by Melissa Good
It was nice, with very little current and relatively clear. Dar inflated her vest and went to the surface, sticking her hand up and giving Kerry an okay sign.
Kerry was seated on the edge of the dock in her gear kicking her fins. Seeing the sign, she leaned forward and just tumbled into the water with a less spectacular splash, sinking down to join Dar as she dipped again below the surface.
The water was cool and it penetrated her wetsuit quickly, but just as quickly it warmed to her body and she relaxed as she felt the chill fade. The lights under the dock made the bottom as visible as daylight would have and she adjusted her gear and followed Dar as she moved over to the end point of their part of the beach.
They slowly searched the bottom, drifting along side by side as Dar gently fanned the sand with her fingers.
Kerry didn’t expect to find anything. She’d already written off the baubles, marking it down to something she’d know better about the next time, so though she dutifully peered in all the crevices and used her hand light to inspect the holes in the coral, her enjoyment was mostly based on spending time at one of her favorite hobbies with her very favorite person.
So it was fun for her to spend as much time watching Dar as she was hunting. She unclipped the camera on her shoulder and spent a few minutes taking pictures, getting shots of the coral in this unusual light before she casually swung the lens at Dar.
Dar had divined her intention and was now lying on her side at the bottom on a sandy area, body fully extended, hand propping up her head.
Oh, nice. Kerry cheerfully shot the pose, getting a nice stream of tiny bubbles trickling up from the regulator in Dar’s mouth. Then Dar cooperatively gave her another shot, by taking the regulator out and sticking her tongue out of her mouth as far as it could go.
Kerry managed to capture it, then she started laughing, bubbles emerging from her own gear in thunderous spurts.
Dar grinned and replaced the mouthpiece, then elevated off the ground and started hunting again.
They were now directly under the pier where once upon a time Dar had gotten bitten by a fish. The illumination beyond it was broken up by the large shadow cast by the Dixie.
Dar pointed as she spotted a lobster darting across the coral, hurrying out of sight as they cruised over it. Dar put on a burst of speed and stretched one long arm out, getting a hold of the creature mid shell.
Its tail flicked rapidly, but Dar’s grip proved its match and she stuffed the animal in a mesh bag clipped to her BCD.
Lobster linguine for dinner, Kerry reckoned. She was about to swing around and go back under the pier when a flash caught her eye and she hovered, spotting something shiny from where the lobster had emerged. She dove down and got her hand flash out, flicking it over the rocks and finding the item.
Hot damn. Kerry was truly surprised. She felt Dar come over the top of her, and she pointed with her light at the sparkle, reaching down to capture it with her hand.
A spurt of surprise came out of Dar’s regulator, a cloud of bubbles heading upward as Dar tilted her head to examine her find. Then she made a double okay sign and grinned visibly.
Kerry held both hands out in a motion of mock modesty and put the earrings, which were tangled together, and stayed that way, safely into the palm of one hand and closed her fist around them.
Dar pointed her thumb upward and raised her eyebrows.
Kerry nodded and they started up for the surface when they both paused, hearing boat engines nearby. Engines that didn’t move past, but circled in an idling motion complete with a sudden, powerful beam of light that pierced the already halon lit depths.
Dar sighed visibly and moved closer to the pylon, clipping her lobster bag to a ring before she breached the surface of the water.
Perfection, it seemed, was too much to ask for.
DAR PULLED HER mask off as she climbed up the dive ladder onto the pier, spotting the Coast Guard cutter idling offshore. She took the time to go sit on the gearing bench and unclip her BCD, putting her fins down and standing up in her wetsuit and booties.
She ran her fingers through her wet hair and walked to the end of her dock, putting her hand on the last pylon as the searchlight swung over and, to her mind since she was fully lit by the dock lights, unnecessarily blinded her.
She put her hand up to shield her eyes, opening up the radio box mounted near her hand and punching in the Coast Guard frequency. “Cutter offshore bayside MM 98, can I ask what your problem is?”
