‘I guess I have. Thanks for putting up with me.’
‘No problem.’ She took a sip from her cup. ‘Take a look, will you?’
She let the blanket fall from her shoulders, handing him the cup. Caro eased herself carefully out of her long-sleeved thermal top, and he saw she had a sleeveless vest on underneath. He was both grateful and disappointed that she’d taken Jake’s usual advice about layers of clothing, but on reflection he should probably go with grateful.
He was becoming aware that his leg was aching, so he sat down on the bunk next to her. Drew inspected her shoulder carefully, flexing her arm again, and her face showed no pain. A red mark showed where a bruise was beginning to form and she tried to squint down at it.
‘How does it look?’
‘Not so bad. You’ll have a bruise.’
‘I’m glad you were there, Drew. Thank you.’
‘It’s what diving buddies are for.’ Caro was a lot more than just a diving buddy to him, but he couldn’t go the whole hog in emulating her habit of saying exactly what was on her mind.
‘And I could do with a hug.’
‘So could I.’ Drew curled his arms around her. She nestled against his chest and he felt the last of his own shakiness subside.
Haltingly, she began to whisper. The shock of the blow. Feeling afraid but knowing she was safe when he’d caught hold of her. All of the things that Drew had never talked about when he’d had his accident, and which he probably should have. She voiced her fears and then put them aside, snuggling against him as if he was her comfort.
Maybe a little closer. Maybe a little longer, although Peter and Jake might start wondering what they were doing. He dared to plant a kiss on the top of her head, and then he let her go.
‘You’ll give the nets a rest for a while?’ This time his question didn’t involve any of the push and pull between concern and wanting to be strong.
‘Yes, I think I will.’ She gave him an impish look. ‘I suppose that means we’re staying out here for a bit longer?’
Drew sighed. ‘Yes. We’re staying.’
Caro grinned at him as he walked out of the cabin, and Drew took the stairs with renewed energy, using the rails to boost himself upwards. They had work to do.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
THEY DIDN’T MANAGE to collect as many seabirds as they had this morning, but that was largely because there were fewer stuck in the oil. Most of the ones they did find alive were in bad shape, and there were a few other marine creatures as well, a dead starfish and an octopus. They heard over the radio that the boat Lucas was working from had rescued a sea otter and was heading back to the clinic.
They were all tired, and the sun was sinking low on the horizon. Peter turned the boat and they made for home. Drew looked over his shoulder more than once, obviously thinking the same as Caro. The job was only half-finished, and there was still more to do, but they’d done all they could today.
Ellie and Lucas were at the dock and helped to unload the boxes of birds. Caro saw Jake stride across to a woman who was carrying a drowsy two-year-old, hugging them both and kissing his son before they walked to their car together. Drew asked Lucas if there was anything he could do at the clinic and was told no.
‘The tide will be in soon.’ Drew walked to his car with Caro in the gathering dusk.
‘Yeah, I’d better be getting back.’
‘Or you could come to the Hungry Pelican and we’ll get something to eat. You can stay at mine tonight, and we’ll be ready to go back out again in the morning.’
No question about whether she was going or not. He knew that he couldn’t keep her away.
‘I’ve heard the food’s really good there, Ellie’s mum and dad run it?’
Drew chuckled. ‘That’s right. You must be getting used to village life if you’re hearing gossip. Although as it goes, that isn’t all that juicy.’
‘I might have to try and do something with my hair first...’
‘Your hair’s fine. No one dresses up for the Hungry Pelican.’
The quayside pub was already busy, and Caro excused herself to go to the rest room while Drew made his way to the bar. She combed her hair, wincing as her shoulder protested and the comb snagged in a knot. At least the day at sea had brought a bit of a glow to her cheeks, and that, along with fixing her hair back in a slightly lopsided plait, was about as good as it was going to get.
Drew was talking to a man behind the bar, who had a shock of white hair. He introduced him as Gordo Stone, and the man leaned over to shake her hand.