Page 2 of Hearts on the Line (The Maverick Key #1)

Maddie

As I step out of my rental car, a sea breeze hits me. The air is warm, salty, and tinged with the smell of green growth and wild coast. Maverick Key isn’t like anywhere else I’ve ever been. It’s earthy, untamed, and alive.

The gravity of returning to this place and breathing the same air Nathan once did presses down on me.

Memories pull me back to my visit here seven years ago, just before graduation.

It was the last time I saw him in his element.

After my trip, he visited us in Sarasota when he could.

Those days in the Key keep circling in my mind, a carousel of lost dreams.

But he’s not completely gone. When I need him most, his voice still rings out from my heart, and it feels like he’s still here.

Our last phone call replays through my thoughts—the one not long before he died—five years ago. I’d begged him not to go into the caves alone. But he did.

Why did you lie to me?

Now, here I am, only twenty-eight and already so damnold.

Ding, my shaggy Polish Lowland Sheepdog, leaps from behind me, barking as his paws hit the sandy gravel.

I met Ding, when he was a stray pup, during my veterinary internship. A teenage boy begged me to keep Ding so his parents wouldn’t take him to a shelter. Given my responsibilities to Mom, I couldn’t afford to care for a dog, but I’d never listened to logic where my heart was concerned.

Ding saved me. I wouldn’t have made it without him after losing Nathan.

There’s so much to do. I used all the money I received from selling Mom’s home to buy a small, abandoned building on the outskirts of town near the marina.

It needs a lot of work, but it will soon be Maverick Key’s first animal clinic.

This will help the townsfolk, since the only way to get pet care now is a twenty-minute drive over the Castle Light Bridge to Naples.

There’s no set date for the grand opening, but I expect to finish the work in a few months.

If I stay focused. Contractors begin renovations in a few weeks.

Ding and I walk up the gravel path toward the historic inn, a thriving bed-and-breakfast. The wide front porch is dotted with swaying flower baskets, and weathered wooden shingles shimmer under the late afternoon sun.

A sign carved in elegant script, Driftwood Inn & Cottages—Your Island Escape, swings from iron chains.

For a moment, I freeze. I’m intruding on a memory which doesn’t belong to me. Nathan’s memory.

Beyond the inn, the island stretches out in a lush mix of tropical charm and untouched wilderness.

We pass blooming hibiscus, the air sweetened by their fragrance and mingled with the sharp tang of saltwater.

A pair of white egrets fly across the road, disappearing into a swaying palm canopy.

Farther up, two old men lean against a weathered fence, chatting in low, good-natured tones.

As Ding and I near the front porch, a Welcome Home sign hangs from the edge of the railing. The uneven letters are in Nathan’s handwriting. He painted it during my last visit.

“Don’t worry, sis,” he’d said back then, hammering it into place with a smile I’ll never forget. Handsome and quirky, wearing his Protect the Seas T-shirt, ripped jeans, and glasses—all quintessential Nathan. “This place will always be here for you.”

My heart aches.

I’d postponed dealing with my inheritance, as I cared for our ailing mother. And after she passed away last year, Sarasota held nothing for me.

Now, the inn is mine.

The weight of ownership is heavier than the South Florida humidity pressing against my skin.

Standing on the porch, my gaze sweeps across the grounds, taking it all in.

I’ll try to make a life here. Moving to Maverick Key opens a world of possibilities—a chance to start over and reclaim Nathan’s legacy.

There’s so much I’m missing from the last years of my brother’s life.

Never one to talk about himself, it was still clear he was a rising star in the scientific community.

But the details of his life and death are shrouded.

I need to know more. I want to understand what he was looking for and do everything in my power to be sure his work is remembered.

The inn’s double doors open, and a small woman steps out, waving enthusiastically like she’s been waiting for me. She’s in her sixties, gray hair pinned back in a simple bun. Her expression is warm and friendly.

“You must be Maddie.” She strides toward me with arms outstretched, squeezing me into a big hug. “I’m Ms. Connor, the innkeeper. Who’s this handsome guy?”

“This is Ding.”

He jumps up at the sound of his name and flops onto his back, shamelessly asking Ms. Connor for a belly rub.

