Every Storm (3 page)

"Lorraine Archer."

"What happened?"

"Our plane crashed."

"Where are the others?"

Rigg watched her shake her head, her eyes like those of an injured animal. He knew better than to question her right then and started forward, only to stop when she stepped back in fear.

Quinn had suddenly come from the bushes, and one of the other scout teams had joined them. Rigg only glanced at them before speaking to Lorri again.

: "I'm Lieutenant Riggs. These are my men. No one will harmyou"..- .

Rigg had come close enough now to see the pulse beating at the base of her throat. She was so gaunt that the throb stood out in an unnatural way. He looked into her eyes and reads mixture of fear and hope.

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23

For Lord's part, she could barely think at all. She knew she couldn't last out here forever, not with so little to eat. Her mind had become a little less clear every day, but today was a good day. Today she had remembered some songs and some verses from her Bible.

"How long have you been here?"

Rigg's question brought her back to reality, and she looked up at him..

"How long have you been here?" he repeated.

"I don't know. Our plane left on June 1."

"That's more than six weeks ago," Rigg told her.

"Is it?" Lorri tried to take it in.

"Where are you from?"

"Can you take me off this island?" Lorri asked again, not having listened to his question.

"Yes, but not just now. We need to make some repairs to our boat. When we go we'll take you with us."

The word "boat" seemed to get through.

"What have you got-a destroyer, a cruiser?"

"APT boat."

Lorri blinked up at him. "They're not very big"

Watching her, Rigg wanted to laugh for the first time, but as he watched, she suddenly sat down. She glanced up at him, even that costing her, and spoke quietly.

"I doVt have much energy."

Rigg didn't know when he'd felt such pity.

"We'll get you something to eat."

Lorri nodded a little before she heard him turn and speak to his men, but she didn't listen very welL She was talking to the Lord, hoping that she was making some sense.

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I know I might be dreaming again, but this feels more real I think

' I could smell shaving soap, and I've never done that in a dream. Please,

Lord,
she begged in her heart.
Please let me see Mother and Max

again. Please let me go home this time and not wake up on the ground.

"This is Lionel Pauley." Rigg broke into her thoughts, and Lorri tried to pay attention. "He's going to take care of you for the next few hours."

A sailor hunkered down in front of her and made eye contact.

"Did I hear you say your name was Archer?"

"Yes."

"Miss or Mrs.?"

"The children call me Miss Lorri."

"Are you a teacher?"

"Yes. On a cattle ranch. Is it true that President Roosevelt died?"

"Yes, I'm afraid it is."

Lorri nodded. "I couldn't remember if I dreamt that or not."

"Tell me, Miss Lorri," he said, working gently to draw her back. "What have you been eating and drinking on the island?"

"Mostly leaves and water. Some berries." Lorri made a little face. "They don't taste very good."

"One of the men will bring you some crackers. I think we'll start there."

"I love crackers."

Lionel smiled at her, feeling the same pity that Rigg had known. He was a married man with two little daughters. If his Alma or one of his girls was ever alone and starving, he would want someone to treat them with all the care and respect he could muster.

"Do you suppose you're in my dream?" Lorri suddenly asked.

"Not unless I'm having the same dream."

Lorri couldn't process that comment. She looked off into the distance and tried to work it out.

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25

Not sure what to say to her next, Lionel stood to his feet to watch for Cliff, willing the man to hurry with that food.

"You find a way to make it more than clear, Hugh," Rigg said sternly to the other officer. "She might not be what they've been dreaming about for weeks, but she's still a woman. If anyone lays a hand on her, I'll have them in the nearest brig before they can state their full rank."

"I'll see to it," Hugh assured him, looking up at the man he admired like no other. "It's not going to be fun once we're back at sea."

"I know that better than anyone. I just want to be sure that the men know there's no fun to be had here."

Hugh smiled a little.

"She's certainly a surprise."

"She is that." Rigg shook his head in wonder. "First those songs and then that dazed expression that tell me she can barely think straight."

"What songs?"

Rigg told him how they found her, and Hugh almost laughed. It was nothing short of amazing.

"Oh, and make sure Lionel keeps her comfortable here on the island tonight. There's no point in having her on board until we have to."

"Aye, Lieutenant."

The men parted company, Rigg to check on the boat's repairs and Hugh to organize a meeting and make a few announcements.

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"We'll have a guest aboard ship for some days, men. I can't say how many," Hugh stated plainly at the end of his speech. "She's off limits in every way, shape, and form. I don't even want you to speak to her unless you have business with her, and you only have business with her when I or Lieutenant Riggs say you do. Do I make myself clear?"

"Yes, sir!"

Hugh looked along the line of men at attention on the beach and wondered if this was going to work. It was true that their guest was not in the best of shape, but the lieutenant was right: She was female, and for some of the men that was all that mattered.

"Dismissed," he finally told the men, hoping he'd been clear enough. He knew Rigg meant what he said about arresting anyone who stepped out of line, but in the end, the rest was in the hands of the men.

