Free The Magic in her Gift by Missy Martine Page B

here.”
    Sara gasped. “Thirty-eight
thousand?”
    “ Hard to imagine, isn’t it?”
He nodded toward the open sea. “There are still sunken barges,
tractors and jeeps with unexploded munitions out there. Whites
Beach used to be a military base. Hundreds of ships and aircraft
literally litter the ocean floor in the area.” He gave Sara a
melancholy look. “It’s much too dangerous for a novice
diver.”
    Sara sensed a sadness in him that she
couldn’t define. “Is there something wrong, Mel?”
    He took a deep breath and looked away.
“My parents were killed during a war. They were my only family. I
don’t have any aunts or uncles.” He gave her a tiny smile and
winked seductively. “Now it’s up to me to carry on the family
name.”
    Sara’s breath caught as she
felt moisture gather between her thighs. Oh my, God. I need to get away before I do something I’ll
regret. “Mel, I’m not feeling well. Do you
think we could head back to the island now?”
    Mel moved closer and put his arm around
her shoulder. “Sure, we can head back. Are you okay,
Sara?”
    She took a step back and let out the
breath she’d been holding when his arm fell away. “Yeah, I think
I’m just tired from the long trip out here. I didn’t sleep well the
last two nights so I guess I just need some time alone to rest.”
Sara turned away from the hurt look that came into his
eyes.
    “ Sure, Sara. I’ll have us
back in no time.” An hour and a half later, he helped her out of
the boat. “You want me to walk you to the house?”
    Sara sighed and gave him a smile.
“That’s okay, I can make it alone.” She hesitated for a moment.
“Why don’t you come by for breakfast in the morning?”
    “ Are you sure? I don’t want
to wear-out my welcome.”
    Sara grinned. “I’m positive. I love
cooking and it’s not much fun for one. Maybe we could take a hike
around the island or something.”
    Mel’s face morphed into a huge smile.
“What time do you want me?”
    What time do I want you?
How about right now? “How about around nine
o’clock?”
    “ Sounds great to
me.”
    “ Then I’ll see you in the
morning.” She turned to walk away.
    “ Have a good evening, Sara.
If you need anything all you have to do is ring the cottage line
and I’ll be right up.”
    Deciding it was better not to answer,
Sara waved her hand over her shoulder as she hurried away. Back at
the house, she replayed the moment his arm touched her shoulders
over and over in her thoughts. She chewed frantically on her lower
lip as her fists clenched on the table in front of her. She glanced
over at the phone and made an impulsive decision. Quickly, before
she could change her mind, she dialed Bart’s cell
number.
    “ You’ve reached Bart Everett
III. I’m unable to take your call at present. Please leave your
name, phone number and a brief message and I will return your call
as soon as possible.”
    Sara listened to the impersonal message
and waited for the sound of the beep. “I’m sorry, Bart.” She
hesitated for just a moment. “I didn’t mean to anger you earlier. I
hope you’ll call me back soon.” She hung up, feeling tightness in
her chest.
    Glancing around, she spotted the wine
rack and smiled. Taking her time, she finally decided on a bottle
of Petite Sirah. It took her several minutes of searching the
kitchen drawers before she unearthed a corkscrew and several more
before she finally pulled the stubborn cork from the bottle. She
inhaled the fragrant, red wine deeply before pouring herself a
generous glass full. She grinned. “A pleasant, full-bodied wine
with a particularly pungent bouquet.” She mimicked the tone she’d
often heard Bart use in the restaurants they frequented. Then, in
defiance of everything he’d tried to teach her about wine, she
tossed several ice cubes into the glass.
    “ Sorry, Bart, but I hate
warm wine.” She giggled and carried her wine to the study. It was
her favorite room of the house because of the