She screamed the only name she knew would save her. The name that had been on her mind now for months.
‘Walker!’
Chapter Fifty-Four
Walker
‘What theACTUAL FUCK?’ Walker knew he needed to expand his vocabulary but honestly. The boat crash impact had shocked everyone on the bank, but Gabi and Jayden were now in the water, grinning and giving each other a thumbs up. Amber lowered her hands from her face as she saw Gabi heaving Jayden back onto the boat, but Isabella had the same thought as he did. Gabi was still in the water, and she didn’t look fully confident.
‘Is her leg back to full strength?’ Isabella asked anyone who might be listening.
‘She’ll be fine,’ Etienne said. ‘She’s holding on.’
And then all of a sudden, she wasn’t holding on. Instead, she was swimming out into the middle of the river for the oar, which she caught, earning herself a round of applause. But something was wrong. He could feel it in the pit of his stomach. He could see it in the fright that flashed over her face. She threw the oar to Jayden, and he fixed it in place.
Why wasn’t she swimming back to the boat? She looked to be treading water, but she couldn’t be, she only had one fully working leg. And that boot must be cumbersome under the water. He saw her say something to Jayden but couldn’t hear from the bank. Walker stepped forward, right to the riverside, scrutinising her face. Her cropped hair was slick to her head. Her big brown eyes were wide. Suddenly, he knew there was more to this than met the eye. She ducked under the water and the band of anxiety tightened around his chest.
Jayden stuck his oar in the water and turned the boat so that he was facing the bank and then waved his hands above his head. SOS.
Amber stepped forward, signing already. What is it? Jayden signed back and Amber gasped.
‘Oh my God. She’s stuck in the reeds,’ she said. ‘She’s trapped.’
‘The current will pull her under,’ Isabella said helplessly.
Walker watched her thrashing under the water for a split second, and then she burst free, her eyes facing his way but not seeing him. And then, she screamed his name.
The sound went through him like a knife. He dived from the riverbank before her scream had finished. He swam out as fast as he could, ignoring the shock of the water, the weight of his boots. He carved his way across to her in seconds, but she was already under the water again. He reached the spot where she’d been dragged under and didn’t hesitate. He took a huge breath and dove.
The water was muddy brown and the reeds covering the riverbed were a deep velvet green. He saw her struggling, tearing at her legs, and pushed himself deeper until he hit the bottom. He caught her hands, and she struggled against him for a moment, until she saw him through her panic and stopped thrashing. His fear was that she was making matters worse, tying herself up in her terror. He pulled out his pocketknife and began to slice through the nearest vines. He slashed the entire length of her boot, knowing he couldn’t hurt her, and cut her free. He manoeuvred under the water, twisting her body in his hands to reach the other leg. It was snagged at the ankle and he cut away, cringing when he felt his blade hit something more solid, but carrying on. He had to free her. Cuts would heal. Drowning would kill her. His own lungs were screaming as he slashed the last plant away, pulled her to him and pushed with her for the surface. As they burst into the sunlight and she clung limply in his arms, he realised that his whole life had been heading to this point. To this exact moment of holding this woman against him and keeping her safe. To saving Gabi. She was what he was there for.
Chapter Fifty-Five
Gabi
Walker swam with her to the landing jetty. Her lungs hurt with every breath as she hungrily gasped for air, but he felt solid and strong next to her, talking quietly to her as they made their way, using soothing words of encouragement, gently calling her name. She held on tightly to his shoulders, her mind trying to cope with what had just happened. Not the collision or the reeds or the terror of being trapped underwater. But the fact that he’d jumped without a second of hesitation. He’d come when she needed him. He’d saved her.
She wrapped her arms tightly around him as they got to the bank and instead of using the steps, he waded to the beach entry and carried her out in his arms. She didn’t want to let go, and he adjusted his grip to hold her to him. Everyone surged forward, surrounding them; Isabella wrapped a towel around her shaking body, while Etienne threw another around Walker’s shoulders.
‘Are you okay?’ Isabella was holding her face, peering into her eyes. Gabi coughed and cleared her throat.
‘Where’s Jayden?’ she asked.
‘He’s here,’ Amber said, and Isabella moved aside so that Gabi could see him, looking worried and cold. He signed ‘are you okay?’ and only gave a trembly smile when she used one hand to give him a thumbs up, before putting it back around Walker’s neck.
‘That was a dumbarse thing to do– no life vest and a medical boot.’ Isabella rolled her eyes and then planted a big fat kiss on Gabi’s cheek. ‘I was so worried.’
Suddenly there were too many people around and she just wanted to be alone with Walker. She lifted her gaze to his and found his hazel eyes fixed on her, his hair dripping water down his face.
‘Can you take me home?’ she asked him.
‘Emergency room first,’ Walker said. ‘We need to get your leg checked.’
‘Then home?’ she pleaded. His eyes softened and he nodded.
‘Let’s go.’
‘Shall I come too?’ Isabella asked, already moving alongside them, concern etched on her face.
