It felt as if electricity shot through his firm, moist lips and flowed through her body and out her fingertips. He released her and stepped back. Fire burned in his eyes as he stood and stared at her with his chest rising and falling rapidly—as if his world shifted unexpectedly.
“I…” Vanessa tried to gather her rampant thoughts. The kiss she’d dreamed of for years didn’t compare to what she’d just experienced. “I don’t…”
“Do not say anything you may regret later,” Caleb said as he reached for her.
His fingers formed a path of heat as he caressed her lip from one corner to the next. He traced her jaw with his thumb while his fingers tangled in the hair at the base of her neck. Chills raced down her spine, her stomach tightened in anticipation.
“I couldn’t bear for you to abandon me again.”
“Abandon you?” Vanessa jerked back to reality. She could hear nothing but blood pump through her ears as she stepped back. How dare he? He was the one who abandoned her all those years ago. He was the one who didn’t want anything to do with her— until now, it seemed. “Caleb Thackley! Do you have any idea how many days I waited for you to love me? How you broke me when you didn’t? Never again will I allow that to happen to me.” She backed closer to the door. “It’s been less than a year since Adam died. I don’t think I can take much more heartache.”
She turned as fast as she could, and ran. No good could come from what he was about to say. She was sure he cared for her—the kiss proved it. Caleb would not have kissed her if he didn’t care. But he would take her to live next to the White Pelican, separated forever from the life she’d created at the Dry Tortugas lighthouse. She couldn’t take the chance of leaving the only place on earth she’d found real happiness.
The next morning Vanessa paced in front of the lighthouse entrance. I have to get Caleb back to Fort Jefferson, she thought. He’s already been here five days—five days too long. His leaving was the only way to get her life back on track, to the way she’d built it throughout the past year. The moments they’d shared in the kitchen the night before proved she was still weak when it came to Caleb. She had to get him off the island and the only way to do it was to prove the treasure he sought didn’t exist.
“Justin,” she called as her son ran past her, kicking up sand in his haste. “Where are you off to in such a hurry?”
Justin looked her up and down, as though she’d gone crazy. “You realize those are my clothes, right Ma?”
Vanessa looked down. She had borrowed her son’s clothes for the work she was sure she’d have to do later. She was way behind on upkeep of the buildings. The last thing she needed was the assistant keeper to come to a broken down lighthouse and home. “They are more practical for outdoor work. Besides, we live on a secluded island and there’s only us.” She waved off the topic. “Now, where were you going so fast?”
“Mr. Thackley and I are about to search the southern beach again. He thinks it’s either there, or on the north beach.”
“What exactly is Mr. Thackley searching for?”
“Treasure, Ma. We told ya yesterday.”
“You know as well as I do there is no treasure on this island, Justin. Now what is it he seeks?”
“He said what one man may see as a treasure, another may not.”
Vanessa crossed her arms over her chest. “Justin.”
“Oh. All right, Ma. It’s a leather pack. It went down with his skiff, but he’s sure it landed somewhere on the island.”
“A pack? That’s what he is searching for? Why is he so desperate to get a pack back that is more than likely washed out to sea?”
“All I know, Ma, is he said it was very valuable, and he’d give me ten cents if I found it for him.”
“What’s in the pack?”
“I can be sure, Ma, but I think its pirate treasure. He said there was something in it for me.”
“Does it seem as though he would leave the island if he got the bag back?”
Justin shrugged. “I don’t know. I hope he stays, though. I kinda like having another man on the island. Besides, I think he likes you. While we searched the island, he asked me questions about our life. Mostly about you.” He looked down as he kicked the sand. “I know you don’t really like him, Ma, but he’s not a bad man. We’ve had a lot of adventures the last few days, he and I. I can tell he’s as good as they come. You should really be more hospitable to him you know.”
“What do you mean, be more hospitable? I’m nothing but hospitable.”
