Unfamiliar Waters Read online

  “Phyllis, did you get a chance to finish your statement?” he asked. “I know I’m pressuring you, but we’re going to need that as soon as we dock in St. Kitts tomorrow, before moving on.” His plan was to call the captain and send him the statement, complete with witness signatures. “Maybe you should write a statement as well,” he said to Nigel.

  “Me?”

  “Yes. Tell your story. How long you’ve been on the island, what you were told about your aunt and Fairfield. That they aren’t your relatives, and you were lied to. Did you even know about your Uncle Hilliard? Explain what you knew and the kind of life you had, as well as the things you’ve found out since then. Just be honest. It will help complete the story we need to tell.”

  “Okay. Will you help me?”

  “I can’t. You and Jules can write it together if you like, but I don’t want to influence you. Just write what you were told and what you knew. Be honest.” This would give Nigel and Jules something to do other than looking behind them to see if another boat was going to try to overtake them. Garrett was doing enough worrying for all of them.

  They ended up sitting on the cushions on deck, writing up their statements. It looked like some sort of demented elementary school class where they all had to stay after school to write a theme. Phyllis seemed to be doing very well, but Nigel sat with pen in hand, tongue between his teeth, as he wrote in fits and starts. It would have been adorable if he weren’t struggling so much with what he seemed to want to say.

  Jules sat nearby, looking out at the water, relieved that he wasn’t involved in this exercise.

  “I’m finished,” Nigel said an hour later, handing the papers to Garrett. He read them over and asked Nigel to sign the bottom. Then he had Phyllis witness the signature, and he did the same, repeating the process with Phyllis.

  “These are great.” Garrett put them in his bag and stowed it carefully. “I’m going to send these to my captain as soon as we reach St. Kitts.” That should be enough to rule out any sort of kidnapping charges. Now he had to get them to safety, and that might be a tall order, judging by the clouds building on the horizon.

  Chapter 9

  THE RADAR showed a growing area of rain to the east, heading toward them, but Garrett had no choice but to continue forward. They had passed Guadeloupe with crystal skies and were an hour or two away from Montserrat. Granted, there wasn’t much there since the volcano had wiped out Plymouth years earlier, but the island itself would provide protection. And all he needed was to find a cove or inlet to anchor in and he could let the land shield them from the worst of the storm.

  “Are we going to be okay?” Nigel asked, with Jules coming to stand near him as well. Phyllis had already gone below to put everything away in case the seas got rough.

  “Yes,” Garrett said, remaining positive. The tropics were beautiful, but small storms and squalls could develop almost out of nowhere because of the hot, humid air.

  Clouds hung low to the water, and Garrett thought he saw land, at least at one point, but now the view was obscured and all he could do was follow the GPS maps and hope the wind didn’t pick up much more. He didn’t want to have to lower sails unless he had to, but it was a double-edged sword. The wind propelled them forward and was taking them to safety at the moment, but if he had to trim the amount of sail he was using, their speed would drop and they would be vulnerable to the weather for a longer time in the open water.

  “Are you sure?” Nigel asked quietly enough that only Garrett heard. The boat rocked and heaved in the growing swells, sending spray up over the keel.

  “I’m sure.” Garrett manhandled Nigel closer. “I need you to take the wheel. I need to get the jib down.” He didn’t want to but had no choice. The wind continued building and the rain started pelting the roof of the cabin. “Jules, sit right here with him, and don’t try to stand. Help Nigel hold the boat steady if you have too. There are life vests under the seat—put them on.” He got one for himself and slipped it over his head.

  Garrett climbed out of the cabin, getting soaked to the skin in three seconds. He held the grip lines, making his way forward as the bow pitched and rocked, and unhooked the jib line. He lowered it as he drew closer, securing the sail with his arms, fighting the wind that tried to billow it out once again. He had just gotten it down and was about to tie it off when a strong gust caught part of the sail. He managed to get it back under control, but his feet slipped out from under him and Garrett ended up flat on his belly on the deck, sliding toward the side, his feet dangling over the water.

