The Reef

it’s something I feel strongly about.”
    “Once we’ve played her out, you can call every scientist you know. I’ll even help you bring her up piece by piece if that’s what you want.”
    She stared, speechless. “You would?”
    He cut the engine with a jerk of the hand as they came alongside the New Adventure. “You don’t get it, do you, Red? Even now.”
    Baffled, she lifted a hand toward his. “Matthew.”
    “Work on it,” he snapped out, and jerked a thumb toward the ladder. “And be ready to dive in twenty minutes.”
    Women, he thought as he steered the tender toward the Mermaid. They were supposed to be the sensitive, emotional ones. What a joke. There he’d been, all but dribbling with love like a sap and all she could talk about were rules and science.
    LaRue, gold tooth gleaming, caught the line Matthew heaved to secure the tender. “So, mon ami, you feel refreshed this morning, eh?”
    “Cram it,” Matthew suggested. He landed lightly on deck, stripping off his shirt as he went. “Save the comments. I want coffee.”
    Not bothering to hide the grin, LaRue strolled toward the galley. “Me, when I spend the night with a woman we both smile in the morning.”
    “Keep it up,” Matthew muttered, checking his gear. “You’ll lose another tooth.” After grabbing swimming trunks, he moved to the port side.
    She’d gone to bed with him, he thought, bitterly. She’d let him have her until they had both been delirious. And she still thought he was one small step up from slime. He tugged off his shorts, yanked on his trunks. What the hell kind of woman was she?
    When he stalked back for his wet suit, Buck was waiting.
    “Just hold on a minute, boy.” After a night of soul-searching and worry, Buck was primed. He jabbed a finger in Matthew’s chest. “You’ve got some explaining to do.”
    “What I’ve got is work to do. Get the airlift ready.”
    “I never interfered with that—that hormone part of your life.” To keep Matthew in place, Buck jabbed again. “Figured you knew what was what. But when you start taking advantage of that sweet little girl.”
    “Sweet,” Matthew interrupted. “Oh yeah, she’s real sweet when she’s tearing strips off you or kicking your guts out.” He grabbed his wet suit and sat to begin the process of stretching it over his legs. “What goes on between me and Tate isn’t any of your business.”
    “Hell it isn’t. We’re all part of a team, and her daddy’s the best friend I ever had.” Buck rubbed a hand over his mouth and wished actively for a drink so that he could slide painlessly through the rest of the lecture. “I ain’t saying a man don’t have needs, and maybe it ain’t easy for you being out here all these weeks without any way to meet them.”
    Eyes narrowed against the sun, Matthew stood to work the suit to his hips. “I got a hand if that’s all I need.”
    Buck scowled. He didn’t like talking about such matters. But he had a duty. “Then why the hell didn’t you use it instead of using Tate? I told you this eight years ago, and I’ll tell you again. She ain’t no throwaway, boy, and I’m not going to stand around—”
    “I didn’t use her, goddamn it.” He jammed an arm through the sleeve. “I’m in love with her.”
    “Don’t you—” Buck stopped, blinked and decided he’d be better off sitting down. He waited, getting his bearings, while Matthew grabbed the coffee LaRue brought out. “You mean that?”
    “Just get off my back.”
    Buck looked toward LaRue, who was busying himself studying the compressor. “Look, Matthew, I don’t know much about that kind of thing, but . . . Well, Jesus, when did that happen?”
    “About eight years ago.” Most of his anger drained, but the tension remained fierce in his shoulders. “Don’t hassle me about this, Buck. Did you get the weather report?”
    “Yeah, yeah. We got no problem.” Knowing he was out of his depth, Buck rose awkwardly to help Matthew with his tanks. “Ray and the Canadian brought up some porcelain after you went ashore. Marla was going to clean it up.”
    “Fine. Signal the Adventure, LaRue. I want to get started.”
    “Better to finish,” LaRue commented, but walked to starboard to send up the hail.
     
    “Of course I’m all right.” Tate strapped on her diving knife and tried to reassure her mother. “I’m sorry if you were worried.”
    “I wasn’t worried, exactly. More concerned. I know Matthew would never hurt