On the other hand, some of them werent. One of the things Beth had always liked about working at the club was the fact that the people there were honestly dedicated to the water. They came from all lifes corners, just like their boats did. The initial membership fee was steep, but after that, the annual dues were reasonable, so people from all different social strata could afford to join, once they saved up the initial investment. She was also proud that the club specialized in lessons in sailing, swimming, diving and water safety.
At the club, though, no matter how inexpensive any of their boats might be, the members, even the broke ones, took pleasure in caring for themunlike the sad little vessel out beyond Southern Light.
Four boats, Beth murmured.
Anyway, Keith said, weve asked everyone over to our little patch of beach.
Great, Ben said.
Come on over whenever you feel like it, Keith said. Were not far, he said, indicating the short stretch of sand that separated the two camps.
Want help? Amber asked enthusiastically.
Beth was tempted to grasp her nieces arm.
I think weve got it under control, Keith said gravely. But if you need help hauling chips and salad, you let us know.
He had dimples and a pleasant way with the girls. He wasnt inappropriate or flirtatiousas some older men would have been, just nice. He should have seemed charming, Beth knew, but she was too suspicious of him for that.
Well see you down there in a bit, Lee said.
The three men waved and started off down the sand. Ben turned to Beth. Feel better? he asked her.
She stared at her brother, shaking her head.
What? Still scared? Nothings going to happen. Some of the other members from the yacht club will be with us, he reminded her.
Ben was a member. She was the social manager, and she loved her job and most of the members, who were always pleasant and appreciative.
Then there was Amanda.
Luckily she wasnt there on a dailyor even weeklybasis. Hank was the real boat fanatic. It had been his father who had first joined the club, which had been formed back in 1910. Originally it had been just two lifelong friends, Commodore Isaak and Vice Commodore Gleason, who had gotten together to drink and chat in their retirement. By the 1920s, there had been ten members, rising to nearly a hundred before World War II. With far too many able-bodied sailors in the navy, the facility had been used for a while as rehab for returnees. The 1950s had seen a resurgence in membership, and it had become a casual place in the seventies. When the hippies became yuppies in the nineties, the price of membership had soared. At the moment, there were about two hundred members, a hundred of those with boat slips, and at least fifty who could be considered fairly active. Ben and Beths father had been a commodore, and with his passing, Ben had taken up the family participation in the place.
Beth, with a degree in public relations, had taken a job.
Had she realized that she would be dealing with the Amandas of the world, she might have thought twice. Amanda was the type to drop a letter on her desk and, without looking at her, tell her that she needed copies. She complained at the slightest mistake made by any of the help. Two waitresses in the dining room had quit in tears after serving her.
Ben didnt jump when Amanda was around; he seemed to be immune to her wickedly sensual charm and oblivious to her frequent vicious abrasiveness.
There was no use trying to explain Amanda to her brother. He would just think it was feminine envy.
Having them here makes everything just perfect, she assured him dully.
Amanda, Amber said, making a face.
Ben rolled his eyes. Is something the matter with her? he demanded.
Dad, shes a bitch.
Amber!
Its not really a bad word, Amber said.
Not like a four-letter word or anything, Kim added hastily.
Beth, Ben said, arent you going to say something?
She shrugged. Theyre calling it as they see it, she told him.
He frowned. I dont like that language.
Amber, your father doesnt like that language. Please dont use it.
All right, Amber said, Miss Mason is a rude, manipulative snake, hows that?
With really big boobs, Kim added.
Kim Ben protested.
Sorry, Kim said, without meaning it in the least.
Ben pointed a finger sternly. You will be polite.
Of course, Beth said. I mean, shes always so polite to me.
Ben groaned out loud and turned away, walking to the spot where he had pitched his own tent, his back to them. Maybe youll like the new people better, he said irritably over his shoulder.
She could hardly like them any less, Beth thought.
