Total pages in book: 107
Estimated words: 102071 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 510(@200wpm)___ 408(@250wpm)___ 340(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 102071 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 510(@200wpm)___ 408(@250wpm)___ 340(@300wpm)
In burglary, I mean.
But what hurt most was that I liked the guy. He’d been fun and forthright, witty and sharp. Caring and big-hearted…or so it had seemed until he’d stolen my diamond.
The moms swam to shore, waving to their kids in the shade under the dock. “What would you do if you found a buried treasure?” I asked Devon.
“Hmm…” He looked around the snow-white sand and crystal water for a moment. “I’d fix the screen door on the shop so my friend couldn’t rip it off the hinges when she’s raging.”
I didn’t deny it.
I couldn’t deny it.
“Sorry,” I said with a wince.
He patted my shoulder. “No worries, Ruby. I know where to send the bill.”
I laughed, grateful for the levity.
I’d been so furious that it was only now in the calm of the summer sunshine that I realized how many messy details of the theft nagged at my brain. Like why a pro like Jake would leave the safe door open.
“Mama, look at this sapphire! It’s the best because it’s my favorite color.”
Sapphire. Eli. Diamonds. Money.
I needed to focus on what was next. To stop alternating between anger and sadness over Jake. This trip had never been about a man. Not even Eli, really. It was about righting a wrong and helping my mother. They were the only things that mattered.
In less than an hour, Jake and I were due to meet and infiltrate the gallery. I still had to figure out how to play the angles with him, but my distrust would keep me sharp and focused.
Twenty minutes later, Devon and I saw the happy family off from the snorkel shop. Each kid had a souvenir gem and each mom had a slew of pictures to share on social media.
“Be sure to tag Stingray Town Hire and Tours so we can see them,” I told the taller of the women while her wife shepherded the kids out the door.
“Definitely. We’ll leave reviews too. All of us had a spectacular time.”
“Make sure you don’t just review Stingray Town,” Devon said, slinging an arm around my shoulders. “Ruby here runs Ariel’s Island Eco-Adventure Tours, and I’m sure you’ll agree she was invaluable today.”
“She was. A review for the two of you!” one mother said as they thanked us again and then left.
I set to work straightening up the shop and putting away gear on the shelves. “Thanks again for letting me do this with you, and for the business mention,” I told Devon.
“I’ll do anything to help you rebuild,” he said. “It’s good to see you in your element again.”
It felt great to be in my element.
My own tour started in three more days, though it would be more challenging, starting with a dive through some of the wrecks not far from shore.
“This was a good warm-up for next week,” I said.
“Never would have known this was a warm-up,” Devon said, clearly pleased. He nodded to the door where the customers had just departed. “Diana loved the way you talked to the kids about marine ecology.”
In spite of everything, my mood brightened and a warm glow of both pride and optimism filled my chest. “That pretty much makes my day.”
“Good.” With a smile, he leaned his elbows on the shop counter, watching me stow clean snorkels and masks. “It seemed to me earlier that your day could use some improvement.”
Oh yeah. He’d mentioned the door earlier. That had been a hard clue to miss, especially for a friend who’d known me for so long.
When I didn’t pick up the baton of conversation, Devon gave me a verbal nudge, “What’s on your mind, Ruby?”
I sighed. Fiddled with my hair. Fooled no one. Finally I bit the bullet and asked, “What would you do if you suspected someone you liked of taking something from you but you weren’t entirely sure. Would you confront that person?”
His eyebrows climbed. “That’s a specific question.”
“I know.” I adjusted a mask neatly next to some fins so he couldn’t see that I was embarrassed I’d been hoodwinked.
“If you tell me more, maybe I could help,” he offered.
I pursed my lips, rewinding the last few days with Jake. How did one say I think the guy I slept with stole a diamond my stepfather bought with money stolen from someone else? That was a riddle wrapped in a conundrum. I didn’t want any of it to be true, and voicing those concerns aloud might make them a reality. I was careful with words, saying, “Let’s say I suspect this guy of something unethical. I’m just not sure I should say anything to him about it.”
“You mean tell him what you think and give him the chance to explain himself?”
I stared at Devon, pretending I could actually resent him. “Stop being so smart and logical.”
“It’s a passing phase,” he assured me. Then, more seriously, he said, “I think it’s best to be direct. And maybe, if you like him, give him the benefit of the doubt.”