Ethan nodded. They needed to be on foot to search the water anyway. “Let’s pray the water isn’t moving too fast,” he said, almost to himself.
Finally, Ryan parked. Ethan cursed when he saw the Hyundai. Nel’s vehicle.
They were here.
He didn’t wait for Ryan to turn off the vehicle or the other guys to arrive. The second he was out of the car, he sprinted through the trees.
Loud, thudding footsteps sounded behind him. Ryan. Ethan didn’t look back. His feet sank into the earth, the cold air rushing over his skin. He barely felt anything but that deep desperation to find Maggie.
When he finally reached the bank, he didn’t stop. She wasn’t there, but he hadn’t expected her to be. He continued sprinting alongside the river, leaping over roots and curving around trees, his gaze never leaving the water.
Come on, Maggie, where are you?
He saw the boat first. It had run up against some rocks poking out of the water. Then, a bit farther downstream, he spotted Maggie.
But only for a second before Nel leaped on top of her, sending her head beneath the water.
Ethan’s heart stopped. It just stopped fucking beating.
He didn’t waste time removing any clothes or shoes. He dove straight into the river. Icy water enveloped his body.
Because of the moving current, he remained beneath the surface, sweeping along quickly with disciplined strokes. His training and years as a SEAL took over. There was no panic. Just focused control.
He reached the women at the same time as Ryan, who tugged Nel one way while Ethan pulled Maggie up to the surface.
She was limp, her head lolling against his shoulder.
Fear cut across his skin like a blade. He pushed it down and swam hard toward the shore, the current fighting to keep them. His strokes remained strong and measured. The river would not stop or slow him.
When his knees hit the rocky bank, he didn’t flinch. He lay Maggie on the flat surface and lifted her chin so her head was tilted. Then he put his ear to her mouth.
She wasn’t breathing.
He touched her pulse. It was there.
Thank God!
Quickly, he sealed his mouth over hers and breathed into her. Once. Twice. Her chest rose. But she didn’t wake.
He locked his fingers and started compressions. He counted each thrust of his palms against her chest, ignoring the noises from Ryan and Nel behind him.
She didn’t stir.
“Come on, Maggie. Open your eyes.Fight.”
He lowered his mouth and sealed his lips to hers again.
One breath.
Two.
Suddenly, she jerked, a loud cough rattling in her chest as water erupted from her lips.
He barely gave relief a chance to rise before rolling her to her side, supporting her head as she continued to cough up water.
“There you go, I’ve got you,” he whispered, something cracking inside him. “You’re safe.”
Long minutes passed until finally she blinked up at him, eyes unfocused, hair wet as it stuck to her cheeks. “Ethan.”
