff face?”
“Please tell me we’re not scaling that.”
“No climbing. We walk along the bottom edge to about the middle of the island. Then there’s a path between the peaks.”
“Why head all the way up there?”
“It’s the highest point on the island. And there’s a cave. Half mile or so up that way. You okay to walk?”
“I can do a half mile.”
They picked their way slowly over dry ground, letting loose the occasional stone as they went. After a few minutes, the Polaris blazed ahead of them. Zoe mumbled something. It sounded likeasshole.
He stumbled to a full stop and looked at her. “You insulting me?”
“What? Oh, no. Thinking about those assholes.” She lifted her chin to where the platform’s lights polluted the night sky. “Theyshotat us, Eric. Put a hole in your boat. Leaked fuel all over the place. I know it’s not a ton, but this area’s a thriving habitat for marine wildlife, especially since the platform shut down. And San Elias is an important seabird rookery. Now it’ll need a cleanup.”
“That fuel is long gone.” His jaw hardened as he scanned the water for any signs of approach.
She sighed. “I know.”
He squeezed her hand and sucked in a breath when she squeezed back, fighting the urge to put her fingers to his cheek. That hand was the only truly warm part of his body.
“You see my boat out there?” she asked.
“No. They must’ve cut it loose hours ago.”
“Shit.”
“Yeah.”
“That boat belongs to the nonprofit. Without it, we might as well shut down.”
Another hand squeeze answered. He could get used to this.
“We’ll get you a boat. Come on. It’s not far. Right through here.” He guided them up, across a flat meadow, then into a tight grouping of short trees and around a sharp crag. “This is the only climb. Watch where I put my hands and feet.” Exaggerating every move, he stuck his foot into a natural dip in the rock, reached above, and pulled up. After the initial leg up, the half-dozen stairs were easier to negotiate. He glanced back to see she’d made it, then threw his leg over before jumping down.
“Whoa. I can’t see you. How far down is it?” Did she sound breathier than usual?
“Eight-foot drop. Here, sit on the edge.” He put a hand on her calf. “I’m right here. Push off and I’ll catch you.”
“Oh hell,” she whispered. “Another jump. I can do this.”
“I’ve got you.”
“Promise?”
“Give me your hands.” He put both hands out, she took them, and then she was there—in his arms.
He set her down, led her to the top of the island’s tallest rise, and pointed at the gaping darkness beyond it. “Shelter. Sheer drop all around.”
“Okay.” She turned in a full circle and gasped. “Oh wow.”
