Uncharted: a survival love story by Julie Johnson

Author:Julie Johnson [Johnson, Julie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Johnson Ink, Inc.
Published: 2018-01-09T18:30:00+00:00

Chapter Eleven

A C H E

We do our best to explain things to Ian. He reacts about as well as can be expected — which is to say, with a fair amount of shock and disbelief as he stares down at the stump where his leg used to reside. He’s equally shocked that so many days have passed since the plane went down. He remembers very little of the actual crash, likely a byproduct of hitting his head in the moments before we struck the water. He has no recollection at all of our time on the emergency raft. The surgery we performed during the height of his fever is a jumble of painful flashes in his mind.

That’s probably for the best, if you ask me.

“I suppose I should be thanking you for saving my life,” he says after a long moment of silent reflection. “But, if I’m being honest, there’s a part of me that would like to kick your ass.”

“Ian I—” I start to apologize.

“Unfortunately,” he carries on. “I don’t think I’ll be doing much kicking again anytime soon, seeing as you’ve chopped off my damn leg.”

A startled laugh bursts from my throat before I can stop it. Despite the not-inconsiderable pain he must be experiencing, I can see a mischievous light shining from his light blue eyes. A dimple hints at the corner of his mouth.

“I’m glad your sense of humor is undamaged.” Smiling, I brush a few strands of hair from his eyes, then lift Beck’s water bottle toward his dry lips. “Now, please drink some water. You’re dehydrated. Tomorrow, if you’re feeling up to it, we’ll try a bit of food.”

“Fine.” Ian sighs. “But first, in your expert opinion, I must know…”

My brows lift.

“Do you think when we get back home, I’ll be able to spin the amputation story to my advantage with the ladies? I mean, being a plane crash survivor is badass enough, but surgery on a deserted island, without any anesthetic… I’m pretty sure I’ll be a legend.” His dimples pop out. “Really gives me a leg up in the dating scene, don’t you think?”

Beck snorts behind me.

“Did you…” I blink, stunned. “Did you just make an amputee joke?”

“It was more of a pun, really.” Ian yawns and his dry lips crack with dehydration. “Not my best material.”

“I’m not sure whether I should be impressed or concerned that you’re taking this news in such stride,” I murmur.

“In stride? Really?” Ian laughs weakly. “Now who’s punning, funny girl?”

My cheeks heat as I realize my unintentional blunder. “Oh, god! I didn’t mean— That came out totally wrong. Ian, I didn’t—”

“We’ve really gotten off on the wrong foot, haven’t we?” he asks, eyes twinkling.

The wrong foot!

“You’re incorrigible,” I tell him, blushing profusely.

He and Beck both chuckle, equally amused by my discomfort.

“Don’t fret,” Ian murmurs. “I’m only pulling your leg.”

I set my features in a stern expression, but can’t quite hide my smile. “Just drink your damn water.”

He takes a few sips from the bottle. I urge him to go slow, but he’s undeniably thirsty after days without a proper drink.

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