on the road to Port Arthur and made good time. They made the deliveries and had to take time to tell the customers what had happened to Amanda and the plane. Leaving there, they ate lunch at a drive-in and were back in Galveston at five after three.
Amanda didn’t want to be a nuisance or an annoyance to Daniel, but this was a new experience to her, and she wasn’t sure how he was going to get to her plane. Could he dive safely? Could he find the plane and would he be able to salvage anything? What would happen to the plane?
“Daniel, how sure are you that you can find the plane and come back up safely? I don’t want you placed in danger over my misfortunes.”
Daniel smiled and patted her hand noticing the frown on her face as she searched his eyes.
He realized she was anxious about his diving and probably had not completely gotten over the shock of having to bailout.
“My diving suit is at the dock. A friend and I share a storage room rented there where we keep what we’ll need, and both of us have powerboats docked there. Amanda, can you pilot a boat?”
“Now that I can do. I wish I could be more help to you. Forgive me, but I’m worried about the entire process and certainly worried about you going so deep. I truly do appreciate your offer of assistance, but if you decide that it’s beyond you, I’ll not think badly if you need to make other plans.” She made the offer, but hoped he would not back out on her.
“Knock it off. Quit worrying. I’ll need you to take me out to the site where the plane went down and stay on guard until I come back up. I guess I’ll have to check in with the Port Authorities. Sometimes they have a diver of their own to go down, either with me or just their crew. I want to do everything legally, so that you won’t have future problems. They may feel that we need to obtain a permit for the dive.”
Amanda had been listening, but she had also been thinking of a statement he had made.
“Why will I need to stay on guard?”
“A sensible diver, or a swimmer, never goes to any depth without having someone alert in the event of trouble. I don’t anticipate any, but it is better to be on the safe side in case you have to signal for help for me.” Seeing the horrified expression on her face, Daniel rushed to reassure her. “I’ve never had problems of this nature before, and I don’t know anyone personally who has. It’s just good common sense to cover all bases and have a partner above water.”
Numbly she nodded, then turned to greet the men who had come to meet them. The Patrol had two divers ready to suit up and dive with Daniel. Another man was with them to stay above water. Amanda was grateful knowing that Daniel would not be down so deep alone.
Lt. Kooper came to stand with them. “We’re fortunate to have a navy vessel nearby that is equipped to bring larger items up, if it isn’t too deep. I don’t think it is, because you’re too near the shoreline. We have our own boat to take you out,” he said to Daniel. “The young lady will have to wait here. We prefer to handle this ourselves, but we’re making an exception for you,” he nodded to Daniel. Lt. Kooper faced Amanda. “If you like, you may wait in the office and have coffee or tea”
Amanda vigorously shook her head. “Oh, no. Thank you, but I want – I need to be here and watch what’s happening.” He understood her apprehension and smiled at her. “I anticipated your answer. I hope it’s okay with you, but I had a chair brought down for you.”
She smiled her thanks but knew she was too nervous to sit. She started pacing up and down as soon as the boat left with the men aboard. She had never been a handwringer, but she now understood why some people got satisfaction from it. Her heart was heavy for fear Daniel would be hurt trying to help her. About ten minutes later, her spirits lifted a little as she saw the divers climbing back into the boat. They were too far out for her to see individual faces, just forms, but she counted all of them safely in the boat.
Amanda quickly walked closer to Lt. Kooper when she realized he was talking on a communicator to the men in the boat. “Good. I’ll signal the navy vessel to move in. You men may need to secure their lines to the plane. Don’t let Mr. Cortland go down for that. In fact, as soon as the navy is ready to go, bring him in and get out of the way. Yes, they have a barge to bring the plane closer to shore,” he answered an obvious question.
Amanda felt some relief but would not be satisfied until Daniel and the men were safely on the dock. As Daniel got off the boat, he hurried to her. “The plane looks to be in good shape. It’s topside up. Of course there’ll be damage, but we’ll soon know what caused the accident.
I’m going to take a quick shower and get dressed.” He hurried to his truck, got his clothes and rushed to the showers.
Chapter Four
The navy vessel had come in and was in the process of lifting the plane on the barge. Amanda was surprised and pleased to discover that Daniel had made arrangements for a special flatbed to take the plane to the Wescott Hangar. He had hired four experienced men to ready the plane. It didn’t take as long as Amanda imagined it would. The men took off the wings and a few other parts so that the plane would fit on the flatbed without obstructing traffic. They were back at the hangar by seven that evening and left the flatbed and plane ready for Mike’s inspection the next day.
It was nearly ten before Daniel could get away from ranch duties to drive in to the hangar Saturday morning. He had been working since six but was invigorated thinking of seeing Amanda and checking the plane. It took a little more than half an hour to drive from the Cortland Ranch to the Wescott Hangar. He was curious as to why the plane went down but never stopped saying a prayer of thankfulness for Amanda’s safety.
Mike had been at work for a long time but was delighted to see Daniel and have someone to discuss his findings with. His concern for Amanda was fatherly. “I wish she had told her dad about these problems, but she can be mighty stubborn when she is being protective toward someone she loves. He’s going to be livid when he finds that she has kept this from him and he doesn’t need more stress on his heart.”
Daniel nodded in agreement but before he could comment, he heard a vehicle drive up and stop outside the big sliding doors. “Who’s this?” he asked as the driver opened the door of a blue van and got out of the vehicle.
“He’s a stranger to me,” Amanda said as she strolled out to meet the man.
“Good morning,” the man smiled pleasantly. “I assume you’re Miss Wescott.”
“Yes,” she answered guardedly.
“My name is Jeff Dorton. Here’s my identification. Your insurance company has instructed me to inspect your plane and try to determine the cause of your problems. My duties also include checking on the theft of a vehicle and tools.”
“You’ve had other problems?” Daniel spoke softly in surprise to Mike.
Mike nodded but didn’t answer. With narrowed eyes he was listening intently to the conversation between Amanda and Jeff Dorton.
“My goodness! Thank you, Mr. Dorton. I expected someone to come by, but never dreamed it would be so soon, and on Saturday at that. Let’s go inside and I’ll introduce you to our mechanic. He’s started his inspection, but he’ll be glad to have your input.”
Amanda introduced Mike and Jeff Dorton and then Daniel. Mike and Jeff discussed how they would go about
