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“I might be able to help with that.” She turned sharply to him. “The dive community’s pretty tight here, you know. A friend called me today. He has a boat that’s not bein’ used right now. We can drive it up here tomorrow and take your group if you want. We can fill in until Alex and Tommy are ready to get back to work.”
Tears sprang to Hope’s eyes as she hugged him. “Thank you so much. You don’t know how much that means to me. I’m sure Alex and Tommy will appreciate it too.”
The Coast Guard vessel turned on all its exterior lights as it approached, lighting up the night in a starburst of promise. The assembled crowd grew silent, full of nervous anticipation as it launched the Zodiac. The first load of people came toward the pier, heads on swivels as they surveyed the crowd and tried to find individuals. A tide of murmuring rippled around the crowd as a swell of emotion overcame everyone.
I’m so grateful they’re all safe. I care about all these people. It’s not only one head I’m looking for.
But where is he?
The first boatload of survivors ascended the ladder as the Zodiac sped back to the main vessel. They weaved through the crowd, stars of the hour. Tear-streaked faces and embraces were all around Hope as she waited. More tears prickled her eyes as Sue and Daphne reunited with their husbands. Happiness filled Hope, as well as pride. She had managed the emergency with tact and a large amount of elbow grease.
When the second boatload departed the ship, she spotted Alex immediately and slumped, eyes brimming and relief overflowing. She never took her eyes off his head as the boat bobbed and floated over the water, ever closer. It finally pulled alongside the ladder, and she lost sight of him. Hope’s heart pounded as guest after guest climbed onto the dock to happy cheering. Her mouth ran dry as she waited. Ben and Mary came aboard and embraced Patti.
Tears sprang from her eyes as Tommy climbed up and fell into Priscilla’s arms. They were both crying openly, as were most others. The two children wrapped their arms around both. Hope watched the reunion with a great swelling of happy emotion and greater anticipation.
Then her gaze drifted to the ladder, tunneling down to a laser beam. Alex climbed onto the deck, the last out of the small boat, looking around him.
Hope breathed in gasps, both hands over her mouth.
Standing tall, he whipped his head left and right, eyes searching. There was a piercing intensity about him she’d never seen before. Finally, he spotted her off to the side.
She ran toward him. They locked eyes.
Ignoring everyone else, Alex marched toward her. As if by instinct, people parted around him. As she flew into his arms, he crushed her to him.
They held each other, neither saying anything, just existing together at last. Hope buried her head in his chest, breathing in the scent and presence of him. Finally appreciating he was here, in her arms. Right now. She broke down and sobbed with relief.
He bent down and whispered in her ear, “It’s ok. Everyone is fine. You don’t need to cry.”
“Oh, Alex. Thank God. You’re here. You’re finally here.”
Hope basked in his warm, solid embrace, crying into his chest as he swayed a bit on his feet. Eventually, she opened her eyes. The crowd had thinned a bit. She looked around, making eye contact with Patti. Hope beckoned to her, and she hurried over, starting to cry. Alex unwrapped one arm from Hope and embraced Patti too, whose tears turned to sobs. Seeing Patti made Hope’s tears start anew.
“Jeez, a guy could get a swelled head hanging around with you two,” Alex said, his voice hoarse and cracking as the three embraced in the warm, tropical night.
CHAPTER 33
The next morning, Hope studied the buffet, taking a to-go container from the stack and filling it with heaping servings of scrambled eggs, hash browns, and bacon, plus six pieces of toast. She added three pats of butter on top.
Hope lit up when she saw the pastry bar. On impulse, she grabbed another container and filled it to the brim with assorted pastries, donuts, and croissants. There, that should do. A large black coffee completed the ensemble, and she stacked everything carefully before making her way down the pier. She had a feeling her mission this morning was going to be difficult, and food always helped.
Alex kept strong emotions close, especially anything relating to weakness, unless he deflected them with humor. Last night, when she had finally stood with him, their arms around each other, Hope felt his bone-deep weariness as he swayed on his feet.
As much as she wanted to bask in their reunion—and more—she had bit down on her own emotion and sent him up to his apartment to rest, going back to her own house. As tiring as her day had been, he was far more exhausted.
Hope was sure he hadn’t been down for breakfast yet. It was only 7 a.m. and the area was silent as she padded up the stairs to Alex’s apartment. She stuck the coffee in the crook of her elbow and was getting ready to knock when she gazed through the windowpane embedded in the door. Alex stood over a small kitchen table, wearing nothing but boxers.
Hope gasped as she looked more closely.
He faced the door, looking down and standing over a steaming cup of coffee as he leaned on the table with both arms. The muscles of his arms flexed from the strain, each sharply defined with tension. She narrowed her eyes at his white fingers, tented up as if he didn’t want to put full weight on his hands.
His face was a vivid portrait of pain and weariness, and he took deep, heaving breaths with his eyes closed.
Oh, Alex.
She quickly stood aside. Alex was a man who allowed no one to see his deepest self. Especially what she just saw. She contemplated coming back later or leaving the food on his doorstep. Oh, stop being such a coward! Before she could second-guess herself anymore, she knocked on his door.
“Hang on. Give me a minute,” came the hoarse reply.