It wasnt exactly as if they were going out, but Beth chose to throw a cover-up on over her bathing suit, and the girls did likewise. They hauled their coolers with sodas and beer, and their contribution of salad and chips, down to the meeting point before any of the Mason family appeared but just after the arrival of the new couple, Sandy Allison and Brad Shaw.
She had sandy hair that matched her name and pleasant amber eyes, a medium build and was of medium height. She wore a terry cover-up and sandals, while Brad, about six feet even, with the same sandy hair but green eyes, was still in swim boxers with a cotton surf shirt over his shoulders. They were both cheerful and hailed from the West Coast, according to Brad.
Love it here, though, he assured them. When were diving, I feel like I could stay down forever.
Absolutely gorgeous, Sandy agreed, slipping an arm around his waist. There are areas here when you can practically walk right from the beach to the reef.
Dangerous for ships. Well, at one time, Keith put in, handing Brad a beer. The area is very well charted now.
Well, it has been a few years since the first Europeans made landfall, Beth murmured.
Keith looked sharply at her. She should have guessed. His eyes were a deep, dark, true brown, rimmed with black lashes that were striking against the light color of his hair and the bronze of his face.
A few ships did miss those reefs, he murmured, and turned back to the men. Lee has some equipment on his boat that would do the navy proud.
So youre not a boater yourself, Mr. Henson? Beth asked. She hadnt meant for it to sound as if she was heading an inquisition, but it did.
I am. Were just here with Lees boat, he said.
Here from where? she wondered.
She could just ask the question, of course, and immediately spoke before she could think better of it.
So where are you three down here from? she asked, hoping she didnt sound as suspicious as she felt.
Lee looked at Matt and Ben, then shrugged. Were from all over, really. I was born here.
On the island? she teased.
Vero Beach, he said.
Im your original Yankee from Boston, Matt said.
Great city, Beth said, looking at Keith.
Virginia, he said.
But you must know something about these waters, Beth said. This island isnt exactly on the tourist routes.
I told you, Im originally from Vero Beach, Lee reminded her. The locals use the island a lot.
Virginia, he said.
But you must know something about these waters, Beth said. This island isnt exactly on the tourist routes.
I told you, Im originally from Vero Beach, Lee reminded her. The locals use the island a lot.
Its our first time camping out here, though, Keith said.
So how do you know each other? she asked, unable to stop herself from probing. Are you business associates?
Dive buddies, Keith said. Hey, here come your friends.
Whatever her opinion of Amanda, Beth had to admit that the Masons were one attractive family. Roger was fiftysomething but had the build of an athlete, and, so she had heard, competed with the young studs at the nightclubs on the beach. Hank was blond and blue-eyed, like his cousin, but he was all man, with a broad bronzed chest and shoulders. Gerald was a shade darker, but obviously a family member.
Ben! Amanda cried, sounding as delighted as if shed met a long-lost relative. She hadnt bothered with a cover-up and was clad in only a small bikini.
A string bikini at that.
Her hair was loose and falling around her shoulders in a perfect golden cloak.
Shes indecent, Amber whispered from behind Beth.
Totally, Kim agreed.
She does it awfully well, Beth murmured, watching the woman.
While Amanda was greeting Ben, Hank looked over her head and saw Beth and the girls. He offered a real smile. Hey there.
Hi, Hank, Beth called.
Hey, you remember our cousin Gerald, right? Amanda said.
Absolutely. By then the two men had walked over to her. Hank gave her a kiss on the cheek and greeted the two girls. Gerald took her hand. Small world, huh?
Not really, considering how close we are to home, she told him.
True, he said with a laugh, then turned to the girls. Amber, if you get any taller, youll be giving me a run for the money. Anddont tell me, itsKimmy, right?
Kim, the girl corrected.
Kim, he agreed. She blushed slightly. He was nice, not condescending, and it was apparently appreciated.
Fish all right for everyone? Keith called out. Weve got hot dogs and hamburger patties, as well, for any landlubbers.
Id love a hot dog, Kim called out, hurrying toward the barbecue. A pleasant aroma was already beginning to emanate from the portable cooker. Amber followed her friend, leaving Beth behind with the other adults.
