There were days when one of them managed to catch a fish or two and when they didn’t, there were snails, coconuts and the occasional crabs. Once they’d resorted to eating bugs. She shuddered to think about what they had to do to exist, but it was either that or die. The almost daily rain would have depressed a circus clown, but somehow they managed.
If it weren’t for Rafe and Grant being with her, she wasn’t sure what she would have done. With each day that passed, she found herself falling a little more in love with each man.
What India liked most about Rafe was his forcefulness and his straight-forwardness. Grant’s strength was his sweet consideration and silent strength. They both made her laugh, and made her happy despite their circumstances. They were protective of her, making India feel the love she’d desperately longed for in her life. For the first time in her twenty-eight years, she was content.
Wait. She was twenty-nine now. Her birthday would have been a couple weeks ago by her estimation, but she hadn’t brought it up to either of the men. Just lasting another day on the island was gift enough.
They spent most of their days scrounging the island for food, wood and any needed supplies. Sometimes they’d frolic in the ocean, or laze in the sand until the sun was at its peak. Then they would either find shade or retreat to the cave. She’d learned more about each of them and in turn, shared details of her life.
Their nights were filled with earth-shattering sex that rocked her body to its core. She looked forward to those moments.
With a yawn she looked out over the horizon. India felt lethargic today and didn’t have much energy to do anything other than sit on the edge of the water, letting the waves run over her legs. Rafe was in the cave, trying to restart the fire that had gone out this morning. Grant was off on a hunt, determined to catch an animal. They had discovered some larger animals deeper in the woods, but they had yet to be successful at catching anything of significance. She still wished Grant luck on his Lord of the Flies-like quest.
India wiggled her toes in the water, simply letting her mind wander. At first the faint buzzing sound in the distance didn’t register, until it drew closer. Glancing up in the sky, she blinked once, then twice, not believing her eyes.
After all this time…a plane!
Scrambling to her feet, she ran along the beach, waving her hands frantically, hoping the pilot would notice the SOS sign they’d made out of leaves and coconut shells.
“Plane!” she shouted at the top of her lungs hoping it would bring the men over. “Plane!” India hurried along the beach. She continued jumping up and down. Just then, Grant appeared, frantically signaling to the plane.
She didn’t know what to expect, but the vehicle kept going without circling or indicating they’d been spotted, much to her disappointment. But for the first time in several days, there was hope. “Do you think they saw us?” She turned to Grant.
“It was low enough to the ground. If they didn’t see us, then hopefully they saw our distress sign.”
Rafe joined them a few minutes later. “I got the fire started again. What was all the commotion?”
“Didn’t you hear it? We saw a plane!” India could barely contain her excitement. She’d been feeling pretty pessimistic about getting off the island of late, so the renewal of hope was just the thing she needed.
Rafe shouted in glee, grabbing India by the waist and twirling her around until she was dizzy.
“Put me down, you big oaf.” She administered a playful slap against his arm.
He put her down with a laugh. “I wish I would have been out here to see it myself, but just knowing one flew by is good enough for me.”
India didn’t want to be the voice of doom and gloom, but she had to be realistic. “Unfortunately, there’s no guarantee they saw us. And even if they did, there’s no telling whether they’ll care.”
Grant gave her a little pat on the rear. “You’re right, but we have to think positive.”
“But after being here for nearly two months, it makes me wonder if anyone would expect to find us here. I’m not trying to be a downer, but I’m worried.”
“Don’t be worried, honey. I’m sure they must have seen something.” Grant sounded more upbeat than he had in the past several days. Even though he was the one who always tried to look on the bright side of things, lately it seemed as if he had been losing hope as well.
A scary thought crossed her mind. “We’ve been gone all this time. People probably think we’re dead. I mean, you two have a business to go back to, but my job has probably been filled. Public defenders are a dime a dozen. Then my apartment has probably been rented out. God knows where my stuff is. If my parents had anything to do with it, they probably tossed it and I’m sure they won’t appreciate me staying with them until I get another place.”