CHAPTER12
kai
Ifelt like a piece of shit for leaving her. What kind of man would make promises he intended to keep, then break them the very next day? That’s not the kind of man I wanted to be. The look on Mariella’s face when she shoved her hand out to me… fuck… I deserved all of her rage and then some.
I’d suffered through the forty-five minute ferry ride and found the seaplane. The pilot stowed my gear, then climbed into the front seat. “Flight time’s about two hours and forty-five minutes. You picked a great day to fly. Cloud coverage is minimal, and you should be able to see most of the coast.”
My heart hammered when he closed the door. I couldn’t go through with this. “Hold up a sec, will you?”
“Something wrong?” he asked.
Something sure as hell was wrong.
Me.
I’d been wrong to bail on Mariella. Too bad it took me so long to figure that out.
“Yeah. I need my gear. I’m not heading back to Seattle with you.” I unfastened my lap belt and pushed the door open.
“I don’t understand.” He hadn’t moved. “I’m supposed to get you back to Seattle tonight.”
I shook my head, finally seeing clearly for the first time in years. “I’m not going to Seattle. I’ve got a dive to complete right here.”
“Wish someone would have told me that before I spent three hours coming to pick you up,” he grumbled. “Somebody better be paying for my trouble.”
“I’ll cover it.” I pulled my wallet out of my pocket and handed over a wad of cash. “I’m assuming this should be enough?”
He tucked the money into his pocket and slowly started to unbuckle his seatbelt. He wasn’t moving fast enough for me. I walked around the plane and popped open the compartment where he’d stored my gear. With my purpose clear, I hefted my bag over one shoulder and grabbed my duffel. I couldn’t afford to miss the ferry back to Saltery Bay.
The plane took off as I turned to head toward the ferry. A calm sense of knowing settled in my chest. Turning down the job was the right thing to do. I needed Mariella in my life a hell of a lot more than I needed to impress some editor.
The horn on the ferry sounded. I looked up to see it putter away from the dock. According to the schedule, the next one wouldn’t come for two hours. Dammit. I couldn’t wait that long. There had to be a way to get back to the campground sooner. I couldn’t stand for Mariella to spend one more second thinking I’d picked my career over her.
I asked around at the dock to try to see if there was anyone who’d be willing to give me a ride over to Saltery Bay. Most folks had just come from that direction and were heading south. I was running out of options. Targeting the last boat at the end of the dock, I headed that way.
Diving gear littered the deck. As I got closer, I noticed the name of the boat. Emerald Princess. Tiny letters on the stern gave me hope. The boat was from Saltery Bay.
“Excuse me.” I noticed a woman with long blonde hair standing by the wheel.
“Can I help you?”
“I need to get to Kasperson’s Campground. Any chance you might be heading that way?”
“It can’t be.” She slid her sunglasses down her nose and peered at me over the top edge. “What’s your name?”
I’d give her my firstborn child if she’d take me to Mariella. “Kai. Are you going that direction?”
“You broke my friend’s heart.” Her eyes narrowed, and she turned away.
“You know Mariella?” Shame washed over me. I’d never meant to hurt her.
“I’m her friend, Shyla, and I’m not letting you anywhere near her.”
“I need to get back to her.”
“You need to leave her alone.” Shyla whirled around again, sending her blonde hair flying.
“I was wrong.” Hoping she’d hear me out, I set my stuff down on the dock and climbed aboard. “I’m trying to get back to her to tell her that. I need a ride to the campground.”