Carolyn Arnold - McKinley 02 - Vacation is Murder (4 page)

Swimming With The Dolphins

THE PLACE WAS LARGER THAN Sean had expected. A huge section of sea was fenced off and dolphins were jumping and performing as nature would dictate, but there weren’t any tourists in the water at this point. There was also a pen with a shark, as well as separate areas for seals and manatees.

Signs located near the change rooms announced bicycle rentals were available for riding around the island.

They were directed to a counter to get a life jacket and then separated into teams of six to eight and each group was assigned a trainer. A Canadian couple, William and Ann Bolder, joined them.

Sara slipped her jacket on and zipped it up. “What was the weather like when you left home?”

“It was minus twenty-five with a wind chill that made it feel like minus forty.” Ann looked at William, his face contorting as he did the conversion from Celsius to Fahrenheit.

“That would be minus thirteen for you guys.”

“And you probably have lots of snow, eh.” Earl bumped his shoulder into his wife’s.

Catherine shot him a glare and moved a few steps away. “Never mind him. He thinks he’s funny.”

Both Canadians were smiling but didn’t seem to be too engaged in the interaction and turned around to watch the marine life.

Earl crossed his arms. “I am funny. You just don’t appreciate my sense of humor.”

Ever since Earl downed a couple cocktails, his awkward nature had transformed to irritating. Sean wouldn’t verbalize his feelings to Sara, as he didn’t want any negativity to dampen the enjoyment of the day. Instead, he asked, “Are you ready?”

“Yes, this is so exciting, Sean. To think, just weeks ago, we were at work.” Her voice rose in volume with each word.

Earl stood with his hands on his hips, legs about twelve inches apart. “You want to talk about business, Mr. McKinley. What about you and the Mrs.?”

“Oh.” Sara looked at him.

“We’re in between occupations currently.”

Sara touched Sean’s arm and her energy read,
good save.

“Whoa, and you’re on vacation. Nice.”

“Mr. Spencer,” he mimicked Earl’s formal address, “there must be some mystery to us.”

A tanned man of about five-five came over and garnered the group’s attention, including the Bolders. “My name is Alejandro. I’ll be your trainer today.” He paused to insert a sincere-looking smile. “Have any of you ever swam with dolphins before?”

The Bolders put their hands up and accompanied it with a verbal chorus. “We have.”

“Excellent. Was it here?”

Ann Bolder was smiling. “Yes, one year ago.”

“Welcome back.”

“Gracias.”

Alejandro bobbed his head. “You’ve all got your life jackets on, I see.” He inspected them. “You all look good. All right, follow me.”

“Look!” Sara stopped walking and pointed at three dolphins racing through the water. They came up together and jumped in the air. “They’re so beautiful I’m going to cry.”

“I left my handkerchiefs in the locker, darling, but I’m willing to kiss your tears away.”

“Aw.”

The expression slipped from Ann Bolder, and Sean broke eye contact from Sara for a second to smile at her. Most women were the same. They loved romantic gestures.

They walked a few more steps and Sara’s feet grounded to the deck again. She pulled back on Sean’s arm. “I’m not sure I can do this.”

The rest of the group slowed their pace and Alejandro came over. “Is everything all right
,
miss?”

“It’s Mrs. McKinley.”

Alejandro hitched his brows at Sean, not seeming to care if Sara saw the gesture or its implication. “You have no need to worry. They are like dogs of the sea.”

Sara snickered and then it grew into a full laugh, drawing Alejandro’s attention further to her, while Sean kept a close eye on him.

“Did you hear what he said, Sean? Dogs of the sea.”

“Well, they’re certainly a little larger than a dog, aren’t they?” Sean cocked his head.

“Yes, but they are gentle. They won’t hurt you.” Alejandro traced his hand down Sara’s arm.

She stepped back, nodded, and smiled pleasantly, but tucked into Sean’s side. “I’ll be fine.”

“You will, darling.” Sean kissed her forehead.

Chain link cordoned off the dolphin area, and some of the fencing was used to make a shelf around the perimeter for them to stand on. Alejandro led them to a metal staircase that took them into the water at a depth of about four feet. Other groups were positioned around the pen as well.

“Oh, I’m scared, Sean.”

“You will be fine, love.” Sean led the way and held her hand.

“Just be careful of your footing as the steps get slick with algae,” Alejandro said.

He was too concerned, and occupied, with Sara for Sean’s liking. “We’ve got it. Thank you.”