“He’s not shy about introductions.”

“Well, then. He’s going to fit right in here.

” She kneels and obliges him with a few rubs before straightening back up.

“Come on inside, honey. I’ve got some refreshments waiting for you.

” She looks down. “And there’s something meaty and delicious for you, too, Ding.

” He wags his tail, following her inside like he owns the place.

The cool air inside the inn is a relief. A pitcher of lemonade, glistening with condensation, sits on the kitchen counter beside two tall glasses. I pour myself a drink and take a slow sip. It’s tart, sweet, and laced with a hint of mint.

“This is delicious.” I lick my lips. “Did you make it yourself?”

She beams. “It’s an old island recipe. Keeps the heat at bay.” She’s buzzing around the kitchen, wiping down the counters as she chats. “Why don’t you put your bags down and take a look around? Later on, I’ll show you the cottage.”

While she works on dinner, I wander through the inn.

The living area’s dark wood and leather furnishings are cozy, though dust covers some surfaces.

Ms. Connor has been caring for this place all by herself.

It’s amazing she keeps it as clean as she does.

Behind the kitchen, there’s a staircase leading to the inn’s guest suites. I start up the stairs.

Ding’s bark from the porch brings my attention back to the door.

To find out what’s alarmed him, I step outside. The steady crash of waves, a distant hum of voices, and birdcalls wash over me. I look back at the ocean. Somewhere out there, past the endless blue horizon, lies Carter’s Drop .

Nathan’s lifework.

His final resting place.

The blue hole my brother discovered now bears his name. I blink back my sadness.

“Hey there. I hope I’m not intruding.” A cheerful voice calls out.

I turn to see a young woman with bright red hair pulled into a messy ponytail, strands escaping in every direction. She’s wearing flip-flops and a vibrant sunflower-print dress, her smile as bright as the fabric.

“I’m sorry for just showing up.” She catches her breath. “You’re Maddie, right? I figured I’d come by and say hello.”

“That’s me. And you are?”

“Hannah Rodriguez. I live a few blocks down.” She crouches down to greet Ding, who sniffs her hands and jumps around her legs, tongue wagging. I laugh when he earns yet another belly rub.

“Seems like he’s making friends quicker than I am.”

She straightens, brushing sand from her knees. “Well, you’ve got me now. And I’ll give you all the local scoop so you don’t have to hear it through the island’s grapevine.”

We chat for a while and then head back inside. After grabbing a few of Ms. Connor’s freshly baked cookies, we sit on the living room couch, the television humming in the background.

I learn she frequently visits the inn and has been helping with its advertising for years.

“Were you and Nathan close?”

“Your brother was the best. He was so nice, a friend to everyone. But personally, nah. He was just too busy and rarely around. It was hard to get to know him on that level. That said, he used to talk about you all the time.”

“He did?”

“Oh yeah. He was so proud of you.” With her napkin, she cleans off some of the dust from the coffee table. “He was always bragging about his smart little sister, the veterinarian, and musician. The whole town knows who you are.”

“Oh Geesh.” The idea of being infamous before meeting anyone alarms me.

“Don’t worry. Everyone’s looking forward to meeting you.”

Hannah and I lose track of time as we gossip about all the juicy things happening in Maverick Key. There’s an instant connection with her. Even though we’ve just met, her fun, open nature is infectious. She’s the pretty brown-eyed, red-headed, sassy bestie I always wanted to have in school.

“You’re going to open a veterinarian practice here on the island?”

“Yeah. I’ve been interning for a few years. The animal clinic will be my first business venture. Something of my own.”

“You’ll crush it.” She straightens and tilts her head, eyes shining. “So, tell me about this musical talent of yours. Didn’t you attend Juilliard?”

“I was accepted for Piano.” I pause, averting my gaze. “My plans had to change because of Mom.”

The corners of her mouth dip. She reaches out and touches my arm, giving me a gentle squeeze.

“Another thing he talked about all the time was Carter’s Drop.

He was obsessed. He’s our local small-town hero.

It was Carter’s Drop that put Maverick Key on the map.

” She picks up another cookie. “It’s not surprising someone’s finally picking up where he left off.

