Page 37 of Home Tears

It was a bit astounding how one piece of shell could ensure a river’s safety. Dani lifted one of the mussels out of the bucket and held it up.

“It looks disgusting.” Its shell was slimy, black, and repulsive. A dead fish hung off the side of it.

Jonah and Trenton laughed.

Trenton piped up, “That’s its decoy for fish. Fish bite onto it, thinking they’re about to have a meal. The glochidia are released inside, and voila, the mussel just landed itself a plane ride for its little babies. The female mussel has her eggs transported into this glochidia stuff. The fish carries it downstream until they drop and form little baby mussels.”

“Smart little buggars.”

“Nah—they’re just another part of nature.” Jonah stood up and kicked off his diving fins. “Nature’s pretty damn miraculous if we wouldn’t stop killing it.”

Dani glanced up, a little startled at the vehemence in his tone. Jonah had always been charming. A good ol’ boy who drew the ladies in like bees to honey. She’d heard of his ruthlessness in business dealings, but she’d never seen him angered. She heard it now, laying just underneath the bitterness.

“I never would’ve thought the two of you would become nature lovers.” She asked, “What do you need to help this research study go faster?”

“What?”

“You said you only had two months. What do you need? Volunteers? Money?”

“This needs to be as quiet as possible.” Jonah held up a hand. “We don’t even know if this is the mussel we’re thinking about. The research team is going to identify it, no matter what species it is.”

“Why wait a month? Why can’t they be here before then?”

“That’s as soon as we can get the funding for their travel arrangements. They’re coming out on our request, but getting the okay for their travel and hotel accommodations takes a while. Red tape can be a bitch.”

“How much money?”

“I don’t know. Probably twenty thousand, at least. More like fifty thousand.”

“I’ll pay.” Dani wanted to help. In that moment, she needed to do this. Forget all the damn tragedies that happened in her past. This was her way of helping. This project could potentially mean more than their whole town. She wanted on board.

“No, Dani, we can’t take your money.”

She had money. They just didn’t know how much, or where it came from. Both stories she wanted to keep quiet about, too. “I want to help. Consider this an investment.”

Jonah studied her, gauging her commitment. Dani knew what he was doing. He wanted to make sure this was a clear-headed decision, not an emotional one. There was emotion underlying, but Dani clamped down and let her professionalism shine through. Boone always said there was no room for emotion in the boardroom.

“I’m single, young, and I’ve already got a home. I can invest my money how I choose. This is one of them, and this is a good investment.”

“This might not be a profitable investment.”

“Nonprofit grants are great tax write-offs.” She had no clue.

Jonah hid a smile, but Dani saw it. She won and she held her hand out. Another second pause, but Jonah reached out and shook on it.

“I’m going to be swimming with you guys, at least some of the times. Part of the deal.”

“Fine by me,” Trenton added, slipping back into the water. “We need all the help we can get.” He took the bucket, saying, “I’m going to swim these out to the boat. It’s almost quitting time anyway.”

Dani studied Jonah, as Trenton left. “So this is what you do on the weekdays.”

“My job description is flexible. I’m supposed to protect the river. Science is slower than business deals. Weekends are an easy sacrifice if it means what I think it’ll mean.” Jonah checked his watch and murmured, “Aiden informed me to inform you, that you have to be somewhere tonight. They’re emceeing a talent show, and your presence is required.” His eyes traced her face and slowly slid downward.

Dani’s mouth was suddenly parched.

“I won’t push you right now, but I can’t help but wonder what other secrets you got hidden?” His eyes darkened, lingering on her lips.

She’d been right. He hadn’t bought the lie.

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