Page 41 of Vanishing Legacy

She stood beside a soft blue Boston Whaler gleaming under the bright sun. His eyes followed the smooth lines and crisp white accents of the boat’s trim. He whistled. “Now that’s what I call a boat.”

“What, better than the SEAL team?”

Cash laughed. “Well, the Navy’s boats were designed for stealth and speed, not comfort. But this Whaler is the boat of my dreams.”

“Dream boat, huh? What is it with men and boats?”

He clutched his chest as if she’d shot him in the heart.

She laughed. “Well, it’s pretty, that’s for sure. Looks like it can handle some rough waters.”

“Absolutely. I’m looking forward to taking her out and seeing what she can do.”

A man sporting two large scuba tanks on his broad shoulders strode toward them. He wore a sleeveless shirt and a pair of cargo shorts that revealed muscles that corded with every movement. He had a clean-shaved head with a series of intricate tattoos etched into his scalp that seemed to come alive in the sun.

As he approached, his smile revealed a set of pearly white teeth that contrasted with skin the color of polished mahogany. “Well, well, well, look who’s here! Alana Flores, is that you?” His booming voice carried over the water.

Alana’s face lit up. “Oak Landry, it’s been too long!”

He put the tanks in the boat and picked Alana up in a bear hug. Oak set Alana on the dock and turned to Cash. “Is this your diving partner?”

“You know it.” Alana grinned. “Let me introduce you to Dr. Cash Thomas.”

“Hey, bro.” Oak stuck out a meaty hand and crushed Cash’s in a firm handshake. “Nice to meet ya. Any friend of Alana’s is a friend of mine.”

“Thanks, man.” Cash would have to ask Alana if the name Oak was his given name or a nickname for the giant man. He nodded to the boat. “I’ve got a little crush on your Whaler. She’s a beauty.”

Oak’s eyes lit up. “My pride and joy. Worked hard for this girl. Shoulda seen the old one.”

Alana climbed into the boat and stood with her arms folded. “You boys gonna dive today or stand around drooling on the dock?”

Oak’s boisterous laugh was contagious and Cash joined in.

“Well, you haven’t changed much,” Oak said. “I suppose we’ll join you since I can’t think of a better way to spend the day than on the water.”

Cash untied the boat while Oak fired up the engine. Cash guided the vessel out of the slip. When the bow cleared the dock, he hopped aboard and took a seat beside Alana. The boat picked up speed, and a familiar thrill of freedom and adventure raced through him. He loved being on the water. The sun on his skin, the smell of the sea, the wind in his hair. All of it. The first thing he’d do when he made chief was go boat shopping.

The ride was far from smooth. The boat pitched and rolled beneath them as they cut through the choppy water. Each wave sent the vessel soaring into the air only to come crashing down with a bone-rattling impact that hit them with a salty spray.

Beside him, Alana’s hair whipped in the wind, fanning him with the scent of lavender that mingled with the salty sea air. He slid an arm around her shoulders, his other hand grasping the railing. “I think I’m in love.”

Her eyes snapped to his, and she wrinkled her eyebrows.

“With the boat.” He smiled. “I’m in love with the boat.”

Alana shook her head and looked out across the water.

As the boat crested yet another massive wave, lifting them into the air, Oak cast a knowing grin at Cash. As if he knew this wild and tumultuous ride was exactly what Cash needed. A moment of escape. A break from the pressures of life on land.

An hour later, they reached the dive spot, and Oak slowed the boat to a stop. The sound of the engine died away, leaving only the gentle lapping of water against the hull. Oak set the anchor, and the boat came to a gentle sway as it settled in place. He clapped his hands. “All right, let’s get this show on the road. I’ll get the dive lines ready, and you two gear up.”

Cash helped Alana sort the equipment in the bow of the boat, where they’d be out of Oak’s way. Cash unzipped the dive bag and froze. He looked up at Alana. “This gear is military grade.”

Alana glanced toward the stern, where Oak was setting dive lines, then back to him. “I told you Oak would hook us up with everything we needed.”

“I…I guess I thought…” He shook his head. “I don’t know what I thought.”

“We’re set up for a SAR operation. The search part anyway. We’ll need heavy duty search and rescue equipment to have enough time underwater to explore the site where Oak located multiple aberrations. The wetsuit should be a good fit for you, and we have FFMs with wireless underwater comms.”

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