Chapter 32
The Stranger
After sunrise, we don’t stay to watch low tide peel back and reveal the hundreds of dead jellyfish washed ashore—a daily occurrence now.
I don’t have the stomach for it, and I don’t want to see what it does to Crystal.
It’s too sad. I don’t want her to be sad anymore.
Local volunteers will comb the sand, as they do each morning, with buckets and tongs, hauling away the dead creatures.
An hour later, no one will ever know they were even there.
Maverick Key’s beaches still look beautiful.
I carry Crystal home, and we collapse into bed. We plan to sleep for just a couple of hours, but we end up sleeping straight through the rest of the morning until the alarm shrills at noon. Crystal set it as a backup, and sure enough, we needed it.
Trying to stop it before it wakes her, I slam my arm towards the snooze button and accidentally knock the alarm off the nightstand. The repetitive, high-pitched beeps go on for several minutes as I fumble for it on the floor and finally find the right buttons to turn it off.
Sheepishly, I turn back to the bed. Crystal is looking at me and what I’m not wearing.
“Thirty minutes, sailor.”
She laughs when I run bare-assed to the shower, grabbing my toothbrush and toothpaste on the way.
“I only need ten,” I shout. I can’t help smiling when I hear her laughter. I really want her to join me, but there isn’t time. I brush my teeth and wash up as fast as I can.
When I get to the kitchen, I smell breakfast.
“I made you toast and eggs.”
My mouth waters at the sight of a steaming pile of fluffy scrambled eggs and buttered toast. How the hell did she cook this so fast?
“Tomorrow, I make you breakfast,” I say. I kiss her, then scarf everything down with a cup of coffee, already thinking ahead to our honeymoon. I can’t wait.
“Don’t forget your surprise tonight. It’ll be waiting for you when you get home.” She stands on her toes and kisses me goodbye.
Whatever happens today, I’m sure as hell coming home.
The sky is gray and somewhat cool for a December day in Maverick Key. I speed through the red lights, careful to keep my eye out for anything coming. I still have time for one more stop before the marina if I hurry.
I need to see them.
I know I should be at least a little nervous about today’s dive.
Some healthy tension. But I’m not. I’m excited.
The reason I’m confident today is that I know my limits.
And I’ve already thought of all the things that could go wrong.
I’m prepared for them. Whatever happens, I’ll put my family first, and I’m coming home tonight.
I turn onto the private side road that leads to my sister’s place.
A narrow, quiet stretch of beach. The beachfront is small, but the property runs deep, unusual for the island.
Scott and Mads have been talking about renovations so they can stay here as their family grows.
Two more bedrooms and an office. Scott’s a good man, good enough to deserve my sister. I’m happy for them.
I park and start up the sandy path in the front yard. Outside by the fire pit, a huge man sits on one of the Adirondack chairs. He’s carving something with his pocketknife.
His hands still when he sees me, and he watches with narrowed eyes as I ease past him to the door. It takes him a moment before a flash of recognition crosses his face. This must be Ziddo, the bodyguard.
I point to the door. “I’m visiting.” He shrugs and waves his knife at the door, then goes back to carving.
I knock.
“Coming,” Mads calls. She pulls back the sheer curtain over the side window. Excitement brightens her face. Right behind her, I hear little feet running over to us.
“Daddy!”
I open my arms. “Hey, Sugar Muffin.”
I look over at Mads. “I can only stay a minute, but I wanted to see you both.”
She tries to smile, but I can tell it’s hard for her. She has dark circles under her eyes.
“I’m such a nervous wreck, Nathan. Why did I have to have such a brave brother and then marry a man just as brave?”
I put an arm around her in a side hug.
“Can you sit for just a minute?” She motions to the couch.
I shake my head. “I wish I could, but there’s not enough time.”
“Maybe we can make some,” she says. “Where is that time machine of yours?” she calls out to Natalie. “You can show your Daddy what you’ve been up to.”
Natalie runs off down the hallway. “I’ll go get it.”
“She’s been working on it every day since she’s been here. She has the design all drafted out and wanted to show you.”
“I promised her we’ll work on it together.”
Natalie runs back and shows me the notebook paper. Sure enough, it’s a time machine. One that looks very similar to H.G. Wells’s time machine. A gold-framed sled with a seat in the center and a large circular rotating disc in the back.
“Nice! You did a very good job. I can’t wait to ride it with you one day.”
“I have all the parts we need in my room. I just need the battery. One that will make it go.”
I laugh. “We’ll find one.”
“Now I’m scared,” Maddie says. “With both of you working on it, that means we’re going to have a time machine around here soon.” She gives me a serious look. “You know you’re not allowed to go anywhere else ever again, right?”
“I promise I’m here for good.” I glance at my watch. “Two forty-five. I’ve got to go.”
Before we say goodbye, I remember the reason I wanted to see her today.
“Remember how I told you about the dream I had with Crystal and how it turned out to be a true memory?” I ask.
She nods.
“I wanted to tell you about my other recurring dream,” I say.
Curious, she raises her brows.
“I’m with this little girl with freckles. A tiny little thing with a sassy mouth who’s as stubborn as nails.”
“That sounds like me.” She laughs.
“And this was the dream… She was taking her first dive into the ocean. Pete’s Dragon was stamped on her swimsuit. Her favorite movie.”
Her eyes widen. “The dragon’s name is Elliott.”
I give her a knowing smile. “I was so worried about her before we went under. It was her first time diving in the open water.” Mads’s eyes water. “I remember her stepping off the boat, splashing into the water, and taking my hand. She was fearless.”
Tears stream down Mads’s cheeks. “You really remember?”
I nod. “And I can’t wait until we do it again.”
We hug, and Natalie runs in between and throws her arms around us. “Family hug!”