When we get back to the boat, the tour operators are all quick to help us back onto the boat. They’re almost as panicked as Jaxon, firing off worried questions at us, which I’m sure has as much to do with keeping their jobs as it does for Harlow’s well being. Thankfully, they realize pretty quickly that we need more than an interrogation. One of the more helpful guys starts handing the three of us towels while someone else takes care of our snorkeling equipment.
Jaxon and I quickly get rid of our wetsuits before helping Harlow out of hers. Jaxon bundles her up in a large towel, swaddling her like some kind of baby, not that I can blame him, and shuffles her directly into the cabin of the boat. I catch a glimpse of him snuggling her onto a comfy chair before I realize one of the tour guides is still standing next to me. I tear my eyes away from Harlow and my brother to see what he wants. “Would you like us to call for a boat to come get you and return you back to shore?”
I don't even ask the other two what they would like to do; I just want to get us back home. “Yes, that would be great, thanks.”
After handing me an ice pack, the guy hurries away. I wrap a towel around my waist before joining Jaxon and Harlow in the cabin, sitting next to her on the chair. “Are you cold, or is this shock?” I ask, realizing there’s a persistent tremble in her body. Jaxon gets up to grab the rest of our gear while I do my best impersonation of a space heater, rubbing my hands up and down Harlow’s arms. When he gets back, he grabs the hoodie he had on earlier and pulls it over her head, taking care not to jostle her too much.
“Thank you.” Her teeth chatter, and she tries to smile at us both, but it’s a half-hearted attempt. She’s a trooper, that’s for damn sure, but there’s just no hiding her current discomfort. I hand her the ice pack, realizing that was a stupid decision when her trembling makes her nearly smash it into her head. Okay, I can totally handle this. I’m no expert in taking care of other people, but I can sure as hell hold the ice pack for her. With a gentle pressure, I press it to the bump on her head, feeling myself warm with the grateful smile she gives me in return.
The tour operator returns. “The boat is on its way. Would you like some hot drinks to warm you while you’re waiting?” Jaxon and I both shake our heads, but when Harlow goes to do the same, I stop her.
“You need something hot and sweet. It should help with the cold and the shock,” I tell her.
With her reluctant agreement, her face screwing up into a little grimace like that’s the last thing she wants right now, I send the man away with a request for hot chocolate. Both Jaxon and I huddle in close, hoping to warm her with our own body temp, but I’m not sure we’re much help because our skin is just as cold as hers. In the rush of the moment, trying to get her to safety and now being faced with this instinct to just stay within reach of her, neither of us changed into dry clothes.
Before long, he returns with the hot chocolate in a takeout mug. “The wait shouldn't be too much longer. Please let us know if we can do anything else. We’ve arranged for a medic to be on hand to check you over when the speedboat docks,” he informs us before leaving us be. Harlow wraps both hands around the cup before taking a sip, her quiet sigh of pleasure making me feel a little warmth inside. I couldn’t keep her safe in the first place, but hopefully this is at least one little decision that can help take care of her now.
“Not too sore on your throat?” I check, a little worried because she said it hurt.
“No, actually, it feels good, soothing,” she assures me with a smile, and I feel the first bit of tension leave my body.
On her other side, Jaxon has dug his phone out of our bag and has it up to his ear, probably calling one of our family members to give them the update. I should get mine out too and call James to tell him we’re on our way, but instead I sit back in the chair next to Harlow, put my arm around her, and pull her close. It doesn't take much encouragement before she snuggles into me, slowly sipping her drink.
My gaze travels around the room, stopping on Jaxon when I realize he’s got that frustrated look on his face. “Who are you calling?” I ask him, and he looks up with a frown.
“Tom, but he’s sent me to voicemail twice,” he growls before trying once more. He must have luck on the next try because I hear him growl, “Tom, it’s Harlow. She’s been attacked again.”
So Harlow and I aren’t the only ones who had thought about it. I feel her stiffen underneath me at his words.
“She’s okay, got a lump on her head and swallowed a bit of water. I’ll tell you about it when we get home. We’re leaving the tour early.” Tom must be saying something because Jaxon is quiet again.
“Good, I was going to ask you if you could do that.” Through the window on the side of the cabin, I can see a speedboat pull up next to the larger tour boat, so I stand and pull Harlow to her feet.
“Yeah, okay, I've got to go. I’ll let you know when we’re in the air.”
Jaxon hangs up and grabs all our gear while I keep my arm around Harlow. He leads the way to the side of the boat where there’s a little door that opens. The staff have grabbed a line from the smaller speedboat. He chucks our gear on board before jumping on himself.
“Are you going to be okay until we get to the plane? You can have a hot shower after we’ve taken off, and we can sleep the rest of the way home,” I offer to Harlow as Jaxon holds out a hand to help her.
“God, that sounds amazing. Yes, please,” she says as she takes his hand. Once she’s on the speedboat and out of the way, I join them, waving off the offers of help.
The three of us get settled on a bench seat, and before long we’re back at the marina, where the waiting medic hovers over Harlow the second we all climb off the boat.
“The cut on her head is superficial and has already stopped bleeding. Head wounds always bleed badly, but it will heal fine with no scar. She may have a slight concussion but should be fine to fly. Just rest for a few days, and if headaches persist, see a doctor.”
Preliminary medical check-up taken care of, we make our way to our car in the secure parking. On the way, Jaxon stops to speak to the guard at the entry while Harlow and I keep walking, but he catches up before long.
“The guard said nobody came near our car. Should we call the police and report the jet skier?” he suggests as he throws our stuff into the back of the Jeep. I unlock the car and help Harlow up into the backseat.
“No!” she says rather loudly before taking a breath and continuing at a lower volume. “No, I just want to go home, please.” The two of us exchange a glance, and I can’t help but feel that there’s the same emotion in my brother’s eyes: helplessness. We couldn’t stop this, but like the hot chocolate or just snuggling with her on the chair, if we can at least get her home, we can help her feel a little bit better now. With the jet skier long gone and no way to prove the incident was connected to our car accident, what could the police do? We’d just be prolonging Harlow’s discomfort by staying here.
“Of course, let’s go home, but we’ll need to tell Detective James about both incidents,” I warn her.
“Yes, anything,” she agrees gratefully. “All I want to do is go home, curl up on the bed next to Holden, and spend a couple of days resting with him. I want to be back to normal when we go to Europe at the end of the week. I don't want anyone leaving me behind.”
“Even if you weren’t back to a hundred percent, I don’t think that would be a problem. Both Dad and Tom would insist on you coming, I’m sure. If you hadn’t noticed, Harlow, we’re growing to be a bit attached to you and your safety,” Jaxon says wryly as he climbs into the back with her and wraps his arm around her shoulders, gently shifting her body so that she’s leaning against him.
“Just get comfortable. The drive won’t be long,” he tells her as I climb into the driver’s seat. Before I get us out of there, I peek into the rearview mirror, selfishly needing just one more glimpse to see that she’s okay. Her head is on Jaxon’s shoulder, and my brother’s got his phone out again, tapping away, probably letting James know to expect us.
