Page 402 of The Romance Adventure

“Because we were kids. It wasn’t our business.”

“If you think about it, your grandfather prepared you for a time such as this with all the puzzles, quests, and adventures,” Harley says.

“She is exactly right.” I smile because Chip is getting some vindication.

“Do you think your parents hid the crown in the cove by where you bought the house?” Lally asks.

I weigh this possibility. “Could be, but—” My intuition doesn’t snap its fingers as if to say, Yes! That’s it!

“Your mom was a diver and so are you, CJ,” Jolie says pointedly.

Bumps dance across my skin as our gazes meet.

“Is there a cave in the cove?” Her eyes brighten at this prospect.

I jump to my feet. “There is an underwater cave in the cove.”

“Is it safe?” Isla asks.

“Probably not,” Harley says, knowing I’m going to check it out, anyway.

In various pairings and groups, everyone follows Jolie and me to Palm Cove Villa. In the Jeep, the wind whips our hair and the sky clouds over.

“Is that ship the one you guys called the Dark Seas?”

I glance at the horizon. “Yep.”

“Should it be out there?”

“Nope.” My lips pop.

“Should we do something about it?”

Hitching half a smile, I say, “Let’s see how it plays out.”

That’s covert operative speak for we’ll keep eyes on it, but they may play an important role in how this develops, so we won’t make a move just yet.

Once we’re at the house, I get my gear, and without fanfare or waiting a moment longer, I wade into the water and disappear beneath.

As ever, it’s peaceful, magical down here with the glimmer of fish scales, the sway of sea grass, and the silence.

I haven’t dived on this side of the cove in a long time, but I remember to swim between two rocks that I dubbed the Bactrian camel. Then I go deeper when I reach a rusty old mooring ball base the previous owner of our property must’ve used for his sailboat.

When the cave comes into view, a shadow crosses overhead. I’ve swum with all manner of sea creatures, including sharks, but that doesn’t make it any less alarming. Keeping bubbles from drawing attention to me, I tread water and try to make out what it is. The large sea creature switches directions. I blink a few times, wishing I used a different scuba mask. This one is scratched.

Taking a risk, I swim up a few feet. From behind, I sense movement. Whipping around, a large sea animal drives toward me.

I’m typically a fight rather than a flight type of person, and my sensibilities tell me to flee, but I freeze. Then the familiar, cylindrical shape of a manatee comes into focus. But not just any manatee. It’s Lola the Sassy Sea Cow.

Relief rushes through me.

We make eye contact. If you’ve never made eye contact with one of these gentle giants, I highly recommend it. If this gig as a covert operative doesn’t work out, I could run a grump therapy program with Royal as my first client.

Lola glides past me. I smooth my hand along her flank, thankful she wasn’t a shark. To my surprise, she continues in the direction I was headed. I follow, thinking maybe she’s inadvertently a guide, scaring off any other predators.

No, now I’m just in my head, having been spooked.

Get in the game, CJ.