Total pages in book: 56
Estimated words: 53081 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 265(@200wpm)___ 212(@250wpm)___ 177(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 53081 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 265(@200wpm)___ 212(@250wpm)___ 177(@300wpm)
“Don’t get discouraged. Whatever is in that chest must be amazing. That other diver wants it bad,” Sadie pointed out.
“Whatever it is, I’m just going to remember that I love scuba diving anyway. If we find it, great,” Isla said, putting her thumbs up in a positive gesture.
“Okay. We’ve done all we can do. Let’s head back to the resort,” Rocco urged.
Chapter Fifteen
“Finally,” Caesar said, breathing a sigh of relief when a message popped in.
Home safe. No treasure.
Quickly, he texted back a heart before turning to watch the group approaching in the distance for their water adventure. His shoulders settled back into place, and he felt the tension he hadn’t realized he’d been carrying slowly disperse.
“Good news, boss?” Jack asked.
“Yes. Are you available to go with us tomorrow to man the boat while we dive?” Caesar asked.
“You and Isla?”
“Yes.”
“After that last time, you may want me and another of those big guys you hang out with at the resort so frequently,” Jack suggested.
“You know, that’s not a bad idea. We could fill the boat, just like it was a scheduled excursion. Some people could snorkel while Isla and I dive.”
“That might give you some cover while you look for whatever’s down there,” Jack mentioned casually.
Caesar turned to look at him with narrowed eyes. “Who says we’re looking for something?”
“Come on, boss. You had a specific location that we navigated to. It wasn’t in any of the hand-selected spots we choose for resort guests to see the best displays underwater. There has to be something you’re looking for. Captain Cook’s treasure?” he guessed, raising his eyebrows.
“You’ve got quite an imagination, Jack,” Caesar said, forcing himself to grin as if that were the best joke.
“Okay, don’t tell me. I don’t blame you. But count me in. I want to see what you haul up.”
“I’ll be glad to have you there, Jack.”
After glancing up to see if he had time before the next group arrived on the dock, Caesar texted his team to ask who could be off the next day and shared his idea. Stowing his phone in the locked box where he kept his personal things, Caesar switched his attention to the individuals on his next tour. He knew Sadie would take care of finding a time when a few of the men could be available.
As they set out, Caesar noted that there were a few rented boats out in the bay. None of them bore the treasure chest graphic on the side. Hawking had driven out to visit that particular company and had a discussion with the owner. They’d promised to screen passengers requesting to spend their day near Danger Bluff. It appeared to be working.
When they returned to the dock after the last excursion and the crowd dispersed, he reclaimed his things and checked for messages. Caesar felt his mouth curve in a delighted grin. Isla had sent him a single red heart every hour they had been apart.
Damn, I love that woman.
There was definitely a spring in his step as he walked back to the main building. As he turned the curve in the path, he saw a familiar figure. Isla had stretched out on a chaise lounge beside the pool. Her body was clad in a familiar bikini, and her hair was piled in a messy bun on top of her head. Totally enchanting.
The chair next to hers was empty. Caesar pulled his Danger Bluff polo off over his head and dropped it on the bottom of the lounge. Then he stepped out of his shoes and sat down. Isla didn’t move. She was involved in reading, completely wrapped up in the story.
He leaned a bit closer to spy on her choice of reading material. His shadow fell over her e-reader, and she glanced up nervously.
“Daddy! You scared me.”
“Sorry, Little Fish. Let me see that.” He held his hand out for the device she held in her hand.
She attempted to distract him by asking, “How did your groups do today?”
“They were great. I’m waiting,” he told her, still holding his hand out for her e-reader.
“It’s embarrassing,” she whispered.
“Now, Isla,” he stressed.
Without saying another word, she passed him the tablet. He watched her bite her lower lip and knew she was worried. Angling the device so he could read clearly, several words popped out at him. No wonder she hadn’t paid attention to someone approaching. He scrolled back a page to reach the beginning of the scene and then another when he still seemed to be in the middle of the action.
“Daddy!” she hissed.
“Don’t disturb me, Little girl.”
Sitting back against the comfortable seat, he read. Looking over the device, he met her gaze several times as she watched him. He could feel her anxiety drifting toward him in waves. When he finished the last of that scene, Caesar scrolled back to the spot she’d been at before handing the tablet back.