Panic hits. Crap. I’ve got to get the baby out and I’ve run out of time.
Bracing my feet against the other side of the trap, I push hard on the hinge and pull on the frame with all my might. What if I can’t get it open? Frantic, I run my hands up and down the container. My fingers find another small spring I’ve overlooked. I push on both springs at the same time and the door swings wide, with me hanging on it.
The pulley is moving faster through the water. Above, I can see the surface. The baby darts out. My fingers are stiff. I have to pry them open. Finally, I disentangle them from the door and let my body sink into the depths.
Two shadowy figures lean over the side. Their muffled voices drift down. “I was sure we’d caught one.”
“What the hell?” The other voice becomes more indistinct as I continue downward. “The trap’s been sprung!”
I glance up and see the blurry outline of two men hanging over the edge of the boat staring into the sea. I know I’m too far down for them to see. Even so, I’m not planning on hanging around. I stop drifting and swim away from the ship.
The two dolphins flashed out of sight as soon as the baby was free. Water ripples around me as mom and baby come back. They swim on each side of me. The baby noses me with its snout. The mother chatters beside me. I put my hands on their fins and float. Squeaking, they pull me along. I blow bubbles, my body going limp as I glide, the water rippling along my spine.
I let go of the fins, grab my knees, and flip over and over like a ball. Chattering, the dolphins flip too. Euphoric at freeing the baby and escaping a close call, I play with them a while longer before I surface out of sight of the vessel. I head home, the moon lighting a path on the water.
When I get to the cottage, I find Gramps sitting in his favorite chair, a pipe clamped in his teeth, watching the news.
“Went to the ocean, huh? I thought you were going to do self-defense.” He rattles the paper, his voice mild, never looking up.
I beat back the heat rising in my cheeks. The research vessel and the trapped dolphin drove Tyler and his kisses right out of my mind, which goes to show how upset I was. “He left and I went for a swim.”
Gramps lowers the paper. “Tyler seems like a responsible young man, but still and all he’s a young man.”
“Oh, Gramps, not the birds and the bees.” I squirm, shifting from one foot to the other. This conversation could be worse than being tossed into an experimental lab.
“I’m not talking birds and bees, I’m talking horn dogs.”
Oh yeah, definitely worse. “Ewww.” I scrunch up my nose, totally mortified. Surely, Gramps is too old to remember birds, bees, and horn dogs.
“Something weird happened in the ocean tonight, Gramps.” If it hadn’t I would have invented something, I’m that desperate to change the subject.
I slide down on the couch and clutch a worn blue throw pillow to my middle.
“Oh?” Gramps raises his eyebrows. A small smile crinkles his features. He knows I’m changing the subject.
“It was strange. Several miles out there was a research vessel.”
Gramps straightens. A frown creases his forehead.
“They’d set a trap. There was a young dolphin caught in it.” I clutch my pillow tighter. Speaking of it brings back the abject terror of the moment. I start to shake.
“Catching the dolphin could have been an accident.” He knocks the ashes into the old brown ceramic ashtray at his elbow.
I take deep breaths. The shaking subsides. I trust Gramps didn’t notice. “I’m counting on it.” My temple throbs. I rub it and ask what has been on my mind since the incident, “You don’t think they could be working for the agency that grafted my mother do you? The one that ‘created’ her to help plant bombs on ships and find underwater mines?” Bile rises in my throat, bitter as my thoughts. A human who could swim like a dolphin. I take a deep breath and shake off the harsh memories. No time for that now. Gramps runs his hand across his chin causing a light rasping sound. He looks at me, his expression troubled. “I don’t know. But I’d say you made the right decision not sharing your secret with young Tyler.”
“Yeah.” My shoulders slump.
Gramps reaches over and pats me awkwardly. “Don’t worry about it. You’re safe. They couldn’t possibly know about you.”
