Page 89 of Cold Silence
Claire watched from above as waves crashed against the shore in the cove at Cold Harbor. Sharp and dangerous rock walls protruded below her. The sand at the water’s edge a warm brown with frothy water lapping on the shore.
A beautiful setting. One Claire never imagined she would see, but here she was visiting Cold Harbor with Travis. He gripped her hand as if afraid she might take a tumble over the cliff.
So protective. She loved it.
She glanced over her shoulder at Gage. “Oregon beaches are so different from Florida beaches. Wind-swept, rugged, and uninhabited here. Buttery pristine sand, hot temperatures, and commercial establishments there.”
Gage nodded. “They’re nothing alike, and I prefer ours for sure.”
“I think I do too.” She took in the scenic view again.
“A lot of tourists would agree with you.” He pointed to the left. “That island is one of our most popular locations to stay. It holds a small cabin—Heavenly Hideaway. It’s only accessible by boat. Tourists from the big city flock to it for the privacy.”
“Sounds, well…heavenly.” She chuckled.
“It is.” Gage’s tone had deepened. “But it can be dangerous when a storm rolls in if the occupants don’t stay buttoned down.”
She imagined the wind kicking up on the ocean. The dark clouds. The water lashing up on the shore. Rain pelting down. Visibility zero. The small cabin shaking with the force of heavy rain. She shuddered.
“Cold?” Travis asked.
“No, just thinking how that island could change in a heartbeat.”
“So true,” Gage said. “Especially at this time of year when our rainy season sets in.”
“Good thing we’re staying with Gage then,” Travis said. “How far away is your compound?”
“Sounds like you’re itching to get there,” Gage said.
“All the toys.” Travis laughed.
“Then let’s get moving,” Gage said. “First, we can head down to the water, and Claire can get her feet wet.” Gage pointed at their rental SUV behind them. Gage had offered to send a helicopter to pick them up in Portland, but they’d wanted to make the scenic drive, so they rented an SUV to make the long drive instead.
They crossed the viewing area and got in. They’d met up with Gage in the quaint little town, and he’d taken over driving to get them to his compound. He cranked the engine, and it roared to life, disturbing the calm only interrupted by seagulls and the rush of water. He wound them down the road that lazily followed the beach until they were driving onto the packed sand.
He parked near the advancing water. “Prepare yourself for cold water. It’ll be in the fifties.”
“That doesn’t sound so cold.” She grabbed her tote bag, holding a towel.
Gage killed the engine. “It’s not for a short dip, but could still be deadly if you stayed in the water too long.”
Travis leaned over the seat. “For reference, it takes at least thirty minutes in freezing water for hypothermia to set in for an average adult.”
She hung her towel around her neck. “So capsizing in this water could be much more deadly than in Florida.”
“Exactly,” Gage said. “Something I hope everyone would take into account here. Doesn’t happen. At least not by most tourists, and we have a lot of them.”
Gage slid out of the vehicle and so did Claire. Travis followed. She kicked off her flip-flops and gasped at the cold sand underfoot. Gage was right. She was in for a surprise once she hit that water. She inched closer to the surf and let it tickle her toes. The biting cold had her jumping back.
“Wimp.” Travis grabbed her hand and plowed them both into the surf.
She screamed and threw her arms around his neck, hoping he would lift her up out of the waves. He did, and she clung to him.
Gage’s hearty laugh rolled through the air and disappeared in the chilly breeze. “Told you it was cold.”
Travis carried her out to the solid but wet beach and set her down.
She looked at Gage. “I’ve learned my lesson. I will listen to you in the future.”
