Then the guide called a halt, and it was their turn to wait for the boat to pick them up. When she was safely sitting on the marlin board, she pulled her snorkel out of her mouth. “That was amazing!”
Ed’s grin warmed her even further. “Told you.”
“Thank you. I can’t believe how big and gentle it was.”
“Ready for your next go?”
She glanced at him. “We go again?”
“Yeah. We can swim a few times if the shark doesn’t dive.”
She laughed. “I can’t wait.” She hugged him.
***
Ed’s heart thumped harder as Tess grinned at him, the joy on her face making all the tension of the past few days disappear. Her eyes positively sparkled, and he fought the urge to kiss her. He shifted forward so his legs dangled into the water as the order to prepare came again. “Ready?”
She nodded and was the first into the water when the guide called them to go. Ed grinned, following her. Her fear had vanished as she kicked harder to reach the rendezvous point with the shark. He understood how she felt. That first moment, as the shark materialised out of the deep blue, always took his breath away. But now he enjoyed it on two levels, watching Tess’s reaction at the same time. He was glad he’d convinced her to do this.
All too quickly, they had used their allocated time with the whale shark and were back on board.
“I can’t believe I just did that,” Tess gasped as she stripped off her flippers and mask and placed them in the container.
“It was pretty epic,” Ed agreed as he helped her up the steps onto the main area. Lunch was being served, and he handed her a plate so she could help herself to the selection of salads and meats.
Heath said something to her, and she high fived him, grinning.
“She’s thrilled,” Sam commented, coming to stand by Ed.
“Yeah,” he agreed, unable to take his eyes off her as she chatted to the woman next to her. He hadn’t seen this bubbly, babbling side of her, and he liked it.
“Dot’s still not sure about her,” Sam added.
His words sank in, and Ed looked at him, his mood deflating as he remembered his suspicions. “You think that’s an act?”
Sam shrugged. “I hope not, but it’s worth remembering before you get too attached.”
Sam saw things far too clearly. “Yeah. Thanks.” Ed scowled. “So, are you going to buy the boat?”
Sam pursed his lips. “I’m seriously considering it. Giving people experiences like that, making them as happy as Tess, would be a nice change from what I was doing.”
Ed hadn’t asked Brandon about his time in the army, but knew they’d been to several hot spots over the years. “Lots of hours, and few days off.”
Sam shrugged. “I’m used to it. Plus, this area is beautiful. I don’t much like the cold.”
Brandon would enjoy having his best friend near as well. “Good luck with it.”
Tess wandered over, balancing a plate full of food. Ed made room for her so she could sit down. “Worked up an appetite?”
Her blush spread over her cheeks. “Yeah. You should get something before it runs out.”
“Little chance of that happening.” The catering was plentiful. He helped himself and then sat next to her while she chatted with Sam and Heath.
Her shyness had disappeared amongst her enthusiasm.
“What are you studying at uni?” Sam asked.
“Science and Australian history. My ancestor was a pearl diver at Cossack in the 1870s.”
