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.
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. And...dont tell me, its... Kimmy, 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?
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?
Because he frightened her in too many ways?
Excuse me. I think Ill get a beer, she murmured, slipping past him, but she intended a smooth exit. She stepped a little too quickly and a little too close. She felt the tension in his muscles, then nearly careened sideways into him.
Excuse me, she murmured again, afraid she was blushing. She hurried away and walked right past the cooler, then remembered she had said she was going for a beer. She quickly secured one, then went to stand by her brothers side.
Sandy and Brad were telling stories about diving the Great Barrier Reef. She had to admit that shed never been.
Amanda, however, could agree with them on the beauty of the dive.
Such a long flight, though, Sandy said.
Oh, it was really a lovely jaunt for me, Amanda gushed. We went with some of Fathers associates, sailed for months and saw zillions of islands, and then went on to Australia. The week in Fiji was my favorite, I think. Though Tahiti was fabulous, too. We had such a darling little place there. While the yacht was being cleaned, we had charming and very private rooms right on the beach. The sunrises were exquisite, the sunsets even more so.
Hey, all we have to do is step out of our tents tomorrow morning for the same effect, Keith said, arriving with a large plate of grilled fish. There are some fantastic sunrises right here. He offered Amanda a broad smile. Flirtatious? Or intended to take some of the sting out of his reminder that their own home offered a world-class beauty.
Oh, yes, this area is fabulous, as well. Amanda smiled meaningfully at Beth. Especially when you really cant go anywhere else.
Beth smiled back, all the while envisioning dumping the ice in the cooler over the womans head.
Soups on! Matt announced cheerfully.
There were a few camp chairs, and Matt had spread blankets out on the sand. A looped palm offered a few seats perfectly created by nature, and with her plate filled with fish and potato salad, Beth found herself claiming the tree as a chair. Hank took the seat next to her, but when Amanda called to him, begging him to get her something to drink, he left, and she found herself being joined by Keith. She wondered if he was seeking her out on purpose. And then she wondered why. She didnt have a lack of confidence, it was just that...well, Amanda Mason was there, and she was the far better flirt, on top of being an undeniably alluring woman.
So you work for a yacht club? Keith asked.
Yes. She waved a hand in the air. I work for it. They belong to it.
He laughed. Are you supposed to be the poor little rich girl or something?
She shook her head, looking at him. I like working there. Its fun. She hesitated, wondering why she kept feeling compelled to explain things to him. My brother is a member, so if I werent working there, Id have all his privileges. Working there pays well, and I get free dockage, which Ben uses, since employees get that perk and members dont, and he owns a boat and I dont. I see some of the most luxurious and beautiful yachts in the world. And meet some of the nicest people. Mostly.
Mostly? He offered her a slow, wry smile.
Mostly, she repeated, refusing to say more. Had the tension in her relationship with Amanda been so evident to a stranger?
Its always interesting when you get around boats, he said. Some people are as rich as Croesus and youd never know it, theyre just so down to earth. Some are as poor as church mice, putting everything they have into staying on the water. And theyre just as nice. But dont ever kid yourself. The sea can breed demons.
She looked up at him, startled, but he was rising, looking toward the group that had drawn around the fire.
Had he been warning her about something?
Maybe himself?
The light had faded in earnest. No more deep blues, purples, streaks of gold or any other color. Night had come.
In the far distance, a faint glow could be seen, coming from the lights along the heavily populated coast of south Florida. But on the island, there was nothing except for the glow from the fire. Around them, the foliage of the inner island had become blanketed in shadows.
The wind stirred, creating a rustle.
The girls want to hear some ghost stories, Lee called out to Keith.
I said pirate stories, Amber said, laughing.
Pirates would be ghosts, by now, Ben told his daughter, amused.
Most of the time, Keith said, moving toward the fire. Except that there are modern-day pirates. All over the world.
Too real, Amanda protested with a shiver. Of course, she was still clad in nothing but the skinny bathing suit. Sure, they were on a semitropical island. But the sea breezes at night could be cool.
Keith noticed her discomfort. He slipped off his shirt and draped it around her shoulders. She flashed him a beautiful smile. He smiled back.
It was a simple gesture of courtesy, but it made Beth lower her head, wondering how she could allow someone like Amanda to irritate her so much.
Okay, so we want an old-fashioned pirate ghost story, right? Keith asked. He didnt remain behind Amanda but strode toward the center of the group, closer to the fire. He hunkered down by the flames, forcing Beth to wonder if he was aware that the flames added a haunting quality to his classic features.
Ill tell you the tale of the Sea Star and La Doña. Both were proud ships with billowing white sails! But one was English, and the other sailed under the flag of Spain. The Sea Star sailed from London in the year of our Lord 1725. Her captain was a fierce man, loyal to the core to the king. England and Spain were hardly on the best of terms, and Jonathan Pierce, the captain, was eager to seize a Spanish ship full of gold from the New World.