What’s surprising is that they waited so long. ”

“What do you mean?”

“You’ve heard about the project to explore Carter’s Drop, right?”

“No. What’s going on?”

Hannah leans closer. “They’re calling it An Interdisciplinary Exploration of the Carter’s Drop Blue Hole.

Dr. Garrett Harlow—a big-shot marine archaeologist—is leading it.

I think he and Nathan were colleagues. Now, he’s taking over where your brother left off.

He’s hired a cave diver, Scott Rickter, and his dive team to explore and map the caves.

They’ve been out there for weeks already, surveying the caverns and looking for—” she shrugs.

“I don’t know. Old bones, maybe? Nobody outside of the project knows.

Scott hasn’t said much, and Garrett doesn’t talk to anyone unless he has to. ”

“Why didn’t anyone tell me about this?” My face flushes.

“I’m sorry. They should have. Scott’s a straight shooter. You can ask him anything you want to know.”

I make a mental note to talk to this Scott Rickter. I want to be sure Nathan gets credit for his work and no opportunists are planning to bury his contribution.

Hannah tilts her head with a wry grin. “And then there’s the treasure hunters.”

“Treasure hunters?”

“Oh, that’s right. One high-profile news story isn’t enough for Maverick Key.

” She shifts in her seat, drawn into her own story.

“Harrold Skipes—one of those eccentric billionaires—hid a treasure cache on the island. At least, that’s the rumor that’s got everyone stirred up.

Earlier today, I passed two kids on Sunset Strand arguing over a treasure map so creased it looked like it had been through a washing machine.

” She talks with her hands, her fingers slicing through the air in dramatic circles as she speaks.

“Treasure mania has this whole town in a frenzy. It’s so bad that it’s got the Coast Guard in a tizzy, so they’ve pulled in NOAA authorities. Now, everyone diving near the Drop has to have a permit.” Ding jumps on the couch and snuggles in next to her. His eyes close as she strokes his coat.

“Whoa… This is exhausting.”

So much for living a quiet island life.

“You’ve got that right. And it’s all gone viral on social media. Celebrities are getting in on the hype. Wes Harrington and his crew are expected to arrive sometime this week. They’re staying right here at the inn.”

“Who?” I haven’t looked at the list, but more guests are arriving soon.

“You’ve never heard of Wes Harrington?” Her eyes widen in disbelief.

“Last year, he rappelled into a cenote in the Yucatan with just rope and his GoPro. Edge-of-your-seat clickbait. His channel tripled overnight. He claimed he found valuable artifacts.” She giggles as Ding licks her hands.

“The locals claim he faked the whole thing. He’s a charmer, at least on camera.

Look.” She pulls up his channel on her phone.

“Over two million followers and a ton of fan channel spin-offs. He’s a real celebrity daredevil.

” Her face spreads into a grin. “Not to mention he’s hot. ”

I shake my head and laugh. “This is nuts. It sounds like I won’t be bored.”

“Ha… that’s an understatement.” She gives me a big hug. “Welcome to Maverick Key. You’re going to love it here.”

After Hannah leaves and Ms. Connor and I share a quick dinner, I linger on the inn’s front porch, my gaze fixed on the horizon.

I picture Nathan’s face and the first dive we took together so many years ago.

“The sea has a way of pulling us in, Mads.”

Deep water enveloped us, a boundless expanse of wonder and mystery. The beauty of the deep lies in its endless and mighty embrace of all within it.

“Look at you… you’re a natural.” His face was full of pride.

We both loved the sport, and he made it an important part of his life.

My mentor. My hero. He dedicated his life to exploring the ocean’s secrets, a path I might have also taken, but I didn’t.

When I went to college, I had a different plan for myself.

To break out of the mold and not live the same life as Mom and Dad, or Nathan.

I wanted so much to be my own person. Now, I’m not sure who I am.

My vision of his face vanishes as I turn my head away from the shore.

In the next few weeks, I’ll focus on preparing to open my animal clinic. Make connections with the locals, do house calls, etc.

This is what I want, isn’t it?

But tomorrow—tomorrow, I’m going to take a day off for myself—one last break before I’m too busy with this new life.

Maybe I’ll go swimming.