Free Destiny Undone: The Complete Series Box Set by Amanda Heartley Page B

Because she’ll be doing it topless? Her titties are probably fake anyway,” she cracked. She was beginning to piss me off.
    “Are you jealous?” I scoffed. “You’ll have to get over it because I’ve made my decision and it’s going to be Pepper.” She didn’t like my answer but that was it. She stomped out of the office, obviously biting her tongue and I wondered why she disliked Pepper so much. From what I’d seen, the girl did everything she asked her to. An even better question? Why am I batting for the spoiled brat?
    I decided I’d better make those calls to the facility manager and get out to the training area as quickly as I could. Who knows, Bobbie Jo might try to drown her and that’s all I’d need. I could see the headlines now—beautiful, rich heiress murdered by crazed dolphin trainer. I made the phone calls and walked outside. It was another beautiful day on the Gulf Coast, not a cloud in the sky, just an ocean of blue above the park. Naturally, it was hot, but I liked it. In the kid’s area, Tracee and David Turner were working with the children, letting them pet the horseshoe crabs and other marine goodies that we displayed every day. Martin was leading a tour of students through the aquariums, pointing out the jellies, the Gulf shrimp and the other unique animals in our exhibit. Everything looked fine in here. David waved and grinned and an unhappy Tracee nodded at me. I don’t think Martin even knew I was there.
    “You guys doing okay?”
    “Yes sir, doing fine. Just showing these guys our little friends here.”
    “This is so cool!” said one of the kids. I spent some time with them, listening to the interns answer questions and then followed Martin around without trying to make the guy nervous. After a few minutes, I waved and walked out the back of the exhibits to the training area. I didn’t want them to know I was around yet, so I stood inside the doorway.
    “No, that’s not right. You have to hug him with your thighs, not you calves. Keep your hands on either side like this. Try it again.” I watched Pepper nod, her sleek ponytail now a wet mess. She wiped the water from her face and handed Singh another piece of fish. She hit the water with the palm of her hand twice, a signal to the dolphin that she wanted to ride. He slid up beside her and she put her tanned leg over his muscular body. He squealed playfully at her. Pepper’s face was determined and she did exactly as she was told. They made the circle around the pool and Singh gave her an easy ride. Now she’d learn the hard part, diving with the dolphin. I don’t know why, but I wanted to teach her this so I pulled off my t-shirt and stood by the pool.
    “How’s it going?” Bobbie Jo looked up in surprise.
    “Fine.” She blew the whistle to signal Singh to return to the deck. Pepper spotted me and waved, then accidentally fell off the animal’s back. I grinned, but Bobbie Jo cursed and scolded Pepper When she got back to the deck, “You’ve got to stay focused or you could get hurt.”
    “Okay, sorry about that, but what about before I fell off? Was it okay?” I handed her a towel and she patted her face and handed it back to me. She was breathing hard, but obviously ready to go again.
    “You have a long way to go. Let’s try something else now.”
    “Bobbie Jo, why don’t you check on the other three and I’ll start Pepper on the dive.”
    “Whatever,” she said dramatically and walked away. Pepper frowned after her, but didn’t say anything, nor did she complain to me.
    “So what’s this about a dive?”
    “Part of the show involves a dive with the dolphin. Now the problem is, sometimes Singh forgets that you and I can’t dive as deep as he does, or stay down as long. We’ve trained him with a few signals to his body, using your hands. Keep in mind we never want to hurt the animal. Just guide him along so you don’t get hurt.”
    “Okay, I’ll try it. What are the signals?” For the next