Page 31 of Mail Order Splash

“Um, maybe her.” I pointed to Murphy returning with Triton himself in tow.

“Kleine, Josh, this is Dalton.” She was proud of herself. “Now we all met, more dancing.”

“We met earlier, briefly though it was.” He tilted his head, looking at me. “Have we met before?”

“We have, about an hour ago.” I smiled, avoiding the truth, because it was embarrassing he didn’t recognize me.

“That chirp sounded similar to one I heard the other day, but where did I hear it?”

“She’s a doctor. Were you sick?” Murphy tried to help. “Oh, not a people doctor.”

“I see. By any chance, do you know me?”

“I’ve met you; wouldn’t say I know you.”

“There it is again. Please help me to recall. I feel you know more than I do here.”

“Tom, how are you?” I put my hand out. “Is Jerry with you tonight?”

“Most likely he is on this very dance floor, and I should apologize for the fake name. My name is actually Dalton.”

“Nice to see you again, Dalton.” Josh shook hands with him.

“You, I definitely recognize. What was the Triton comment earlier?”

“My name is not Ariel, it’s Kleine, and since I lied and told you Ariel he has been fixated on you being Triton,” I smiled. “It’s merely a joke.”

“I have a nickname; I kinda like that. I’ve never had one.”

“Is he the mermaid? This is hilarious,” Murphy laughed. “I can’t wait to share this name to the family.”

Hold up. Murphy said her “cousin”. Is he a Hawthorne?

Chapter Ten

DALTON

“Isee you finally met the dolphin girl.” Aunt Victoria sidled up next to me. “I had a conversation with her earlier. She’s quite lovely.”

“She really is. I had no idea who she was or what she did.” I motioned to sit down. “She is impressive.”

“Also very pretty.”

“Yes, yes, very much so, but I’m more impressed with her as a person.”

“I’m proud of you for that.”

“I’m not my brothers, none of them, the playboys or the old man,” I grumbled.

“I was testing you. I can see why you were so taken by her, though.”

“It wasn’t her. It was the act of rescuing. I want to do it every day.”

“Let’s hope it’s not needed that often.”

“Agreed. I’m going back to the yacht. Will I see you tomorrow still?”

“Absolutely. I won’t be going on those jet ski things, though.”

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