Sara smiled knowingly, and the expression made Sean acknowledge the “green monster” living beneath his surface. He needed to squash it quick—Sara wasn’t going anywhere.

“We all need to line up along the fence and I’ll introduce you to our girls.” Alejandro blew a whistle—not that humans could hear it.

Sara nestled into Sean and he gripped the link fence at their back. Between the choppy water and their buoyancy, they were bucked back and forth, the slimy shelf doing little to help them.

Two dolphins jumped out of the water and then swam along in front of them.

“What we’re going to do is get you used to them first.” Alejandro spoke with his eyes fixed on Sara.

Sean supposed he had known what he’d signed up for—Sara was the beautiful woman next door with a splash of Playboy Bunny.

One of the dolphins swam near.

“Sally is five.” Alejandro popped a few fish into her mouth.

She ducked beneath the surface and came back up again, then worked her way down the line as Alejandro had them petting her, shaking a fin, and kissing her.

Tears streaked down Sara’s cheeks when her lips met the mammal’s thick, yet soft as velvet, hide. “They are so beautiful,” she whispered.

Alejandro had the second dolphin do the same. Her name was Molly and she was the older one.

At first, Sean was leery of swimming too far out into the pen, but when it came time to leave, he didn’t want to go. He had experienced a connection with these creatures, even if it meant admitting that Alejandro was right—they were dogs of the sea.

Déjà Vu

“WE HAVE TO DO THIS again, darling,” Sara said.

“Anything you’d like.”

“Oh, you act like it was no big deal,” she pressed her fingertip to Sean’s nose, “but I know you. You forget that I can read people, especially you. You’re like an open book.”

“Like a book, eh?”

“The Canadians rubbed off on you fast.”

“What can I say, I’m easily impressed.” He leaned down, pushed his nose against hers and grabbed her butt bringing her against him.

Her eyes bolted wide open. “Sean.”

“Why not? You’re my wife and I want the world to know you’re mine.”

She kissed him before he had a chance to make the move.

“Isn’t that sweet, Earl? Why don’t you ever kiss me in public?”

They parted from their embrace to see a smiling Catherine, but Earl was looking like he craved another drink.

“They’re newlyweds, Cathy. Let it go.” He turned to Sean. “How about that drink now? It’s after noon.”

Sean looked at Sara. “What do you think, dear?”

“Sure, but let’s change first.” She kissed him again and then hurried off with Catherine.

Earl and Sean headed to the change rooms too, but without the same enthusiasm as the women had.

Earl and Sean were waiting on a bench for the girls to finish changing. “I’ll never understand women,” Earl said, his legs bouncing.

“That’s encouraging, coming from a married man of thirty years.”

“Sometimes it feels longer than that.”

“You’re not happy?”

“I am. I love her with all my heart, but things change after all that time.”

“Like what? I would think it would only get better. By thirty years, do you even have a need to talk? You’d read each other’s minds so well.”

“Finally. Here they come.” Earl shot to his feet and rubbed his hands together. “Ready for that drink, ladies?”

“Conversation over,” Sean mumbled.

No one seemed to hear him and, as Earl spoke to Sara and Catherine, Sean looked behind them. The woman from the resort stood at a distance—the large sunhat drawing attention to her.

“Sean?” Sara tugged his arm.

In his peripheral, he noticed Sara follow his line of sight.

“Checking out another woman on our honeymoon?”

“See, Cathy, no relationship is perfect,” Earl said.

Catherine punched her husband’s shoulder. Sean hoped she put force behind it.

“You know I only have eyes for you,” he said to Sara and drew her in.

“You better.”

“Hmm. Now who’s jealous?”

“There’s a difference.”

“And that would be?”

“Excuse us for a moment.” Sara cupped his elbow and guided him to turn around. She spoke in a near whisper. “I want you. I’m not possessive.”

“Oh really?” He jacked a thumb over his shoulder. “We could ditch them, arrange for another way back to Cancun.”

“The wait will make you hungrier. I’ll take my chances.”

“You’re such a tease.”

“Yes, but one that will make good on her lures.”

She spun around and was all smiles for the Spencers. “I’m dying for a piña colada.”

“Sounds excellent, Sara.” Catherine looped her arm through Sara’s and the women took off, again leaving Sean with Earl.

It was getting harder to know what to say to the man and business wasn’t open for discussion.

Sean glanced over at Earl and noticed his rapt attention was on the woman in the white hat, and she was looking at him too.