Chapter Nine

 

The commotion of the passengers gathered around AJ in the hut roused Harry’s attention as he made the rounds in his cart. After a walkie-talkie call, a second cart skidded to a stop outside the hut.

Tobias strode inside. “Everything all right, AJ?”

AJ sat straighter on the bench. His muscles were like Jello. “Fine. Maybe a little—”

“He saved the mermaid from the alligator.” Jimmy bounced. His mother took hold of his shoulders, and nodded when Tobias met her gaze.

Then everyone talked at once. He was so brave, one said, and others chimed in. Jumped right in without hesitation and He nearly drowned. Everyone praised the exhausted AJ as a hero for saving the girl. Despite the fact the girl could not be found, and they hadn’t actually seen him defeat the gator. From the stories they told, it sounded as though they had.

Tobias smiled at AJ, though beneath his smile lurked a certain skepticism. “And you didn’t recognize the girl?”

Jimmy tugged at Tobias’ slacks. “I saw her first.”

AJ grinned. “You were an excellent scout, Jimmy.” To Tobias, he said, “No, never saw her before.”

“And you don’t know where she went?” Tobias asked.

“No.” AJ’s hands still shook, so he rubbed them together.

The older woman who’d been quick to point out the girl’s toplessness spoke up. “He hit his head. He was kneeling on the bank, and she had already made her escape.”

Escape, yes. She’d escaped his arms, which ached to hold her. Escaped his lips, which would have pinned her down. Inescapably.

Tobias lifted AJ’s hair from his forehead. “Yes, you do have a nasty bump. See a doctor. We’ll pay for it.”

“I’m fine. Maybe a little tired.” To prove it, AJ pushed himself up from the bench.

“He could have a concussion,” a man said.

Tobias gave AJ a thin smile. “Take the day off tomorrow, then, and rest. Tell your grandfather I insisted.”

“Who do you think she was?” a woman asked.

Tobias smiled sweetly at them, his tone reassuring. “Girls hear about our mermaids and want to be one. Sometimes they can’t pass the rigorous training, and yet can’t give up wanting to be a Weeki Wachee mermaid. I’m guessing the girl was one of the mermaid camp dropouts.”

The explanation placated the crowd, which broke into couples and families as they dispersed from the hut onto the sidewalk.

Tobias waved. “Sorry for any inconvenience, folks.”

“No, it was exciting,” a man said.

“We’re glad everyone’s all right, that’s all.” Jimmy’s mother held the boy’s shoulders. AJ noted the absence of a wedding band, which might explain why she lingered.

Jimmy added, “I was co-captain.”

AJ tousled his hair. “You did a great job, co-captain. I couldn’t have done it without you.”

He couldn’t interpret the look Tobias shot his way. “Come on, I’ll give you a lift back.”

The air rushed against his face as the cart flew down the walkway to the main building.

Tobias waited as AJ stood on shaky legs. “I’ll call Walt to come get you. I’d give you a ride myself, but I have some things that can’t wait.”

“No problem. Thanks.” He followed Tobias inside, then made his way to the lockers.

Chaz crept to AJ’s side, his body tense as a bowstring.

For once, AJ felt glad to see him–the one person who would understand. When he’d checked that no one else lurked nearby, he whispered, “Tonight. Let’s go back to the bridge.”

Chaz’s gaze sharpened on AJ. “You saw one, didn’t you.” It wasn’t a question. Chaz could tell. AJ didn’t know how, but the guy had a sense for these things, as if he’d trained all his life to catch a mermaid.

“I have to find her.” AJ tried to keep the desperation from his voice, but the way Chaz smiled, AJ knew he’d picked up on it. As if Chaz knew he would do anything to see her again, touch her, hold her.

Chaz spoke in a low voice filled with satisfaction. “Yeah. We’ll go tonight. Nine thirty.”

“I’ll be ready.” AJ tried to ignore the lump in the pit of his stomach, the disgust of collaborating on anything with Chaz.