The search light cut off and now she saw figures on deck. The cutter swung around and motored over, as Dar heard Kerry divesting herself of her tank behind her. She put the radio handset back onto its holder and waited as the vessel eased closer.
“Did we do something wrong?” Kerry asked, handing Dar a dive jacket.
Dar shook her head. “No. Lobster’s even in season. I just left it down there because I wasn’t sure how long this was gonna take and I like mine fresh killed.”
Kerry grimaced just slightly.
The cutter dropped a small rubber boat with two figures in it, and it roared over and came to the end of the dock. “You people have permission to be diving out here?” The taller of the two figures asked.
Dar glanced around then back at him. “I own the dock, the land, the cabin up there and this boat.” She indicated the Dixie. “Who am I supposed to be asking for permission?”
The figure relaxed. “Okay, no problem. Can we come up?”
“Sure.”
Kerry zipped up her jacket. “I’ll go make some coffee and get out of all this wet rubber.” She patted Dar on the butt and retreated down the pier, heading back to the cabin where dog barks were now loudly evident.
“Sorry about that,” the Coast Guard officer said, as he got to the top of the ladder and stood up. “We’ve had reports of trespassing up and down this area and weren’t sure what was going on.” He held a hand out. “Lieutenant Davis. And you are?”
“Dar Roberts.” Dar gave his hand a shake. “Sorry for the wet.”
“We’re used to it.” The man smiled. “So were you folks doing work under there? We saw the lights.”
Dar shook her head. “Just looking for something we lost the last trip,” she said. “What kind of trespassing? We don’t get down here a lot. I have an alarm, but there’s always a way to get around that.”
The Coast Guard lieutenant was already nodding before she stopped talking. “This area’s got a lot of unlived in coastline just up north of here. Got people living wild, and after 9/11, we don’t like that so much anymore.”
“Ah.”
“Not that everyone’s dangerous, but you don’t know, and we’re not in a mode to take anyone for granted,” he said. “Even nice ladies like you.”
“Got it,” Dar said. “Well, we’ve got some identification inside. Want to see that and have some coffee?” she asked. “The last thing we want is to have you guys think we’re troublemakers.”
The lieutenant and his petty officer attendant grinned and followed her to the cabin. “Can’t be too cautious, right?” the lieutenant said. “Bet you make a better pot of coffee than our cook does.”
Dar grinned wryly at the mild flirting and took it for the compliment it was. She led the way up the walk and opened the door, standing back for them to enter. “Careful of the dogs. They lick.”
Kerry already had the coffee perking and was dressed in a pair of sweatpants and a hoodie, her wet hair brushed back to dry. She smiled as they entered and indicated the stools at the breakfast bar, which they took after unzipping their heavy sea jackets.
“I’m going to get out of this suit,” Dar said. “Give them our ID, wouldja?”
“Sure.” Kerry went over to the messenger bag she’d taken off the boat and rooted in it while their visitors fixed themselves some coffee. She removed their driver’s licenses, and Dar’s captain’s license just in case, and brought them back over. “Here you go.”
“That’s good coffee,” the lieutena
nt said. He took the IDs and studied them. Then he handed them back. “So this is a weekend place for you gals?”
Kerry took a cup for herself and leaned against the counter. “Something like that. We work and live up in the city. It’s nice to get away from there sometimes.”
“Where you live? That’s not the city.” The lieutenant smiled. “I’ve been to the Coast Guard functions out there.”
“Close enough. We work in Coconut Grove.” Kerry, however, lifted a hand and half shrugged in acknowledgement. “It’s still way more laid back down here.”
The petty officer hadn’t said anything, but now he nodded in agreement. “My family’s place is ten minutes down from here. I liked it growing up. Just long summer nights of cracking open coconuts and grabbing land crabs for dinner.” He had the flat, not quite accent that some Miami natives did, and by the faint smile, the memory was a good one.
Kerry couldn’t quite imagine doing that, though she knew Dar had. “It’s nice here in Key Largo. I like the small town feel to it. I grew up in a fairly small place in Michigan.”
