Page 85 of Mail Order Splash

“Kellan phoned that there is an issue at the airport. He will have to meet us there.”

“Oh, no!”

“He doesn’t need any of us, dear, we’re merely there to intimidate.” Victoria walked around me. “You look beautiful; this fits your perfectly.”

So was I a mess before in the sweats?

“I liked the sweats too. Don’t change who you are. Sydney will find a way to make the real you fit into the Hawthorne look.”

I doubt any of them ever wear sweats, no matter what color they are. Doesn’t matter, I’ll do what’s needed to finish this. It’s not like they’re asking me to do something awful. Most girls would love these clothes. I have to admit, they do feel nice.

“How come I never noticed how tall you are?” Dalton stood facing me.

“I’m average, until I put these things on.” I lifted a pant leg. “Sydney assumed I could walk in them. Brave move, but it works.”

“She is crazy good like that. I fought her at first, but now I barely buy clothes without her.”

“Aren’t you mostly in human form with a suit or in mermaid form with no shirt and shoes?”

“That is my secret. You know, some mermaids can be on land or in the water.”

“Funny you should know that information. Did your mermaid powers heal Scrapper?”

Okay, that was a joke, but he did heal up overnight. Something to not forget. Oh, the coincidences.

I thought we’d be going in the car with Bobby but instead a long limo waited for us out front. I’d never been in a limo before and didn’t know if there was specific etiquette for getting in and out.

Looks like ladies first. Do we slide all the way over? Nope, we take the back seats, at least I think that’s where Murphy and Victoria sat. Wait, they’re single. Do I sit by Dalton?”

“Sit wherever you feel comfortable,” Victoria nodded. “Nothing formal here.”

“Did my face show my concern?” I slid in next to Dalton. “I’ll get better at this.”

The family gathered around Kellan while I stayed to the back, still trying to hear but out of the way. He was the same tough-as-nails Kellan I’d met days before until he turned his eyes on me with a smile, the same smile as Dalton.

There it is. Okay, he is human.

“Mrs. Hawthorne, I need you to sign these papers, please.” He handed me a pen. “Do you want to read them first?”

“Dalton says I should trust you. I know you aren’t happy about all of this but, thank you.”

“I’m not unhappy. I wanted him to stand up for what he wanted. Now we make it happen.” He accepted the pen back after I signed.

“I hope I didn’t just sell my organs to you.”

“Only one kidney, you should be fine.” He pulled the office door open.

For an hour, I sat on the edge of my seat listening to him tell them what was going to happen. He then went into what they had done and that there would be consequences. It was like watching one of the lawyer shows on television. I was captivated. Several times I wanted to stand up and clap at his sheer force and elegance with words.

“In closing, this venture we are beginning will impact the city far longer than our immediate life span. It will impact generations to come because they will learn how to stop the abuse.”

“Mr. Hawthorne, you have set up and demonstrated an impressive venue, one the city would enjoy, but you cannot expect us to drop the fines because this young lady married into your family,” Edward growled. “Her facility has been a burden on our city for too long.”

“Edward, I assure you that you do not want me to unleash my security team on you or the city. In file number three you will find photos of your employee injuring dolphins, endangering lives, and destroying private property.”

“Where did you get such information?”

“That would be released in a courtroom where someone would be going to jail. If you want to do that dance I am more than happy to dance with you.”

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