Page 41 of Mail Order Splash

“I suppose I can snack on leftovers,” Josh mumbled.

“How does he stay so thin the way he eats?” Doc unzipped his wetsuit and slid under the blankets. “See you in a few hours.”

I laid there staring at the empty pool, missing Netty. It was the one heartbreaking part of rescuing besides losing one to injury. When they were with us for any amount of time, it was easy to get attached.

I hope Dalton and the Hawthornes don’t change their minds now that Netty has gone home to her family.

Chapter Twelve

DALTON

Ihadn’t expected I would be so sad to see Netty leave. I knew she was with her pod, but how did Kleine and Josh do this over and over? All I wanted to do as everyone fell asleep was to go back into the office and watch the tracking.

I wonder if I can have a tracker for Netty in my office? I’ll bet my tech guy could figure it out.

“Good morning.” Kleine handed me a coffee when I sat up. “I wasn’t sure if I should wake you. Did you need to get to work?”

“Not on a Sunday, though I do occasionally try to get some work done out of the office. How’s Netty?”

“The pod is still out there. Not sure what they’re waiting on, if there is another rescue needed. That’s what’s worrying me.”

“I haven’t heard any calls from Tony.” Josh came from the office. “I agree with you, Kleine, the pod should have gone further out by now. I’m concerned.”

“Let’s go, then.” She ran for the bathroom to change. “Who’s coming with us?”

“Try and stop me.” I slipped on my shoes.

“Not me, but wake me if you’re bringing anything in.” Doc rolled over but stayed in the bed. “Is it even light out yet?”

“Kinda. Stay in bed.” She was out the door.

There was a storm looming in the distance, which meant time out on the deep water was limited. On our way out following Netty’s tracking, the swells were picking up, making our ride a bit bumpy but there was no way after saving and rehabbing her that Kleine or Josh was going to sit back doing nothing with an attitude of “see what happens”.

“Over that way.” I pointed from the bow. “I can see them jumping. Get closer.”

“Looks like there might be one caught. I hope it isn’t Netty again.” Kleine zipped up her wetsuit.

Josh slowed the boat until we were almost coasting.

“Are we going in?” I grabbed a knife.

“Not yet. Wait until we assess the situation. There might be sharks, it could be too late, we have to see first.” She searched with binoculars. “Over that way. Can you see where Netty is?”

“Her tracking is moving. I don’t think it’s her, but she is nearby.”

“I really hate people sometimes. Why is it they can’t keep their trash on the boat until they get in to shore?” She slipped her mask on, falling back into the water.

“Josh, is it safe to go in? Is there pod protection?” I yelled up.

“Hold tight, we’ll know in a minute, but the pod is circling, for sure.”

Kleine popped up next to the boat. “It’s not Netty, but she’s down there pushing a younger male with several wounds. He still has plenty of fight.”

“I’m coming in.” I didn’t wait for a mask before diving in.

We worked side-by-side cutting the netting away with Netty herself interfering, several times. Kleine gave her a motion to go but Netty wasn’t having it. Once freed, he immediately swam off then circled back side-by-side with Netty. We surfaced to watch them in action.

“Now, that’s the kind of rescue I like,” Kleine said, hanging on the side of the boat.

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