Page 43 of Mail Order Splash

Patience was never one of my virtues, anyone in the family could attest to that, but getting things done was, even if Kellan wouldn’t recognize that. I put several calls in to city people we’d worked with over the years then followed that with emails. Being a Hawthorne meant they’d get back to me first thing in the morning because we brought too much to the table to be ignored.

If I have to use my family name to get to this, then I will. There have to be perks besides the money.

“Mom tells me you two are going to the rooftop tonight,” Murphy called. “I’m inviting myself, unless you’re discussing a big secret, then I won’t. No, wait, if it’s a secret I want in on it.”

“You can come. It’s not a secret, but we will be talking game plan to help out a friend.”

“A friend, you say! Would it be the adorable lady in pink?”

“Why do you always assume it’s a girl?”

“Seriously, I live in a man’s world, it’s generally about a girl,” she scoffed. “Gotta go get beautiful. See you tonight.”

I went to my office on the yacht to get some work done but couldn’t stop thinking about the dolphins. While sending out emails, a response came in from my friend at the city. He agreed to meet with me on the yacht in an hour, with the files.

“Did you need something, Dalton?” My captain tapped on the open door. “I saw your email when I returned from a swim.”

“What do you know of our trash disposal?

“We have a service pick up three times a week for small and bulk.”

“I mean when we’re out on the water, are we dumping anything overboard? Old netting, wire, anything?”

“Not a chance. I learned that years ago from the seaquarium.”

“Which one?”

“The old one that was on the intracoastal here in Miami.”

“You learned it from here? I hired you out of New York.”

“I was born and raised in Miami. My family moved when I was a teenager.”

“Ben, how did I never know this about you?”

“Not sure. We don’t have that many personal discussions, I suppose.”

“Why is that?”

“You’re my boss, I’m usually up top driving this thing, any number of reasons.”

Maybe Kellan is right, maybe I don’t pay attention to everything like I think. I should know all of my staff.

“Captain Ben, have a seat. I’d like to hear more about you.”

“Have I done something not to your liking?” He took a chair in front of my desk.

“No, I’m perfectly happy with you. It’s me I need to work on.”

“You’ve never been anything other than polite sir, to all of us, actually.”

“I haven’t been the best I could be, though. You live on board, correct?”

“I do, so I can be here in a moment’s notice.”

“Do you like it aboard?”

“I have a nice room downstairs, yes.”

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