Whirlpool

Chapter Eight

She thought it would be more uncomfortable the first time she saw Jamie after the night at the Grotto. Not on her part, but on his. Fortunately, when he wandered in Monday, he kissed her cheek and acted the same as usual.

“You ready to roll?” he asked.

“When you are.”

He handed her a new notebook and gestured to a section of the room they hadn’t touched yet. They worked for close to three hours, chatting easily about nothing in particular before he sat back on his heels and rubbed his neck. “Okay, I’ll admit it. I need to take a break.”

She smiled. “You’ve been going at it pretty steady since you got here.”

“Yeah, well I have a tendency to go all out when I do anything. I mentioned to Braden yesterday my goal of getting things cleared out before Ms. Colten returns is very unlikely.”

“It’s been here for years, I don’t think she expected it all gone by the time they get back.”

Jamie stood and she caught a whiff of his aftershave. No matter that she and Braden had spent the morning crawling all over each other before he went on duty, Jamie was still an attractive man. She had to make sure she didn’t do anything out of the ordinary, because while multiple lovers might be normal amongst the merfolk, humans seemed to freak at the idea. And until she and Braden discussed the issue more, there was no way she wanted to hurt him by a misunderstanding. Just because she found Jamie good-looking didn’t mean she wanted to jump his bones.

Jamie turned to face her. “Can I ask a favor?”

“What’s up?”

He twisted a carving in his hand, examining it under the light. “I want to get out and do some physical activity. Braden mentioned sea kayaking, maybe diving. I need to rent some equipment, and I should find someone to buddy up with.”

“I’ll go with you,” she offered.

He nodded slowly. “That would be all right, except your new boyfriend might have a few objections.”

Damn, there it was already. No use simply pushing it aside either. “I’m sure he wouldn’t mind occasionally, especially if he’s invited as well. But I know where to take you for equipment and for a dive partner.”

Jamie leaned back on the wall, wearing a slightly wistful expression.

“Things worked out well, I take it?” he asked.

She sighed with contentment. Things had turned out far better than she’d dreamed possible.

He laughed. “No further questions.”

A heavy sensation hung in the air. Something awkward rose between them, as if she’d put up a boundary. The easy companionship they’d fallen into the previous week teetered on the edge of falling aside. This was her fault. This wasn’t about her and Braden being together, but her actions at the club. She’d teased him, like a bitch in heat, then left without an explanation or an apology. He’d been so—normal—all morning she’d forgotten until now she owed him.

“Thanks for your help at the club, Jamie, I really did appreciate it, and I feel bad…”

He gave her a smoldering look. “Crap, Chelsea, like it was tough to handle. I knew going in a little of what you had planned. You are smoking hot, and if I ever come to watch you dance again, I’m bringing a fire extinguisher.”

“You liked it?”

“A man would have to be dead not to like watching you move.” Jamie gestured back to the pile they were working on. “I take it lunch will be a little different now. I mean, Braden’s not going to be grunting at me anymore, right?”

She laughed. “No, no more grunting. I think I’ll take a break when he comes home, if that’s okay with you?”

He shook his head, his expression guarded. “That’s something I need to apologize for. Just because I’m obsessive, it doesn’t give me the right to work you for hours without a break. I thought, if it works for you, we could go through things in the morning. Afternoons we’ll take off, then I’ll do more research in the evening. If you’re available you could help out, but I promise to be out of your hair by eight p.m., and I’ll stay away completely if you need the house vacant.”

“You don’t need to set times to come and go.”

He smiled sheepishly. “Um, yes I do. I was reminded of it this weekend as I went back through some notes from a previous job. The owners were very pleased with my work, but had a few suggestions.”

“For example?”

“The Mr. didn’t appreciate coming downstairs in his bathrobe to get the morning paper to find I’d already used it to spread out the contents of a trunk. And the fact I was there at five thirty in the morning was another issue.”

“You weren’t!”

“Oh yes. And I was still there at close to midnight. He didn’t think that was normal behavior and suggested I have set hours for both my sake and the sake of future clients.” Jamie shrugged. “He was right. I just get so involved in what I’m doing I lose all track of time. I can’t keep my current irregular hours when Ms. Colten gets back.”

Chelsea examined him more closely. Even as he smiled and moved confidently through the room, something was wrong. There was a tightness to his body, a narrowing at the corners of his eyes. He looked tired. He looked…withdrawn. “Sounds like a bit of physical break would be good. After we’re done today, I can take you out and introduce you to Thomas. I think you’ll like him.”

“Old boyfriend?” Jamie asked, raising a brow.

Chelsea bit back the shriek of laughter that wanted to escape. “He wishes. Seventeen years old and thinks he’s God’s gift to woman already, but he’s a little young for me. Still, he’s a great guide and pretty fun to be around.”

“Sounds perfect.” He winked at her and turned back to his work, and the uneasy feeling in her belly settled a little, but didn’t completely go away. What was he up to? Something had definitely changed.

Of course, the fact she and Braden were together now might be part of the explanation. Chelsea sighed and came back to help clean up the pile of trinkets. Guys were so confusing at times.

Jamie clapped in admiration as Thomas back-paddled rapidly and expertly spun his kayak on the spot. When he’d been introduced to the youth, he wasn’t sure he felt comfortable with a seventeen-year-old as his guide. But the kid obviously had the skill and experience needed. “Okay, I trust you. Now can we go for a tour? This kayak is the same size as my one at home, so I’m comfortable I’ll be able to handle it solo.”

The young man grinned and nodded toward the distant cliffs. “Since it’s your first time on the water in a while, we’ll still take it easy. I’ll show you some of the more accessible caverns from the ocean side. Later if you want, we can plan a trip to the wrecks. Jaffrey’s Cove gets a lot of people who come out for the diving and explore the shipwrecks.”

