Every Storm Read online

  1717

  "This is silly!" Lorri declared, working to dry up. "We should be thankful that he came and not bawling like children."

  Josie looked at her, eyes still swimming. Lorri looked back. It was no use. They both cried until they had headaches.

  June

  "Of all the times to break my heel!" Lorri said with disgust, taking a seat inside the small building where they waited for word from the pilot.

  "Let me see it." Josie put her hand out and waited for the shoe. She examined it just long enough to see that her sister was right and then tried to hand it back. She found her sister opening her suitcase and searching along the edge.

  "All I've got in this bag is a pair of saddle shoes. I'm going to look like a bobbysoxer!"

  "Don't wear socks with them. That will help."

  "That's true, but the backs of these will scrape my heel if I do that," Lorri answered, even as she pulled on a pair of white socks, slipped on the shoes, and tucked the broken-heeled pumps into her case.

  This accomplished, the sisters settled themselves a little more in the seats, their eyes going to the windows.

  Crossing the tarmac, Josie and Lorri squinted against the wind outside the small airport. With one hand they each held a suitcase, and with the other, they attempted to keep the hats on their heads.

  18

  Lori Wick

  Walking in front of them, confident and all business, was their pilot, Clarence Fuller. He worked for the Colins family, and if Lorri's guess was right, he was sweet on Josie. He never did or said anything improper, but she was always given preference in the plane, and when he had a question or statement to make, it was directed at Josie.

  As if to confirm this belief, they arrived at the plane, and Lorri watched Clarence settle Josie with the utmost care in the front next to him. He was kind to Lorri, but in a rather impersonal way.

  Lorri wondered whether she should ask Josie if she'd gotten a recent letter from Ken but decided that was meani Her sister was all grown up and able to handle her own affairs. It was also true that she never did anything to encourage Clarence. However, she was lovely and sweet, and Lorri couldn't say she blamed the man.

  "Are you comfortable, Lorri?" Josie asked.

  "Yes, Jo, thanks. How about you?"

  Something in Lorri's voice made Josie turn and give her a stern look. Lorri's eyes danced with silent laughter-she'd teased Josie about Clarence's interest in the past-but both women remained silent as their pilot chose that moment to join them.

  "All set?" he asked.

  "I think so." Josie did the honors.

  Clarence nodded, checked a few more dials and switches, and just minutes later, the plane and its three occupants were airborne.

  19Tt*je>

  The South Pacific July 1945

  Lieutenant Donovan Riggs stared down at the pieces of radio that lay on the desk in the small radio room of the PT boat,Every Storm.Click, his radio operator, said something under his breath, frustration evident, but Rigg, as he was known to most, remained silent. A patient man, he was used to things going wrong aboard his boat and took this latest setback in stride.

  Before moving down to check with Click, Rigg had been on deck where he had stood and looked at miles of endless, calm sea. It was not a peaceful scene because the enemy loomed constantly, but Rigg had peace within-even though he knew they were sitting ducks wnen their boat acted up.

  "Rigg?" Ensign Hugh Westland, his second-in-command, suddenly appeared.

  "What is it?" Rigg asked, turning to him.

  "Quinn says we've got to make land for repairs. He's been down three times and can't get the hole sealed"

  20

  "All right. I'll be up in a minute." Rigg turned back to Click. "I'll be back."

  A grunt was all he received in reply, and Rigg knew that his good-natured radio man was "at the end of his rope," a term that could have been applied to most of his men.

  He didn't know what had gone on the day they commissioned this vessel, but in the last few months anything that could go wrong, did. The radio was unreliable, and they had sprung a few leaks. They were due into port in Seaford, Australia, at the end of the week, but they would only make that if repairs were successful.

  "We've got to make land," Quinn wasted no time telling his skipper.

  "There's the Knot Islands," Hugh suggested.

  "Too far," Rigg said, shaking his head, his mind working as his eyes scanned the charts. "Let's head toward Cooley. There are some small islands there, and hopefully we can get in unnoticed."

  The decision made, they limped along. The men fell to daily tasks, and Rigg left them to it. Inside, however, his mind was busy. He was asking God for wisdom and to get this boat safely to shore.

  A group of ten made the beach about noon the next day. The lifeboat went smoothly up onto the sand, and the men wasted no time getting it and themselves out of sight. There were no guarantees that this island was unoccupied. Three and four to a group, they spread out, armed and ready to scout the area.

  21

  21

  Lionel Pauley and Quinn were with Rigg. Taking the center of the island, the three men moved silently through the trees and brush of a rather dense forest. Light flickered through the trees occasionally. The day was sunny and warm, but everything smelled like fresh rain.

  The further they walked, the more Rigg began to relax. He had had a sense that this island was occupied, and not by anyone they wished to meet, but clearly he'd been wrong. He brought up the rear but stopped when Lionel and Quinn did, all three men hearing it at the same time. From somewhere ahead of them-not very far, he would guess-a woman was singing "Deep in the Heart of Texas."

  As soon as that song ended, another began. They stood stock still as the sweet words from the first verse of "Amazing Grace" came gently with the breeze.

  Hearing it, Lionel and Quinn moved for the first time. They turned to look at their commanding officer and found him looking as stunned as they felt.

  The woman had just started "Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin' " when Rigg moved past his men and took the lead. They moved toward the voice quietly, but not quietly enough. They were very close when the song cut off and they heard rapid movement and then complete silence.,

  Riggf ready with his rifle, stepped into a small clearing to find the wreckage of an airplane. His eyes scanned the area swiftly, taking in the makeshift camp and debris. He stopped before intruding on what felt like private space and spoke.

  "You can come out," he called, his voice sounding deeper than usual amid the thick foliage.

  22

  Quinn had moved under cover, but Lionel stood just a few feet away and watched with Rigg as a thin face appeared in the window of the wrecked cockpit. A pair of huge, surprised eyes looked out at them.

  "You're not Japanese," Lorri Archer said with relief.

  "No, we're not. You can come out."

  Moving slowly, Lorri stepped down from the plane and stood looking at them, completely unaware of the picture she presented. Rigg was still taking in the bone-thin woman in a skirt and blouse that had seen better days when she spoke again.

  "Do you have a ship? Can you take me off this island?"

  "Yes," Rigg answered, his mind snapping back to duty. "What's your name?"

  "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.

  23

  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.

  24

  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.

  25

  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.

  26

  "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 theEvery 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 theEvery 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 charg
e 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 theStormand gather some things to make her a little more comfortable for the night. I'll stay here until you get back."

  "Yes, sir."

  29

  29

  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.