  He scrambled for purchase, but the only hold he had was on the sail, and it flapped in the wind. Garrett grabbed one of the lines and held on for dear life, trying to keep the sail from billowing and keep himself on the boat.

  “I have you!” Nigel yelled over the wind, grabbing Garrett’s hand and yanking him forward. Finally Garrett got his feet on the deck and scrambled to safety. He collected the sail and, with Nigel’s help, got it tied down.

  He sat, sopping wet, on the deck, one arm around the mast, the other around Nigel, eyes closed, holding Nigel for dear life as he willed his heart not to fly into a million pieces or explode in complete terror. “You saved me,” he managed to say. The boat rocked less now, but Garrett wasn’t able to feel his legs, so he stayed where he was and breathed, still holding Nigel.

  “You scared me half to death,” Nigel said as he slowly stood and guided Garrett to his feet. “We need to get back. Jules has the wheel, and we can see the island.”

  Garrett nodded. Nigel held the lines and scooted around the side of the cabin, climbing back under cover with ease. Garrett steadied his breath and went more slowly, dropping into the cabin and taking the wheel once again, dripping all over everywhere. He sent Jules below for safety, thanking him for all his help.

  Nigel pulled off his shirt and dropped it onto the deck with a plop, but Garrett concentrated on getting them to the island. He knew there was a small town on the north side, but that didn’t matter. All he really needed was shelter. Thankfully, they passed into the lee of Guadeloupe, and the rocking subsided as the winds settled. There were still waves, but they were much smaller, and as he paralleled the coast, he found a curve that formed a bay, steered them in, and dropped anchor. Finally he was able to breathe.

  “Okay. We made it.” He didn’t want to do that again, and as soon as he stepped under the cabin overhang, Nigel hugged him tightly. Wet, warm skin plastered to him as Nigel tugged his shirt up and off and dropped it to the deck.

  “You’ll be warmer,” he said before kissing Garrett hard, then backing away. “You saved us, twice.”

  “And you saved me,” Garrett said, his own worry kicking in. “You could have been swept overboard.”

  “You almost were,” Nigel retorted with a glare that quickly faded as he held Garrett tightly. “Next time you have to be more careful.”

  “Hopefully there isn’t going to be a next time.” Or another day like that. But at least they’d made it in one piece, and hopefully their pursuers were a thing of the past as well. Garrett knew sometimes he had to take risks, but today had been a number of them, and the last one he’d taken could have cost all of them their lives. It had worked out, thank God, and tomorrow hopefully they could make St. Kitts.

  DINNER WAS quiet but thankfully hot. Garrett cooked a simple meal using the stove on the boat to heat up some soup and vegetables and to make noodles. It was very basic, but he had some good bread left, and at least a warm meal lifted their spirits.

  The storm continued around them, the rain still pounding, but the wind died back rather quickly, which was a relief.

  They were pretty much stuck in the cabin for the evening, so Garrett taught Nigel and Jules to play Hearts. After a few practice rounds, the boys blew him and Phyllis away with how they worked together.

  “And you get the nasty queen,” Jules said with glee as he stuck Phyllis with the dreaded card, sending her over in points and ensuring his win.

 
“I wonder if I should be sorry I taught them this game,” Garrett teased, gathering up the cards. “Anyway, I think it’s time for bed. Phyllis probably needs to sleep”—he pointed to where she sat, yawning—“and we’ve all had a rough day.” That was the understatement of the century.

  Jules nodded but didn’t get up from where he sat across from Garrett and Nigel.

  “I have a question,” Phyllis said. “Now, I know I probably don’t have any right to ask, but I’m going to anyway.” She glared at Garrett. “What are your intentions with Nigel? I know you two slept in the big bed last night, and I said nothing. I know nothing… untoward happened. But….”

  “Aunt Phyllis…,” Nigel said without a hint of shock. “I like Garrett and he likes me.” He turned to Garrett, looking into his eyes for a second. He didn’t say anything more and eventually seemed to get the answer he needed. Well, it could have been Garrett’s smile that did it. “Yes, he does.” He grinned, and Garrett put an arm around his shoulders.

