Not just physically—it can’t have been easy for her to break the glass—but to keep her cool like that. Not to panic, but keep her wits about her enough to remember the tool and find the best route of escape.
Once we’re both a safe distance from the car, Iswim as hard as I can, holding onto Hazel’s hand with a vise grip. Thankfully, the river runs low this time of year, so it doesn’t take long before we reach the surface.
I pull Hazel against me as we gasp for air, keeping both of us afloat with my legs. She shudders in my arms. On a shaky whisper, she says, “Alec. My car?—”
“It’s going to be okay,” I soothe. Conversations about cars and whatever happened that caused her to go into the water can be saved for another time. Preferably when we’re not both in a fifty-degree river with the air temperature only slightly above that.
And even though Hazel’s not trapped in her car anymore, that doesn’t mean the danger is over. I have no idea how badly she’s hurt; she could have broken bones, internal injuries… I’ve seen plenty of men—and women—with catastrophic injuries who were still able to keep going on sheer adrenaline.
Until their injuries caught up with them, that is. Like Garrett. We thought he was okay until?—
Stop.
Now isnotthe time for a visit to the unpleasant past.
Instead, I need to focus on getting Hazel to shore, warming her up, and giving first aid before the police and paramedics get here.
Are they close?
As I paddle to the river’s edge with Hazel still held tightly against me, I listen for the familiar rise andfall of sirens approaching. But there’s nothing. Just the soft lap of waves and the harsh sounds of our breathing.
And poor Hazel… she’s still trying to help, but it’s obvious the cold is sapping the energy from her body. By the time I drag both of us onto the shore, she’s barely able to stand. After only a few steps, she stumbles and makes a frustrated noise. “I’m sorry,” she says through chattering teeth. “My legs…”
Our breath comes in silvery puffs in the chilled night air. In the moonlit darkness, Hazel’s face is nearly white, and her lips are tinged blue. She’s shaking so badly, I can hear her teeth clacking together.
“It’s okay,” I tell her, the reassurance just as much for myself as it is for her. Scooping her into my arms, I hold her high against my chest. “It’s going to be okay. I’ll get you to my car, get you warmed up. The police should be here soon. And an ambulance.”
She stiffens, and for a moment, I think she’s about to insist on walking by herself.
But a beat later, she sags against me and drops her head to my shoulder. “Okay.”
It’s the oddest thing. As I jog back to my car, I don’t feel cold anymore.
Maybe it’s just that my body is entering the early stages of hypothermia. But logic tells me it’s too soon for that.
Or maybe it’s the woman in my arms. The one trusting me to take care of her.
Once I get to the car, I open the driver’s side door and pop the trunk. Then I open the backseat and set Hazel inside, promising, “I’ll just be a second.”
Though I’m loath to leave her for a second, I know she can’t stay in her wet clothes. Neither can I, but I’ll worry about myself later.
In the trunk, I rummage through my go-bag until I find the emergency blanket tucked at the bottom. Then I rush back to Hazel, relieved to find her still conscious and alert. Yes, I know I was only gone for twenty seconds, max, but still. Anything could have happened.
I reach in and pull Hazel out, propping her up against me. “I’m sorry. But we need to get your clothes off. I’m going to do it, since I don’t think you can. Is that alright?”
I’m doing it anyway. I have to. But I’d much rather she give me permission first.
Hazel stares at me for a few seconds. Then she nods.
Permission granted, I peel her clothes off quickly, trying hard not to notice what she looks like.
Yes, I’ve thought about her naked. But never like this. Never when she’s in shock, likely injured, and on the verge of hypothermia.
But damn, she’s gorgeous.
Once she’s stripped down, I wrap the crinkly silver blanket around her, burrito style, and lift her back into my arms. Then I hurry to the driver’s seat and sit down in it, cuddling her against me. I crank the heat up to max and tuck her icy face into my neck, hoping the skin-to-skin contact will warm her a little.
And shit, if it doesn’t feel right, holding her like this.
