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“Thank you, sir.”
Alex sat again as Barnes returned to the front of the room, moving his gaze around the group. “Finding ten people adrift in a three to four knot current in the middle of the ocean is no minor feat. Usually, people are strung out to hell and gone by the time we get there. The fact that you stayed together in a tight bunch may have made a world of difference today.”
He paused, glancing at Alex before turning his attention back to the group. “Four hours is a long time to be in the water in an unknown situation. I’m sorry for that. But without the actions of Mr. Monroe, you might have been out there far longer.”
“We have some bunks prepared for you to rest. It’s going to be a while before we get you back to your resort, so you might as well enjoy some sleep.” Barnes looked over at a man by the door, who nodded. “I’ll let you all know over the PA when we are approaching your resort. Meanwhile, Private Samuel here will show you to your bunks.” Barnes spun around and departed.
Several divers sent Alex haunted looks as they passed by, along with murmured thank yous. Tommy was last in line. “You comin’ with us?”
“No, I’m fine. I think I’ll go up on deck. Get some sleep, Tommy—you did great today.”
* * *
Alex stood at the starboard railing, watching the waves pass. He stretched, his hip stiffening up. That would be just perfect. Relaxing down on the rail again, Alex checked his dive watch. Six o’clock . . .
Let this day be over.
Now that the group was safe, his thoughts returned to Hope. While in the water waiting for rescue, he’d found himself thinking about her and firmly resisted, keeping his mind and attention on the matter at hand. He’d always had a laser focus while on mission and was pleased to find that hadn’t left him.
But now, he just wanted to get home and see her. To hold her in his arms.
The bulkhead door opened behind him, but he ignored it. Someone came up and leaned on the rail next to him. He turned to see it was Captain Barnes. Alex had been around many petty, awful commanding officers in his time. This guy wasn’t one of those.
“Mr. Monroe, I’ve been looking for you. One of your divers told me you were Navy. How does it feel to be wearing a Coast Guard shirt?”
Alex gave a small smile, still staring out at the ocean. “Desperate times, sir.”
Barnes laughed at that, then got serious. “I meant what I said in there. I’m sure those people have no idea how much you did out there to keep them safe.”
Alex shrugged, uncomfortable with the praise. “They did as instructed. That’s all that matters.”
“They told me you were a Navy diver?”
Alex nodded but didn’t reply.
“Sounds like you’re a man who recognizes the value of a good team.”
Alex paused. “You could say that, sir.”
“Just a Navy diver, huh?”
Alex stared at him, eyes hard. “Is there another question you’re trying to ask, sir?”
Barnes laughed. “No, I think you answered it. You don’t like the limelight much, do you, son?”
Alex continued to look straight at him. “No, sir. I don’t.”
Barnes held up his hands. “All right, all right. I’ll leave you with your thoughts. But those people were lucky you were out there today.”
“Thank you, sir.”
With that, Barnes was gone, the door softly clicking behind him.
Hope’s face came unbidden to his mind. He only wanted to get home and see her, finally free to imagine what it would feel like to hold her in his arms. To stroke a finger over her tattoo—he was fascinated with the idea of touching it.
He thought about what Barnes had said. No one had ever accused Alex of a lack of courage, but he’d been avoiding his pain for too long. He’d tried to come to grips with his past for years now—by himself.
It hadn’t worked.
