Both cars returned to the cottage. Hutch half-expected to see the trucks there, but there was no sign of them. Arin got out of his seat and indicated they should all go inside. Hutch wasn’t sure yet what the plan was, but she understood they were going to the beach. Ken knocked and opened the door. Beth was seated on the sofa. “Good to see you guys decided to come back,” she said.

“We’re going home,” said Ken. “I hope. We need to get whatever we were wearing when we came here.” Arin provided plastic bags for everybody.

Ken took Hutch aside. He looked uncomfortable. “Arin says for you to get into your bathing suit. I offered to replace you, but he says you’re the one they need. You’re apparently better in the water.”

“That would be a substantial compliment, coming from them.” Hutch took one of the plastic bags and went upstairs. She dug out the oversized pieces of cloth that passed for her bathing suit, got into them, and tied the cord to keep everything from falling off. She collected the clothes she’d been wearing when they arrived and put them in the plastic bag. And opened the drawer in the side table and removed the couplings. She paused at the door on the way out and looked back. It hadn’t been especially comfortable, but she’d miss it.

Everybody was waiting when she got downstairs. Except Arin, who arrived several minutes later in a bathing suit.

Derek was not happy. “Be careful, Hutch,” he said. He’d been slow to adjust to her nickname, but he was using it all the time now.

•  •  •

Arin drove Ken and Hutch to the yacht. Two coils of cable had been placed on the afterdeck. When they boarded, a female came out of the cabin. “Sara,” said Arin, “Parsilla. And Ken.” Parsilla was about as close as he’d been able to get to her name.

Sara was probably the tallest female on the island. She stood several inches above Ken. She responded with a smile and they all shook hands. Minutes later, they were on their way.

Hutch inspected the cable as they cruised through a sea that fortunately was calm. The material felt tough enough. When they arrived near the buoy, the two trucks were parked under the trees. There was a crowd, but the beach itself had been kept clear. The drivers, in their yellow jackets, were standing talking with a few locals. Somebody spotted the yacht and they all waved. “You know,” Hutch said, “I could really get used to living here.”

“I know,” said Ken.

Arin dropped anchor. Hutch put on her oxygen mask and air tank. Then she checked the tree cluster to ensure the buoy hadn’t drifted. Sara released the end of one of the coils and slipped smoothly into the water with it. Arin followed, and then Hutch. They exchanged glances, and all three dived.