Chapter Twelve
“THIS IS THE island that inspired Stevenson’s Treasure Island.” Grey glanced over at Lauren as she furled the sails and let the Veritas drift into Benures Bay on the northern side of Norman Island.
“Really?” Lauren pushed her sunglasses up onto her head looked around the empty bay. “I loved that book when I was a kid.”
“Me too.” Grey smiled and let her eyes sweep over Lauren’s profile.
She had spent the afternoon replaying that moment in the galley over and over again in her mind, trying and failing to make sense of the relief and disappointment she was feeling about it all.
She had not missed the searching looks Lauren had thrown her way from the moment she returned from patching-up Max’s foot, but she was grateful that Lauren seemed content to pretend like it had never happened.
“The treasure caves are on the southern side of Pirate’s Bight—the main bay we sailed past to get up here. ”
“Really?” Lauren’s eyes sparkled with interest as she looked at Grey. “Why didn’t we stay down there?”
Grey chuckled and shook her head. “Pirate’s Bight isn’t a good place for kids. Things tend to get a little wild, there’s way too much drinking happening in that bay. Last time I was there, there was literally an orgy happening on the tramps of the boat next to us.”
“Oh.” Lauren nodded slowly. “I see. That’s… Wow.”
“Yeah.” Grey laughed and ran a hand through her hair. “It was pretty nuts. Anyway, that’s why I figured we’d just stay up here instead.”
“Good idea.” Lauren’s eyes drifted over Grey’s face, and she sighed softly under her breath. She knew that pulling away from Grey earlier had been the right thing to do, but a part of her wondered would have happened had she not. “So, are we going to visit the caves tomorrow, then?”
“Nah. They’re fun to explore, but they’re also dark, and I don’t think it’d be good for the boys. We’ll head over to the Indians instead.” She hitched a thumb at the archipelago they had passed ten minutes earlier. “It’s easier snorkeling, and there are lots of coral and fish to look at.”
Lauren turned to look at the cluster of rocks jutting out of the water. “Are there even any mooring balls out there?”
“There are, but we’ll have to hit it early to grab one because they fill up fast. I’m thinking I’ll get us over there at first light, and then we can do a quick breakfast before they hit the water.”
“Okay.” Lauren looked back at the bay they were motoring across, her eyes sliding over the low hills that spilled down onto the water.
A feeling of giddy excitement filled her as snippets of the story she had not read in years flashed across her mind.
She was at Treasure Island. “I’m just gonna go get my phone real fast to take a picture… ”
Grey smiled and nodded. “Go for it.” She shook her head as she watched Lauren scamper down the stairs, and chuckled softly as she turned her attention back to the water in front of her.
After Lauren had returned to the bridge and taken a good dozen pictures of the bay and the island, she turned with a smile to Grey as she slipped her phone into the back pocket of her shorts. “So what’s the plan for tonight?”
“Eh…probably the usual. More water-time for the Muellers, one of the boys will end up crying, and then we’ll have dinner and just hang out until they all go to bed. Is there anything you’d like to do?”
Lauren shrugged. “I don’t know.”
“Aww, come on.” Grey slowed the Veritas to a crawl as they neared a mooring ball at the eastern edge of the bay. She pushed her sunglasses up onto her head and gave Lauren a searching look. “There’s gotta be something. Snorkeling? Swimming? Taking the kayak out for a spin?”
Lauren laughed and arched a playful brow at Grey. “Are you trying to get rid of me?”
“Not at all.” Grey shook her head. “I’m just trying to get you to do a little vacationing on your working vacation.”
Lauren smiled and gave Grey’s arm a light squeeze. “I’m good. But thank you.”
“You sure?” Grey blew out a quiet breath and gave Lauren a look that clearly said she did not believe her. “Because I know that I’ve pretty much ruined these first few days of your trip. You deserve to have a little fun.”
“Grey.” Lauren shook her head. “Please, don’t. I’ve had lots of fun.”
“Yeah right.” Grey rolled her eyes. “I was a total bitch to you the first day we met. Then there was the whole me running out on you when you told me you were gay thing, and then this morning…”
“Yeah, well…” Lauren looked out over the water and tucked her hair behind her ears. Grey was right, her first few days aboard the Veritas had been an unmitigated train wreck, but that did not change how she felt about them. “Even with all that, I’ve still had fun.”
It was clear that Lauren was serious, and Grey’s expression softened as she looked at her. “You’re crazy.”
The warmth in Grey’s tone was unmistakable, and Lauren sighed as she looked back at her. “Maybe,” she agreed, tipping her head in agreement. She held Grey’s gaze until the moment felt like it was becoming too much, and then smirked and added, “But I’ve never claimed to be sane.”
Grey laughed. “Well, obviously. I mean, your favorite movie is The Cutting Edge, for fuck’s sake.”
“It’s not a bad movie!”
“It’s not a great one, either.” Grey grinned at the look of indignation that flashed across Lauren’s face and nodded as if to confirm her own point.
“You know what, Wells…” Lauren chuckled as she started for the stairs. “I would love to continue this, but I need to get back to work. Those lines aren’t going to secure themselves to that mooring ball, you know.”
“No, they surely aren’t.” A small smiled tugged at Grey’s lips as she watched Lauren walk away, and before she knew what she was doing, she was calling out to her. “Hey, Lauren…”
Lauren stopped with one foot on the top step and turned to look back at Grey. “Yes?”
“I…” Grey ran a hand through her hair and shrugged. How could she possibly put into words everything she was thinking when none of it made any sense? All she knew for sure was that she was glad Lauren was there with her. “Thank you.”
Lauren smiled and nodded. “You’re welcome,” she answered softly, holding Grey’s gaze for an extended beat before she turned and disappeared down the stairs.