The Reef

calcified shapes of artifacts. And there the blackened streak of sand that every hunter knew meant a river of silver.
    Behind them the ballast pile loomed. And beneath, the shining prize of the galleon Santa Marguerite and all her treasure.
    There was a roaring in Tate’s ears as she reached down and closed her hand over a thick gold chain. Slowly she drew it up. From it dangled a heavy cross crusted by sea life. And by emeralds.
    Her vision blurred as she held it out to Matthew. With sudden formality she carefully lifted the chain over his head. The simple generosity of the gesture touched him. He wished he could have held her, told her. All he could do was point a finger up. He cracked the valve on the airlift and followed her to the surface.
    She couldn’t speak. Even now it took all of her effort just to draw air in and out of her lungs. She was trembling like a leaf when she hoisted herself aboard. Strong arms lifted her.
    “Honey, you okay?” Buck’s face, lined with worry, loomed over her. “Ray, Ray, come on out here. Something wrong with Tate.”
    “Nothing’s wrong,” she managed and sucked in air.
    “Just lie still.” Fretting like a mother hen, he eased off her face mask and nearly shuddered with relief when heheard Matthew clattering over the side. “What happened down there?” he demanded without turning around.
    “Not much.” Matthew let his weight belt fall.
    “Not much, my ass. Girl’s white as a sheet. Ray, get us some brandy here.”
    But Ray and Marla were already rushing out. Voices buzzed in Tate’s head. Hands were poking and probing for injury. She got her breath back on a giggle, then couldn’t stop.
    “I’m all right.” She had to press both hands over her mouth to hold back a fresh stream of hysterical laughter. “I’m fine. We’re both fine, aren’t we, Matthew?”
    “Fine and dandy,” he agreed. “We just had a little excitement.”
    “Come on, honey, let’s get you out of that suit.” With some impatience, Marla shot a glance at Matthew. “Just what kind of excitement? Tate’s shaking.”
    “I can explain.” Tate snorted behind her hands. “I gotta get up. Would you let me up?” Tears began to stream from her eyes as she fought to control the laughter. Brushing away restraining hands, she got unsteadily to her feet. Trembling with breathless giggles, she upended her goody bag, tugged open her suit.
    Coins rained gold onto the deck.
    “Fuck me,” Buck croaked and sat down heavily.
    “We found the mother lode.” Tate threw back her head and screamed at the sun. “We found the mother lode.”
    She threw her arms around her father, whirled him into a dance, only to break off and swing her mother. She planted a big smacking kiss on Buck’s bald head as he continued to sit and stare at the coins at his feet.
    With their voices babbling around her, Tate turned a circle and launched herself into Matthew’s arms. By the time he’d managed to regain his balance, her mouth was clinging to his.
    His hands went to her shoulders. He knew he should push her away, keep the kiss a product of the moment’s excitement. But a current of helplessness swamped him, and his hands slid to her back, crossed, embraced.
    So it was she who drew away, her eyes still glowing,her face flushed now and eager. “I thought I was going to faint. When I looked down and saw the coins, all the blood drained out of my head. The only other time I’ve ever felt like that is when you kissed me.”
    “We’re not a bad team.” He ran a hand over her hair.
    “We’re a great team.” She clamped a hand over his and dragged him to where Buck and Ray were already suiting up. “You should have seen it, Dad. Matthew moved the airlift like it was a divining rod.”
    Happily recounting every minute of the discovery, she helped Buck and her father with their tanks. Only Matthew noticed that Marla remained silent, and the warmth in her eyes had been cooled by concern.
    “I’m going down to take pictures,” Tate announced, hooking on fresh tanks. “We have to document everything. Before we’re done, we’ll have the cover of National Geographic. ”
    “Don’t go pulling them in yet.” Buck sat on the side, rinsed his mask. “We gotta keep this quiet.” He looked around as if expecting a dozen boats to come speeding in on the claim. “Finds like this are one in a million, and there’re plenty who’d do whatever it took to get a piece.”
    Tate only grinned. “Eat your heart