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For once, she didn’t look pissed off as she turned back to her canvas. “It’s ok.”
Emboldened, he stood by her side, studying the painting. “That’s really good. I didn’t know you could paint.”
“There’s a lot you don’t know about me.” But there was no venom in her voice. It was more of a teasing tone. “I saw several sketches when I was in your apartment the other night. Those yours?”
“Yeah. I’ve always loved to draw, especially underwater scenes. I like the challenge of bringing such a colorful world to life using only black and white.”
Sara set her brush on the easel, darting a quick glance at him before looking down again in a quick flash of uncertainty. Jack was intrigued. So far, she had lived up to Alex’s nickname of Hurricane Sara, and this was the first hint of anything but confidence or anger. She took a breath. “Speaking of the underwater world, I’ve been thinking about getting certified to dive. I’d really like to see that coral project for myself.”
He smiled, determined to be encouraging this time. “You live in the right place for it. Shouldn’t be too hard.”
“I hope not, but we’ll see.” She paused again, picking up her brush, only to set it back down again. Then she met his gaze head-on. “Could you certify me?”
That was the last thing he’d been expecting. “Me?” He rubbed between his nose and upper lip, trying not to smile. “Uh, you realize your brother-in-law is a rather well-qualified instructor, don’t you?”
The light was fading, but there was enough to see the pink on her cheeks as she narrowed her eyes. “What makes you think that?”
His smile broadened. He was impressed that she wanted to verify what he knew before saying more. “Alex told me about his background. That he was a SEAL. He’s probably the most overqualified dive instructor in the Caribbean, you know.”
She turned toward the sunset. “I know. That’s the problem. I’ve never been very athletic, and Alex and I have a somewhat complicated history. I just thought it might be easier for both of us if I learned from someone else. I saw you with a student in the pool the other day—that’s why I thought I’d ask you.”
Jack was drawn toward this quiet, almost self-conscious Sara. She wore a pastel sundress that left her shoulders bare, and he had a strong urge to stroke his fingers across her supple skin. He blinked, firmly turning his mind back to the conversation. “I was teaching an intro scuba class. I’m a divemaster, not an instructor, so I can’t do an open water certification. The coral nursery and transplants on the house reef would be within the depth limits of what I can teach, but that would be a waste, Sara. If you got fully certified, you could dive with anyone. Like Hope.” Maybe even me.
Her shoulders fell. “Oh. I didn’t realize you couldn’t teach too.”
A small ball of warmth spread through his chest. “I’ve seen Alex with students and new divers. I’m sure you’d do fine. Tell you what—if you decide to go ahead, I’ll help you with any skills you have trouble with. How’s that sound?”
She studied him, and butterflies tickled his stomach when a small smile appeared on her face. The orange sunset reflected in her warm brown eyes, and he couldn’t look away. Please say yes.
“Ok, you’ve got a deal. But I want you to remember this conversation for posterity. In case Alex decides to fit me with a nice pair of concrete shoes.”
CHAPTER 11
December...
Sara walked into the resort restaurant. A cheery blinking Christmas tree stood in one corner, wrapped boxes tucked around its base, but the festive atmosphere didn’t calm the anxious ball in her stomach. Hope and Alex were already seated at their corner table. She sat with a thump and took a sip of the iced tea Hope had already ordered for her.
“We should have lunch more often.” Hope beamed, gazing between Alex and Sara.
Alex shot her a rueful smile. “We have a hard enough time coordinating our schedules. It’s a minor miracle all three of us managed to get together in the middle of the day.”
“Especially me,” Sara added. “It just depends on when I have clients scheduled.”
Hope’s broad smile plummeted off her face. “Well, aren’t you two the wet blankets?”
“You’re right. This is everything I’ve ever dreamed of,” Sara said. “Better?”
“Now you’re just being sarcastic. And it’s the holidays too,” Hope said, then conversation paused as they ate their lunches.
Hope caught Sara’s eye and raised a brow, but she replied with a tiny head shake. Nope, I’ll bring it up. Sara had enlisted her sister earlier for moral support, which was why Hope was nearly vibrating in her chair.
Alex tossed his napkin on the table, finished. “Ok, I saw that look and can tell when two Collinses are in cahoots about something. What’s up?”
Ok, here we go. Sara set her fork down, meeting his gaze. “I think your coral-restoration project is really interesting, and I’ve been thinking about learning to dive.”
He broke into a small smile. “And did you have any instructors in mind?”
“Well, you’re the only one I know, so that puts you at the head of the line.”
