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After promising to return later to hear Heather’s story, Sara hurried out of the bar. A laugh tumbled out and echoed over the empty resort-style pool.
How about that? I got to have the last word. And dumping that drink in his face might have been a waste of good gin, but my God, was it worth it!
Sara picked up her pace. Jack was going to love hearing that his hand didn’t look nearly as bad as Wayne’s face did.
CHAPTER 40
April...
Sara carefully removed a coral fragment from the PVC tree and added it to the half-dozen others she held. Exhaling a long burst of bubbles, satisfaction filled her as she studied the coral nursery. There was no sign of damage—the repaired area was as good as new. Next to her, Jack squeezed her arm and flashed an ok signal. She returned it, tipping her head toward the house reef, and the pair moved in that direction. Two weeks had passed since the altercation with Wayne, and Sara had wanted to mark the occasion with a special dive, just the two of them.
And this was just the first celebration planned for the day.
She’d worked hard to earn this dive, improving her skills to make up for her previous blunder. Jack had dived with her several times to offer help and advice. And there was no one she’d rather be with. His tank was adorned with a large yellow and green Nitrox banner, but Sara just dove with a normal air cylinder. She, Hope, and Zach were arranging a group class with Alex to get Nitrox certified, but until then, it was air for her. Jack led her toward the end of the house reef and pointed to a bare section of rock. Then he removed a baggie of cement from the pocket of his BCD and demonstrated how to attach the coral piece to the reef.
Thirty minutes later, the stubby coral fragments were firmly attached to their new home. Sara had transplanted most of them herself and now watched the scene, filled with the pride of completing a long-held goal. The afternoon sun sent a spectrum of color over the thriving reef. A brown and white damsel fish investigated the new corals, flitting around them before rushing at Sara. She laughed, delighted the fish was guarding its new treasure.
She reached for Jack and traced her fingers around his, appreciating the texture of his strong hand as they returned to the pier. Surface Interval was out on the afternoon trip, crewed by Tommy and Robert, making for a quiet walk to the gear room. Kicking the door shut behind her, Sara grabbed Jack, kissing him fiercely as he made a deep thrum in his chest. “Thank you,” she said. “I’ve wanted to transplant coral fragments since Alex first told me about the project.”
“Hmmm. If that’s how you’re gonna react, let’s do this again tomorrow.”
She kissed him again, holding his bottom lip between her teeth, then let go and grinned. “Gratitude is highly underrated. And I’m very grateful—for you and this place.”
“So am I. It’s pretty cool, isn’t it?”
“Yes, all of it. Especially knowing what could have happened to that reef.”
He nodded. “Why don’t you shower in the bathroom by the spa while I rinse our gear? I’ve got time to take one too before we head to Alex and Hope’s.”
“We can try not to collide with each other this time.”
He answered her grin with a laugh. “Maybe we can collide another way later.”
The boat had returned by the time they finished showering, and Robert joined them as they walked up the pier. He hooked an arm around Jack’s shoulders and gave him a horse-collar hug, bursting into laughter. “Look at you two, back to bein’ lovebirds. Love triumphs again.”
Sara sent him a long side-eye. “Watch the sarcasm there, buddy.”
Robert’s trademark smile widened. “Who, me? You forget, I photograph weddings for a livin’ now.”
Sara let the comment go as they stepped off the pier onto the sand. Clark and Patti were walking toward them with Heather in between. Serenity’s former bartender wore her long copper hair plated in a long side braid, and her light-blue blouse paired with white capris accented her trim figure. They stopped, and Sara noticed Heather’s height for the first time—the bartender was at least six inches taller than she was. Patti started introductions with Robert. With a smile, Heather reached out her hand and they shook. As their eyes met, both froze mid-handshake.
“Heather and I already know each other,” Sara said. “You’re here to interview?”
But Heather didn’t respond, standing motionless as she looked at Robert, who was staring straight back and wearing the same stunned, wide-eyed expression.
“Oh,” Sara said. “Do you two already know each other?”
That broke the spell, and the two dropped hands and stepped back. A red flush crept up the bartender’s neck. “No. It’s nice to meet you, Robert.” She turned her eyes to Sara and gave her a slightly bewildered smile. “Yes, I’m here interviewing for the bartender position. I met Hope earlier, and Clark and Patti are giving me a tour.”
Patti stared at Robert with a frown. “Let’s keep goin’. The restaurant is next.” Robert was still staring wide-eyed at Heather as the trio turned away and moved toward the dining room.
When they were out of earshot, Jack turned to Robert and smirked. “What the hell’s wrong? You didn’t even say anything! Were you hypnotized or something?”
A broad smile crossed Sara’s face, the wheels already spinning in her head. “I think that’s exactly what he was. And it might have been mutual. Right, Robert?”
He shifted from foot to foot, blinking rapidly. “I don’t know. My mind just went blank. That was kind of embarrassin’. Well, I’d better head home. See you guys later.” Rubbing the back of his neck, Robert headed toward the parking lot, but not before tossing a final glance at the small group entering the restaurant.
Sara and Jack looked at each other and burst out laughing. “I’ve never seen Robert at a loss for words,” Jack said.
