Read Online Never Say Never by Lena Nelson Dooley - Free Book Online
Authors: Lena Nelson Dooley
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them as they enjoyed the unusual act.
Charlotteâs gaze stayed glued to the guide. She obediently looked each direction he indicated, searching the ocean floor for the items the man referenced. Finally, she peeked sideways, up at Garethâs face. He smiled, hoping to put her at ease. Maybe this wasnât such a good idea. He shouldnât have made Doug tell him where she was going. Although Gareth had missed the butterflies, heâd made it to the sub.
âIâm glad to see you again.â Her whispered words pulled him from his thoughts.
Drawn into the blue depths, he couldnât take his eyes off of hers. âMe, too.â Once again, the guideâs voice intruded, and Gareth glanced toward the window. âLook over there, Charlotte.â He reached around her and pointed to a rough, bumpy lump surrounded by waving, wide-leafed aquatic plants on the ocean floor. âThereâs a giant conch.â She peered down, and he left his arm across the back of the seat they shared.
âMy grandmother had one of those shells she used as a doorstop.â Her voice contained a wistful note.
âThe island natives make a wonderful soup with the meat from conchs.â
She turned startled eyes toward him. âThey eat them?â
âTheyâre just another shellfish. Most things living in the oceans are edible.â
The guide pointed out a shipwreck half buried in the coral reef. He spouted the history of the wooden ship and its occupants. Charlotte sat spellbound, taking it all in. Maybe she was as interested in history as Gareth was. That would be something else they could discuss when they spent time together.
After they reached Cheeseburger Reef, a guide swimming in the water fed the fish right outside their window. The multi-colored fish crowding close to the window held Charlotteâs complete attention. This allowed Gareth to study her at leisure. Long lashes fringed her bright blue eyes, which sparkled with excitement. The sun had kissed her skin enough to give it a golden glow, but without burning it. She looked vital and alive. With her hair once again pulled into that short ponytail, she could pass as a slightly older sister of Chelleâs. That question he asked her the first night didnât sound so lame now.
â§
When the majority of the bright fish moved down the side of the vessel, Charlotte realized that Gareth was watching her instead of the sea creatures. A blush warmed her cheeks. Maybe he would just think she was sunburned or overheated. She was overheated, but it wasnât from the sun. It was from his presence so close to her. What am I doing, responding to a man like this? It must be the romantic atmosphere of a cruise. When they returned to Bedford, hopefully she would regain her sanity. She glanced up at Gareth.
âAre you enjoying yourself, Charlotte?â His crisp Oxford English contained a hint of another accent, probably Dutch.
âItâs wonderful.â She picked up her tote bag from the floor and held it in her lap. âI didnât realize how much is buried on the floor of the Caribbean.â
âThereâs history all around you wherever you are.â His smile made his eyes twinkle. A lock of curly blond hair had fallen against the top of his forehead, giving him a rakish air. âWhat eras are most interesting to you?â
His question helped her relax. Talking about the past was a safe way to spend the rest of the afternoon.
When they arrived back at the dock, Gareth helped her up, and they were the first to exit the underwater vessel since they were closest to the ladder. A taxi waited beside the bus, with its engine running. Gareth took her hand and pulled her toward the car. Although most of the vehicles on the island had their windows open, the driver had the windows rolled up. Charlotte settled gladly into the welcome coolness. The ride back to the ship only took a few minutes.
They arrived at the
Charlotteâs gaze stayed glued to the guide. She obediently looked each direction he indicated, searching the ocean floor for the items the man referenced. Finally, she peeked sideways, up at Garethâs face. He smiled, hoping to put her at ease. Maybe this wasnât such a good idea. He shouldnât have made Doug tell him where she was going. Although Gareth had missed the butterflies, heâd made it to the sub.
âIâm glad to see you again.â Her whispered words pulled him from his thoughts.
Drawn into the blue depths, he couldnât take his eyes off of hers. âMe, too.â Once again, the guideâs voice intruded, and Gareth glanced toward the window. âLook over there, Charlotte.â He reached around her and pointed to a rough, bumpy lump surrounded by waving, wide-leafed aquatic plants on the ocean floor. âThereâs a giant conch.â She peered down, and he left his arm across the back of the seat they shared.
âMy grandmother had one of those shells she used as a doorstop.â Her voice contained a wistful note.
âThe island natives make a wonderful soup with the meat from conchs.â
She turned startled eyes toward him. âThey eat them?â
âTheyâre just another shellfish. Most things living in the oceans are edible.â
The guide pointed out a shipwreck half buried in the coral reef. He spouted the history of the wooden ship and its occupants. Charlotte sat spellbound, taking it all in. Maybe she was as interested in history as Gareth was. That would be something else they could discuss when they spent time together.
After they reached Cheeseburger Reef, a guide swimming in the water fed the fish right outside their window. The multi-colored fish crowding close to the window held Charlotteâs complete attention. This allowed Gareth to study her at leisure. Long lashes fringed her bright blue eyes, which sparkled with excitement. The sun had kissed her skin enough to give it a golden glow, but without burning it. She looked vital and alive. With her hair once again pulled into that short ponytail, she could pass as a slightly older sister of Chelleâs. That question he asked her the first night didnât sound so lame now.
â§
When the majority of the bright fish moved down the side of the vessel, Charlotte realized that Gareth was watching her instead of the sea creatures. A blush warmed her cheeks. Maybe he would just think she was sunburned or overheated. She was overheated, but it wasnât from the sun. It was from his presence so close to her. What am I doing, responding to a man like this? It must be the romantic atmosphere of a cruise. When they returned to Bedford, hopefully she would regain her sanity. She glanced up at Gareth.
âAre you enjoying yourself, Charlotte?â His crisp Oxford English contained a hint of another accent, probably Dutch.
âItâs wonderful.â She picked up her tote bag from the floor and held it in her lap. âI didnât realize how much is buried on the floor of the Caribbean.â
âThereâs history all around you wherever you are.â His smile made his eyes twinkle. A lock of curly blond hair had fallen against the top of his forehead, giving him a rakish air. âWhat eras are most interesting to you?â
His question helped her relax. Talking about the past was a safe way to spend the rest of the afternoon.
When they arrived back at the dock, Gareth helped her up, and they were the first to exit the underwater vessel since they were closest to the ladder. A taxi waited beside the bus, with its engine running. Gareth took her hand and pulled her toward the car. Although most of the vehicles on the island had their windows open, the driver had the windows rolled up. Charlotte settled gladly into the welcome coolness. The ride back to the ship only took a few minutes.
They arrived at the
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