Page 8 of Summer with a SEAL

“Looks like Ryker’s almost there!” Noah shouted.

Jacob grunted in affirmation.

Sirens sounded faintly in the distance, and Jacob glanced back toward shore, seeing Jessica and Michelle standing there with the others. The bonfire blazed on the beach, and with the sun sinking lower, it looked almost serene.

Almost. Except for the fact that there were two swimmers struggling in the ocean and rescue crews on the way.

“Stop struggling, I’ve got you!” Ryker’s deep voice commanded when they were only a few yards away from him.

The man Jessica’s friend was with grabbed onto Ryker, nearly pushing him under. Ryker cursed and subdued him, wrapping his arm around the man’s chest and pinning his arms as he treaded water. Amazingly, Jessica’s friend was the calm one, looking exhausted but managing to keep her head afloat.

“I got you,” Jacob said, pulling her against him. “You’re safe now.”

She sputtered, struggling to speak.

“Shhh, we’ll get you back,” he assured her. “Just relax and hold onto me.”

Noah appeared at his side, with Mason swimming over to help Ryker with the panicked man.

“Easy now, sweetheart,” Noah said in a low voice. “Your friends are waiting on shore, so let’s get you back.”

She let Jacob wrap his arm around her waist, and then he was towing her along with him as they made their way back to the beach.

“Amy, right?” Jacob asked her, holding her close to him as he swam.

“Yes,” she gasped.

“All right, Amy, we’ll get you back. You’re safe,” Jacob assured her.

“If you ever get caught in a rip current again, swim parallel to the shore,” Noah instructed her as he swam beside them. “Fighting against it will just tire you out, and you’ll end up farther and farther out in the ocean.”

“Okay,” she gasped.

“Just relax,” Jacob said. “You’re doing great.”

He felt her body relax against him, and he swam with her. After a few minutes, he shifted her to Noah’s arms. He could easily get her back to shore, but they’d make it back faster if they took turns, saving their strength.

The three of them came into closer view of the shoreline, and he could see the emergency vehicles driving down the beach toward the group. Glancing behind him, he saw Ryker and Mason hauling the man with them. He was cursing and swearing, and Jacob wondered how much he’d been drinking.

Amy seemed fine, but this guy had clearly had a few too many.

Alcohol and swimming certainly didn’t mix.

Jessica waved as they got closer, relief crossing her face as she saw that Amy was okay. She made a move to go into the ocean, but Hunter held out an arm, telling her to stay put. The sun sank lower into the horizon, and Jacob was glad they hadn’t had to search for them in the dark. He had no issues with swimming at night, but it would’ve been hard as hell to find them. They might not have even noticed them missing at all until it was too late.

Hunter rushed forward into the shallow water to meet them, lifting Amy into his arms and jogging toward the emergency vehicles. Jacob helped Ryker and Mason haul the drunk guy to the sand, and then they were carrying him over as well, each of them holding onto one limb.

Jacob’s wet cargo shorts clung to him as he moved up the beach with his team mates, but his soaked outfit was the least of his concerns. They handed the man off to the EMTs, and he finally stripped his shirt off, squeezing out the soaking wet cotton.

He palmed the soggy shirt in one hand and in a couple of long strides, was by Jessica again.

“What happened?” Jessica asked as they began to load Amy’s stretcher into an emergency vehicle.

Her eyes briefly widened as she took in Jacob’s bare torso, but she quickly looked back toward her friend.

“He wanted to go for a swim—I figured what the hell?” Amy said with a cough. “But then we got caught in that undertow and couldn’t make it back to shore. Thank you,” she said, her eyes watering as they locked with Jacob’s. “I was so exhausted; I don’t know how long I could’ve stayed above water if you guys didn’t come rescue us.”

“You’re welcome. I’m just glad you’re safe,” he said, looking from her over to Jessica. She briefly introduced the two of them, and then a moment later, Ryker and the others were there.

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