Page 51 of The Art of Loving Lacy
He grabbed her arms with a beaming smile on his lips. “That was huge, Lacy. How do you feel?”
She blinked away the fear she’d felt when she was in the room with the sharks. “I…good, I think.”
“I’m so happy for you.”
He embraced her, and in his arms, the rest of Lacy’s anxiety dissipated.I love when you hold me.
“Since you did so well, I want to show you something really special.” Dane guided her away from the shark area, through another corridor, and stopped by a door markedPRIVATE.
“I’m not sure we’re supposed to go in there,” Lacy said.If he thinks I’m going to make out in the aquarium, he’s very wrong. I think…
Dane knocked on the door, and a tall, thin woman with short brown hair opened the door.
“Dane Braden!” She opened her arms and Dane hugged her.
Lacy felt a pang of jealousy. Was this one of his other women?No. He wouldn’t bring me to meet someone he’d slept with.
“Sara, this is Lacy Snow,” Dane said, placing his hand on the small of Lacy’s back. “Lacy’s the one I told you about.”
Told her about?
“Hi,” she said. Dane’s hand remained on her back as they followed the woman into what appeared to be a laboratory, and the intimate touch made her feel special.
“Sara and I have worked on several research projects together. She has the greatest job,” Dane explained.
“So you’re the one who turned Dane’s heart into mush?” Sara said with a bright smile.
Lacy felt her face flush, and when she looked at Dane, she realized that he was blushing, too. The streak of jealousy she’d felt fell away with the love in Dane’s eyes.
“Yeah, I do have a pretty great job,” Sara said with a bright smile. “Lacy, come look at this tank.” She motioned to a tank that was about ten feet by six feet and the height of Lacy’s chest.
Lacy peered into the tank, aware of Dane’s hand, which now touched her shoulder blade. Inside the tank were two baby sharks. Lacy gasped.
“Dane, look,” she said, reaching for his hand.
He came to her side. “I know. Incredible, right?”
“It’s rare for shark pups to be born in captivity, and they usually perish, so we feel very lucky to have our newest little additions. These are sandbar pups. We’re cautiously optimistic about them,” Sara said. “I get to spend my days monitoring these little rascals.”
Lacy didn’t realize she was holding Dane’s arm until they stepped back from the tank. “Can I touch the skin of one? I read all about how thick their skin is, and…” She looked at Dane and drew in a deep breath, still holding his arm. “I think I know how rough it is, but can I just touch it with one finger?”
Sara and Dane exchanged a glance. Dane nodded.
“Normally we wear gloves when we handle the sharks, but Dane explained to me what you’ve been through. I’m glad to see you are interested in understanding our misunderstood friends. If you wouldn’t mind using that special soap”—she nodded at a sink to her left—“then yes, of course you may.”
Lacy’s heart raced.I’m going to touch a baby shark. A shark!She was surprised by her lack of fear. There were no tremors running through her, her nerves didn’t feel like live wires, and when she looked at Dane and saw the concern in his eyes, she couldn’t help but feel proud.
“Okay. I’m ready,” she said.
Dane held out his hand, and Lacy took it, then went to the side of the tank. Dane’s eyes never left her face, and knowing he was beside her gave her strength.I’m fine. I’m fine. I’m fine.Lacy held her breath. She reached her hand toward the water, and it began to tremble. She took a few deep breaths. Dane let go of her other hand, enabling her to hold the edge of the tank; then he rested his hand firmly on her lower back once again.
“Go slow, Lace,” he whispered.
Lacy nodded, reaching forward again. She broke the surface of the water with her index finger as the pup swam beneath, brushing its rough skin against the pad of her finger. She pulled her hand back to her chest with a gasp, her eyes still trained on the water.
Dane leaned in closer. She felt his warm breath on her cheek. “I’m right here.”
She nodded, then looked at Sara. “May I? One…one more time?”