  “That may be, but what are your intentions?”

  Garrett cleared his throat. “My intentions are to get all of you to safety, and I’m trying not to let anyone or anything draw my attention away from that. That has to be the top priority.” That sounded like the right answer, but it wasn’t totally truthful. “As far and Nigel and I are concerned, we are getting to know each other. That’s as far as things have gone between us, and more than you need to know.” He glanced at Nigel and then to Phyllis. “I will be careful and take care of his heart as though it were my own.” He took a deep breath, hoping the right words would come to him. “Nigel and Jules are going to experience a great deal of new things.” He knew he was taking a dig at her, but it couldn’t be helped. “Nigel deserves that chance to experience the broader world before he decides what he wants for the rest of his life. Choices have been taken away from them for too long, and as they are able to make choices for themselves, then whatever Nigel decides he wants… I’ll abide by.” Garret hardened his gaze and expression. “And so will you.”

  “Garrett,” Nigel said softly.

  “Nigel.” He turned to him. “Part of the reason I’ve done all of this is so you and Jules can have choices in your life. If you decide to go back to the island someday, that’s up to you. If you find you like the city and want to live there, you can choose that as well.” He took Nigel’s hand. “Those choices were taken away from you.”

  “We’re kids…,” Nigel said, his eyes widening in surprise.

  Garrett shook his head. “You’re twenty-two. You’ve been a legal adult for four years and should have been able to decide the kind of life you wanted to lead. That’s all I want for you.” He lowered his voice and leaned closer. “Yes, you’ve made me realize that my heart isn’t dead and that I can go on after losing David.” He wasn’t going to talk more about what he wanted, because that didn’t matter. “But what’s most important is you and Jules being able to decide some things in your life.” He was frustrated and a little angry at Phyllis, but tried not to let it show too much.

  “But what about you and me?” Nigel asked and drew even closer. “You know, after….”

  Damn, Garrett was tempted to push Nigel away a little for his own good. The words were on the tip of his tongue to tell him that what had happened on the island was a good time, but that it was best left there. That would have made things so much easier and given Nigel his complete freedom. He opened his mouth, but the words stuck in his throat. He couldn’t lie, even if it might have been in Nigel’s best interest.

  “Like I said. You need to be given the time and the chance to make your own decisions. But you should see what the rest of the world looks like, so you know what you’re deciding.” He squeezed Nigel’s hand.

  “Okay,” Nigel whispered, looking a little scared.

  “Honey, Garrett is telling you that you can have what you want. And he’s right. We kept you away from the world at large. You indeed deserve to see and experience some of the world before you make any decisions about the rest of your life.” She nodded, and Garrett did the same.

  “But what if I know what I want?” Nigel asked.

  Garrett wasn’t sure how to answer that question without doing one of the things he’d told himself he wasn’t going to. He was determined to let Nigel make his own decisions. “Sometimes what we want changes over time, and you should be given that time in order to know what you really want.” Garrett’s guts felt like they were being whipped in a blender. He wanted to see where this went with Nigel. He was such a kind, gentle man who truly touched his soul. Hell, Garrett had come alive again with a look and a touch from him.

  “Is that what you want?” Nigel asked, and once again Garrett was pleased at how perceptive he was.

  Phyllis cleared her throat, slipping off the bench. “The rain has stopped for now. Why don’t you and I get some fresh air before bed?” She stood and opened the cabin door, then climbed out onto the deck. “Jules,” she called.

  Clearly Jules didn’t have his brother’s intuition. Still, he got the picture and followed Phyllis out.

  Garrett shifted so he faced Nigel on the bench seat. “It doesn’t matter what I want.” Garrett had longed for a second chance, even if he’d refused to admit it to himself for a long time, but nothing came of it because he was too buried in work to allow it.

  Nigel glared at him as though his eyes were laser beams. “Then you’re saying that I don’t know what I want?” Man, he seemed angry.