I give him a small smile. “I know.” I push up from the couch. “I’m going to finish my homework.” I kiss him on top of his head, pit stop by the kitchen to grab a glass of milk and a bag of chips and head for my room. Three hours later, I fall into bed, determined to forget the whole, petrifying incident. Unfortunately, my subconscious has other ideas. I spend the night dreaming about being strapped to a table where my body is dissected into little pieces and replaced with dolphin parts, while the baby dolphin looks on crying.
The next thing I know the alarm clock’s blasting. Thank God. I fumble with the button and the screeching stops. “Another wonderful day at Rosemont.” Actually, it looks pretty good after the night I spent.
I take a deep breath and compartmentalize last night to the far corner of my mind. I can’t deal with it right now. For an instant, I wonder what it would feel like to throw off my disguise and do the normal things young women my age do. Giggle with a group of girls and talk about boys over lattes. And have a steady boyfriend.
I reach for the end of my ribbed cami to pull it over my head. My hands shake. So much for compartmentalizing, I drop my hands and gaze out the window and think of something more pleasant than captured dolphins and dolph-girls. The sun winks at me. A small wren tweets a greeting. “I like Tyler, a lot,” I tell the bird.
He sings back at me.
“Yeah, you’re right. This is my life. I need to deal with it and put away silly dreams. He’s human. I’m a dolph-girl. A dolph-girl who could end up in a cage with her dolphin buddies.” Still, when I get dressed, I use a light fragrant perfume and add some turquoise earrings. I look in the mirror. “Geek with earrings.” Dissatisfied with my appearance, I shrug and leave the haven of my room.
I breakfast with Gramps and head out.
A group of boys and girls lounge against the worn red brick exterior a few yards from the doors. The sun sparkles on the silver letters that spell out Rosemont High School. Tyler steps out of the group and toward me. My heart does a flip of welcome before I crease my forehead into a frown.
“Good morning, sunshine.” He steps closer. The smell of soap and a spicy aftershave tickles my senses and makes my mouth water. I scowl harder.
He grins. “Okay, maybe I should revise that to cloudshine.”
I snort. “What do you want, Tyler?”
He steps closer and gives a theatrical sigh. “I can tell I’ve been way too subtle. I want you, Piper Dunn.”
Heat rises then pools in the lower part of my stomach. I’m eighteen and my hormones are in overdrive. For a second, I romanticize.
Reality sets in. How much will he want me once he discovers my blowhole? ‘Oh, baby, your blowhole makes me hot.’ Yeah right. I shake myself free of fantasies. “I suggest you look to your cheerleaders. I don’t sleep around.”
“Geez that’s bitchy.”
“You think?” I shove past him and head toward the double doors.
I sigh as he opens one for me.
“Though, I am glad you don’t sleep around,” he continues, hoisting his book bag into a more comfortable position across his shoulders.
I ignore him and stride determinedly forward.
He keeps pace easily. “Nice earrings,” is his next gambit. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen you wear jewelry before.”
I look straight ahead and stretch out my legs. He leans in and sniffs. “Is that perfume, Ms. Dunn? Very nice. I do believe you’re taking the first steps toward coming out of the closet.”
I throw a quick glance at him. His eyes twinkle with deviltry.
“Go away.”
“Can’t.”
“Can’t or won’t?”
“We’ve got the same class.”
“Don’t sit with me.” What am I supposed to do with someone who completely refuses to take a hint?
“Since I seem to have a negative effect on your sunny disposition, I’m going to leave you alone the rest of the day. I’ll be by this evening to give you self-defense lessons.” He gives me a mocking grin and moves over to join the group of chattering cheerleaders throwing curious looks our way.
I fight back jealousy and reassure myself I’m relieved he left. People are starting to talk. To notice me. I grimace. Talk is an understatement. It’s the number one source of endless speculation at the high school. What does the hot deee-licious Tyler Carlisle see in plain Jane Piper Dunn? Since he’s seen me outside of my disguise, I know the answer to that. What I haven’t figured out is why he got interested before he saw me sans disguise.