Beth, how nice to see you here, Amanda said. She walked over, perfect smile in place. You have the weekend off? she asked politely, as if surprised.
Hello, Amanda. Yes, I have the weekend off.
Amanda looked disapproving. I would have thought they really needed you, what with the tourists and all. I suppose the club really does run itself. Still, Im surprised the commodore didnt want your lovely face around.
Im sure he can manage on his own for a few days, Beth said sweetly. Have you met Sandy and Brad?
Briefly, Amanda said, turning.
It was enough for Beth.
She escaped.
To get anywhere, though, she had to pass the barbecue, since the three men had their tents set up in the other direction, and if she made a point of going around the barbecue, she would be heading inland, into the dense foliage, rather than along the sand.
She had nearly made it past when Amber caught her arm. Aunt Beth, come see. Everything looks perfect!
She smiled weakly as Keith expertly flipped a fillet, then shook a mixture of seasonings onto it.
That looks great, Amber told him, though her enthusiasm sounded forced.
Are you sure you wouldnt rather have a hot dog, like Kim? He laughed at her grateful expression and put another hot dog on the grill.
You guys are ready for all occasions, Beth murmured. She was wedged between her niece and Keith Henson. They were almost touching. Almost. Not quite.
Well, its not that I cantwe cantrough it, but a few conveniences are nice, he said. He looked at her. The sun was slipping lower toward the horizon, and in the deepening shadows, his eyes seemed darker than ever. She felt as if he was staring at her with the same suspicion she felt for him.
We have two-bedroom tents! Amber said.
Im not really sure you could call them bedrooms, Beth murmured.
Well, I only have a one-bedroom tent, Keith said. But its still a convenience when it rains. What I really like is just to sleep on the sand and stare up at the stars.
Yeah, thats cool, Amber agreed.
I think your dad wants you in the tent tonight, Beth said, once again afraid her words sounded sharper than shed intended.
She saw Keiths lips tighten as he tried to hide a smile. Yes, she was definitely on edge, and it was showing.
Amber? Ben called, and she scampered off, Kim following in her wake.
So, have you got padlocks on those tents? Keith asked.
She flushed, but stared defiantly back at him. Youre strangers, she said, feeling that no other explanation was needed.
The smile he had been hiding turned into a deep grin that brought out his dimples once again. So are Brad and Sandy.
Theyre not three guys.
Are you sure were not going to poison the fish? he asked.
I hadnt thought of it, she admitted, but stared at him with a grim smile. Maybe I should have.
Ouch. Thats a challenge. I can take a bite of yours first, if you want.
Ill live dangerously.
He looked out across the sand, then at her. Do you come here often?
Yes. Well, usually. Not this year. This is the first time this year. She didnt know why she was stumbling around to explain. She didnt owe him any explanations. She kept talking anyway. We spent our vacation in the Bahamas this year. This used to be the last weekend of summer vacation. Now, the girls have already been back at school for a few weeks. And for Christmas, we all went to Denver. Even though its so close, this is the first time weve been out here this year. And you?
Ive dived the area dozens of times, he said, turning his attention to the fish once again. But there was never really any reason to stop at the island.
I thought Lee was the one who knew the area, she reminded him sharply.
He smiled. Lee knows it best. But I have been here before. Just not to this island.
So why now? she demanded.
He arched a brow. He was answering slowly, she thought. Too slowly. Well He laughed. Because its here, I guess.
So youre really here for the diving? Not the fishing?
Obviously weve been fishing. He smiled and nodded toward the grill.
But youre mainly here to dive.
Has it suddenly become illegal? he queried, laughter in his eyes again.
Of course not.
I love diving here, he told her, and she felt that he was being totally honest at that moment. Actually, she couldnt think of anything hed said that hadnt sounded honest. Was she being ridiculously suspicious? Even if she had seen a skull, Ben was right. There was no reason to suspect that a man appearing then would have anything to do with a skull that had been on the beach for days, maybe longer. So why was she so suspicious?