domain.
Even though it was still early in her stay, Jayme decided that if this continued, Holm Cay stood a good chance of being her Abaco focus because of the gentle way Daniel handled his clients and because that swinger’s resort would never, ever make it to a Reef Roamer video.
***
Jayme packed her gear into the large mesh bag and headed for the dive shack, where troughs of clean fresh water waited. She immersed her gear, bag and all. After a couple of dunkings, she let it drain on the nearby table.
She saw Daniel heading her way and waited.
“That was a nice dive, Daniel, easy and relaxing. Exactly what I needed.”
“Thanks, Jayme, and thanks for the help. Even with only two divers, anything can happen,” Daniel said. “I think their next one will be even better. Will you be on tomorrow’s dive?”
“Yes, only the morning one though,” Jayme said. “I signed up for the afternoon island tour.”
“You’ll like that. Adam does a good job.”
CHAPTER FIVE
Jayme took a shower after the morning dive to rid herself, and her hair, of the ever-present salt water. Daniel had taken them to another spectacular reef, and now she was looking forward to a deeper dive, perhaps tomorrow.
Dressed in white shorts and a deep green tank top that matched her eyes, Jayme packed her straw purse with her camera, spare memory cards, sunblock, a bottle of water, and headed to the main office to meet up with the tour guide, Adam. She had no idea what to expect; however she had learned to be ready for about anything.
***
There was a small group of people milling around in the resort lobby, some of whom Jayme recognized from the restaurant or from the dive boat. What she noticed most was the lack of children. Then she reminded herself that it was mid-season, not spring break, and kids were still in school.
A deeply tanned elderly gentleman carrying a clipboard approached the group.
“I’m going to guess this is my group for the island tour today,” he said with a delightful British accent. His blond hair was mostly gray, and his blue eyes still held a great deal of mischief. Jayme immediately liked him. “My name is Adam Beckworth, but if you call me anything other than Adam, I won’t know who you’re talking to! We are casual here in the islands.”
The group laughed. He called off names and checked everyone off his list and then led them outside.
The vehicle, a large four-wheel drive Land Rover, was stripped down and refitted to look like a British surrey. The top, meant to keep the sun and any rain off the passengers, was a yellow and white striped canvas with low-hanging scalloped edges. The bench seats were alternating yellow and white, and red and white in a soft, thick fabric and were spaced well apart for plenty of leg room and easy viewing of either side. A cooler filled with ice, water, and soft drinks was tucked against the tailgate, easily accessible by anyone.
Adam helped his seven passengers into the open-sided truck and then settled into the driver’s seat. Jayme managed to secure the last seat for herself, intent on watching and filming the group. Adam switched on the microphone, sending a squeal to the speakers that were snugly strapped to the overhead bars that supported the canvas top.
“Now that we have that out of the way,” he chuckled, “I’d like to draw your attention to the cooler in the back. Everything is bottled in there, and that’s because parts of the island do not have water filtration. The natives are used to it, but your more delicate constitutions may not be. Please, do not drink anything offered unless you yourself remove the cap, that is, unless you have a desire to meet our friendly and competent doctor!” Adam put the truck in gear and headed down a dusty road toward the middle of the island.
The next two hours were filled with Adam’s jokes and much laughter. The chatter among the group was easy and friendly,
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