A gangly junior, with glasses and lanky black hair, who’s paying as much attention to where he’s going as I, bumps into me. We mutter apologies and head to our prospective classes.
Tyler’s as good as his word. He doesn’t approach me the entire day. Instead, he makes the bevy of senior beauties extremely happy by flirting his insufferable head off with them. At one point, he catches me watching him and winks before turning his attention to Heather Martin, the prettiest girl in school.
His twin, of course, has no such compunction and spends her time conjecturing on what I’ve done to cause her brother to flirt with every girl in school who has a pair of perky breasts. “He’s trying to make you jealous,” she decides. All in all, I’m glad when the school day ends. Wasting no time, I jump in Beulah and head home.
I beat Gramps back. Since he’s been carrying the majority of the kitchen duties lately, I decide to make him meatloaf, baked potatoes, and banana pudding. His faves.
I throw a pair of pink boxers and a white tee over my hot pink two-piece then head for the kitchen. I wash the potatoes, mix the meatloaf, and pop them in the oven. While the meal cooks, I get my laptop, and feeling virtuous, get down to business at the kitchen table.
A hello sounds from the screen door I left open to catch the spring breeze. Tyler. He’s earlier than I expected, though I put an extra potato on just in case.
I smooth my hair back and head for the door, unsure whether or not I should be mad about his blatant flirting. I have no claims on him and therefore nothing to be mad about. Still….
“You’re early.” I don’t scowl when I open the screen door. I don’t smile either.
“Too early?” He wears faded jeans, a white V-neck tee, and looks yummier than my banana pudding.
“Not at all. Come in.”
He moves with loose-limbed grace that I find incredibly sexy. He sniffs. “Wow. Something smells good.”
“Have you eaten yet?”
“No, but I wasn’t angling for an invitation.”
“Of course, you weren’t.” I give him a disbelieving look.
He laughs and throws up a hand. “Guilty. What’s for supper?” He follows me in, the screen door slamming behind him.
I tell him.
“Who fixed dinner?” He wiggles his eyebrows.
“I did.” I refuse to be embarrassed about it.
“So, besides your many other skills you can cook, too.”
I laugh. “That may be pushing the envelope. Gramps and I both have limited dishes we know how to prepare. Meatloaf happens to be one of mine.”
“Works for me.”
At that moment, the screen door bangs again. “Piper?”
“In the kitchen, Gramps.”
He walks in, a hardy oak bent and gnarled with age but still strong. I feel an overwhelming rush of love for him. Neither of us is overly demonstrative so instead of rushing to him and throwing my arms around him, I settle for a smile.
It’s enough. He smiles back before he turns to Tyler. “Hello, Tyler. Joining us for supper?”
“If you don’t mind, sir.”
“You’re always welcome here, son.”
“Don’t encourage him.” I put on a mitt and pull the meatloaf out of the oven.
Gramps rubs his hands together, a look of expectant pleasure on his face when he eyes the steaming loaf of meat. Balancing the potatoes I placed in a plate in one hand and the meatloaf in the other, I order Tyler, “Make yourself useful and set the table.”
“Yes, ma’am.” He salutes me. I catch him winking at Gramps. I shake my head and pour the iced tea. We sit down to eat.
Gramps slits his potato. Steam rises in a sensuous wisp. “This looks wonderful.”
“Thanks, Gramps.” I fork in a piece of meatloaf.
“Are you young ’uns going to work on self-defense?”
“That’s the plan, sir.”
We chat back and forth while we eat. I can’t believe how comfortable it is having Tyler spend time with Gramps and me. Almost like family.
“You two run along. I’ll clean up,” Gramps says when we finish.
“Thanks, Gramps.”
Tyler and I walk to the backyard.
“Are you ready?” Tyler fists his hands and brings them to the sides of his face.
“Bring it on.”
He jabs at me. I throw up my hands and block. “Good.” He encourages before tossing a hook. I parry. We’ve been working about an hour when he kicks my foot out from under me. Before I fall, he grabs me and bends me over his arm. He leans in, his breath warm on my face. “Admit it.”
