HOOKED ON YOU (Paradise Cove) (13 page)

“The top’s a bit big, but it’ll keep the wind and the sun off of you.” He squinted behind his glasses. “There’s some beer and cold drinks in the cooler. Help yourself.”

“You want a beer?” she asked.

“No, thanks. Not yet. Toss me a Coke.”

She pulled out two, and popped his lid. “Here.” She toasted him with her diet soda. “Cheers.”

“This snorkeling area is one of the best in the Keys,” he told her. “Matecumbe has better reefs than either Key West or Key Largo. Their reefs might be better known but they’re not nearly as spectacular. That’s a fact. And ours can only be reached by boat. We have a lot of tours during prime season.”

“Great. My own private boat tour.” She flashed him a look. “How did I get so lucky?”

“You’re an important guest of Anna’s, and I can’t let you spend your vacation snorkeling around the pier. The water’s murky there. Wait until you see the spot I’m taking you. Crystal clear, with coral and fish.”

“How can you tell where you are out here? Doesn’t it all look the same?” She grabbed a bottle of sunscreen and started rubbing it on her arms and legs. The scent of the lotion always reminded him of summer days on the beach growing up. The salt air and the clean scent of the Hamptons.

He shook off the memory. “I know the area well, and we have navigational maps and systems on board. I don’t usually refer to it, but it’s there if I need it.” He turned the wheel to the left. “We’re heading for my favorite spot. There’s several little patch reefs half-way between the key and the outer barrier reef edge but it can have a lot of algae and not be all that clear. So if you don’t mind we’ll head out further.”

She nodded as if she understood, and let him just take the lead.

“It’s called the Alligator Reef Lighthouse, and actually has a tall lighthouse structure. It’s fairly shallow, but you’re going to love it. There are purple sea fans, and sponges, but no coral. We’d see the coral at the other reefs but it’s too murky today.”

“How come it won’t be murky where we’re going?”

“The distance from shore. The water is blue instead of green. That means the visibility will be excellent, and we’ll see a wider selection of fish. They seem to like the shade of the lighthouse.”

“Where does the alligator come in?” she asked.

“It was the name of a ship that sunk here in the 1800’s. You’ll see a mound of stones which is all that’s left from the ship. It’s really something.”

“Anything to be afraid of?”

“That depends. There’s a deeper area on the left of the lighthouse and you’ll see plenty of barracudas.”

“No thank you.” She shivered. “What about sharks?”

“Well, we are in the ocean, but they have other things to feed on besides you.”

“Oh! Well, I sure hope they know that.”

He laughed. “We’ll hang a sign around your neck.”

“No. Seriously.” Her eyes widened. “I don’t want to be shark bait. I don’t even like sharks.”

“Trust me. They prefer more meat on their bones.”

“Ouch.” She stuck out her pointed chin. “That hurt.”

He touched her rib. “Not too much, I hope.”

She moved a little closer, and he realized that his intentions might be misconstrued. He stepped away to release the anchor, and knew he’d better tone it down a notch. He was so used to flirting, he didn’t even know when he was.

“I’ll grab my snorkeling gear too and show you around. I won’t let anything bad happen to you.”

She donned her gear while waiting for him, and then he lowered the ladder, and they both jumped in. He waited to see how experienced she was, and when he could see that she knew what she was doing he indicated that they were going under to see the fish up close.

She followed him down, her eyes wide as saucers, then she shot up for air. She blew the water out of her snorkel and removed it from her mouth so she could speak. “My God, it is incredible. The colors are amazing. The pretty yellow striped fish, and some are so blue it takes my breath away. And pink, and oh my! I’m gushing, but there’s so many different species of fish I feel like I’m in an aquarium.” She grinned. “Thank you for this.”

“You’re very welcome. And I’m pleased to see that you’re an accomplished swimmer and snorkeler. Want to go again?”

In answer, she led the dive. He loaned her an underwater camera and for the next half hour her fears were forgotten. Behind a wall of pinkish sea sponge, she snapped pictures as fish flashed before her eyes. A sunken boat was home to a school of parrot fish, and he pointed out a sea turtle the size of a round table swimming an arm’s length away. A barracuda with snaggle-teeth came around a coral reef and her eyes widened behind the clear snorkel mask before she dropped the camera and swam for the surface.

