Dead Reckoning (46 page)

She broke the surface, bright sun flashing at her. Regulator out, Shiloh wiped her face and hooked her arm over the grate of the rig.

Reece glided up next to her, his regulator already dangling down his shoulder. “Like your treasure?”

“You did this. Plotted against me.” She laughed as he swept her into his arms and kissed her.

“You ready?”

She frowned. “For what?”

He nodded toward the boat. “Now or never, chicken.”

She glanced up at the deck of the rig—and gasped. A white tent stretched the length of the boat and billowed under the teasing fingers of a warm wind. Julia and Toby waited with Miller and two of his men … and a man she didn’t recognize.

“That's Pastor Roy.”

She darted Reece a glance. “Right now?”

“If I gave you time to back out, you would.”

A slow smile stole into Shiloh's face. “I think you were afraid you’d get cold feet.”

“Not on your life.”

With one last look to the guests, she climbed up on the grate and removed the tank. “I don’t know …” She held the open box, admiring the way the sun caught the brilliance of the square stone.

Reece hauled himself aboard and unloaded his gear. He took the ring and slid it on her finger. “That belongs on your left hand. I belong in your life. What's to know?”

“Hey!” Miller shouted over a gull's call. “Are you two getting married or what?”

Reece cocked his eyebrow and held out his hand. “What say you?”

“Are you sure you want to be married to a spy?”

His forehead wrinkled. Then he blinked, the shock registering. “You mean …”

“My clearance came through this morning. I am seizure-free, and my synapses have regenerated. I’m good to go.”

Pulling her into his embrace, Reece kissed her soundly.

“Hey! You aren’t married yet,” Miller taunted. “You better hurry before this pastor gets cold feet.”

Laughing, Shiloh let Reece lead her under the tent. Her love and excitement burned such that she barely noticed the loss of the sun's warmth beneath the white canopy.

Holding hands, they stood before the pastor.

Reece nodded. “Go ahead.”

Discussion Questions

1. The title of this book,
Dead Reckoning
, is a navigational term that means the process of estimating one's current position based upon a previously determined position, or fix, and advancing that position based upon known or estimated speeds over elapsed time and course. How does this play a key role at the end of the story? Have you ever been so intimately aware of someone that you have been able to predict their reaction, or even prevent something bad from happening?

2. Shiloh is an underwater archeologist with one goal on her mind. What is that goal? Does she achieve her goal? What does Reece say is the real reason she's in the region?

3. Do you believe Shiloh understands what true love is or what it means? Why? She makes a decision in Chapter 10 that could alter her life. What do you think drives her decision?

4. The Doctrine of Competing Harms comes from English common law and refers to the judicious use of deadly force when one feels there is a legitimate threat of bodily harm or death, or in other words, the lesser of two evils (kill or be killed). At the train station (Chapter 14), Reece is forced to protect Shiloh with the use of deadly force. What is it? How do you think he resolves situations like this with his faith?

5. Shiloh harbors a lot of anger and bitterness toward her father because of his life as a covert operative. What does the Bible say about anger and bitterness? Do you have any unhealed hurts or anger? Is there one thing you can do that would open the door to reconciliation?

6. Espionage operatives defend and ensure our freedom throughout the world, using covert and often dangerous means. Yet these men and women must use deception
and sometimes deadly force to accomplish their objective. The Bible warns us against lying lips and deceitful tongues (Psalm 120:2), which would seem to suggest that the means employed by a covert operative is sinful, yet even King David used spies to gain the advantage. What do you think about espionage and the agents who protect their countries and put their lives on the line without ever being acknowledged or thanked?

7. Shiloh falls in love with India, a beautiful but pagan nation that predominantly practices Hinduism, a faith that worships thousands of gods. Although Shiloh does not embrace the beliefs of the country, she also does not embrace Christianity. Why? Can you relate to her hesitancy toward spiritual things?

8. Reece is a strong, heroic character who thrives on being the one to save the day. Where did this drive come from in his life? Also, what is it that enables him to cope with the gruesome realities of his occupation?

9. At one point in the story, Shiloh finds comfort in a memory long suppressed—her mother praying with her the Lord's Prayer. What verse in the Bible gives you comfort or has helped you through a particularly difficult time in your life?

10. How would you describe Shiloh's spiritual journey? What role does her father play in it? Why is she so determined not to be like her father?

11. At the opening of the story, Reece is still struggling with an event that happened two years earlier. What is it and why did it impact him so deeply? What similarities are there between that event and what's happening in his life now?

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