Page 97 of Mail Order Splash

“Quite the opposite. The things you know are so vast. I have no idea how you retained it all.”

“The same way you know what you know, it started at a young age. Because

I loved it, I kept it in my mind.”

“How about we go on a whale-watching boat tomorrow as our last thing?”

“Yes, please.” She cuddled closer to me by the fire. “Funny how much colder it is here than at home.”

“The nice thing is that it will be beautiful weather in the day then this at night. Perfect for a fire.”

“I don’t want to go back. This has been the best.” She yawned. “Can we not go back to reality?”

“We can come back as often as you want, or go anywhere else.”

“Like New York when you have to go back there?”

“Yes, the perks of having your own plane. We can fly anywhere. If I have to be in New York and you need to be in Miami, we can figure it out.”

“You would do that for a marriage like ours? It’s not real.”

“We had a real wedding, we’re on a real honeymoon. We’re good friends, if anything.”

“So much has happened in my life since you found me that day.”

“I was thinking the same thing. If someone had told me a girl in the water holding a knife in her teeth would impact my life as much as you have, I would have laughed. Yet, here I am with that girl after rescuing a whole pod of dolphins.”

We fell asleep on the beach listening to the ocean and woke to the sound of seals letting us know we were invading their space. Kleine was in heaven, taking pictures and talking to them. They certainly acted like they knew what she was saying, so I stayed out of her way.

“Were you doing sign language?” I asked when she came back to the blanket to eat breakfast.

“I was trying it out on them. It’s been being used on other species.”

“You never stop amazing me. I have wanted to learn to sign forever; you have to teach me.”

“You can learn along with Netty and her pod. We’ll have class time.”

“I refuse to eat the chum as reward for getting it correct.”

“Take it or leave it, buddy.”

The whale-watching was another trip that would stay with both of us forever. I thought the dolphins were special, but not near as majestic as the orcas. When we returned, Charlie let us know the plane was fueled and ready. We’d told everyone we would be back and, though we didn’t want to go back yet, it was only right to return as promised.

Chapter Twenty-Five

KLEINE

We didn’t speak much on the flight back to Miami. I was lost in confusion about what our marriage would continue to look like. We’d gotten so close- I loved his company, his touch, his smile. I felt sad knowing we would possibly be living in separate homes and maybe separate states. When the plane landed, neither of us moved.

“Will you be coming to the yacht tonight?” he asked.

“I don’t know. I’ve been away and Josh has been doing it all. He might need a break.”

“Fair enough. Let’s start with seeing the dolphins. I’ve missed them.” He stood and stretched.

“Crazy how easy it is to get attached. I almost don’t want to release them, but I know it’s best.” I picked up my purse and followed him off the plane.

On the drive back to the seaquarium, there was a big sign flashing that there would be a movie in the park.

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