Page 9 of Mail Order Splash

“Good question, cous’.” She put her finger to her lips. “Shh, let’s not give her any ideas.”

“Who are we not giving an idea to?” Aunt Victoria walked up behind us. “I can have her taken care of.”

“That won’t be necessary. Did you find your animal doctor friend?” I asked.

“Dr. Garcia? I love him. Is he here?” Murphy spun around. “He always has the best stories.”

“I just heard his colleague telling a story about him picking up a dog that was overheated in a park and jumping in the lake with it in his arms to save it,” Aunt Victoria said.

“Don’t they have alligators here?” I asked.

“They do. I guess he was willing to take that risk.” She shrugged. “I asked him about the dolphin. He said one was brought in today.”

“Did it have a name?”

“The dolphin? I don’t know if he asked it.” She chuckled.

“Very funny, Aunt Victoria.”

“I didn’t think to ask that question, but I will remember in the future.”

I told Aunt Victoria to let me know if she heard anything then went about making Kellan happy by visiting with every guest. Murphy was in the middle of the floor dancing by herself while Mia and Parker were at a table laughing about something with Sawyer and Jade. It was nice to see my cousins and brothers all happily married. The thought crossed my mind that it wasn’t such a bad thing, not my thing, but not a bad thing.

Good Lord, she’s gotten to me already.

“Dalton, come by my house tomorrow, we can talk more about your career path. Let’s see if we can get you happy.” Aunt Victoria kissed my cheek. “Now, show me that beautiful smile of yours.”

“Why don’t you come out on the yacht with me this week?” I smiled big for her.

“I’d like that. Maybe I can get a tan like you.” She walked off.

I’d come in on the yacht because I didn’t have a place in Florida like the others and I was going to have to be there for at least a month. The yacht was as nice as any hotel and I wouldn’t be bothered. Besides, I enjoyed listening to the water at night. There had been far too many nights of me falling asleep on deck in the hammock.

“Hey, Dalt, come dance with me.” Murphy circled me, dancing. “I happen to know you love dancing, so stop being a bore. The party’s almost over.”

I envied Murphy’s lack of concern for all the drama in the family. She did what she wanted, when she wanted. The decision to dance or not was taken from me when I was pulled to the floor.

“I’m tired. Besides, there’s at least five men in this room that would die for a chance to dance with you. Why pick on me?”

“Because all I want to do is dance and they’ll want to talk or think I want their attention.”

“That right there is why you’re still single.” I grabbed her hand, spinning her around. “You’re scary to them.”

“Nah, I date plenty.” She circled me. “I am jealous of that tan of yours, though.”

“Maybe come out on the water with us one of the many times I invite you, then.”

“Ahh, well, I would, but I work while you are out playing, dear boy.”

“Ouch!” I grabbed at my chest. “That one hurt a bit.”

“Stop it. I might ask you the same thing, ya know.” She kicked off her heels then whispered in my ear. “I spy a cute blonde praying you will look her way.”

“I saw her; she’s just another socialite.” I refused to turn around to see who it was.

“Um, I thought that was your type. I mean, I do see the Facebook posts.”

“Hold up.” I stopped our dancing. “You have a Facebook account?”

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