The Reef by Nora Roberts Page B

“We just had a little excitement.”
    â€œCome on, honey, let’s get you out of that suit.” With some impatience, Marla shot a glance at Matthew. “Just what kind of excitement? Tate’s shaking.”
    â€œI can explain.” Tate snorted behind her hands. “I gotta get up. Would you let me up?” Tears began to stream from her eyes as she fought to control the laughter. Brushing away restraining hands, she got unsteadily to her feet. Trembling with breathless giggles, she upended her goody bag, tugged open her suit.
    Coins rained gold onto the deck.
    â€œFuck me,” Buck croaked and sat down heavily.
    â€œWe found the mother lode.” Tate threw back her head and screamed at the sun. “We found the mother lode.”
    She threw her arms around her father, whirled him into a dance, only to break off and swing her mother. She planted a big smacking kiss on Buck’s bald head as he continued to sit and stare at the coins at his feet.
    With their voices babbling around her, Tate turned a circle and launched herself into Matthew’s arms. By the time he’d managed to regain his balance, her mouth was clinging to his.
    His hands went to her shoulders. He knew he should push her away, keep the kiss a product of the moment’s excitement. But a current of helplessness swamped him, and his hands slid to her back, crossed, embraced.
    So it was she who drew away, her eyes still glowing,her face flushed now and eager. “I thought I was going to faint. When I looked down and saw the coins, all the blood drained out of my head. The only other time I’ve ever felt like that is when you kissed me.”
    â€œWe’re not a bad team.” He ran a hand over her hair.
    â€œWe’re a great team.” She clamped a hand over his and dragged him to where Buck and Ray were already suiting up. “You should have seen it, Dad. Matthew moved the airlift like it was a divining rod.”
    Happily recounting every minute of the discovery, she helped Buck and her father with their tanks. Only Matthew noticed that Marla remained silent, and the warmth in her eyes had been cooled by concern.
    â€œI’m going down to take pictures,” Tate announced, hooking on fresh tanks. “We have to document everything. Before we’re done, we’ll have the cover of National Geographic. ”
    â€œDon’t go pulling them in yet.” Buck sat on the side, rinsed his mask. “We gotta keep this quiet.” He looked around as if expecting a dozen boats to come speeding in on the claim. “Finds like this are one in a million, and there’re plenty who’d do whatever it took to get a piece.”
    Tate only grinned. “Eat your heart out, Jacques Cousteau,” she said, and rolled into the water.
    â€œGet some champagne chilling,” Ray called to his wife. “We’ll have a double celebration tonight. Tate’s earned herself a hell of a birthday party.” He flashed a smile at Buck. “Ready, partner?”
    â€œReady and willing, hoss.” After lowering the airlift, they disappeared beneath the surface.
    Matthew fueled the compressor, murmuring a thanks when Marla brought him a tall frosted glass of lemonade.
    â€œAn exciting day,” she commented.
    â€œYeah. You don’t get many like this.”
    â€œNo. Twenty years ago today I thought this is the happiest I can ever be.” She sat on a deck chair, tilted her sun hat to shade her eyes. “But over the years I’ve had a lot of happy moments. Tate’s been a joy to her father and me right from the first. She’s bright, eager, generous.”
    â€œAnd you want me to keep my distance,” Matthew concluded.
    â€œI’m not sure.” Marla sighed, tapped her finger against her own glass. “I’m not blind, Matthew. I’ve seen the signs between the two of you. It’s natural enough. You’re healthy, attractive