Uncharted Waters
IN THE NEWS: Ex-navy search and rescue pilot Drew EvansFAMILY HISTORY: His adopted brother is one of the genetically engineered Extraordinary FiveDEEPEST SECRET: Haunted by the only mission he failedHardened hero Drew Evans had thought his tragic past was behind him, until the woman he'd secretly loved–his best friend's widow–stepped back into his solitary life. But single mom Alison Myers was in need of his help to save her ailing son–and quench her own hidden longings. Alison had never expected to see devastatingly handsome Drew again, the one man who made her feel the forbidden stirrings of passion. But could she trust him with the two most precious things in her life…her son and her heart?
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A reader-favorite romantic suspense from New York Times bestselling author Linda Castillo, author of the popular Kate Burkholder series.
IN THE NEWS: Ex-navy search and rescue pilot Drew Evans
FAMILY HISTORY: His adopted brother is one of the genetically engineered Extraordinary Five
DEEPEST SECRET: Haunted by the only mission he failed
Hardened hero Drew Evans had thought his tragic past was behind him, until the woman he’d secretly loved—his best friend’s widow—stepped back into his solitary life. But single mom Alison Myers was in need of his help to save her ailing son—and quench her own hidden longings. Alison had never expected to see devastatingly handsome Drew again, the one man who made her feel the forbidden stirrings of passion. But could she trust him with the two most precious things in her life...her son and her heart?
Originally published in 2003.
CAST OF CHARACTERS
In Emerald Cove, blood is thicker than water.
Drew Evans—The ex-navy pilot bears the burden of his best friend’s death, but when his friend’s widow enters Drew’s life again, will he be able to save her…and himself?
Alison Myers—Day-to-day life is a constant struggle for this single mom. Now that she’s back in Florida to bring her ailing son to a specialist, will she find the help—and love—she needs?
General Bruno DeBruzkya—Has the crazy dictator of Rebelia hired spies to infiltrate Evans Yachts and steal their plans for a top-secret navy submarine?
Laura Evans—Preferring to make her own living rather than rely on the family fortune, she’s been kept in the dark about the dangers around her….
LINDA CASTILLO
knew at a very young age that she wanted to be a writer—and penned her first novel at the age of thirteen. She is the winner of numerous writing awards, including a nomination for the prestigious RITA® Award, the Holt Medallion and Golden Heart.
She loves putting her characters into dangerous situations where the stakes are high and their hearts are on the line. She was thrilled when her editor asked her to participate in the FAMILY SECRETS continuity.
“Uncharted Waters was a tremendous experience professionally and very satisfying on a personal level,” Linda says. “It is an emotional story about two ordinary people caught up in extraordinary circumstances. Alison Myers is a widow and young mother trying to rebuild her life after the loss of her husband. Drew Evans, a former navy search-and-rescue pilot, was her late husband’s best friend. Drew was there the night Alison’s husband died—and blames himself. These two people were meant to be together, but must first overcome the grief of losing a mutual loved one.”
Linda lives in Texas with her husband and four lovable dogs. Check out her Web site at www.lindacastillo.com. She loves hearing from readers! E-mail her at [email protected] or contact her at P.O. Box 670501, Dallas, Texas 75367-0501.
This book is dedicated to my little sister, Kim.
Thanks for all those carefree summer days way back when. You were the best playmate a girl could have.
CONTENTS
Navy search-and-rescue pilot Drew Evans stood ready at the hatch of the Sikorsky CH 60 Seahawk chopper and gazed down at the inferno blazing on a black sea fifty feet below. Next to him his best friend, Rick “Mako” Myers, a para jumper or “PJ” as they were known within the military search-and-rescue establishment, prepared to disembark.
“Hell of a drop zone,” Drew muttered into his headset communication gear.
“Kind of like dropping into hell.” Rick shot him a cocky grin. “Guess they don’t call us the shake-and-bake commandos for nothing.”
Slapping him on the back, Drew looked for signs of nerves on his friend’s face and was relieved when he didn’t find any. “Don’t stay too long,” he said.
“Hey, it’s the Super Bowl tomorrow. I’ve got to be around to relieve you of your twenty bucks.”
“I hate to break it to you, but the Titans are going to stomp St. Louis.”
“Twenty more says you’re dreaming.”
“You’re on.” Drew wasn’t much of a betting man, but he wanted to keep Rick’s spirits high. As hard as he’d been trying to ignore the prickle at the back of his neck, he had a feeling about this mission.
The stench of burning crude oil filled the air as the chopper approached the drop zone. Visibility was diminished because of the rain and smoke, but the spotlight mounted on the underside of the chopper made the situation all too clear. A tanker full of crude oil had collided with a passenger ship eighty miles off the Virginia coast in a winter storm. The passenger ship had caught fire, putting the crew and several dozen passengers into fifty-degree water—and imminent danger. The situation could turn out to be one of the worst maritime disasters in U.S. history if they didn’t get the people out of the water quickly. The Coast Guard had taken the initial call out, but they’d been so overwhelmed by the sheer number of people, they’d called in the Navy to assist.
