Page 56 of Mail Order Splash

“I don’t look the part of a fiancée for a man like you.”

“I know, you have legs. I’m kinda accustomed to fins.”

She was giggling at the mermaid joke as we walked into the big room, which is what I had tried for, to relieve her nerves. I felt the extra squeeze when I introduced her, then she released the grip.

“I know there are tons of questions. Let me answer a few I think you have.” I put my arm across her shoulders. “Kleine is an aquatic veterinarian that goes way out in the ocean to rescue whales, turtles, and dolphins. She’s good with a knife, so beware. Other than that, she is a sweetheart.”

“What do we call you, Dr. Schaffer?”

“Kleine is fine with me, unless that is too informal.”

“She likes Kleine. I personally like Ariel, but we’ll go with Kleine as the lady says.”

“When is the wedding?”

“Saturday. You are all invited and, Delores, I will be out all next week but reachable.”

“How did you meet?”

“In the ocean. I came upon her about a mile out. She had a knife in her teeth and a dolphin in her arms.” They all laughed. “I’ll tell ya, I wasn’t sure if I should help out or swim away as fast as I could.”

“Anything else?” Delores asked. “I’m sure they have a lot to do.”

“Do you ever rescue sharks?”

“If they need me to rescue them, of course. I rescue whatever needs my help.”

“That is so cool,” one of the younger interns said.

“We’re rehabbing my facility but, once it is open, I would love for you all to come visit.” She spoke out to the group. “I’ll put my knife away that day.”

The group laughed along with her, then Delores excused them back to their work. “Mr. Hawthorne, will there be anything else?”

“Yes, actually, we need to start interviews for Kleine’s assistant and make her an appointment with Sydney for tomorrow afternoon. Kleine, are you free in the afternoon?”

“You know how it is. If I’m not out on the boat then I should be free. Who is Sydney?”

“I’ll explain in a minute. You can always cancel.” I dismissed Delores.

“What assistant and who is Sydney?”

“I know you have Josh and he’s important to the running of your place, but you’ll have things come up you need scheduled outside of work. That’s where an assistant comes in. She or he will also take care of advertising for the seaquarium and social media as well as any appointments needed.”

“I don’t need help, Dalton. This is going too fast. I can run my business.”

“Alright, we can slow down, but isn’t it your goal to rescue and teach the general public about what they are doing to harm sea life?” I sat next to her. “You can’t be expected to do all the business side and be there for the rescues.”

“I suppose you’re right. I hate social media anyway,” she admitted. “I get to decide on everything else, right? The assistant works for me, not Hawthorne.”

“You will be a Hawthorne, Kleine, and with that name comes a lot.”

“Who is Sydney?”

“A personal stylist we all use. She will help you choose what works for your lifestyle and still fit with the Hawthorne brand.”

“Ugh, what did I agree to? I’m not like Murphy with the fancy clothes, Dalton.”

“You don’t have to be but, for now, while we’re married, you have to look the part or you will be all over social media in a very negative way. Don’t we want positive for the seaquarium? Isn’t that what we’re doing here?”

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