Chuckling to himself, Colt retrieved the camera from the sandy ocean floor and then popped up beside her.

“Oh, my God! What was that thing? It was huge!”

“A barracuda. They can be pretty ugly.” They swam back to the boat, and he helped her up.

“Are they dangerous?”

“Not usually. They prefer fish to humans.”

She shivered. “Sorry I dropped the camera, but it just about gave me a heart attack.”

He laughed and handed her a clean towel from the supply he kept on board. “You’ll be a big hit at happy hour tonight. Wait ’til they see your pictures.”

“Will you come?” She wrapped the towel around her thin body. “I haven’t seen you in days.”

So, Taylor hadn’t been talking to anybody about why he wasn’t welcome? He shook the water from his hair, letting the sun dry his skin. “No. I won’t be able to make it tonight—I’ve got to pick up my son from his mother’s.”

“Oh. That’s too bad.” She glanced at him with speculative interest before patting at her damp swimsuit.

Was that disappointment? His flirtatious nature sometimes sent the wrong message, so he tried to set the record straight without offending her.

“I may have overstayed my welcome the other night.” He referred to the last time he was there, when Taylor had not been happy to see him. He didn’t mention the way he’d sneaked Taylor away from her guests for a stolen kiss, or how he’d had to save her from a jackass who thought his money could buy anything or anybody he wanted. Nor did he bring up the fact that she’d left him on the beach because he had nothing of substance to offer her. “Thought I’d give Taylor some space,” he said in explanation.

Carole leaned over to dry her foot, showing off her long legs. “I doubt she’d want that.”

“She knows my number if she doesn’t.” Colt put an end to the conversation by lifting the anchor and turning on the engine. “There are sandwiches in the fridge. Help yourself. Should take about a half hour to get back.”

She nodded, understanding in her eyes. “Sounds good. Thanks.”

The last thing he needed was another complication. Letting Carole know his interest was elsewhere was the kindest thing he could do, though he empathized with her. Going through a divorce wasn’t easy.

He liked to think of himself as a nice guy, yet disappointing women seemed to be his fatal flaw.

CHAPTER TEN

Taylor balanced a tray of mushroom and artichoke flatbread, pausing at each table to offer a snack, when she heard Carole regaling the other guests about her snorkeling trip.

“Colt saw me snorkeling next to the pier, and scooped me up like I was a mermaid or something,” she said with a laugh. “He took me to Alligator Reef and I’ve never seen so many fish in my life! Look at some of these photos.” She had a captive audience, so interested or not, she showed everyone her pictures. “Colt let me borrow his underwater camera.”

Taylor heard the oohs and ahhs—even the men from the Panhandle seemed impressed. She tried to get a grip on her emotions, but it wasn’t easy. While she’d been at the cafe working, Carole was out boating with Colt, and enjoying every damn minute of it by the excited look on her face.

She refused to be jealous of any woman, and especially not Carole. She was happy that their
guest
had such a good time today. Colt took care of all their guests, and they used him solely for their charter needs. It was probably all above board, and yet by the flush in Carole’s cheeks and the sparkle in her eyes, Taylor had a sinking feeling that it was not.

Her hands shook, and it was all she could do not to drop the plate and make a complete fool of herself. Her skin prickled and she knew she was fifty shades of purple. Had he been hitting on Carole? Their guest?

What kind of a man would do such a thing? First her, and every other female under fifty in town. Carole was their one and only single woman under their roof, besides herself of course. Had he come on to her as well? Impossible. He wouldn’t…would he?

“Can I see the pictures?” she asked, putting the tray of flatbreads on the table. “Help yourselves to something to eat,” she told the three men.

Carole’s mother, Joan, stopped chatting with Anna long enough to fill her plate. “These are so delicious, Taylor. I must get your recipe.”

“Of course. I’ll be happy to give it to you.” She forced a smile although her teeth hurt.

