He gets into the dinghy and steers it away into the night. I’m glad the asshole made it and will live another day. I glance at Maddie, who’s just waking.
I owe him my life.
The boat glides into the dock, and we work to tie up Wes’s boat. The tension in my shoulders ease. Maddie steps down with Margaret’s help.
The sky lightens, and the first streaks of dawn chase the night away. I slip an arm around her shoulders and we walk home.
Chapter 41
Maddie
I look at the bright new sign above the door—Maverick Key Dive Club.A swell of pride rises in my chest. This is real. This is mine. Ours. Nathan would have been proud.
The small group of friends who made this possible are gathered around me, chatting and having fun. Margaret, Jamie, and Liam congratulate us, each holding a gift for me and shop supplies. Ms. Connor brings her world-famous island lemon bars. Hannah hugs me, squeezing the breath out of me.
“You did it.” She’s bouncing on her toes.
“We all did it.”
“I saw the posting for swim lessons. Is it for kids only, or are you opening it to adults?”
“It’s open for all ages. We’ll divide up the lessons.”
“Well, sign me up. You’ve got your first customer.” I give her a big hug. I’m so proud of her for taking this step to learn to swim.
Scott’s hovering on the outskirts of the crowd with his buddies. His hazel eyes fixed on me with quiet intensity. Myheart flutters. When I meet his gaze, he winks. Denver stands at his side. He’s healing. It’ll be a long road, but the large cast around his middle doesn’t stop him from standing at attention by Scott. And Ding stands by Denver. He’s taken on the role of his protector.
The shop is filled with infectious joy, and we all take a tour. The smell of neoprene is heavy. Suits, tanks, and all other kinds of scuba gear line the walls and fill the shelves. To add a personal touch, the walls are covered with cheerful artwork donated by local artists.
I’m smiling, but a tug of sadness pulls beneath the surface. As I look through the window toward the water, my thoughts move to those who aren’t here today. Wes, Elaine, my parents, and Nathan.
Wes. I’m the only one in the world who knows where he is.
For now.
When Scott and Wes were looking for me in the Drop, Ms. Connor convinced Garrett to not release the video. Scott also threatened him with bodily harm. Garrett didn’t believe us when we told him Wes didn’t make it and promised he’d release it if Wes ever had the gall to show his face in public again.
Wes’s reputation isn’t ruined. If anything, he’s now an urban legend. Thousands of tribute videos posted in the weeks following his “death.” For those of us who followed him, his older posts keep popping up in our streams. Eerily keeping his memory alive for millions for just a while longer.
Unfortunately, Garrett’s still in charge of the Carter’s Drop project, but the university has hired a new hotshot scientist who’s expected in Maverick Key in the coming weeks. He’s a replacement for Elaine. The investors have paused the project until he gets here.
And then there’s Nathan. The question of where his body is remains unanswered. I keep thinking of one day, in one ofthose unexplored tunnels, we’ll find what’s left of him. I blink away tears. When we do find him, we’ll bring him home. The Coast Guard found his notes and the mysterious stone in Mark’s belongings at the station. I was surprised he didn’t destroy them. They haven’t given them back to me yet, but have promised to after the investigation is over.
The party’s almost over and I’m about to head to Scott when Crystal arrives. She’s holding her little girl’s hand. They approach with wide, curious eyes.
“Maddie?”
I hug her. Her eyes glisten with unshed tears. Crystal and I have talked over the phone, but this is the first time we’ve been face-to-face after Mark’s death. She’s been dealing with the fallout.
“Thank you for inviting us. I was so excited to hear about the shop and your swim school. I’m happy for you and Scott.” She beams.
We’re kindred spirits, and it’s time we put all the darkness and sadness behind us and live for the future. Crystal kneels, whispering to her little girl, who walks up to me shyly.
“I’m Natalie.” Her voice is sweet and bright. “I’m your niece.”
My heart swells as my entire world is filled with the little girl gazing up at me. She looks so much like her father, with glasses which cover her light brown eyes. Eyes that are like mirrors to both Nathan’s and mine.
“Hi, Natalie. I’m so happy to meet you.” I kneel in front of her.
