Page 51 of Visions of You

“Now that I believe. I just hope you left room for dinner.”

She turned a smile to me. “That’s actually why I came down here. Nona wants me to tell you we’re expected at dinner tonight.”

“We’d better get going then.”

I locked up the dive shop and we left via the back door. The gear room was locked up tight. April must have already finished.

Hailey gave the pool a long glance as we ambled up the path. “I like April. She was really nice and let me play with the scuba equipment.”

“She is nice.”

“But she wouldn’t let me get in the water with it. Said I had to get the okay from you first.”

I tried not to flinch.

Yeah, I really owe April an apology. And maybe flowers too.

“Well?”

Clueless, I looked down at Hailey. “Well, what?”

She rolled her eyes like only an eight-year-old can. “Can I learn to dive?”

A cold, prickly ball formed in my gut. “You’re still too young to get certified.” I had no idea if that was true or not, but I wasn’t about to let her dive at eight. Then I got another idea. “Why don’t we go snorkeling tomorrow?”

Her crestfallen expression at being denied diving turned to excitement at the prospect of snorkeling. “Okay! Do you want to go onShark Bait?”

April was also off tomorrow, so I wouldn’t need to worry about us being awkward together on the boat. But I also needed to fix things with her. I studied her apartment as we passed but saw no signof her.One thing at a time…“Let’s make a day of it. We can go to Bahia Honda Park and hang out.”

“Baya Honda?”

I spelled it for her. “But most people pronounce it like Bay-a.”

“That doesn’t make sense.”

Lots of things don’t make sense, baby girl.

“Yeah, but it’s fun to listen to the tourists pronounce it wrong. Now you’re officially a local.”

She giggled as we edged toward our cottage, and I draped an arm over her thin shoulders. “Come on. We’ve got enough time to change before dinner.”

Dad had leda trip onReel Dealthat morning and caught two beautiful wahoo. Once word got out he was personally leading trips, the resort’s fishing charters had gone from sporadic to a waiting list. Even locals were signing up. And the difference was noticeable in Dad’s more relaxed face. He was helping the resort while doing his favorite activity.

Most of the family sat around the huge kitchen table. Pilar sat near the doorway, staring at us with her bright green eyes. She lowered her head to lick her smoke-gray coat.

Hailey had peered suspiciously at her portion of fish. But after some gentle chiding from me, she ate it without protest. Getting a kid to eat fish was easier when it was prepared by a professional chef.

Maia pushed her plate away and leaned back in her chair, rubbing her hand over her broad abdomen. Next to her, Wyatt smiled and tucked a lock of hair behind her ear. After plenty of initial misgivings on my part, I had to admit my brother-in-law wasn’t the disaster I’d feared.

He was completely devoted to both Maia and their upcoming daughter, and he gave me no complaints at work. Maia was well into her seventh month now, though her increased girth didn’t slow her down. She still led snorkeling trips four or fivetimes a week.

Hailey leaned forward in her seat, her eyes glowing. “Is she kicking?”

Maia glanced at her stomach. “No, she moved a little, but now she’s settled down again.”

“I can’t wait for her to get here!” Hailey flopped back, resting against the wooden back of the chair. “It’s taking so long.”

Wyatt grinned at her. “Good thing you’re right next door. You can pop over anytime you want.”

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