Page 32 of Fake Dating the SEAL
“I think it’s safe to assume they’re just waiting to see if you find the motherload.” Kenny set the binoculars back where they came from. “But I think we need to have a chat with Billy and Nick. For now, until you find what you’re looking for, no verbal commentaries. No mention of nails, or buttons, or dishes. If anything, sound dreary and disappointed. Once you stake your claim, keeping every diver and poacher out for whatever they can steal will be hard enough; keeping this character with his deep pockets and high tech equipment away is a priority.”
Everyone nodded. The kids looked at each other before going back to the map they’d been studying.
“Well.” Abigail brushed her hands together and lifting her chin, smiled. “I, for one, say let’s give that man the performance of a lifetime.”
Her husband nodded and both kids looked up from the maps, all three voices echoing, “Agreed.”
Sara had to smile at the resilience of this family after the disappointing discovery. Then again, no one chased a treasure for almost a decade if they weren’t at least resilient, at best optimists. Kenny came at her side and reached for her hand. She liked that. A lot. Though she had no idea if it was for comfort or for show, for now she was going to enjoy it for as long as she could.
“Can you get tomorrow off?” Kenny spoke so no one else would hear.
She nodded. “Wouldn’t miss the show for anything.”
A broad smile took over his face. “I figure the more of us on board just having fun, the less serious this could get.”
“Do you think?”
His eyes dimmed for a moment. “I hope.”
Chapter Fourteen
Decades of rising before the sun made arriving at the marina at the crack of dawn easy for Kenny. Sara, not so much. When he’d picked her up at the house before the sun had even blinked on the horizon, she’d struggled to keep her eyes open and herself from yawning. Thankfully, he’d thought to stop and pick up a double size of her favorite mocha macchiato with an extra dose of espresso.
Her first sip and she sighed heavily, dipping her head back against the headrest. “Heaven. A gift from the Gods.”
Blowing on his fingertips, he brushed them against his shoulder and grinned cheekily at her. “Thank you.”
Almost choking on her next sip, she jerked forward, wiped her mouth and turned in his direction. “I meant the coffee.”
He chuckled loudly. “I know. You’re just so teasible when you’re half asleep. Don’t you usually get up early to work at the hotel?”
“Not before the sun. Check out is at 11am and most people drag their feet to leave their rooms. Some folks have early flights, but not enough to warrant the entire housekeeping staff report to work at the crack of dawn.”
To his surprise, the Thornes were not only at the marina waiting for them, they were all bright eyed and bushytailed, buzzing about like bees in a nest. “Everyone all set?”
Professor and Mrs. Thorne waved from the captain’s perch. Unlike the previous days when one of Nick’s team had been driving the boat, today Billy himself was manning the boat. Apparently, he wasn’t the only one worried about Vance and his intentions.
Standing on deck, with the rising sun winking over the horizon, and the sea a placid, shimmering blue, it was easy to forget there were bad guys in this world. His gaze fixed on the empty horizon, Vance’s boat was nowhere to be seen. After their blatant surveillance yesterday, the sudden absence felt less like a retreat and more like an alarm. Then again, maybe Vance wasn’t fond of the crack of dawn either.
“What’s the plan?” Sara sidled up beside him. “There’s no boat.”
He bobbed his head. “Business as usual. If we’re lucky, they found another dangling carrot to chase and the Thornes can continue and we can enjoy the day.”
“That would be nice.”
“I have to take some photographs, mark the area, document the finds and locations.” Chloe was already suited up and ready for her morning dive. “Kurt and I are going to head down. Dad will spot. We’ll see you later.”
Again, he glanced at the horizon, with no sign of Vance’s boat, he nodded and his hand at Sara’s back, nudged her toward their equipment. The sooner he got down there to keep an eye on the young Thornes, the better he’d feel. An enemy you can see is a problem; an enemy you can’t is a threat.
“Do you think they got bored and went home?” Mrs. Thorne asked from the railing by the dive platform where her children had just rolled into the water.
“Maybe.” He smiled at the woman.
When she walked away to join her husband, Sara leaned closer. “Do you really think so?”
“Not a chance,” Kenny turned to help her with her tanks. “Men like Vance don’t get bored. They get patient.”
The simple act of securing her gear, the familiar clicks of the buckles and the weight of the tank settling on her back, felt routine. But the brief moment his hands brushed her shoulders was anything but. He pulled his gloves on with a sharp snap, forcing his mind back to the mission. The Thornes were already in the water, their excitement a tangible energy in the air.
