Treasures Lost, Treasures Found

was filled with sensations that came and went like comets, slipped away and burst on her again, and again. Through the thunder in her head she heard herself say his name, clear and quick.
    On the sound, she took him into her and welcomed the madness.

Chapter 10
    S he was wrong.
    Kate had thought she’d be ready, even anxious to dive again. There hadn’t been a day during her recuperation that she hadn’t thought of going down. Every time Ky had brought back an artifact, she was thrilled with the discovery and frustrated with her own lack of participation. Like a schoolgirl approaching summer, she’d begun to count the days.
    Now, a week after the accident, Kate stood on the deck of the Vortex with her mouth dry and her hands trembling as she pulled on her wet suit. She could only be grateful that Ky was already over the side, hooking up his home-rigged prop-wash to the boat’s propeller. Drafted to the crew, Marsh stood at the stern watching his brother. WithLinda’s eager support, he’d agreed to give Ky a few hours a day of his precious free time while he was needed.
    Kate took the moment she had alone to gather her thoughts and her nerve.
    It was only natural to be anxious about diving after the experience she’d had. Kate told herself that was logical. But it didn’t stop her hands from trembling as she zipped up her suit. She could equate it with falling off a horse and having to mount again. It was psychological. But it didn’t ease the painful tension in her stomach.
    Trembling hands and nerves. With or without them she told herself as she hooked on her weight belt, she was going down. Nothing, not even her own fears, was going to stop her from finishing what she’d begun.
    “He’s got it,” Marsh called out when Ky signaled him.
    “I’ll be ready.” Kate picked up the cloth bag she’d use to bring up small artifacts. With luck, and if the prop-wash did its job, she knew they’d soon need more sophisticated methods to bring up the salvage.
    “Kate.”
    She didn’t look up, but continued to hook on the goodie bag. “Yes?”
    “You know it’s only natural that you’d be nervous going down.” Marsh touched a hand to her shoulder, but she busied herself by strapping on her diving knife. “If you want a little more time, I’ll work with Ky and you can run the wash.”
    “No.” She said it too quickly, then cursed herself. “It’s all right, Marsh.” With forced calm she hung the underwater camera she’d purchased only the day before around her neck. “I have to take the first dive sometime.”
    “It doesn’t have to be now.”
    She smiled at him again thinking how calm, how steady he appeared when compared to Ky. This was the sort of man it would have made sense for her to be attracted to. Confused emotions made no sense. “Yes, it does. Please.” She put her hand on his arm before he could speak again. “Don’t say anything to Ky.”
    Did she think he’d have to, Marsh wondered as he inclined his head in agreement. Unless he was way off the mark, Marsh was certain Ky knew every expression, every gesture, every intonation of her voice.
    “Let’s run it a couple of minutes at full throttle.” Ky climbed over the side, dripping and eager. “With the depth and the size of the prop, we’re going to have to test the effect. There might not be enough power to do us any good.”
    In agreement, Marsh went to the helm. “Are you thinking about using an air lift?”
    Ky’s only answer was a noncommital grunt. He had thought of it. The metal tube with its stream of compressed air was a quick, efficient way to excavate on silty bottoms. They might get away with the use of a small air lift, if it became necessary. But perhaps the prop-wash would do the job well enough. Either way, he was thinking more seriously about a bigger ship, with more sophisticated equipment and more power. As he saw it, it all depended on what they found today.
    He picked up one last piece of equipment—a small powerful spear gun. He’d take no more chances with Kate.
    “Okay, slow it down to the minimum,” he ordered. “And keep it there. Once Kate and I are down, we don’t want the prop-wash shooting cannonballs around.”
    Kate stopped the deep breathing she was using to ease tension. Her voice was cool and steady. “Would it have that kind of power?”
    “Not at this speed.” Ky adjusted his mask then took her hand. “Ready?”
    “Yes.”
    Then he kissed her, hard. “You’ve got guts,