“I saw you storm out of the kitchen yesterday. You looked mad as a hornet. Mr. Thackley stood in the doorway and watched you leave. I couldn’t tell what he was thinking, but he looked upset. Like his dog just died. What did you do to him, anyway?”
“None of your business, young man. It’s between Mr. Thackley and me.”
“Whatever you say, Ma. Just…if he loves you like I think he does, then maybe you should give him a chance. I think Pa would have wanted it.”
The lump in Vanessa’s throat prevented her from speaking. She felt the tears fighting to get through so she motioned for Justin to leave. Without hesitation, he turned and ran toward the south beach.
Justin was right. Adam would have wanted Caleb and her to fall in love. She didn’t know if she could risk leaving the island for the life Caleb had at the White Pelican. If things were different, then maybe she would let her heart be free to fall in love. But they weren’t.
“The rocks,” she said to herself when she remembered seeing something stuck to the stone formation beyond the north beach. Her skiff was tied to the pier off the east side of the island. Since the tide was high, she’d take the boat to retrieve the satchel. In no time at all, her life would be back to normal.
In less than a minute, she reached the pier and rushed down the wooden walkway, toward her little boat. Her knees hit the deck with a thump when she reached the cleat to which the vessel was tied. She threw the line into the bottom of the boat and as quickly as possible, without tipping the swaying vessel, jumped into the boat and started to row out to sea.
Normally, she would have taken her time to admire the color of the water—the unique mixture of greens and blues which made the water so breathtaking. It was hard not to feel a connection with the sea. Today, though, she needed to get the bag.
The rocks came into view when she rounded the bend of the island. Thank heavens! The pack is still attached. With five feet left to go, her boat suddenly stopped short. Vanessa leaned over the edge. The front of her boat landed on a reef, just feet away from the rocks. Pieces of Caleb’s skiff lay scattered across the reef near the pack where she assumed it shattered when it hit, which would explain why the satchel lodged on the rocks.
She quickly looked to the rear—nothing. There was open water on the aft side.
She felt a small jolt when she dipped her paddle onto the reef and pushed to try to dislodge her skiff. Her muscles burned as she pushed harder with a force she was sure would work. Nothing. She couldn’t remove the boat from the reef.
She plopped down in defeat and the boat rocked. Titus barked and she looked up to find him standing on the shoreline, watching her. “It’s all right, boy, I’m stuck is all.”
She turned back to her predicament. It took but a second for her to regain her determination. She looked around. Just five feet. Five feet and she could get the bag.
She dipped the paddle into the water at the aft and started to paddle. The boat swung a few feet toward the bag, but not quite far enough to reach it.
Vanessa adjusted her feet, held on to the side of the boat with one hand, and stretched the other out. When that didn’t work, she leaned further and reached.
The leather slid against her fingertips, but she couldn’t get a grip on it. The boat tipped slightly and her heart started to beat faster. Without warning, the boat flipped and she was thrown forward, grabbing the bag in her descent.
Water engulfed her as if the ocean swallowed her whole. She fought t
o get upright and reach the surface. Darkness surrounded her and she panicked. She looked up and saw a blurry light hovering above her. Her lungs burned. It took long enough to get her bearings and she didn’t get a full breath of air before she fell. She needed to reach the surface—and fast.
It was a struggle to kick her feet, her muscles already strained from the fall. She felt the cool water slide against her face and arms as she ascended from the deep. The surface grew closer until only light existed in her sight.
Air filled her lungs when she broke free.
A weight strained her right arm as she reached up to clear the salty water from her vision. She looked down to find the bag twisted around her bicep. She yanked the strap free and slipped the pack securely over her shoulder to float at her back.
She continued to kick, treading water to keep herself upright. She twisted around in the water to look for her boat. It floated what seemed to be a mile from her, but in reality was probably only fifty yards or so. She started to swim toward it when a thump against her legs brought immediate fear to her already racing heart. Tears formed in her eyes when she looked to her right as she kicked to stay afloat. A large fin crested the water and quickly disappeared below.
