Page 19 of Visions of You

The next morning,I walked down the path from my cottage as the sun peeked above the horizon. I’d left Nona with Hailey to ensure she got on the school bus safely, since I’d be in the dive staff meeting when the bus came. Our shopping trip to Marathon had been a success, and we’d come home with a bedding set, table lamp, and several framed prints in a matching seahorse motif. I’d washed thesheets and put them on before bed, and my daughter fell asleep a very happy girl.

If only my troubles could be solved so easily.

My eye automatically drifted toward the Barn as I passed by, and the front door of what I had yet to consider April’s apartment. Then my gaze narrowed. Several potted flowers were placed around the entry and a colorful mat lay on the wooden landing. The place definitely looked homier and more welcoming.

And April was probably still inside. I wondered what she might be doing right now. Was she in the shower? Naked with beads of water running down?—

“Stop it!” I hissed and almost slapped myself.

I turned my gaze firmly to the dive flag fluttering in the distance. It wasn’t even six thirty yet. I wanted to get to the dive shop early and prepare for the meeting. My big plan for the day was to scour the schedule and see if we could trim any expenses for both the dive operation and the fishing charter.

When I reached the dive shop, the front door was unlocked, and the lights were on. I entered and headed toward a hallway behind the counter. The scuba classroom lay on one side, with the employee shower/locker room across. A combination break/meeting room as well as an office—soon-to-be my office—lay farther down.

At the end of the hall, light filtered out of the meeting room, and I headed that way. Evan stood behind a table at the front of the room. Two additional rectangular tables faced it, and whiteboards hung on all four walls. Two windows faced the beach to let in plenty of natural light.

“For a guy looking to lighten his load, you’re sure here early.” I leaned against the edge of the table facing Evan.

Several stacks of paper were neatly arranged before him, along with a pink box from Sweet Dreams, a new bakery on Dove Key. Evan smiled, but his eyes were bloodshot. “It’s a busy day today.” He dropped his gaze, then met mine firmly. “And my leg was killing me last night. I must have walked five to ten milesyesterday.”

I kept my face expressionless since he didn’t want pity from me. I was one of the few people Evan felt safe enough to admit his physical problems, and I didn’t want to jeopardize that. “Can you stay off your feet more today?”

He shook his head. “I took some ibuprofen, so I should feel better soon. And Dr. Nelson says exercise is good for me. Besides, I’m already dealing with the first crisis of the day—no rest for the weary and all that.”

“What’s up?”

“Miguel is sick. He’s not coming in today.” Miguel Cervantes had been the captain ofShark Baitfor over five years and was as dependable as people got.

“He must really be feeling shitty to call in. Who’s your backup?”

Evan laughed, but there was little humor in it. “We’ve got two. One is in New York visiting his grandkids and the other one is currently driving a charter in the Bahamas.”

“How about Dad?”

“His captain’s license expired three months ago, so he’s out. Which brings me to backup number four. You, I hope.”

I groaned. “Aw shit, Evan! I don’t want to do it!”

This time his laugh was more genuine. “You’re the one who offered to take over the dive operation and help out. Do you still have an active Coast Guard captain’s license?”

I’d had my own boat in Miami, which I sold prior to moving. Wanting to stay current in regulations and safety, I’d gone through the Coast Guard course. If Hailey was going to be on my boat, I wanted it as safe as possible.

“Yeah,” I said grudgingly.

The certification had been a luxury for me in Miami, butShark Baitwas a Coast Guard-inspected vessel and required a certified captain or we’d have to cancel the charter. I scowled. “How many people are scheduled?”

“Seventeen. Wyatt’s got six divers, April has five, and Maia’s got sixsnorkelers.”

“Super. I can’t wait.”

Evan rolled his eyes. “You should be proud of Maia. Her idea to add snorkel groups has brought in extra money we weren’t getting before.”

I stared at him, not ready to jump for joy just yet. I loved driving boats and being on the water, but being a dive boat captain was damn hard work. And not what had been on my agenda. I folded my arms across my chest. “Can’t you see my enthusiasm?”

Evan grinned and opened the pink box. He slid it toward me, and the delicious scent of baked pastries drifted toward me. “Here. Have something sweet. Maybe it will rub off on you.”

I thought about pointing out the stupidity of going to Dove Key to buy donuts when we had our own pastry chef a hundred yards away, but if Evan wanted to spend his own money, that was his choice. If he turned it in as an expense, though, I’d string him up by his balls. Straightening to inspect the offerings, I selected an apple fritter. I took a huge bite and had to admit it was pretty damn good. I came around the counter to stand next to him.

“I thought it would be nice to have treats for the meeting,” Evan said.

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