Page 123 of Her Reluctant Hero
“When we were off the coast of Mexico, that time, though,” Adrian interjected, “they were all over the place. Most beautiful fish you’ve ever seen. Remember?”
Sensing Jonathan’s discomfort at Adrian’s reminisces, she made a noncommittal noise. Adrian glanced back and she glimpsed his grin.
“We’re coming up on it now.” Adrian turned his attention to the joystick, guiding the camera deeper.
“What is that?” Jonathan pointed to the black substance that shone in the light from the camera.
“The tarp we used to cover it.” Mallory realized the mistake too late. “I forgot. We won’t be able to see it.”
“We have to cover it to prevent it from disintegrating,” Adrian said.
“Did it not disintegrate before?”
“It was pretty well buried,” Mallory said. “We think one of last summer’s hurricanes uncovered it.”
“Amazing.” But some of the enthusiasm had leached from his voice. Damn it, she couldn’t believe she’d forgotten about covering it.
Still, Adrian outlined the length of it for Jonathan’s benefit, coasted the camera past how far they suspected the bow and stern extended.
“A Spanish galleon, you think? A treasure ship?”
Mallory gnawed on her lip. If he were an archaeologist he would realize this site was too small to be a galleon.
“Not a treasure ship, too small,” Adrian said. “Exactly what she is remains to be seen.” He eased away, coaxing the camera up with the tips of his fingers on the joystick. “Sorry you couldn’t see more.”
“Ah, well.” Jonathan pushed back, too, and stood. “I probably wouldn’t have known what I was looking at.”
Or cared, Mallory thought with a lurch of her heart. If he cared, it was only because she did, and that wouldn’t last long. She felt courage building, but of course she couldn’t do this in front of Adrian. She wasn’t even sure she wanted Adrian to know. But how else would she explain her sudden availability to work on the dive?
Jonathan walked over, cupped a hand under her elbow. “Are you all right?”
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Adrian glance over sharply. She nodded.
“I’m fine.”
“Sure? You look a little flushed.”
She glanced at Adrian, hoped he wasn’t listening. He wasn’t. He was swearing and fighting with the joystick.
She turned from Jonathan. “What is it?”
“The camera is hung on something.”
“What?”
He scowled and shoved to his feet. “Hell if I know.”
“Well, we can’t leave it down there.”
“My dive gear’s on the skiff. I didn’t think to get it.”
“Jacob’s is here.” She nodded toward the corner of the barge where she’d shed the suit and tank when she’d stripped earlier, after she’d gotten so cold. Her T-shirt and panties were tossed on top as well. She’d been so flustered after the encounter with Adrian, she’d left it behind, only wanting to get back to camp where she could have some space.
The snap of Adrian’s head told her he’d noticed her discarded clothing, also. Jonathan turned to see what they were both looking at.
“No.” The sharpness of Adrian’s tone attracted Jonathan’s attention. He walked to Mallory, stopping between the suit and Jonathan. “You’re not going down there after what happened earlier.”
“What happened earlier?” Jonathan asked.