Another painful thump against her back sent her lurching forward. A bone-chilling scream filled the air. Hers. Her breath was shallow as she started to panic. Water splashed in her face when a fin appeared mere feet in front of her. She tried with desperation to swim back and away.
“Don’t splash! They’ll only attack faster,” a voice yelled from nowhere.
For a split second, Vanessa felt relieved. She knew it was Caleb’s voice. But desolation quickly replaced relief. Could he really be out in the middle of the ocean in time to rescue her, or was it her imagination? No one knew she was out here. He and Justin were still probably searching on the south beach for his treasure.
Vanessa cried out in pain and the water around her turned a deep, crimson red. A cracking sound filled her ears as her head dipped below the surface into the blood-filled water that surrounded her.
As the shark attacked, her head bobbed above the water line.
“Caleb!” She screamed in tears and horror when she surfaced. Her thigh burned and throbbed with pain. It would be only a matter of seconds before the shark returned to finish what he’d started.
Her mind grew faint. She couldn’t take the pain anymore and wanted to let go. She wasn’t sure if the voice had been Caleb’s or a figment of her imagination, but she couldn’t hold on any longer. God, just let it be over, she silently prayed. Let the shark take me.
Her thoughts eased and darkness took control.
Chapter 5
“Ma.” Justin’s voice pierced through her consciousness. The one simple word shook as if he was crying. “Ma. It’s me…Justin. Please wake up, Ma. I need you.”
The light gave Vanessa an instant headache when she opened her eyes. She quickly shut them again and took a cleansing breath. “Where are we?”
“Ma?” Desperation dominated Justin’s voice this time.
“Vanessa?” She heard Caleb say from somewhere nearby.
She opened her eyes. Justin and Caleb stood next to her bed, looking down at her.
“Good God, Vanessa,” Caleb choked out as he knelt down. “I thought you’d never come back to me—to us.” He motioned toward Justin with his head.
“When I saw the blood,” emotion slid through Justin’s voice as he spoke, “I thought you were gone.”
“Blood?” Vanessa asked in confusion as she lay there. As soon as she’d said it, thoughts of the shark attack filled her mind.
“Caleb,” she cried. “Justin.”
“We’re here, love,” Caleb said.
“But how?”
“Mr. Thackley killed the shark, Ma. When he saw the blood, he pulled out the pistol he keeps with him and shot the son-of-a-bitch.”
“How did you know where I was?”
“We decided to go to the tower and use the binoculars to search the shoreline for the pack. Mr. Thackley said it would give us a different perspective. I heard Titus barking on the beach and looked over. That’s when I saw your skiff stuck on the reef. We came as fast as we could. When we rounded the bend, we saw you in the water and the sharks circling. Caleb rowed so fast it was as if we flew. That’s when the shark attacked.”
Vanessa looked down at her body, covered with her favorite quilt, afraid of what she might see.
“It’s your leg.” Caleb grabbed her hand.
“Is it gone?” She didn’t want to know the answer.
“No,” Caleb said. Relief flooded through her like a tidal wave. He lifted the covers and gently raised the nightgown they must have put on her. He unwrapped the bandage covering the wound.
Teeth marks marred the skin on her thigh, in the shape of a crescent moon. Tears welled in her eyes once more.
“It’s not bad, sweetheart.” Caleb laid the blanket down and once again knelt beside her. He bent and kissed her forehead. The feel of his warm lips calmed her nerves a bit. “It’s a flesh wound. The doctor said it will heal in no time and you’ll be back to saving lives.”
“The doctor? What doctor?”
“I went to Fort Jefferson after we brought you ashore, Ma. Caleb stayed behind and tended to you.”
“You rowed to Fort Jefferson by yourself?”
“Of course. I’m old enough to make my way across the water on my own. And who else would have gone to get the doc?”
“You’re right.” Eventually she would have to come to the realization that her son was growing up, but she wished she didn’t have to while she was wounded. It just made it all the worse. “How long have I been asleep?”