“People here know you,” the lieutenant said. “That’s what we want to key into, if you catch my drift. We want people to tell us when things are out of place. Someone saw the lights on here and called us. Didn’t know what was going on.”
“We just had the lights put in a few months ago,” Kerry said. “Sorry if it alarmed anyone. I didn’t really think about it.”
Dar emerged from the bedroom, pushing the long sleeves on her t-shirt up past her elbows. “So you’re crowd sourcing info?” She came over and stood next to Kerry.
“Something like that,” the lieutenant said. “We’ve only got a limited set of eyeballs. If people knew what to look for, they might have noticed things like those men getting pilot’s licenses, you know?” he said. “So we’re asking citizens in the area to keep their eyes open and let us know when they see something they think doesn’t look right.”
Dar nodded. “That could make people say things that might not be true about neighbors they just don’t like,” she said. “People can be assholes, that way.”
“It’s true. But the last time we had too little information. It’s better to have too much. Well, thanks for the coffee, ladies. Sorry to have bothered your diving. I’ll make a note in our logs that you checked out so if we get a call next time, we can let them know not to worry.” He lifted a hand and he and the petty officer headed back to their ship.
“Huh.” Kerry eyed Dar. “I get his point, but why do I feel like that’s not a good thing?”
Dar took a sip of her coffee. “Calling the authorities on your neighbor because you think they may be a terrorist isn’t a good thing, Ker.”
“Unless they really are a terrorist.”
Dar grunted, and nodded. “I’m going to go get our lobster. Got your earrings?”
Kerry pointed at the two items on the counter. “I can’t believe we found them.”
“Glad some fish didn’t swallow ‘em.” Dar ambled out of the kitchen. “Or maybe they did.” She winked at Kerry as she opened the door. “And that’s just where they got pooped out.”
“Oh.” Kerry regarded the two items. “Well, they can always be washed.” She picked them up and went into the bedroom, pausing as she saw both dogs snoozing comfortably on their bed. Chino was curled up in a ball, and Mocha was tucked up next to her, his head resting on her elbow.
Aw. Kerry put the earrings down and picked up her camera instead, freshly released from its watertight case. She took several shots, then went back into the living room just as Dar entered with the lobster bag. “Pan fry it and toss it with linguine?” Kerry asked, getting a grin in response. “You get to kill it.”
Amiably, Dar did, and about twenty minutes later they were seated on their couch with two very attentive dogs, sharing a plate of seafood pasta.
“You don’t get any of this,” Dar informed the watching dogs. “This spicy sauce will make you both sick to your stomachs.” She put her feet up on the coffee table next to Kerry’s. “This is awesome.”
“Thank you, my dear.” Kerry absorbed the compliment with a smile. “I’m always happy to try and make something yummy from your hunting and gathering.”
Dar chuckled. “I’m going to finish this then see if I can work up a presentation for the feds.”
Kerry turned her head and gently nibbled Dar’s bare shoulder. “Really? Let’s not start working on the weekends so fast, huh?”
“You have something else in mind?”
“Matter of fact I do.” Kerry finished up a final bite of dinner and put the plate down on the table. “Starting with a hot shower to get the salt off and a tumble into our very comfortable bed.”
They heard a clank and looked over to see Chino placidly licking out the plate, Mocha scrabbling with his paws to try and get at the edge of it.
“But first we rescue the crockery.” Dar got up and swiped the plate. “Stop that you pirates.” She straightened up and went into the kitchen, rinsing the dish off and putting it on the drain board as Kerry came in behind her, circling her with both arms and laying her head down on her back.
Dar turned around and returned the hug, absorbing the intensity of the affection almost radiating from her. “Kerry,” she warbled softly. “You’re the best.”
“Not sure about that, but I am the luckiest.” Kerry exhaled in contentment. “C’mon. I can taste the salt on you.” She licked Dar’s collarbone then released her and led the way to the shower.
The hot water and scrubby sponges felt good. Dar’s sensual touch felt even better and in a well choreographed movement from the shower enclosure to the towel rack ended with both of them wrapped in a bath sheet, pressed together.
