by Jenna Mindel
And that’s why he’d let her go.
Beth didn’t seem the least bit concerned about the clouds as she helped the kids climb into the smaller boat they used to shuttle back to the Showoff.
He thought about that wreck of the Morazan freighter they’d seen offshore sticking straight up out of the water. Gerry had explained that she’d run aground in the fall of 1960. There were a whole lot of shipwrecks littering this Manitou Passage. Big ships.
Bigger than the Showoff.
Nick rubbed the back of his neck where the hairs felt prickly. He grabbed the life vest on the bench seat of the dinghy. “Corey. Put this on.”
His son’s eyes went wide at his sharp tone.
“Please,” Nick said softly.
He glanced at Beth.
She’d quieted, too, at his barked order.
Millie’s parents gusseted her up in a life vest, too. And the girl’s father kept staring toward the west and those clouds that were building.
The ride from shore was quick, but a distant rumble of thunder quieted the chatter as they climbed aboard the sailboat.
Nick looked around the cockpit and then asked Beth, “Where’s the adult vests?”
She patted the cushioned benches. “Under here.”
“Let’s get them on.”
“Dude.” Gerry slapped him on the back after securing the dinghy to the back of the boat. “We’re fine. We’ll stay ahead of it. Might even miss it entirely, according to radar.”
Nick reached under the bench anyway. “I’m used to wearing a different kind of life vest at work, so I’d feel better with one on.”
“Suit yourself.” Gerry ducked into the cabin.
“Beth?” He handed her one.
She narrowed her gaze and then slipped it over her T-shirt and secured it. She gave him a quick nod. Better to be safe.
The air hadn’t cooled in spite of the stiffer wind. Warm southwest wind, Gerry had said. Nick didn’t care where it came from. All he knew was that the chop on the water had increased by the time they had pulled out from the protection of the island’s harbor into the open waters of the Manitou Passage.
Nick tried to remain calm, but forty-five minutes later the sun had been swallowed whole by those clouds. The ones Julie didn’t like.
Nick didn’t like them, either.
Those clouds had made a dark bluish-gray wall. The wall was gaining on them. Moving fast. He spotted a fork of lightning, but he kept his mouth shut. He didn’t know how to sail; what orders could he possibly give?
Wouldn’t have mattered if he’d spoken aloud—the wind would have stolen his words and thrown them away. He could barely hear himself think over the constant slapping of the wind against the sails and waves sloshing against the boat. Not to mention Gerry and his brother spouting out terms Nick had never heard.
They sort of tilted in the water. Nick held on tight and wedged himself in the corner where the cabin met the cockpit. When he spotted Gerry and his brother pulling on life vests, his stomach turned. They were in for a rough time ahead.
“Anything I can do?”
Gerry shook his head. “Go below for now with the women and children. It’s going to get a little dicey and wet up here.”
Nick swallowed a bruising retort.
“Wet and wild.” Gerry’s brother, on the right side deck, had a big grin on his face.
The two men enjoyed this a little too much. Nick understood the feelings from working undercover. Man against man, Nick knew his chances. Man against nature was something else entirely and completely unpredictable. He clenched his teeth as he slipped into the cabin. There were bigger reasons for this boat’s name and he’d not spout them here and now. But he prayed those reasons wouldn’t get them all into trouble.
In the cabin, Beth and Millie’s mom sat tucked in by the little galley table. Julie had stashed things in cupboards and compartments that locked with a click before they left South Manitou. But she kept finding things that might dislodge and fly across the cabin, like the card game the kids played earlier.
Right now those two kids stared wild-eyed out the little cabin windows while they huddled on that flat surface in the front.
Julie and Millie’s mom wore their life vests, too.
“This is so cool.” Corey watched the waves that were too close to the left side window for Nick’s comfort.
He didn’t care for the spray of water that occasionally came into the cabin, either. “Yeah, cool.”
Nick looked at Beth. She’d slipped on her windbreaker over her vest but still looked pretty calm. Maybe there was nothing to worry about. He was a novice at this kind of thing.
But when he sat down next to her and took her hand in his, she held on tighter than a death grip.
* * *
They were moving so fast. And the sound of distant thunder grew louder.
Closer.
Beth rethreaded her fingers through Nick’s, glad for his steely calm. If she held on tight enough, maybe some of that strength would seep into her, too. The rocking motion wasn’t treating her well. All of them looked as if dinner wasn’t getting along well with the waves. Except for Corey. The rough seas didn’t seem to bother the kid at all.
They kept the cabin door open for air. Spray from the waves spattered through. Occasionally water whooshed right over the side into the cockpit, soaking Gerry at the wheel. The cold water spit against her bare legs and she wished she’d thought to bring pants.
The wind had considerably increased. She thought she heard twenty-five knots, maybe even thirty, bandied about by the guys above. The boat heeled far to the side when hit by a sudden gust and Gerry yelled directions to his brother.
Millie squealed and her mom reached for her.
Beth had slipped from her seat, but Nick caught her and pulled her against him. He looked a little green, too.
“You kids okay?” he called out.