“A few days,” Justin answered. “Doc left the morning after your attack. He told us how to care for you. We’ve been taking shifts watching over you, and the lighthouse.”
She laid her head back and suddenly remembered the pack. She looked at Caleb. “I found your bag on the rocks. I’m sorry. I may have dropped it when the shark attacked.”
“It’s here.” Caleb reached over and plucked the satchel off the chair. “You were clutching it when we dragged you onto the boat.”
“What’s so important about the bag anyway?” She asked.
“Now’s not the time, Nessa.” Caleb stood and walked toward the door. “You need some rest.”
“No.” With great effort, she raised herself up to sit and leaned against the headboard. “Tell us. I think I deserve to know.”
Caleb’s shoulders dropped in a sigh. “All right. But first, I want to say that what is in this bag is important, but not worth your life, Nessa. When I thought you were gone my heart shattered and my life became meaningless.”
Justin shifted and Vanessa turned her head to watch as he sat in the chair next to her bed. She looked back at Caleb, who reached into the bag and removed a small metal cylinder. He unscrewed the round lid and tipped the contents out.
“This is for you,” Caleb said to Justin and handed him a gold pocket watch.
“This was my father’s.” Justin picked the pocket watch up and examined it. “How did you get it?”
“Last month I found the watch and a note…from Adam.”
Vanessa’s heart raced when he handed her a letter.
My Dearest Nessa,
I write this letter in hopes it finds you well. You have undoubtedly talked to Caleb once again, as I have left this letter in his care, along with my pocket watch in hopes you give it to Justin so that he may always remember me. I have returned today from one of many visits with the doctor, which I did not tell you of, in hopes that my condition would come out for the better. We are unsure as to what it is that ails me, but I am certain I will pass into heaven within a fortnight. It is my greatest wish for you to reconcile with Caleb. Whatever his faults, he is a loyal and loving friend who will care for you until his dying day. I’m not saying you must wed, but I do hope you will allow him to be a guiding light for you, as
you were to me. Be well and stay safe. Until God brings you home, my love.
-Adam
“Was this the only letter?” she asked through her sobs and handed it to Justin to read.
Caleb’s voice cracked with emotion when he spoke, “No, Nessa. There was one for me. It is the same.”
She waited for Justin to finish and took the letter back. The writing blurred when she read it again. When she finished, she glanced between Caleb and Justin. “Could you excuse me, please? I think I need to be alone for a while.”
“Sure Ma,” Justin said. Concern and sadness displayed across his face when he kissed her cheek and left the room.
“I’ll be outside if you need me.” Caleb gave her a sad smile and followed Justin out.
“Do you think she’s all right?” Justin asked Caleb later that night as they sat at the small table in the kitchen.
“I hope so, Justin.” Caleb cleared his throat. He was worried about Nessa. It had all been too much for her to hear, so soon after her attack. He should have insisted she wait until after she healed before she heard the news. Now he felt on edge, hoping she could mentally get through the last few days. Hell…the last week and a half. He knew his presence on the island hadn’t been easy for her. Vanessa wasn’t his only concern though. Justin hadn’t exactly acted as expected. “Justin, how are you handling the news?”
“I’ve come to terms with my father’s passing, Mr. Thackley. I’m sad, of course.” Justin paused and Caleb turned to find him kicking the floor beneath his feet. Caleb spent enough time with the boy to know what the movement meant. He had a secret he wasn’t sure he should tell. “Mr. Thackley,”
“Caleb…call me Caleb. I think we are past those types of formalities.”
“All right. Caleb, if I tell you something, will you swear not to tell my Ma?”
“Depends on what it is.”
“I already knew about my father’s condition. I saw him fall one day when he was in the lighthouse. That’s when he told me. He asked me not to tell my mother. He said he would tell her himself when the time was right. He made me promise, and I kept my promise. It was the only thing I had left of him, until now.” Justin removed the pocket watch from his pants and opened it.
The Lighthouse Romance Anthology (The Life Saving Series) Page 11