Harlan Ellis, cook on the
Every Storm,
did not allow Cliff to return alone with the crackers. He was fit to be tied to learn that a woman would be on his boat, and only grudgingly did he prepare something for her to eat. When the food was ready, he followed the other sailor off the boat and onto the beach, trailing him through the trees until he reached Lionel's side.

His heart softened a bit when he saw Lorri. He didn't know what he was expecting, but it wasn't to see a woman truly in need of sustenance. He had taken fresh crackers and knew the broth was tasty, but something inside of him wished he'd done more.

He returned to the
Every Storm,
already working out what he could make her for supper that night.

27

V

"Here you go" Lionel said, handing a cracker to Lorri. She smiled and thanked him, but she didn't put it in her mouth.

"Go ahead and eat," he urged her and watched her put it in her mouth.

"That's good," she said around the crumbs, needing no further urging. Lionel handed her four more crackers and stepped back to give her some space.

It was a funny thing in Lord's mind. She'd thought about how much she would enjoy food if she got it again, but when he'd handed her the first cracker, she couldn't make herself eat it. Memories having little to do with food had suddenly assailed her, and her mouth had gone dry.

"How were those crackers?" Lionel asked, noticing how slowly she chewed.

"They were good."

"I've got some beef broth here for you now. Do you think you can manage it?"

"I think so."

She drank slowly and gratefully, smiling at him often. Lionel just smiled back and kept his hand ready as hers seemed to be shaking all of a sudden. The warm broth gone, she thanked him one last time and moved a little to let her head fall against the side of the plane.

"Don't forget me," she saidjast one point, her eyes closed.

Lionel didn't answer. She w^s already asleep.

28

"What's the news, Quinn?" Rigg asked him on the beach, the boat in sight.

"I can get to that hole now, but it's going to take morehours of daylight than we have left."

Rigg's head went back as he studied the sky. He knew they would be spending the night here, but he had hoped to be on his way in the morning. It wasn't going to happen.

"Get back to it at first light."

"Will do."

Rigg turned up the beach then and made his way back into the interior of the island. He hadn't checked on Lionel and his charge all afternoon. He could fill a book with questions he had for the woman but was quite certain they would all have to wait. Some questions he was sure never to have answers for, but maybe Lionel had learned some things.

He found that man on the edge of the clearing but no sign of Lorri.

"She slept all afternoon," Lionel told the lieutenant.

"Where is she now?"

"I suspect she needed a few minutes of privacy."

"Is she any more lucid?"

"About the same as before she slept, and very groggy when she woke"

"When is her supper coming?"

"I expect Ellis any moment."

"Head back to the
Storm
and gather some things to make her a little more comfortable for the night. I'll stay here until you get back."

"Yes, sir."

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Rigg looked around while Lionel was away. He took in the wreckage and shook his head that anyone had lived to tell about it. It crossed his mind that she was more than starved, that her brain had been affected in some other way because of the crash, and he found himself praying it wasn't so.

Rigg was still taking it in, inspecting the damage and the small ways she tried to establish some comfort. Not until he'd nearly cut himself on a piece of sharp metal did he realize he was being watched.

Lorri had come back from relieving herself and stood watching the man she had spoken with earlier. He was looking around, and she couldn't understand why.

"Did you lose something?" she asked in all sincerity.

"No, nothing like that. How are you doing?"

Lorri came forward, thinking about his question. She felt a little better but was very thirsty and realized that she hadn't had salt in all this time.

"I think I might go and have a drink. I'm thirsty."

"Your supper will be coming soon."

"I won't be long."

Rigg almost stopped her but changed his mind. Instead he followed her. She didn't move very fast but clearly knew where she was headed. If she knew he was behind her, she gave no indication but followed a well-worn path to a rocky area. She stepped around a very small pond to where water trickled from the rocks. Here she went to her knees and drank for a long time. When she sat back, Rigg questioned her.

"How long was it before you found this?"

"Not long." She remembered this part well. "I was so thirsty the first day that I could smell the water. I think it might be the only reason I'm alive."

30

Without comment, Rigg stepped around to help her to her feet. The bones in her arm felt as though they would break in his hand, but none of his feelings showed on his face. "I'll let you lead the way back," he said.

"All right."

They stepped back into the clearing to see that Ellis had arrived with the food. He didn't speak but set the food down, dipped his head a little, and went on his way. Rigg took Lorri's arm.

"Here you go. Let's see what Ellis brought for you."

One look at the plate and Rigg's heart sank. The man had outdone himself, but Rigg wasn't sure Lorri was ready for this type of food. Lorri had sat down and reached for the plate. It took all Rigg's will, but he made himself take it from her. The hunger and confusion in her eyes were almost too much for him, but he sat near her to try to explain.

"I think you need to take very small bites of this, Miss Archer. I don't know if your stomach is ready for gravy and beef yet."

"Oh."

Rigg gave her the plate and hoped she understood.

Lorri looked at it, her mouth watering, but didn't know what to do. Rigg watched her, feeling his helplessness grow. Trying to remember commonsense eating guidelines, he searched the plate.

"Why don't you take some potato from right here," he pointed, "without too much gravy."

Lorn used the fork and took some, but it didn't make it to her mouth.