Page 1 of Until It Was Real

Chapter 1

Dakota – a woman who won’t let a little thing like women dressed as mermaids stop her

Dakota

I’m driving onto the bridge connecting the mainland to the island of Smuggler’s Hideaway when the car engine makes a weird knocking noise.

“Come on, Matilda. We’re almost there. No giving up now.”

Matilda’s engine continues to make an awful racket as I drive over the bridge. By the time the tires hit solid ground, my hands are clenching the steering wheel, and my heart is racing. Phew. I made it.

To my relief, the car keeps chugging away, and I follow the directions I memorized before beginning this journey – Matilda doesn’t believe in GPS – and arrive at theMermaid Motelfive minutes later. I’m surprised the parking lot is packed. I drive around until I manage to snag a spot in the back of the lot.

I switch Matilda off, but her engine knocks and rattles a few more times before giving up. I hope she’ll start on Monday. I don’t fancy the idea of hiking toBuccaneer’s Whiskey & Distilleryin my heels and work clothes. Especially since my one nice pair of shoes needs to last as long as possible.

I climb out of the car and stretch my sore limbs. I’ve been sitting for entirely too long. Matilda didn’t want to start at the last gas station I stopped at and, once I got a kind trucker to jump the car, I didn’t want to chance stopping again.

I grab my purse and shut the door. The hinges scream, but the door stops before it’s shut. I push it again, but it doesn’t budge.

“Matilda,” I mutter as I slam my hip against the door. The door clicks shut, and I rub a hand over my hip. Ouch. Note to self: the car is stronger than my hip.

I make my way through the parking lot toward the reception.

“Hi,” I greet the woman behind the desk. “I’m Dakota. I’m checking—"

“Thank the smugglers!” she shouts as she throws her arms in the air. “I tried to call you to make sure you were still arriving today but when you didn’t answer I panicked. Our night manager ran off with a mermaid, so I’m afraid you need to start working tonight instead of next week. I hope that’s okay.”

I blink. “Your night manager ran off with a mermaid?”

She groans. “It happens every year. I need to stop hiring men. They’re weak.”

Her response did not clear up my confusion one bit. “Did you say mermaid?”

She rolls her eyes. “They overtake the island this time of year.”

I scratch my neck. “Is mermaid code for another word?”

She bursts into laughter. “I forgot you’re not from the island. The look on your face.”

I’m certain my face still appears confused since her laughter is not helping the situation. What have I done? Why am I here?

Freaking Adam. This is all his fault. If my husband wasn’t already dead, I’d wring his neck for putting me in this position. I can’t believe how thoroughly and completely he fooled me.

She holds out her hand. “I’m Sadie. Welcome to Smuggler’s Hideaway.”

“Dakota,” I say as we shake hands.

“A quick rundown. Smugglers are sexy. Mermaids are real. And seals are wild animals. They shouldn’t be touched.”

“O-o-o-kay?”

I must be dreaming. Smugglers, mermaids, seals?

Did I fall asleep driving? Or maybe Matilda is leaking carbon monoxide, and I’m slowly being poisoned. I hope I didn’t throw up in the car. I’ll never get the smell out.

“Shoot a smuggler,” Sadie mutters. “It was too much, too fast, wasn’t it? My sisters are always saying I need to explain myself better. Let me try again.” She straightens her shoulders. “Welcome to the island, Dakota. Mermaids are real.”

She motions to a group of women exiting the elevator. They’re dressed up as mermaids, complete with seashell bras and shimmery skirts shaped like fins.

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