  “No. I know you know your own mind. That isn’t the issue.” Garrett had tried to explain and was making a complete mess of it. He was trying to be selfless, but it wasn’t working. “Damn it all!” He stood and took a step in one direction and then the other, hitting his head on the bulkhead that he’d successfully avoided for nearly two weeks. He swore again. “What I want is to pick you up like some caveman, carry you to bed, and have my way with you.” He leaned over the table, using it to steady his arms. “I’d strip you naked and feast on every inch of you.”

  Nigel’s eyes darkened and he shook slightly. “Like you did in the cave?” he whispered with a shy smile.

  “Yes. But we can’t do that here.” Garrett sighed and cleared the fog of desire and need from his mind. He had to keep his thoughts straight if he was going to get through this… somehow. “Tomorrow we’ll get to St. Kitts, and I’ll call my captain. From there we’ll sail to St. Thomas, and then you should be able to fly to the United States.” The thought occurred to him that he’d never explained what was waiting for Nigel.

  Shit.

  “You and Jules…. When your father and mother died, they were very wealthy. They left everything to you and Jules, but since you were kids, they named your Uncle Hilliard”—the bastard from hell—“as your guardian. The thing is, once we deal with him, you and Jules will have a lot of money. You can go wherever you want and live just about anywhere you choose. The world will open up in ways you can’t imagine.” He took Nigel’s hand, their fingers sliding together so easily.

  “But….” Nigel nodded, disappointed. “You don’t think I’ll be good enough, with all those people.”

  Garrett blinked and tried to make sense of what Nigel had said, but it didn’t compute. “Huh?”

  “You think I won’t be good enough and that when I get back, you’ll find someone else who’s better. You said there were lots of people, and everyone else is going to know what’s going on and I’m going to be lost all the time.”

  Sometimes it made Garrett’s head spin how a simple message could get so mixed up. “No. You’re going to meet amazing, interesting, fun people, and I’m afraid you’re going to find someone you like better than me.” There, he’d said it. “I’m just a dumb cop.” Who dared to hope for a second chance—though to prove how stupid he was, he seemed to be doing everything to screw it up.

  Nigel smiled and rolled his eyes at the same time. “You’re not dumb. You’re brave and you saved us… all of us, twice today.”

 
“And you saved me,” Garrett whispered, trying not to think about how close he’d come to ending up in the water. God, Nigel had saved him in so many ways, and he was just starting to realize all of them. “So how about we get to St. Kitts and then beyond, and get you back into the US. From there….” He wasn’t going to press anything more. “After that, you can decide what you want.”

  “Okay.” Nigel drew him closer.

  “It’s starting to rain again,” Phyllis said.

  Garrett smiled and stole a quick kiss before Phyllis and Jules came down the stairs, closing and locking the door once again. “Then let’s make up the beds and go to sleep. If this weather breaks, we’ll have a busy day tomorrow.”

  They put everything away, and Garrett made sure that Jules had a better bed than he’d had the night before, and then he and Nigel slipped behind the curtain. With the lights turned out, for a few minutes he was able to imagine that they were all alone. That was, until Phyllis cleared her throat and coughed like she was trying to bring up a lung.

  Garrett let Nigel get cleaned up and into bed before he did the same, joining him. Temptation, thy name is Nigel. Garrett lay on his back, listening to the snuffles as they each fell asleep. Even the rocking of the boat and the now more gentle hum of the rain couldn’t lull him to sleep, not with Nigel right next to him, so near and yet so far. All he had to do was roll over and take Nigel into his arms. It was so tempting….

  Just then, Nigel rolled over, his hand sliding along Garrett’s belly and then along his side, holding him tightly and slipping close enough that Garrett had to stifle a groan, feeling just how excited Nigel was as well. Garrett clamped his eyes shut, throbbing against the bedding as he tried to take his mind off Nigel and the fact that his cock ached, jumping with each and every touch.

  “Was it like this with David?” Nigel whispered into his ear, hand sliding down Garrett’s hips and then nearer, ever closer.