The Treasure

The mild morning ocean breeze was a welcome relief as Kit stepped out of the cottage and onto the beach. The soft, white sand felt like cotton beneath her bare feet as walked over to a rattan chair and sat down. The cold water she swallowed from the bottle in her hand quenched her parched throat.

A brilliant orange sun was just peeking over the palms atop the hills behind her and it cast a warm glow over the ocean before her. Waves were lapping at the beach gently when she caught a glimpse of a man approaching. Her eyes followed him as he neared her cottage and finally headed over to her.

“Hi! I’m Charlie DeSteffano. I saw you arrive yesterday,” the big, burly man stated. He was in his late forties and sported a beard and mustache. His dark hair and beard were heavily speckled with gray. The lines on his face confirmed the look in his eyes that he had lived a hard life. But his smile never dimmed.

“Nice to meet you. I’m Kit Baldwin.”

“I live in the cottage on the other side of those rocks,” he said gesturing to the point of rocks about a mile away.

“Well, I guess we’re neighbors then. I’ll be here until September,” Kit stated with a smile.

“That’s great. Are you here for a little R & R?” he asked as he sat down on the sand and leaned back against a palm tree.

“Not exactly. I’m a marine archeologist at a university in the States. I’m just doing a little research.”

“A diver! That’s great! I do a little diving, among other things. We’ll have to dive together while you’re here. What kind of research are you doing?” he asked as he plucked the leaves from a fallen palm branch.

“Oh, just some historical stuff,” she replied.

“Well, do you know where to go to find a dive boat and equipment?”

“No. I thought I’d go into town today and look around.”

“That won’t be necessary. A good buddy of mine owns a shop called “The Local” down at the marina. He can set you up with everything you need and he’s an honest, fair guy. I’ll take you down there later if you want,” Charlie offered.

“I’d appreciate that, Charlie.”

He noticed how her green eyes sparkled when she smiled and how the early morning sun glistened on her blond hair. “Please, all my friends call me Chuck.”

She tilted her head slightly as she smiled and replied, “Okay, Chuck it is.”