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)
Popping the last bite into her mouth, she watched the handsome, self-proclaimed Daddy check everyone in. He spent a few minutes with everyone to welcome and put them at ease. He was a charmer. That made her nervous. Was he really all that she thought he was, or could he be hiding some secret?
Her grandfather’s notes had warned that he would need to be careful when he finally decided to hunt down the treasure. He had not dared pursue it immediately. No one knew he’d found a document hidden under the toilet lid in the library. He’d almost turned it in to the woman behind the desk but had hesitated to admit he’d tried to fix the clogged toilet instead of just reporting it.
Her grandfather had noted that he sat down to decide what to do. The chair he’d chosen had been on the edge of a group gathering for a genealogy meeting near the restroom. Everyone had jumped a few minutes later at the sound of a huge ruckus in the men’s room. It had sounded like someone had ripped a sink off the wall—or thrown the ceramic top of a toilet across the room. When others jumped up to check out what had happened, Isla’s grandfather had suddenly decided to become very involved in the discussion concerning the best research materials for tracing his family tree.
He’d caught a quick glimpse of the man who’d run from the bathroom as others had hurried in. That very man had been waiting at the main exit of the library when he’d walked out with some of the people in the meeting. Isla’s grandfather had noted there had been something in the vigilant man’s eyes as he’d scanned everyone who left. With the weathered paper tucked inside his ledger, her grandfather had abandoned his plan to return to the library to finish his research into the next place he’d wanted to explore for several months.
She remembered shivering when she’d read his accounting of that day. Even now, every time she unfolded that map, a chill ran down her spine. Isla wrapped her arms around herself.
“Are you okay? Getting tired?” Caesar asked, wrapping his large hand around her shoulder.
“I’m good. Sorry. A sad memory.”
“Go potty,” he said quietly. “Splash some water on your face. You’ve had a long travel day. That suit gets hot when you’re out of the water.”
“I’m fine,” she assured him.
“I’ll make that call when we get out there.” He held up his hand to stop her protests before they started. “I won’t allow you to be unsafe. If you’re okay, we’ll dive together.”
“Okay.”
Standing, Isla made her way to the small bathroom and peeled herself out of her suit. When she’d finished and righted her clothing, Isla washed her hands and followed his instruction to splash water on her face. Instantly, she felt better, whether it was from cooling down from the hot material, the water, or just knowing he cared. As she left the restroom, she found him watching for her.
Chapter Three
When they reached the dock after the second trip, Isla was zapped. The exercise, sun, and fresh air had taken the last of her energy reserves. Caesar was surrounded by the group, who all had questions and wanted to thank him. Knowing that Caesar would have a lot to do after that group left to clean the wet suits and get everything sorted for the next day, she texted him that she was going to check into her room and shower.
Heading out, she retraced her steps to the front desk and greeted the same woman who had helped her earlier. Remembering the employee’s name from their earlier interaction, she greeted her. “Hi, Sadie! I’m Isla Callas. I hope my room is ready now.”
“Hi, Isla. It is. Let me grab everything for you. You’re on the fourth floor. I already had the bellhops take your things up to your room. Here’s your keycard,” Sadie informed her as she handed over a small folder with the room number and keycard.
“Thanks. And thanks again for letting me get into the scuba excursions.”
“Did you have fun?” Sadie asked.
“It was a blast. I saw so much. Oh, I need to pay you for lunch, or do you put that on my bill?”
“That was compliments of the Danger Bluff resort,” Sadie informed her with a smile.
“Thank you. I appreciate all your help.”
“Let us know if you need anything. We’re here to make your stay amazing,” Sadie told her.
“It’s off to a great start,” Isla assured her before turning to walk to the elevator. She stopped in her tracks at the sight of Caesar jogging toward her, dressed in swim trunks and a Danger Bluff polo. She tried not to drool as she let her gaze roam down his frame. His hair was dark and thick, and he had a short beard that was probably the result of simply not shaving for a few days. When she lowered her gaze, she took in the tattoos on his arms and the powerful leg muscles that propelled him, noticing a vicious scar on the front of one thick thigh. It didn’t take away from his allure. He was dangerous for her blood pressure.