“Admit what?” I pant, still out of breath from the workout. Tiny beads of perspiration dot my body.
He lowers his face till his lips hover above mine. “That you’re my girl.”
I push against him. “Don’t start.”
His arms tighten and his mouth claims mine. He bites gently at my bottom lip. When my mouth opens, his tongue runs across my teeth then slips inside. Heat that has nothing to do with the workout shoots through me.
His lips continue their persuasive assault. He kisses the corner of my mouth then trails kisses to my ear. “Admit you’re my girl.” His warm breath tickles my ear and sends a shiver through me.
I turn my head and find his mouth. Blood pounds in my ears. I grab his hair and kiss him for all I’m worth.
His heart pounds against mine. His voice hoarse, he demands, “Say it.”
I shake my head, trying to clear it rather than deny his request. There’s a reason this isn’t a good idea, but at the moment it eludes me.
“Say it,” he demands again.
“I’m your girl.” In a hormonal haze, I drag his head down to mine, straining close against him. By the time we break apart, we’re both panting. Tyler holds me in his arms. His warm smile washes over me. I snuggle closer, feeling as if I’m in a safe haven.
Tyler’s girl. Warm bubbles of happiness fizz through me. I want to shout and dance and laugh all at the same time…before reality slaps me upside the head. I straighten. The happiness bubbles burst. What the hell have I agreed to? I glance at him through my lashes. There’s no way I’m going to extinguish the light in his eyes. I’ve never seen Tyler vulnerable before. I give an internal sigh. We’ll just have to make some compromises.
I disentangled myself. “Tyler.”
“Mmm-hmm.” His hands slide up and down my arms, distracting me. I try to clear my head.
“We don’t need to make this public, do we?”
While the light doesn’t quite go out, the bright glow notches down. He frowns, puzzled. “Why?”
Mentally, I count to ten. “I’ve told you on more than one occasion, I need to keep a low profile. You’re at the opposite end of the spectrum.” I give him a strained smile.
He grabs my hands. “True, but you haven’t told me why.”
“No, I haven’t.”
“Okay, I’ll go first.” He leads me to the wooden bench that sits behind the house, just out of reach of the lamplight. The sweet fragrance of a nearby lilac bush wafts over us.
The sun set nearly an hour ago. Stars bright as diamonds light the dark gray backdrop of approaching night. The moon drifts across the sky. Mother Nature must be a romantic at heart to create such a perfect setting.
“That’s not necessary. Please don’t.” I settle back against the hard wood of the bench.
He sits down and shifts on the bench before taking my hand. “It’s a matter of faith.”
“Tyler…”
He interrupts. “My uncle is high up the food chain in the Chicago Mafia.”
“You shouldn’t—” I begin. “Say what?”
“I’ve never told anyone that. I’ve also got one that’s a Navy SEAL, but that’s not a secret, just a brag.” He gives me a lopsided smile.
“You shouldn’t have told me.” My voice comes out sharper than I intend. Geez, the Mafia. This just gets better and better. I pull my hand away.
“What, that one of my uncles is a Navy SEAL?”
“You aren’t that obtuse. You know perfectly well I was talking about the Mafia thing.”
“Does that bother you?”
Not as much as finding out his girlfriend is a mutant would bother him. “It took me by surprise, that’s all. And it’s not your secret to share.”
“You’re right. But I wanted to prove a couple of things to you.” He lets go of my hands and slides an arm around me. With the other hand, he holds up a finger ticking off points. “One, you can trust me.” He holds up another finger. “And two, though it’s a bad cliché, things aren’t often as bad as they seem.”
“Yeah right.” I snort. “Not as bad as they seem.” I laugh. Unfortunately, it has a hysterical edge to it.
He waits.
I take a deep breath and get myself under control. My lips clamp together, I stare at the traveling moon.