Corey’s eyes were huge as he lay on the bed in the V-shaped front of the boat. “What was that?”
“Hang on, bud.” Nick’s arms stayed locked around her.
Julie shrugged. “A hard gust of wind. We might have to go topside or we’ll all be sick down here.”
Beth glanced at the kids and shuddered. She felt safer in the cabin, where the water couldn’t pull them off the boat.
“Why can’t we use the engine to motor us home?” Nick asked.
“The engine is for calm days and maneuvering around a harbor or close to shore. Totally ineffective in wind like this. It’s okay—the storm will pass.”
Beth took a deep breath. Hunker down and wait it out. They were safe in the cabin and dry. Julie and her husband had sailed in storms before. They’d ride this one out.
She closed her eyes and let her head fall onto Nick’s shoulder. Helpless. She prayed they’d make it to shore soon, before she got sick. It’d been a long time since they’d left South Manitou. They had to be halfway across to Leland’s harbor by now.
The wind only increased, taunting them, laughing at the men’s attempts to harness it with sailcloth. Why had they done this, anyway? The sound of the wind was nothing compared to the roar of the rain. At first big drops hit the cabin roof with a tap, tap, tap. Then a deluge shrieked over the lake.
The boat heeled again, tipping farther this time. The kids screamed and even Julie looked concerned when a wave of water sloshed over the side of the stern into the cockpit.
“I’m going to get sick, Mama.” Millie started to cry.
Nick got up but had to hold on to the table to keep from falling back down. “I can’t stay in here.”
Beth watched him make his wobbly way out of the cabin, but he leaned in the corner of the cockpit, hanging on to the railing. The rain, the waves and the lake were one color. Gray. She could
barely see where the edge of the white boat stopped and the lake started, it rained so hard.
No way was she going out there.
“Yeah, we should all go up top.” Julie tried to get up but slipped backward when the boat pitched again.
“No,” Beth whispered. She wouldn’t leave the cabin. “Corey, come sit by me, bud.”
The boy scooted close and Beth held him tight.
“What’s that?” Nick shouted.
“That’s the crib!” Gerry yelled above the roaring rain. “It was portside a moment ago. Come about!”
“I can’t see a thing,” his brother screamed back. “Gerry!”
“Come about now!”
More howling wind and roaring rain.
The boat heeled hard. Beth came off her seat and fell on the floor, taking Corey with her.
“Get to the high side!” Julie pulled herself along the table.
Beth tried to get up but spotted the windows along the low side of the boat. They were covered by water. Her stomach dropped and then it felt as if they’d been lifted and tossed. She felt a shuddering crunch that made her teeth chatter.
“What was that?” Millie’s mom whispered.
Turning her head, Beth saw that the young woman was on the floor, too. Millie had thrown up.
Beth’s stomach lurched, but the bile inching up her throat froze. She trembled, closed her eyes and prayed her belly would settle when she realized what they’d hit.
How could Gerry not have seen the North Manitou Shoal Lighthouse smack in the middle of the passage? They’d passed it on the way, but its red light had been doused then, not needed. But what about a few moments ago?
An alarm rang.
“What’s that?”
“Bilge alarm.” Julie’s eyes were huge, her face white.
“Julie, get everyone up here. We hit the corner of the shoal light. I don’t know how bad it is.”
Millie cried harder.
“How do we check it out?” Nick’s deep voice echoed.
She opened her eyes in time to see Julie feeling along the cabin floor.
“What?” Beth cried.
Julie wobbled to the cockpit. “Gerry! We’re taking on water into the cabin!”
“Grab the helm!” Gerry slipped around the corner to the cabin desk devoted to charts and the radio. “Everyone out now! Nick, tether them in the stern for now. Julie will help you.”
Beth watched as Nick sprung into action, helping Millie and her mom first out into the cockpit. Rain pelted them, pasting their hair against their heads as it soaked them through.
She glanced at the floor. Her feet were tucked up underneath her, and she was dry. Corey, too, because he sat in her lap. Where was the water coming in? Why did they have to go up top?
She couldn’t move. Gripping Corey close, she tried to breathe evenly and think. Think!
“Mayday, Mayday, this is the Showoff, over.” Gerry’s voice sounded strained now.
She watched him as if she’d fallen into a bad dream.
The radio crackled to life and someone answered.
“We hit the crib and we’re taking on water. Six adults and two children on board.”
Beth listened as Gerry gave them their location, as well as their water situation. Something about pumps not keeping up but they had time.
They were taking on water! How much time did they have before they sank?
They were going to sink!
Beth couldn’t hear the rest of what was said, because Gerry’s voice had grown fuzzy.
They were going to sink.
“Nick!” she choked out.
“Come on, Beth. You and Corey. Now!” Nick shouted again. “Beth!”
She looked at him. He was tethered on to the railing and held out another tether. How would they unclip in time before they sank?
The wind still whipped. The boat sort of wallowed in the water but it wasn’t going down. Gerry had adjusted the sails that now flapped in the wind. She glanced at the floor. Still pretty dry except for the darkening of the carpet toward the front end of the boat. Maybe they’d be okay. At least they weren’t flying sideways anymore.
