Page 25 of Finding Hope

“What’s he doing?” Hope asked Tommy.

“The dive sites have submerged moorin’ buoys. They’re at about fifteen feet, so he has to dive down to tie off the boat.”

“Huh? How do you know where the buoys are if they’re submerged?”

Tommy laughed. “We have GPS, of course, but I don’t use it. After doin’ this for a while, you learn where everythin’ is by lookin’ at the landmarks on shore. See the green house and white house next to each other?” She nodded. “I know the moorin’ ball is between them and the bottom is about twenty feet.” He pointed at the depth gauge.

“Wow. That’s impressive.”

Alex surfaced at the side of the boat, making eye contact with Tommy and bumping the top of his head twice with a fist. Tommy shut off the engine, and Alex swam to the stern and climbed back aboard.

“All right guys, I know you’re eager to get going, but listen up while I go over the dive,” Alex said, wiping the seawater from his face. Hope and the other divers immediately turned to listen as he described the topography of the site, how they were going to dive it, and what kinds of life they might see.

Alex had a natural authority and was one of those people who drew the eye. People broke off conversations as he entered the restaurant, though he seemed unaware. His commanding presence was just part of his makeup.

He continued the briefing. “There’s usually some really big groupers here, so keep an eye out. They’re pretty friendly. It’s about forty-five feet to the bottom here, so take your time descending. That’s about it. Everyone gear up!”

Most of the divers were already in their BCDs and had their fins and masks on. Tommy made his way to the stern, helping them walk to the platform by holding onto their tank valves to steady them as the boat rocked in the gentle waves. Then they jumped into the water with an enormous splash and popped back up.

Alex got into his dive gear, helping the last person into the water before jumping in himself. The whole group exchange ok signs and disappeared beneath the waves as Hope stared at the surface, surprised to feel a pang that she wasn’t with them.

CHAPTER 15

The boat was now quiet and serene after all the frenzied activity. A soft breeze rippled the ocean as the sun warmed Hope’s back. She made her way to Tommy, who was still at the stern platform. “That was some production. How long do they stay down?”

“Oh, it’s easy on a day like this. Wait till we have to do it in rough weather, then it’s a different story. The first ones will pop back up after forty-five minutes or so, but we have a sixty-minute maximum for each dive. Now is the relaxin’ time for me.” With a big smile, Tommy went back to the wheel.

Hope dangled her feet in the water and smiled as a silvery fish darted back and forth around them. Every now and then there was a flash of color from one of the diver’s fins. What would it be like to be down there with them? With a happy sigh, she turned to lie down on her back and dozed as the sun warmed her.

She awoke to a sound similar to gently boiling water and turned her head as a large group of bubbles broke on the surface off the stern of the boat. She sat up and looked at her watch, surprised that fifty minutes had passed.

“They’ll be comin’ back up soon. I need to put the ladder down, if you don’t mind,” Tommy said.

Embarrassed she’d fallen asleep, Hope returned to her place at the bow. Soon, Tommy was helping the streaming wet divers back on board, with Alex last to appear.

“That grouper was as big as me!” Noah grinned, his dark hair flopping over his forehead. “And he came right up next to me. So cool.”

Alex smiled at him. “That guy has been around here a long time. His name’s Bubba.”

“I’ve never even seen a turtle before. I can’t believe I got to see four. I can see why you call it Turtle Gardens,” said Noah’s mother, Amy, pulling her wetsuit down to the waist.

Tommy pointed to a cooler. “We’ve got soft drinks and bottled water. Drink up! Divin’ makes you dehydrated. Also, fresh fruit and Chef Gerold’s famous cookies.”

Hope took a bottle of water and ate a cookie, looking around the group. Alex came up to Tommy as everyone helped themselves to the snacks. “Let’s head toward Pillar Coral for the second dive.” Tommy put the boat in gear and motored south, slowly this time.

Alex grabbed a bottle of water and drank the whole thing before turning to Hope as he pulled his wetsuit down to the waist. She made sure to keep her eyes on his face.

“The second site we’re going to is a shallow reef that’s great for snorkeling,” Alex said. “I put a mask, fins, and snorkel on board for you. Feel free to check out the reef while we’re doing the second dive if you’d like.”

“Thanks. I think I will.” She smiled at him, pleased he’d thought of it. “Can’t let you guys have all the fun.”

He nodded, then went back to the stern area and started swapping the divers’ gear over to fresh tanks for the second dive. She turned to Tommy. “How come you’re going so slowly? Is something wrong with the boat?”

“Oh no, she’s great today. The divers need about an hour between dives. It’s called a surface interval—clears out the nitrogen that builds up durin’ the dive. Goin’ slowly kills time, plus it’s easier to eat the snacks!” He grinned and popped a cookie in his mouth.

“Great today? Does that mean the boat isn’t great on other days?”

“Nah. She’s older, so I have to show her the proper respect, you know.” He smiled again, then got serious. “We have some problems with the bilge pump, but nothin’ major. Every boat’s got somethin’.”

---