Blue Moon (34 page)

As she and her mother-in-law made their way to the podium, Gabe was surrounded by his fellow scientists. “So far, so good,” Frances said.

Jeanne nodded.

Gabe had completed his doctorate at Texas A&M in Galveston, where Jeanne had been teaching the past year. But returning to BSSR was a major step for her husband: one of the members of the board was the man who'd usurped the credit for research that Gabe had done. He'd thought it only fair to apprise his parents of the situation, since Dr. Riall was prominent in their circles and at the research facility. While they'd suspected some sort of rift had led to their son's abdication of his promising future, the truth had come as a shock.

Jeanne and Gabe wouldn't have been here at all, if Dr. Edmund Avery hadn't taken ill and been forced to retire. They were going to take over the Avery home and keep an eye on Gabe's parents, while Edmund and Frances retired to a nearby condo with less upkeep. Since Jeanne was fond of both of them, it wasn't much of a sacrifice to move to Bermuda—not only was Edmund as ornery as his son, but Jeanne had a lot in common with her mother-in-law. Both were professionals and neither were particularly at home in the kitchen.

“There's our other guest of honor,” the president and executive director exclaimed as Jeanne approached Gabe. “Dr. Avery, come join us for pictures before we retire to the reception area.”

In addition to teaching at the research institute, Jeanne would be helping with tours to shipwrecks on the reef. “Like being paid to play,” she'd told her family over the holidays.

Jeanne couldn't help but notice the elderly Dr. Riall, who'd retired from teaching and research only to remain on the administrative board, hanging back from their group. As picture after picture was taken with the various VIPs, she wondered if he felt guilty, if he'd even speak to Gabe.

By the time the entourage made its way to the reception area where a modest display of finger foods and beverages had been put out, she was flash blind. This was her least favorite part of her work, the social scene, stiff and—

“Surprise!”

Jeanne blinked, frozen at Gabe's side by the collective outburst in the other room until a sea of familiar faces came into focus. The entire Madison clan was present, from her mother to brothers, wives, and children. She hadn't seen them since the snowy Christmas chaos spent with the Madisons. Gabe had been a real hit with the kids on sleds.

“When did . . . how did . . . ?” Jeanne broke off as Neta Madison came forward and hugged her.

“Edmund and Frances invited us here for your reception,” her mother informed her.

“And you know me—anything for a vacation in Bermuda,” Mark piped up, hoisting his two-year-old daughter from one hip to the other, while Corinne fished in an oversized shoulder bag and produced a junior cup of juice. “Marianna loves the water.”

“Me too, dude.” Blaine's adopted son, Berto, stepped out from between Blaine and Caroline and gave Gabe five. “Can we go diving?”

At nine, he was as tall as his mom, although that wasn't saying a whole lot, given Caroline's petite build. Blaine always teased her that he got a backache dancing with her, but that she was worth it.

“You betcha,” Gabe replied. “We have a boat right at our dock.”

Jeanne had insisted that Gabe replace the
Fallen Angel
, and the proceeds from their shares of the
Luna Azul
's contents more than covered it. She turned as her niece, Karen, placed an arm around her shoulder.

“So what's the male factor here, Aunt Jeanne? Is this place full of nerds, or are there a few hotties like Gabe lurking about?”

“Yeah,” Annie chimed in, sophisticated and cute in a tropical print sheath at Karen's elbow. “Because right now, it's not looking promising.”

Jeanne laughed. Even she was old in her nieces' eyes. “Just be patient and keep your eyes open. This won't last that long. Then we'll take you on a tour of the facilities.”

“Speaking of facilities,” Blaine said, “the orphanage has finished the new dormitory with its share of the
Blue Moon
's funds.”

“Designed and supervised by me, of course,” Mark told her. “Corinne and I made a combination vacation-business visit out of it.”

“How is your grandmother?” Jeanne asked her sister-in-law.

“
Doña
Violeta has finally given up her donkey cart for a luxury sedan,” Corinne answered.

“But the poor driver can't go more than five miles an hour or she gets dizzy,” Mark added.

Corinne laughed. “With only two main roads in Mexicalli, it's just as well.”

