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)
That explains the scar on his leg.
He reached for Isla’s hand twisting on the tabletop. “I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.”
She couldn’t tear her gaze away from his. “I don’t understand this.”
“I know. It’s okay. Just let me take care of you.”
Nodding, Isla turned her hand to intertwine her fingers with his. “Okay.”
He squeezed her hand.
“Here are your drinks,” Terrence announced.
They both looked at him and then back at each other with a smile. They’d been so wrapped up in each other that neither had noticed the server approaching.
When Terrence left, Isla asked, “What happened to that lady and your boat?”
“She went to jail for a year. The box was recovered. I don’t know what was in it. I really don’t want to know. Recovering it wasn’t worth lives,” Caesar told her.
“No.”
Isla fell silent. Here she was coming to follow a treasure map that her grandfather had left. He had to see the similarity to this awful event in his life.
“Hey. I don’t judge you by Mindy’s greed. You’re a totally different person. I will admit it made me hesitate when I discovered you came here following a map. Searching for treasure is dangerous. There’s always someone evil willing to do anything to get what they hope is a pile of money.”
She nodded. “My grandfather was very blunt about the risk in going after whatever the map leads to. He waited for years, pretending as if he hadn’t found anything in the bathroom. Unfortunately, he never had a chance to look for it.”
“So, you’re here to finish his legacy. I have a feeling he would be pleased,” Caesar murmured.
“I do, too.” Isla blinked away the tears that threatened at the thought of making her grandfather’s dream come true.
“If you trust me, I’ll ask you to show me the map one day. I don’t want you going after it without me.”
“After all that happened to you, I’m surprised you’ll even consider helping me.”
“If it were anyone other than a small crew that I trust, that now includes you, I would try to find someone honest to explore with you. But you, Little girl, aren’t to attempt this without me. And then, I’m going to insist that you listen to me every step of the way. I’m not going to risk you getting hurt.”
Nodding without questioning his conditions, Isla thanked him and added, “I’m glad to have you on my side. After meeting you, I wouldn’t want to do this without you.”
“Then we do this together.”
After a moment of silence, Isla asked, “How long have you been diving?”
“Years. I was on a dive team for the Coast Guard for several years. After that, I knew I always wanted to be in the water, so I started giving lessons and taking experienced divers out. Now, I’m here running the dive program.”
She smiled. “Except for the incident with your ex-girlfriend, it sounds like you’ve had a pretty good life.”
“I definitely have. And it’s getting even better now.” With a squeeze of her fingers, Caesar sat back. “Here comes Terrence with our food. We’ll talk more about explorations another time. Tonight, let’s relax and get to know each other better.”
“I’d like that.”
Chapter Four
Waking up the next morning, Isla stretched. She was in the exact same position she always went to sleep in. Hugging her stuffie, she guessed she hadn’t moved all night. “Did you sleep as well as I did?” she asked.
Nado looked back at her with coal-black eyes. He looked scary, but she knew he was a softie. She didn’t tell anyone the truth. Nado had a reputation for frightening away all the monsters under her bed. He was super good at that.
After giving him one more squeeze and a kiss on his snout, Isla slid out of bed. Scurrying to the bathroom, she peed and washed her face before looking longingly at the shower. She usually showered before bed but feeling warm water pelting her body sounded amazing—totally worth delaying breakfast for a while.
Thirty minutes later, she stepped into the elevator in shorts and a T-shirt. When she reached the main floor, Isla hesitated. Did she want to go to the restaurant in the main building or back by the water? That decision was easy.
Soon, she sat by the railing and looked out over the beautiful bay. A Danger Bluff boat glided by, and she waved, hoping it was Caesar. To her delight, a large figure rushed to the railing to wave back. Smiling with happiness, she watched the boat move farther out.
“Hi, Miss!” A young woman said, approaching her. “You’re right between breakfast and lunch. I can get in an order for either one. Do you have a preference?”
“Definitely lunch. Could I have a hamburger and fries?” she asked, not even waiting to look at the menu.
“Of course. What can I get you to drink?”