Tyler sighs. “Okay, you win. Your secret remains your secret.”
“And you don’t show me undue attention at school.” I cock my head and lift an eyebrow.
“If that’s what you want. So you’re saying you don’t have a problem with me flirting with other girls.” He watches me, his body still, his expression unreadable.
“You’re a free agent.”
He sighs and shakes his head. “Tell me, what part of boyfriend and girlfriend don’t you understand?”
“All of it.” I jump up and walk away, rubbing my arms.
He stands. “Perhaps I’d better be going. It seems you can only take the couple thing in small bites.” He smiles but his voice is strained.
Hesitantly, I reach up and touch his cheek. Besides my family, this is the closest I’ve ever let anyone get. “I do like you, Tyler.” And then some, if the way my heart speeds up every time he’s around is anything to go by.
He takes my hand, kisses the palm, and closes my fingers around it. “I know you do. I just wasn’t sure you’d figured it out. I’ll see you tomorrow.” He turns and with long, loose-limbed strides disappears around the side of the house.
As soon as I hear his car motor, I hurry in to get my knife before I go into the ocean. Better to be safe than sorry. I fasten the scabbard to my leg and trot out. The sound of dishes clicking and water splashing drifts from the kitchen. “I’m going to the ocean, Gramps.”
“Tyler gone?” he calls back.
I head to the kitchen and stand in the doorway. “Yeah.”
“How’s that going?”
“It’s complicated.”
“Relationships always are.”
There is that R word again. “Yeah.”
He glances up and sees my swimsuit and the knife. “Are you going back to where you saw the research vessel?” His expression is troubled.
While I’ve managed to keep thoughts of the research vessel at bay all day, the fear it brings with it comes back full force, crawling like sludge through my system. “I have to. They might have caught another dolphin.”
“Better a dolphin than you.” He turns back to his dishes. Gramps might not like it, but he won’t waste his breath trying to talk me out of it. Gramps has one rule he lives by. Do what’s right. We both know freeing a sea creature planned for experimentation is right.
I walk over, hug his waist, and lean my cheek against his back. “I’ll be careful.”
“See that you are.” His voice gruff, he scrubs vigorously at the meatloaf pan.
I slip out the door, head for the cliff, and dive off.
As I soar through the air, my world rights and the tension tightening my shoulder blades fades. The water barely ripples when I hit it.
Dog paddling, I look around. Except for the occasional splash in the distance, it’s quiet. The moon glints on the water, creating a misty sheen. I look out to sea. My breath lodges in my throat. Is that speck in the distance the vessel I saw last night?
I kick out and swim in that direction. An hour later, I’m close enough to see the ship. Blinking liquid out of my eyes, I sink into the water till only the top of my head and eyes are visible. Nothing on board moves. I let myself drop underwater and look around. My hair tickles my shoulders as it floats around me.
My heart tightens. The trap is next to the ship and holds an adult dolphin that chatters in distress.
I bite my lips and force my pounding heart to slow. Pulling out my knife, I quickly spring the lock. The dolphin chatters louder and nudges me hard with his nose, pushing me back a couple of feet as he swims free.
He shoves me again. Something’s wrong. Now that he’s free, he shouldn’t be this agitated. My muscles tighten. My breathing shallow, I glance up. A diver!
Cursing myself for letting him take me by surprise, I shove away, fast, but he’s already on me. He reaches for my foot and grabs my ankle.
A dark shadow cuts through the water nearby on my right. The feel of wet rubber hits my leg. The diver lets go as the dolphin dives between us.
With a burst of speed, I shoot through the water, intent on putting as much distance as possible between myself and the diver. I glance over my shoulder; the diver comes doggedly on, but the distance between us grows.
In the water, my reflexes, my muscles, and agility are on par with the creatures of the sea. The diver falls further and further behind.
I swim hard. By the time I feel it’s safe to slow down, my heart is pounding. I glance to my right and freeze. I’ve attracted the attention of something more dangerous than a diver.