Steam from the shower, cool air from the cabin. Kerry felt like she was on something of a sensual overload as Dar’s fingers laced behind her neck and she circled her waist with her arms and pulled her closer, savoring the emotional and physical charge as their bodies meshed.
Dar half turned and tried to move, but the towel was binding them. Half laughing she removed it and they got from the bathroom into the bed in a tangle of arms, legs and comforters.
The lights were dim and they had the windows open, allowing the fresh breeze and the sound of the sea to wash through the room, brushing over their bare bodies as they stretched out and started a leisurely exploration of each other.
Only to be interrupted by a wild yapping and an invasion of paws and tiny teeth, which nearly made them levitate off the bed. “Holy crap!” Dar yelped. “He bit my—”
Kerry started laughing, burying her face in Dar’s shoulder as she got hold of Mocha and lifted him up and over her body.
“Stop that ya rug rat!” Dar tapped him on the head. “Who said you pups were allowed up here?”
Kerry, who was still laughing, rolled onto her back holding her stomach as Chino sniffed at her in puzzlement.
“What the hell is so damn funny?” Dar sat up and defended herself from the wildly tail wagging puppy. “Mocha, cut that out!” She picked up the animal and put him on the floor. “You too, madam!” She pointed at Chino. “Down!”
Chino obediently hopped off the bed and barked at Mocha, who was balancing on his hind legs trying to get back up.
Mocha fell over onto his back, with a yelp of surprise. Then he pounced on Chino’s paw and started biting it.
Kerry was still laughing. She wiped the tears from her eyes and sat, bringing her legs up crossed under her as she leaned her elbows on her bare knees. “Sorry, hon.” She put her hand on Dar’s back. “I don’t know why that struck me so damn funny but it did.”
Dar sighed and got up as the dogs both raced out into the living room and went to stand by the back door, looking expectantly at her. “Want to have some warm milk and start this all over again?”
“Sure.” Kerry got up out of the bed and pulled on a t-shirt, handing one over to Dar as she followed her out the door. “It’s a little early for bed anyway
and at least I’ll get a chance for my hair to dry or I’ll look like a Chia Pet in the morning.”
Now Dar snickered. “Kerry the Chia Pet. I think I’m going to add that to Gopher Dar.”
“Wench.”
“I’ll make it a hedgehog,” Dar said, as she went to let the dogs out into the fenced area in the back that led towards the pier.
“Stay away from the water.”
“A hedgehog?”
“Sure. They’re adorable.”
Kerry gave her a skeptical look. Then she turned and went into the first of the two offices in the cabin, turned on her PC and waited for it to boot. She brought up a browser and did a search for hedgehogs then bit off a grin and went back to the living room. “Okay.” She joined Dar at the doorway. “You’re right. They’re really cute.”
Dar affected a mock hurt look. “You didn’t believe me?”
“I just had no idea what they looked like. They’re cuter than gophers.”
“As they should be since you’re cuter than I am.” Dar whistled softly. “C’mon guys.”
Kerry circled Dar’s body with her arms and leaned against her. Then she gave her a kiss on the shoulder and retreated back to the kitchen, getting out the fixings for some honey laced warm milk.
“I’m going to end up chasing that dog into the water,” Dar said. “Mocha!”
Chino paused in the act of trotting back over to the door and barked at the puppy, who was snuffling at something on the beach. “Growf!”
“Whose idea was this?” Dar asked, sighing as she went down the steps to the sand.
“That would be yours, Dixiecup,” Kerry said to her retreating back. “But I agreed to it, so I guess next time I get to chase down the little sucker.”
She got the cups out and warmed them, then filled them with milk and popped them into the microwave, leaning on the counter while she waited for them to heat. The living room was a comfortable place, couches facing the windows so they could watch the sunset and a television mounted on the wall to one side.
They had cable here, but seldom watched it. They occasionally turned on the news, or, when it was that season, watched the hurricane coverage. Cabin time was mostly spent on the water, near the water, enjoying the town, riding the bike—”
