Page 59 of Tiger's Voyage

“It’s nice to meet you, Wes.”

“Nice to meet you too. This is some boat you’ve got here.”

“Oh, it’s not mine. I’m just along for the ride.”

“Ah.” He smiled easily. “Daughter, niece, granddaughter, cousin, or girlfriend? And please don’t say girlfriend.” He laughed.

I laughed with him. “I guess I’m probably a little bit of all of those.”

“I was afraid of that. I never get the gigs where the beautiful girl is available. But only a little bit of a girlfriend gives me some room to maneuver.” He took a seat and stretched out. “In case you were wondering and were just too darn polite to ask, I’m your diving instructor.”

“Yeah, I figured that out on my own.”

He raised his eyebrows. “Oh, look out! This girl’s got a sense of humor. I like that. Most of the beautiful girls I meet don’t have much going on in the brain department.”

Wes seemed to be the kind of guy who was perpetually happy and always laughing at a joke. He swept back his blond hair and grinned at me. He was cute, had blue eyes, a very nice tan, a nicer body, and he was an American.

“Where are you from?” I asked.

“Texas.”

“How does a guy from Texas end up in India giving diving lessons?”

“It’s a long story. Sure you want to hear it?”

“Yes.”

“Well, I’d much rather talk about you than myself, so I’ll give you the short version. I’m supposed to be at Harvard, but I like diving better, and I had to go all the way to India to get beyond the reach of my parents. Now, how did a pretty young American girl from—”

“Oregon.”

“Oregon?” He raised an eyebrow. “Oregon … find her way to India?”

“It’s an even longer story than yours.”

“I’m dying to hear all about it … but it would appear we have company.” He stood and in an exaggerated whisper said, “You didn’t mention you hadtwoboyfriends. Two big,angryboyfriends,” Wes teased, not showing any signs of discomfort at all.

I giggled and turned around to see Ren and Kishan approaching, wearing identical scowls on their faces. I rolled my eyes at both of them. “Ren, Kishan, meet Wes, our diving instructor.”

“Howdy! How’re y’all doin’ today, sirs?”

Wes shook their hands energetically. I stifled a laugh as the boys halted mid-stride, unsure what to make of Wes and his newly affected Southern charm.

“I was just gettin’ acquainted with yur pretty little filly here. I sure thank ya for the opportunity to hitch a ride. I’ll jus mosey on off to my bunk and let y’all enjoy yur swim. We’ll start the lessons at the crack o’dawn if that’ll be alright with all y’all. Well, I’d better get to gett’n.” Wes rubbed his stomach. “I hope we’re fixin’ ta eat soon. I’m startin’ to feel all catawampus in the bread basket—I like to eat a whole hog—if you know what I mean.” He grinned at both boys then turned to me. “Why it sure was nice making your acquaintance, ma’am. I hope ta see ya againrealsoon.”

I dipped in a slight curtsey. “It was nice chatting with you, Wes. See you at dinner.”

The teasing Texan winked, picked up his things, and left.

Ren walked up to me and threw his towel on the deck chair. “I have no idea what that man was talking about, but I don’t like him.”

“That makes two of us,” Kishan added.

“I don’t know what your problem is. Wes is perfectly likeable, and he’s fun.”

“I don’t like the way he was looking at you,” Ren said.

I sighed. “You never like the way any guy looks at me.”