“I saw some fliers advertising tours in the shop.”

Thomas shook his head. “You don’t want to go on any of those tours, Mr. Powell. You’d be bored silly inside of five minutes.”

“Jamie, please.”

They paddled for a while and Jamie enjoyed the sensation of being on the water again, the surf lifting his kayak with a rolling motion. The ocean floor skimmed past under them, the crystal-clear water sparkling in the afternoon sunshine, reflecting off the sand below and dazzling his eyes.

“Hang on a second,” he called to Thomas who was paddling in the lead. He rested his paddle across his lap. They floated slowly forward as Jamie patted all his pockets in search of his sunglasses.

The bright red prow of the other kayak slid next to him. Thomas grabbed the gunwales of the cockpit to hold their boats together.

“Chelsea said you might need a hand keeping track of these.” He held out Jamie’s sunglasses, a smirk lighting up his face.

“Thank you, but where did you get them?” Jamie slipped them on, relaxing as they cut the extreme brightness dazzling his eyes.

“You left them on the counter in the rental shop when you went to pick out your equipment. Chelsea said I should keep track of them for you. That it would be easier than carrying spares.”

Damn, she had his number already. “Again, thank you. Only I’ll have you know I’m not totally incompetent.”

“Just…forgetful?”

The boats separated and Jamie picked up his paddle and sent a deliberate splash of water in the youth’s direction. “Only about some things. I have a very good memory for others.”

“Really?”

Jamie heard the cocky challenge in Thomas’s voice. “Really.”

“Then tell me four things in the dive shop that aren’t usually in a place like that.”

They continued paddling, the salt air rushing past exhilarating and refreshing. Jamie pictured the room, letting the images roll in his mind’s eye like a video replay. “There was a pair of snowshoes, a bubblegum machine. The stuffed polar bear sitting in the Kevlar kayak at the back wall and…” He hesitated. “I can only think of three.”

“You’re shitting me. You actually saw all those things? Damn, you are good.”

Not good enough. It was going to bother him until he knew what he’d missed. “What’s the fourth thing?”

“There’s a map of the moon. Craters and all.”

“I thought it was related to ocean tides and currents.”

Thomas laughed. “I bet you’re right. You’re better than I thought.”

The waves pushed them closer to the shore and Jamie had to stay alert to keep the kayak from being forced against the jagged rocks extending above the water’s surface. The physical exertion was good. It helped clear away a few of the cobwebs that had crept into his mind over the past days.

“This feels amazing.” His many concerns and questions seemed small in the midst of the beauty around them.

“If we swing close to the next bank the cavern pops up really well.”

Thomas sounded like he was having a blast and Jamie caught his enthusiasm. They raced toward the bay, their double-bladed paddles flashing in the sunlight. Farther out to sea a pod of dolphins breached the surface and Thomas whooped out loud, waving his paddle in the air for a second before glancing at Jamie in embarrassment.

“Sorry, just…”

“No worries. I think that’s one of the most amazing sights on earth.”

“Really?”

“Seriously. The innate beauty of the patterns and the fact it’s mostly for fun, not a side effect of food gathering or mating rituals makes them even more fabulous to watch. Their society is fascinating.” Thomas gave him a curious look and Jamie swore softly. “Sorry, don’t know why I’m lecturing you. You probably know way more than I do.”

The youth choked for a second, flushing red. “Well, I’m not sure about that.”

Interesting reaction. “Don’t be modest. You’ve grown up here all your life, and if you’re half as skilled as the owner of the dive shop said, I think I can skip the sermon.” Jamie toned it back. Whatever it was that had made Thomas nervous was another item to add to the things-to-ponder list.

They fell into a rhythm with their paddling. Jamie continued to glance at the dolphins as they streamed through the water. There was something majestic in their movements, and the enjoyment of watching them reminded him again he needed to play more.

It was a constant issue in his life. Getting so focused on the job he couldn’t see the important things happening right under his nose.

Now, here in Jaffrey’s Cove, Jamie didn’t want to fall into the same trap. He didn’t want to miss seeing what was the most important discovery in the midst of glancing through a few baubles. If his suspicions were correct, the real treasure of the sleepy ocean-side village wasn’t contained in the Coltens’ home.

They rounded the corner and the visual impact stole his train of thought. If there had been a palace carved into the cliffside, he couldn’t have been more impressed. A smooth even arc ascended above their heads, creating a perfect natural cavern. Like the caves over Mesa Verde, the sheer walls rose up to become a roof with natural ledges and staircases scattered all along the feature.

When Thomas spoke, his voice echoed along with the low rumble of the waves around them, and Jamie imagined the place would be deafening during a storm.

“During high tide the back wall reaches the water, but at low tide there is a small passageway that divers access to go spelunking. I’ve heard that at neap tide, the lowest low tide of the year, you can walk through into another set of tunnels, but that’s more rumor than anything else.”

“Hidden pirate’s treasure that can only be accessed at certain times or death awaits?”

Thomas nodded. “Something like that.”

Jamie twisted in his seat, staring out from the shadowed protection of the cave over the sunlit ocean. He took a deep breath, soaking in the experience. Enjoying the play of the breeze over his skin, the salty scent of the ocean filling his nostrils. This was good. If he could take the time daily to experience the beauty of Jaffrey’s Cove, it might help settle the longing that burned in his belly.

A flash of desire teased him and he forced the thought aside, trying not to dwell on the images of Braden and beautiful blonde Chelsea that rose in his mind far too often. Sensual images of them together, with him.

Like a siren’s call seducing him.