Jeanne joined her, joy swelling in her chest. She turned to thank her mother-in-law for inviting the entire Madison clan only to see a wary look claim Frances's face. Following her gaze, Jeanne saw Dr. Herbert Riall approach Gabe. Drawn to one side from a recent stroke and forced to use a cane, Gabe's former mentor looked shriveled and wan compared to Gabe's broad-shouldered build and bronzed complexion.

“Dr. Avery,” the older man said, offering his free hand to Gabe. “I want to extend my personal congratulations and express my delight on your heading our microbiology research staff. “I can't think of anyone more qualified than you.”

Her family banter faded as Jeanne waited with bated breath for Gabe's reply, for the stony expression that claimed his face offered no hint of what it might be. Nor had Gabe accepted the gnarled hand offered him.

“Your husband was my esteemed protégé,” Dr. Riall explained to Jeanne, as though he'd not noticed. “If not for Dr. Avery, I could not possibly have achieved the recognition that has been awarded me in our field. It is my hope that he will carry our work to even higher goals.”

His demeanor melting with a belated characteristic charm, Gabe took the proffered hand in his. “Thank you for your vote of confidence, sir.”

“If anyone can do it, Gabe can,” Jeanne said, relieved.

“I had the privilege of meeting your colleague Dr. Primston last month at a lecture in this very establishment. He had nothing but glowing words for the both of you.”

“Was this part of his book tour?” Jeanne asked. Remy had titled his novel about the Genesis project
Once in a Blue Moon.
With a cowriter, he'd managed to dramatize their search and excavation like a true crime novel; it had made the best-seller list.

“Yes, I believe so,” Dr. Riall said. “Fascinating book, that. Can't say I condoned your approach . . . I hate to see any part of a reef destroyed.”

“A case of one science at odds with another,” Gabe put in.

“Yes,” Riall continued, “but I have to say that I was delighted to read of your success in making the Isla Codo reef a government-protected park.”

“It was the least we could do,” Gabe said. “The first site we worked on is already replenishing itself, since further excavation is prohibited.”

“Edmund, Frances,” Riall said, turning bodily toward Gabe's parents. “I can only imagine your pride in seeing Gabe taking over the research program. Time for us old folks to step down and let the younger ones take over, eh?”

The senior Averys made some appropriate reply, but Jeanne's attention was for her husband only. His parents couldn't possibly be prouder of Gabe than she was at the moment.

She told him so the moment she saw a chance to spirit him away from their colleagues and family. Stepping out a side door into a small courtyard, Jeanne raised up on tiptoe and kissed him on the cheek.

“Have I told you how much I love you today?”

With a frown, Gabe pretended to think. “No, I don't think so. We overslept and, as I recall, you complained that I took too long in the shower.” He grinned, one of those that made her toes curl in her pumps. “Not that I minded your joining me.”

Jeanne arched her brow at him. “You did that on purpose, didn't you!” It was definitely an accusation, not a question. “What am I going to do with you, Gabe Avery?”

Sheer wickedness twinkled in Gabe's eyes. “Well, you could start—”

She put her fingers to his lips. “You forgave him, didn't you?”

The twinkle died. “Riall really believes that work was his.” Gabe looked away. “Instead of wanting to pop the old geezer one, I felt sorry for him.” He chuckled, without humor. “The weird thing is, I thought I would have to force myself to forgive him . . . but I
really
felt sorry for him.” Amazement tinged his words. He sought her gaze and held it with his own tender one. “One of your God things, I guess.”

Jeanne kissed him again lightly. “No,
sweet
,” she mimicked. “It was your very own God thing. He enables the willing heart.”

The corner of Gabe's mouth tipped upward, mischief returning to his twinkling eyes. “Think He'll enable what this heart is willing right now?” Gabe slipped his hands around her waist, drawing her against him.

The door opened behind them. “Aunt Jeanne!” Berto shouted in a voice that could be heard on the neighboring island. “When you guys are done making google-eyes at each other, some old guy wants to talk to Uncle Gabe.”

Jeanne gave her husband a half-chiding, half-seductive look. “Undoubtedly,” she answered. “But in
His
time, not ours.”