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“The myth is this is where pirates would hide their booty.”
“But it’s so far from shore. How did they get it here?”
“That’s all part of the myth and it really depends on who you listen to. Some of the old timers will tell you the pirate’s crewmen swam the treasure to shore. Others say the crew made flotation devices and moved it that way.”
“I love myths,” she told him. “I love hearing the old tales passed down over generations.”
“Me, too. What I don’t love is the occasional treasure hunter who comes to town each summer to look for said booty. I’m certain if any of these tales were accurate, someone would’ve found the treasure years ago.”
“Never know.” Caroline winked at him. Dune rolled his eyes.
“Don’t tell me this is why you’re in town and I’ve spilled the hidey spot.”
Caroline laughed hard. “No, not at all. But now that you’ve told me . . .” she pretended to think about it. Dune tickled her side, which she would normally hate and push the hand away, but not with him. With Dune, she giggled, and it felt good.
As they locked eyes, Caroline felt torn—on one hand the connection she felt with him was undeniable, but at the same time something inside her warned her to be careful. It was like she could see into his innermost thoughts and emotions, and there was a strange understanding between them that left her feeling both comforted and scared at the same time. What should she do? Make the first move and kiss him? Turn away? Tell a joke to cut the tension between them?
The only thing she wanted was him. All she had to do was lean forward and pucker her lips, and she’d kiss him. Did she want to? There was a part of her that did because she was deeply attracted to Dune. More so than any other man she had met. She enjoyed the time she spent with him, even when he teased her. The other part of her, the more rational side, told her to keep her feelings on lockdown because she was leaving soon. Right now, her life in Seaport wasn’t the life she had waiting for her.
Caroline turned away and stared at the water. She let out an immense sigh and waited for Dune to direct them toward the docks. She’d let the moment pass because it was easier than turning him away. The last thing she wanted to do was to hurt him or lead him on.
They made it to shore, and Dune helped her off the boat. She watched as he tethered the vessel to the metal cleats and then he joined her on the docks. Dune set his hand on the small of her back, but then pulled it away. Undoubtedly remembering how she turned away from him earlier. It was for the best. They’d remain friends and maybe next year she’d come back for a week and say hi.
Dune held the gate for Caroline and then shut it tightly after she passed over the threshold.
“Why is it locked?” she asked as she watched him jiggle the handle.
“This dock is private. Only yacht club members can access it.”
“Oh, makes sense.” Of course, she knew this, but felt a slight wall go up between them once they got off the boat. Maybe it was her imagination, and everything was fine between them, and she was the one who put a wall up when it wasn’t needed.
Maybe.
Ana waved as Caroline and Dune approached the Blue Lobster Adventures booth. She had a line of people who were either waiting for a reservation or waiting for their tour to leave. Caroline went inside and stowed her bag under the counter.
“Caroline, why don’t you help Ana get these customers settled first?”
She nodded but felt like Dune brushed the amazing morning they had under the rug with the flick of his wrist and she couldn’t pinpoint why.
Ana gave Caroline a quick rundown of how to do things while simultaneously cursing Dune under her breath. Caroline had to agree—this wasn’t the right time to train her on something new. Not with a line of people clamoring to enjoy their vacation.
Caroline and Ana busted their asses until three in the afternoon. When the last couple went down the ramp to wait in line, they sagged against the counter. “I hate when we’re busy, but I also don’t,” Ana said. “I am thankful you could help, though.”
“It was my pleasure. I have to say, I sort of like it up here rather than on the boat. I don’t have my sea legs yet.”
Ana nodded. “It can take a few runs before you’re steady on your feet.”
“How come you don’t work on the boats?”
“I get seasick,” Ana told her. “Which I didn’t know until I took the job. Thankfully, this position opened, and I slid right in.”