Corey clung to her.
She took a deep breath and stood.
Lord, please help us.
Gerry grabbed her arm. “Come on, Beth. It’s okay. Help’s on the way. The Coast Guard’s already in the area somewhere. We’re not the only one in trouble today. Once the storm passes, we’ll abandon onto the dinghy. We’ll be okay.”
She looked at him and then at Nick.
“Come on, honey.” Nick’s smile was sweet.
She stepped out of the cabin, still clutching Corey, who walked beside her. Rain assaulted their faces. “Take care of him first.”
Beth held on to Corey while Nick tethered in his son.
Another gust hit and the boat tilted.
Beth slipped and fell against the bench seat. Clawing against the cushioned seats, she couldn’t grip the slippery vinyl. She slammed against the railing, flipped and went over.
“Beth!” Nick screamed.
She fought the waves, choked on them as they splashed over her face. The water was cold, but not as cold as the rain slicing her face.
She heard yelling and screaming. “Man overboard!”
Beth caught a glimpse of the sailboat. It rocked back and forth in the water. With all her might, she kicked and moved forward to the boat. The dinghy bounced on the waves behind it.
If she could reach the dinghy, she could pull herself in. She kicked with all her might and tried to swim forward but was tugged farther away by the waves.
Away from the sailboat.
Nick threw the life ring her way. “Grab it.”
She tried. Felt the rope slip through her fingers and come up short as she was pulled away.
“Beth. Hang on.”
“I’m trying.”
Again with the life ring. But it didn’t reach her this time.
Beth swam forward. The water dragged her back.
This time Nick threw something else her way. It hit the water and floated, tossed by the waves.
“Grab the seat cushion.” Nick’s voice barely skipped across the water’s surface.
She swam toward the cushion, still out of reach. Sputtering after another wave swamped her. She tried again and managed to grip the canvas loop. Pulling herself onto the small square cushion, Beth rested, exhausted.
She watched as Gerry and his brother struggled to raise the sails, only to drop them back down. Everyone hunkered in the cockpit, hanging on. Gerry fought the waves but pulled the dinghy close to the stern. The Showoff didn’t look as if it was sinking, but it rode lower in the water. Or was that the waves?
She saw someone pointing her way. Nick.
“I’m coming!” he screamed.
“No!” Beth reached out her hand. He couldn’t leave Corey alone.
The boat waffled. Maybe they couldn’t maneuver. She saw Julie let go of the rope to the dinghy. They couldn’t come get her in that!
No. The dinghy wasn’t going anywhere. And the waves pulled her farther away. She was on her own. Alone.
Chapter Fourteen
“Dad, no!” Corey clung to him.
Nick cupped his son’s cheek. “I’ll be back. It’s okay, Corey. They’ve got you. You’re safe until help gets here.”
Nick scanned the horizon. No Coast Guard in sight. But then, Search and Rescue could come by boat out of Frankfort or by air in Traverse City. Didn’t matter. Help was on the way.
His boy wouldn’t let go.
“I’ll get Beth and come back. I promise.” Nick added that last bit praying God would make it so.
Beth was a str
ong woman and a swimmer to boot. He’d seen the lithe muscles in her arms and legs. If anyone could tread water for days, it’d be her. Only they didn’t have days; they had hours. How many, he wasn’t sure. Exposure to the warming but still-cold water temperatures worried him.
“Noooo.” His boy sobbed.
Nick’s gut twisted.
He was leaving his son behind again, but he couldn’t leave Beth out there all alone. The seas were still too rough to take the dinghy and risk the kids’ safety.
No, he had to go. Beth would have a better chance staying warm with both of them huddled close.
The storm was already blowing itself out, leaving so much damage in its wake. The Showoff was broken, but it wouldn’t completely sink, according to Gerry. Too much flotation, he’d said. Whatever that meant. In Nick’s mind, any boat could sink, including this one.
He glanced at the two men hanging on to the railing at the back, exhausted from their fight against the wind. The front end of the Showoff dipped below the water but then bobbed back up.
Smaller swells churned the dinghy against the sailboat, but their tie held firm. Julie had instructions to unclip the dinghy loose if the sailboat sank any farther.
Julie gripped Corey close. They both huddled with Millie and her mom. All of them shivering. But safe. His boy was safe.
Beth wasn’t.
Nick could barely see Beth bobbing farther away from them, struggling to swim. “Corey, I have to go after Beth. We can’t leave her out there all alone, can we?”
“No.” His son hiccuped on a sob.
Nick pulled away, but Corey screamed. “Dad!”
“It’ll be okay.” He looked at Julie, who pulled his boy back away from the edge of the dinghy. “Don’t let go of him.”
“I won’t.”
“I’ll be back, bud. I promise. I love you, son. I love you very much.”
His son cried harder.
Nick looped a life ring over his shoulder and slipped into the water. His breath caught. It wasn’t polar-bear-dipping cold, but certainly not shoreline warm like the harbor at South Manitou.
With the Coast Guard on its way and Gerry’s boat equipped with a satellite tracking system, they’d be found. Hopefully soon.