Scott’s lips twitch. “This isn’t a spa retreat.”
“Hey, I’ve got an idea…” a familiar voice chimes in from the dining room doorway. “Bring some strong coffee to wake him up.” Hannah strolls into the room and sits next to me. “Or maybe a pillow so he can nap on the boat ride.”
Jamie points at her. “See? Now, that’s support. What brings you to the inn so early?” He doesn’t wait for an answer. “Or… should I ask,whobrings you here so early?”
Hannah’s face turns bright red, her confidence faltering for a split second. “I thought you all might need a hand,” she shoots back, but she’s not fooling anyone.
Scott raises an eyebrow but stays out of it. I stare at my orange juice. I hope Wes Harrington lives up to the hype for Hannah once he gets here.
“Do you always plan your dives in this much detail?” I ask Scott.
“Yes. Every dive’s a risk.” He pauses. He seems unsure whether to continue. “Especially in overhead environments like Carter’s Drop.” His jaw tightens, and his gaze drops a beat. Is he thinking of Nathan’s solo dive or something else?
“Sonar shows Carter’s Drop is a complex system—an advanced technical cave dive once you get past the initial tunnel entrances.” He’s attempting to avoid getting into too much detail, summing up the rest. “The more we plan, the better our chances of returning successful and, most importantly, safely.” He takes a sip of his coffee.
“You seem interested in the project.” He tilts his head forward.
“I am.”
He rubs his chin thoughtfully. Like he’s trying to figure me out.
Jamie jumps in. “You should come with us to the marina and see us in action. Watch us load the boat and prep for a dive. It’s pretty cool.”
I turn to Scott, my heart beating a little faster.
“Would that be okay with you? If I tag along?”
His eyes linger on me for a moment. “Sure. We’ll be there early tomorrow morning if you want to watch… just don’t expect it to be glamorous.”
“It’s 100 percent grunt work,” Jamie says.
He turns to Hannah, eyes glinting. “You should come too. I’ll bet you Wes will be there.”
“Do you want to come?” I ask Hannah.
“Let’s do it.” She blows Jamie a kiss.
I close my sweater, the crisp early morning air refreshing against my skin. The moon’s still in the sky, fading fast. There’s not much time left before daylight. Maverick Key is waking up.
Hannah stands waiting for me at the entrance to the marina, coffee in hand for Jamie.
“Ready for the show?” She nudges me toward the docks.
Ding jogs beside us, his ears perked up, excited to be here.
“It’s been a while since I’ve seen this part of Nathan’s world. I’m finally connecting the dots of his past.”
Her eyes flick ahead to the rows of ships tied to the pilings. “Well, you’re here for the connection, and I’m here for the view.” She motions to all the men working on the docks. “Of the ocean, of course.” She chortles. “Let me go find Jamie. I’ll be right back.”
The wooden planks creak under my feet as I step onto the pier. The smells of brine, fish, and diesel mix with the cool breeze, a distinct and oddly comforting blend. Men and women move with choreographed efficiency, hoisting tanks, testing equipment, and shouting clipped instructions to each other. The occasional clang of metal and the splash of ropes hitting water punctuate the hum of activity.
My gaze settles on the boat docked at the end of the pier.Adeline—its name painted in bold, weathered letters along the bow. It sways with the tide as Scott’s crew moves across the deck. Scott stands at the stern. His broad frame silhouetted against the pale light of dawn. He’s focused on coiling rope. Liam hoists tanks onto the deck like they weigh nothing while Margaret is working at the helm, checking the tiller. Hannah’s getting off the boat after waving goodbye to Jamie, who’s crouched near the motor housing, mumbling under his breath as he tinkers with a fuel line. He pauses and takes a sip of his coffee, looking Hannah’s way.
She turns to me. “He’s like the annoying little brother I never had.” Her face is flushed.
I laugh and point at the crew. “They’re a well-oiled machine.”
Hannah leans against a post, folding her arms. “Well, they have been at it for months.”
