This story was Book #2 of the Silhouette Romance A Tale of the Sea continuity released in 2002. eBook versions of all four books were released in spring of 2010.In Deep Waters received 4 1/2 gold rating, a Top Pick designation and the 2002 Best Silhouette Romance Award from Romantic Times. Reviewer Judith Rippelmeyer had this to say about the book:
Maritime historian Kayla Waterton's childhood was filled with stories about mermaids and Atlantis. But Kayla promised her father she would stay away from the sea. After his death, Kayla decides to fulfill his dreams of finding the lost pirate ship Isabella. She finds an unlikely partner in salvage captain Ben Mendoza, who hopes to recover the ship's vast treasure. But what Kayla discovers about herself is so shocking, it may end her budding romance with Ben. IN DEEP WATERS (4.5 G) is what romance is all about! Melissa McClone offers adventure, romance, emphatic characters and a dynamite storyline. Reader's will also delight in Ben's little girl, Madison.The other books in A Tale of the Sea series are:
Book 1: More than Meets the Eye by Carla Cassidy
Book 3: Caught by Surprise by Sandra Paul
Book 4: For the Taking by Lillian Darcy
EXCERPT
Foamy green swells tossed the supply ship back and forth like a child's plaything. Kayla Waterton grasped the railing and peered over the edge. She'd done her research and knew what to expect while at sea. Still, she couldn't hide her awe at the water's power or the secrets buried in the murky depths.
"This will keep you safe while you transfer to the other ship, Miss Waterton." Pappy, who looked more like Santa Claus than the ship's captain, connected a lifeline to her life jacket in case she fell into the water. "Just wish I knew what turned the water so rough all of a sudden."
As soon as the Xmarks Explorer, a survey-and-salvage ship, had appeared on the horizon, the calm waters turned choppy. None of the supply ship's crew could explain why, but Kayla thought she knew the answer.
The sea was angry.
She wasn't supposed to be in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. She'd promised her father she would stay out of the sea. If only he was here with her. But he was gone and she'd taken up where he'd left off-locating lost shipwrecks. Piecing together and solving the secrets of the past gave her such satisfaction. She found comfort reading old journals and maps, comparing cargo ledgers and insurance claims, putting the bits and pieces of research into reports for search expeditions.
And for the first time, she was going on an expedition herself. She couldn't deny her excitement, even though she'd had no choice in coming. Her father's dream had been to find the Isabella-a treasure ship of untold value lost nearly three centuries ago, but the bozo running the search expedition was looking in the wrong place, wasting valuable time and money.
"Are you ready, Miss Waterton?" Pappy asked.
Kayla nodded, but she felt less than confident. Spray from the swells hitting the ships flew through the air. She would have to walk right through the mist, but she was more worried about the waves washing over the narrow plank bridging the gap between the two ships. A shiver ran down her spine. Kayla liked reading about adventure on the high seas, not experiencing one herself.
Think about finding the Isabella, locating the lost treasure, making Daddy's dream come true, finding the answers I need... It was only water. So what if she got wet? She could do this; she had to do this.
"We'll bring your gear over with the supplies."
The sooner she got to the other ship, the sooner her search for the Isabella began. Kayla smiled. "Thank you, Pappy."
"Hold on and keep moving." He assisted her onto the gangway. "Whatever you do, don't look down."
She gripped the handrails and took a step. The plank moved up and down, following the motion of the waves. Water seeped through her shoes wetting her socks and feet.
Don't look down.
That hadn't been in any of her books, but she knew good advice when she heard it.
Kayla stared at the crew standing on deck. She focused her gaze on one man with hair the color of coal. He stood out from the others. Though he was simply standing, he exuded a confidence and an arrogance Kayla found both appealing and unnerving.
With a gold hoop in his left ear, he was more pirate than white knight. It was much too easy to imagine him at the helm of the Isabella, barking orders to his crew, stealing treasures from ships sailing the Pacific and kidnapping their female passengers. No doubt he whispered seductive phrases in Spanish, if Kayla guessed his ancestry correctly, before ravishing the maidens locked in his cabin.
As if reading her mind, his dark as midnight eyes met hers with such intensity she almost took a step back.
She swallowed hard. Twice. It didn't help.
Dangerous was the only way to describe him. She wouldn't call him handsome. Not unless you liked tall-dark-ruggedly-sexy-one-hundred-percent-male-types. She didn't, but her body forgot that fact. For some strange reason, her pulse picked up speed. Adrenaline? Attraction? Standing midway across the plank, she wasn't sure of the difference right now.
The only thing she knew to do was keep moving.
Instinct told her to turn around, but she didn't. Instead, Kayla forced herself to walk toward him. Not him, the ship. She took another step and another. Moving closer, Kayla found herself entranced, almost mesmerized, by his eyes.
Look away, look anywhere but at him.
She looked down. Right at the churning water. Oh, my...
"Watch out."
The warning registered, but it was too late. The wave smashed into her and tossed Kayla against the rail. She hit hard against her left hip. Cold water drenched her, soaked through her clothes. Saltwater stung her eyes and filled her mouth. Despite the slippery rail, she hung on. Lifeline or not, she wasn't taking any chances. She had researched what getting lost and rescued at sea entailed.
Strong arms lifted her and carried her onto the ship. She blinked to clear her eyes and came face to face with the pirate. His eyes were even darker up close.
