The Novels of Nora Roberts, Volume 2 by Nora Roberts

Author:Nora Roberts
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Penguin Group US
Published: 2011-01-03T05:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 15

B UT THERE WERE times when the wind ran strong and true and defeated even the most determined sailor.

Tate tolerated Matthew’s presence at dinner. She made conversation with Buck and LaRue at the big chestnut table. She listened to their stories, laughed at their jokes.

Her heart simply wasn’t hard enough to spoil the celebratory mood, or dim the light of delight in her father’s eyes with cold, hard facts and logic.

Because she was sharp enough to notice her mother’s occasional looks of concern in her direction, Tate managed to be marginally polite to Matthew. Though she did her best to limit contact to the obligatory “pass the salt.”

When the meal was over, she maneuvered the situation in her favor by insisting on clearing up the dishes alone with her father.

“Bet you haven’t had a meal like that in a month of Sundays,” he commented, humming under his breath as he stacked dishes.

“In a year of Sundays. I’m sorry I had to pass on the pecan pie.”

“You’ll have some later. That LaRue’s something, isn’t he? Exchanging recipes with your mother one minute and arguing foreign policy the next with a side trip into baseball and eighteenth-century art.”

“He’s a regular Renaissance man,” she murmured. But she was holding out on judgment of him. Any friend of Matthew’s, she thought, required careful scrutiny. Even if he was interesting, well read and charming. Particularly if he was. “I haven’t figured out what he’s doing with Matthew.”

“Oh, I think they suit each other well enough.” Ray filled the sink with soapy water for the pots as Tate loaded the dishwasher. “Matthew’s always had a lot going for him, he’s just never had much chance to put it all to use.”

“I’d say he’s a man who knows how to make the most of an opportunity. Which is something I want to discuss with you.”

“The Isabella.” Sleeves pushed up, Ray began to attack pans in the sink. “We’re going to get to that, honey. Soon as everyone’s had a chance to settle in for the evening. I held off saying anything more to the rest until you got here.”

“Dad, I know how you felt when we found that virgin wreck eight years ago. I know how I felt, so I understand that you may think it’s a good idea to go back. But I’m not sure you’re considering all the details, the pitfalls.”

“I’ve thought of them a great deal over the years, and little else for the last nine months. We had our share of luck, good and bad, the last time. But we’ve got a hell of a lot more going for us this time around.”

“Dad.” Tate slipped another plate into the dishwasher, straightened. “If I have the right information, Buck hasn’t dived since his accident, and LaRue worked on ship as a cook. He’s never had on tanks in his life.”

“That’s all true. Maybe Buck won’t go under, but we can always use another hand on deck. As for LaRue, he’s willing to learn, and I have a feeling he’s a quick study.

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