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)
Sadie stood and rushed over to hug Isla. The other Littles followed right behind her. Awkwardly, Isla stood to hug each one back. By the time she sat back down, she felt so much better. “Thank you for your friendship,” she whispered before passing the spoon on to Caesar.
He poured soy sauce into the small dish in front of her. Somehow, she’d forgotten to take care of that herself.
“Thanks,” she said.
“I’ve got you. Can I tell them?” he asked softly.
“Please.”
Turning to the group, Caesar announced, “We had our first diving exploration today and drew an observer. That boat’s actions concerned Jack to the extent that he recalled Isla and me to the surface early. It was definitely not idle interest in people diving. With that in mind, I spoke to Kingsley today. According to our leader, who seems to know everything, there’s a buzz about a map Isla inherited from her grandfather. She consulted a few divers back home, and one decided to post the information on a treasure hunters’ site. He suggested someone has been watching her ever since.”
“And that someone followed her here to Danger Bluff?” Sadie asked.
“At this point, we don’t think anyone from the resort is involved, but everyone should keep their eyes open,” Caesar suggested.
“Do you have a backup copy of the map?” Magnus asked.
“I didn’t let anyone take a picture of it and kept it shielded when I showed it to others,” Isla reported.
“Sounds like you thought ahead of time. I might suggest that you let me scan it. My computer system is secure,” the computer expert stated.
“Do you think it would give us some more information?” Isla asked, leaning forward eagerly.
“I do. I can chart the current to see where it might have swept something over time. Are you thinking it’s a chest?” Magnus asked.
Shaking her head, Isla admitted, “I have no idea.”
“Then, I’ll search for different weights, and we’ll see what comes up,” Magnus suggested.
“Thank you. You’ve all been wonderful,” Isla said, looking at the faces around the table.
“Help yourself to seconds and thirds, everyone,” Caesar encouraged. “There’s plenty still on the platters.”
Conversation flowed easily around the table as everyone discussed the topics of the day. Obviously, most revolved around the treasure map. That topic was too fascinating to ignore.
“Where did your grandfather get the map?” Juniper asked.
“He had a wild story in his log about finding it in the bathroom and then knowing who was really supposed to find it from the reaction of the next guy who walked out,” Isla said. “It was so obvious that that guy was dangerous that my grandpa just blended in with a random group meeting in the library.”
“That was so smart. That’s why no one was looking earlier. The map disappeared,” Celeste chimed in.
“Are there any clues about what the treasure could be?” Kestrel asked.
“None. It’s just a map. The initials NZ are on it, but in a strange, scripty font. I didn’t know which way was up for a while.”
“That sends shivers down my spine. What a mystery!” Sadie chimed in as she shifted onto her Daddy’s lap.
Isla glanced up at Caesar when she felt his hand wrap around her thigh. She leaned over to bump her shoulder against his. It was such a strange feeling. She hadn’t known him for that long, but already Isla felt more connected to him than anyone else she’d ever known. Whatever happened, she’d remember this moment in time when she’d found her Daddy.
Chapter Twelve
When Juniper suggested they go to the art table to chat after dinner, Isla guessed they had questions for her. To her surprise, they didn’t want to talk about the treasure.
“So… You and Caesar? How are things going?” Sadie asked casually after they had each chosen a picture to color.
“I’ve never felt like this before,” Isla admitted.
“You sound scared,” Celeste said with a concerned look.
“That’s not what I’m afraid of,” Isla whispered.
“Are you afraid of being vulnerable?” Zara asked.
“Yes. That’s exactly it. Did you all feel that way when you found your Daddies?” Isla wondered.
“Of course. None of us had been in this kind of relationship,” Sadie shared.
“And all of us had something threatening happening. I know it was in my mind that I was worried I was just hiding behind a powerful man for protection. But it wasn’t like that. I think the danger pushed the relationship deeper faster, but once I met Kestrel, I was a goner,” Zara confessed.
“Me, too,” Juniper chimed in, and the others nodded.
“It’s like being scared when you learned how to drive or came to Danger Bluff,” Sadie pointed out. “Having the courage to take those risks opened a whole new world for each of us.”
“For me, it was a fantasy to find a guy who loved and wanted to take care of me. It’s hard-wired inside me,” Lyra shared. “Phoenix didn’t change me. He woke up a part of me I’d hidden.”