Carole handed her the camera and she clicked through the vibrant images of sea life, hoping she wouldn’t find any evidence to support her fears. She didn’t want to see his treachery, to know she was wasting her time mourning the loss of him.

She’d been half-tempted to do what Kayla had suggested. Open her heart to him and see what happened. But how could she when he was such a womanizer? If he was lonely and lusting after her, that would be one thing—but when he continually chased anyone in a skirt, well, that was another.

She came to the end of the shots. “There’s only fish on here.” Taylor lifted the camera, relief warring with confusion. “Didn’t Colt dive with you?”

“He did, but I accidentally deleted a couple of pictures.”

Taylor swallowed a lump in her throat. What had she deleted? And why? Had he done something she didn’t want to show?

Carole pointed to a picture of a giant fish with blue and yellow coloring. “Do you know what that is?”

“Haven’t a clue.” Had Carole erased an underwater picture of her with Colt? Her stomach clenched and throat felt tight. “I don’t fish.”

“It’s a French angelfish. See that barracuda, behind it? Darn thing swished right by me, and scared me half to death. I dropped the camera and Colt dove back down for it. He’s quite a guy, isn’t he?” Her astute gaze took in Taylor’s flushed face.

“Oh, he’s something, all right!” Taylor heard the rising tones in her voice and breathed deep in order to calm down. He and Carole hadn’t done anything wrong. Why didn’t she believe that? “He’s not planning on coming here tonight, is he?”

“No.” Carole shook her head. “He said he had to pick up his son.”

Good! Taylor knew she couldn’t face him tonight. She might accuse him unjustly and say things that couldn’t be undone. She had always trusted him before, what had changed that? Carole’s obvious admiration? The way Jack behaved? Or the fact Colt had given up on her so easily?

Either way, he wasn’t welcome here. Not tonight, and not for some time. And if it meant that she’d be sending him into some other woman’s bed, so be it. Oh, but she didn’t mean that. She couldn’t bear the thought of Colt naked, loving another woman.

“Oh, here’s one of us on the fly bridge,” Carole said, showing a picture of herself with her arm around Colt’s back, smiling into the camera.

“Nice.” Taylor’s nails bit into the palms of her hands. “Is that his shirt?” she asked. What was Carole wearing underneath that big, long tee? Anything?

“Hmm. It is. We had such a fun afternoon.” Then she laughed and poked Taylor on the shoulder. “Oh, Taylor, you really should see your face. You wear your heart on your sleeve. In this case, on your face.”

“My heart’s got nothing to do with it,” she snapped. “God, sorry.” It wasn’t Carole’s fault that she was a mess over Colt. “You should be enjoying yourself while you’re here.”

“I am, and I should apologize to you. It’s obvious you care about him, and he about you.” She sighed and touched Taylor’s arm. “When I asked if he was coming here tonight, he said he’d worn out his welcome. That he wanted to give you some space.”

“He said that?” She looked into Carole’s sincere blue eyes. “Will you be seeing him again?”

“Not unless I run into him in town. To be honest, I wanted to know if you cared.” She gave Taylor a hug. “You do. Good luck. He’s worth it.”

In her heart she knew Carole was right, but she also knew that Colt had some issues to work out before he was ready to commit again. “He might be in the long run,” she agreed. “As you know, divorce can do a head trip on anybody, and I think he’s still figuring some things out.” Taylor grinned at her. “Let me grab us a fresh drink then we can talk some more. Sorry if I sounded like a shrew.”

“You didn’t!”

Taylor returned with two full glasses of iced sangria and a plate of nachos. Sitting next to Carole, she said, “You know that job offer is still open. We will be hiring this winter so if you get back home and find your situation has changed, please give us a call.”

“I will. I promise.” Carole sipped on her tall glass of fruity wine. “I see why you love it. It’s super hot this time of the year, but there’s always a nice breeze by the shore. And your mom said that you learn to adapt. Stay inside with the air conditioning during the mid-day—if you can—and don’t go anywhere without your 50 plus sunscreen. Right now it’s perfect. I hear waves breaking on the shore, and palm trees swaying in the breeze. To watch the sun set each night over the ocean? It’s tempting, I must admit.”