“You already know… penetration diving isn’t the same as recreational. It has more dangers, even for highly trained divers. Things can go wrong in an instant.”
“I know that.” She’s stubborn. “But you do it. Nathan did it. And I want to. I want to get in the water and see it for myself. He left clues—things only I might be able to piece together. I don’t want to put this in someone else’s hands.”
Her determination tugs at my heart. I’m torn. “I know you want to find out what happened to Nathan. But this is about your safety. Cave diving is unpredictable. Even with the best training and skill, you’re not going to be able to control everything. So much can go wrong.”
“Please, Scott. Don’t say no. I have to do this, and I know you can train me.” She steps closer, face pinched, eyes wide with desperation. “I’ll follow every instruction you give me to the letter and take every precaution. I’ll do it right. I promise.”
I grip her shoulders. Now I’m the one who’s desperate.
“It’s not just about training. Even expert divers struggle with an overhead environment. I’ve seen instructors—dive masters—who can’t handle it. And when they can, I’ve still seen bad things happen. Tragedies happen every single day.” I freeze. “You don’t understand what you’re asking of me, Maddie.”
Her eyes widen, her face softening.
Then frustration flashes in her eyes. “So that’s it? You’re saying no without giving me a chance.”
I sigh, my voice gentler. “You don’t have anything to prove to me. I know you can do it. But this is about me protecting you, and I can’t guarantee your safety down there. If something happened to you on my watch, it would kill me.”
She looks away, her shoulders stiffening. The hurt on her face is like a gut punch. “I thought you’d at least hear me out.” She looks to the floor.
“I’m sorry.” I reach for her. She stiffens, but lets me pull her into a loose embrace. “You need to sit on this, think about what’s motivating you. Is this something you want—or do you feel like you owe it to Nathan?” I take a deep breath and continue. “For me, this is about what I’d be risking,” I add, my voice a whisper now. “You’re asking me to risk too much.”
She pulls back, her expression hardening. It startles me. “You’re afraid.”
Her words hit deep.
I am afraid.
But I won’t let her put herself in danger. I need to convince her.
“…breaking news,” a reporter announces, their voice urgent. “A tropical storm has formed overnight in the Gulf and is on track to arrive on Maverick Key within the next seventy-two hours.”
We walk to the living room, the tension between us released, even though we both know we’re at an impasse. On the screen, the reporter continues, outlining the storm’s rapid development and potential to become a strong tropical storm or even a hurricane.
“Damn it,” I mutter. “We’ll need to secure the boats and equipment and make sure everyone’s ready.”
“What can I do?”
“Call Hannah and help Ms. Connor get the inn prepped,” I run through a mental checklist. “Me and the crew will handle the watercraft.”
Her expression is resolute. “Okay.”
I lean in and kiss her, a simple goodbye. She lets me, but there’s no passion in it, no fire.
As I head back inside to rally the team, I can’t get the disappointment in her eyes out of my head.
I’m making the right call.
Like the storm, this will pass.
Chapter 22
Maddie
After helping Ms. Connor get started on securing the inn, I step outside to take a breath of fresh air. The porch swing creaks beneath me as I rock, gazing out at the vast stretch of ocean. It’s beautiful. Scott’s refusal stings, not only because it creates a huge obstacle to my goals, but because I just wanted him to believe in me.
He didn’t.
Nathan wouldn’t have let fear or obstacles hold him back, and I won’t either. If Scott won’t teach me, I’ll find another way.
