Page 62 of Spencer

Yeah. They’d not only satisfied each other over and over, they’d discussed logistics regarding Endora at the bottom of the sea.

“…I asked if he needed me to stick around to help with the salvage of your sub, since I’m the only diver on the ship.”

“And?”

She already knew the captain wasn’t going to risk Spencer,andthat there was a sister ship coming to take over the underwater part of the operation, but she’d listen to Spencer in case there was more info to which she wasn’t privy.

“He’s already been in contact with a nearby ship that has a cache of divers, but no A-frame lift. So, the Atlaua will stay put and assist in the salvage operation from a mechanical standpoint, while the divers from the other ship do the bottom-work.Iwill not be needed.”

“That’s great.” She gave a nod before probing deeper. “Did you tell the captain I need pictures of the underwater operation to show to my insurance company?” It was something she’d forgotten to mention.

“Yup. This isn’t his first rodeo. Salvage is something the Atlaua does a lot, so documentation will be handled professionally.”

Tabitha let out a sigh of relief. She hadn’t been looking forward to making the dive on her destroyed vessel to take pictures, and now that worry was off her plate.

Spencer continued. “Once they have the remains of the Endora winched up and secured, they’ll bring it into Searsport where you can have your insurance company look at it.”

“That’s perfect.”

Tabitha went for broke and asked the next question that was foremost in her mind. “And where does that leave us?”

Spencer didn’t hesitate. “Hopefully, on your rental skiff headed into port. The captain assured me that we don’t need to hang out here and wait for the crews to finish up. If we leave today, we can head to Searsport and dock, then take the hour’sride to my parents’ home where we’ll chill and decide how to proceed with Diver Downeast.”

“Wait. You named your business? And you want me to…meet your parents? Stay at their house with you?” Tabitha’s voice, she knew, had risen shrilly.

Nerves.

She needed clarification. She’d planned on booking a room somewhere near his family homestead, in Bangor or Orono; not being thrown right into the heart of things.

“Yes to both, if you’re agreeable. The name Diver Downeast keeps sticking in my head, so yes, if Buck also thinks it’s good. And as for staying with my folks? No pressure,” Spencer assured her, “but they have plenty of room, and they’re going to want to meet you.”

“I…”

This had just gotten a little more complicated. Tabitha had pictured taking things slowly. A little nooky-nooky, a little business talk, a wrap-up of things with her insurance company before she went back to Florida to make decisions. Now, Spencer was adding family into the mix.

“Umm, maybe I should just get a hotel room and chill for a while. Perhaps meet them over dinner at a restaurant one night before I head back south.”

Now, Spencer looked unsure. “I don’t mean to pressure you or anything, but I thought after last night…” He skewered her with a questioning look. “Am I reading this wrong? I’m going to be honest, because that’s the way we’ve played this so far. I…believe we’ve made a special connection, and we’re about to start the wheels moving to spend time together and see if we work out in the long term.”

“No. Yes. I mean…” Tabitha huffed and regrouped. “Okay. How’s this for honest?” It took a bit of fortitude to get the next bit out. “I think I’m already falling head-over-heels for you, butlogistically, there’s a lot to consider. Will our regard for each other be sustainable? Do I replace my sub and continue with the contracts I already have in place, or do I shift everything over to a new home base in Maine—with a new vessel and a partner or partners—without knowing if I’m long-term for you?”

She squinched her eyes closed and continued.

“Then there’s my condo, and my sister, and all the moving parts to dismantle the life I’ve made for myself and Sheila in Florida. It’s a lot. And I guess I need more than a ‘I’d like to see if things work out between us’ before I start making plans.” She groaned. “And now that I’ve said that out loud, it seems fricking pushy, so…” She trailed off, feeling lost.

Tabitha hoped she hadn’t scared Spencer. He’d made a very magnanimous gesture with his offer to have her stay at his parents’ home and work for his brainchild company, but if any part of him was just out for some no-strings-attached exploration where he’d eventually say, “meh”, she’d have to decline.

Spencer laughed a little uncomfortably, then grew serious. “I think,” he began, then coughed to start again. “Iknowwe have the start of something that’s extremely special. I’ve never in my life felt an instant connection or attraction to anyone like I have for you. I know it’s fast, all this is, so I get it. If you want to take time and do a long-distance thing, I won’t necessarily like it, but if it feels best for you, that’s the way we’ll handle it.”

Tabitha nodded, relieved.

“On the other hand,” he kept talking, “doesn’t it seem kind of…fated? You’re without a sub at this point in time. You’re without a job. What better opportunity could there possibly be to step back from your safety position and take a chance?”

His words were very persuasive. Tabitha felt all that. She did. And the instant bond between them? It couldn’t be defined by anything she’d ever experienced before, either. Shewantedtotake a chance. Shewantedto see where their association would lead. But…

“What about Sheila?”

Spencer didn’t hesitate. “Talk to her over the next few days, or weeks if that’s what it takes. Invite her up here for a visit. Get her comfortable with the idea of moving to Maine. If she’s hesitant, I’ll go to Florida to meet her so we’re not strangers. For that matter, I’ll bet my parents will, too, if that’s what will make her feel more secure about the whole thing.”

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