It was strange, Thor thought. Whereas Josh Harrison appeared solid and real, Anne was gossamer.
He had gone outside, needing to see the night sky and feel the breeze. There were too many people inside, he thought, staring out at the ocean.
Neither he nor Genevieve had lost their love for the sea, and they had returned to the Marie Josephine project. It was their willingness to go back after nearly losing their lives that had made an impact on Marshall.
That, or maybe Gen herself, talking to him for hours, convincing him that if there were spirits in the ocean, they’d been trying to tell him something, not kill him.
Of course, they never mentioned ghosts themselves. What had happened that night out on the water remained between Genevieve, Blackhawk and himself.
Victor and Genevieve had patched up their differences. Genevieve had been buying Victor apology dinners ever since.
As for the project, not even Jack had known where to find the bulk of the treasure, but Genevieve had found a large section of the hull. The vacuuming equipment had been brought in, and a chest filled with treasure had been found.
It was with Adam, Bethany and the Blackhawks that he and Genevieve had pieced together the most important discovery, and that had been before the bitter end for Jack. Genevieve believed that Anne had needed the world to know that Aldo had been her murderer. In Genevieve, she had seen someone with the strength to help her, as well as the spirits of the girls who’d shared her watery grave over the years.
As for the pirates, they had apparently admired Anne, who, in her captivity—that time in which she had fallen in love with Gasparilla and he had apparently returned her devotion—must have been kind, charming and engaging.
Perhaps they had guarded the treasure they had never stolen in life. Perhaps they had merely stayed behind to help her find justice.
Audrey had gotten well quickly, though. She’d refused to discuss her ordeal with them. She had done what she’d needed to to stay alive as long as possible. The only one she’d been willing to talk to was Jay.
They had spent time recuperating together, and she’d helped him put together his case against Jack. Then they had surprised everyone by flying off to Vegas and eloping. They still seemed incredibly happy.
He and Gen had opted for a more traditional wedding. Well, traditional by Key West standards, anyway.
His bride had been beautiful in white—but shoeless. They’d been married on the beach at sunset, only a few hours ago, with Father Bellamy presiding.
Bethany, Victor and Alex had been half smashed before the wedding had begun, and they had cried throughout, hugging one another. A difficult feat, since Bethany had been the maid of honor and the other two had served as ushers. But Lizzie and Zach—who had taken work in Australia—had flown back for the wedding and done their best to keep the others in control. Everybody from the project had been there—Adam, Brent, Nikki, Marshall. Something had grown between them, a friendship that would endure.
But friendship or no, he’d needed some air, only as soon as he’d walked out he’d seen Josh, leaning against the back porch rail, with Anne beside him.
“You’re not there. I don’t see you,” Thor groaned.
“I am here, tough guy, and you know it.”
Thor looked at Anne. She was still so skittish, so afraid….
He trembled inside.
Where would he be now, without her? Without her and her band of pirates?
“Thank you,” he said softly, as she began to fade away, her work done. “But I’ve got to go in.”
Feeling like a fool, he waved goodbye to the ghosts, wondering if he would ever see them again.
Inside, he ran right into Victor. The music was high, laughter in the air.
“Where’s Gen?” he asked.
“I think she went upstairs, looking for you?” Victor said.
Thor took the stairs two at a time. Gen was in their room, standing at the window, looking down at Duval Street.
She turned, smiled.
His heart fluttered. Her hair was long, rich, waving with lustrous highlights against the black satin of her silk dress. Her eyes… God, he was in love with her eyes, the sound of her voice…
“Hey, you.” She walked toward him, catching his tie, pulling him close, kissing his lips.
“I love you,” he told her, kissing her back.
“I love you, too. Listen, I know you think I’m crazy—” she began.
He pressed a finger against her lips. “I believe,” he whispered very softly. “I believe. And now that that’s settled, please just shut up so I can kiss my wife properly.”
She smiled.
He did, too.
Outside, the palms swayed and the breeze blew, and there might have been a hint of delighted ghostly laughter, fading into the night.
* * * * *