Page 129 of Her Reluctant Hero
Before he could investigate further, his dive alarm went off, damn it. Toney brought over a basket. As gently as he could, his heart pounding, his breathing coming faster than recommended for this depth, Adrian slipped his hands under the object and lifted it, careful with the sudden weight of the water on the fragile object. He motioned for Toney to wait. He wanted to keep an eye on it as he ascended, even if it had to make the decompression stops with him. If he could find something, anything to prove it was Mediterranean…
Mallory had left three weeks ago, too soon. As excited as he was, the one thing lacking here was Mallory. After what he’d put her through, she deserved to be in on this.
Decompression took about a year longer today than any day in the past, and he had to employ every archaeologist fiber of his body not to touch, to stroke the medallion, to reassure himself it was real.
Finally, the light filtered through the water and he finned toward the top, Toney behind him. Robert came over to the edge of the barge, alarmed.
“Is something wrong?”
Adrian wondered if the grin on his face was as goofy as it felt. When it came to archaeology, he certainly never managed a poker face. He heaved himself up on the barge, removed his flippers with forced nonchalance before getting to his feet.
“Adrian?” Robert pressed.
Adrian walked over to the crank, flipped a switch and waited to see his prize in the sunlight. Linda, Jacob and Toney joined them as they watched the water stir, the shadow of the basket moving through the water.
He went to his knees to bring the basket up to the barge, barely aware of Robert’s hand on his shoulder as he leaned over to inspect it.
“Is there more?” Robert asked.
“We need help,” Adrian said, barely registering the question.
“We’re short of funds.”
“I’ll find a way.” It meant everything.
Twenty minutes later, when Toney guided the boat into the cove and Adrian saw Mallory waiting on the dock, her blonde hair shimmering in the late-afternoon sun, he understood.
This was right. It was meant to be.
