Chapter 52
Helpful avoidance
Marta and Daniel stood watching, waiting for the signal. The moment Cici and Declan shuffled Shelley off to the parking lot, Marta nudged Daniel, and they motioned to Gray and Cam that the coast was clear.
"Okay," Cam brushed past Daniel with a quick clap on his shoulder. "We'll head to the Thatchers and call Gray's lab back in California. You two finish closing up here, and we'll meet at the Square, hopefully with more answers."
Gray followed close behind, giving them a brief nod before the two men disappeared down the path.
Left alone, Marta and Daniel exchanged a glance before getting back to work. The day's end tasks were light, and they worked in companionable silence until Daniel broke it.
"Have you seen Riley yet?" as he scrubbed the last dolphin coolers.
Marta paused, her gaze shifting to the fish house's large windows overlooking the lagoon.
"Nope. But hold on." She crossed to the giant cooler where each dolphin's food for the day was kept.
"Phoenix's cooler is still here, so my guess is they're out in the back lagoon.
If I know Riley, she bolted the second she realized the Shelley on the dock was the Shelley from Gray's work. "
Daniel nodded solemnly as he dried his hands. They both remembered Gray's casual mentions of Shelley's unwanted attention, always framed as something from the past. But the way Shelley had looked at him during introductions earlier was anything but past tense.
"I feel bad," her voice almost drowned out by the sound of running water as she rinsed the last cooler.
Daniel turned to her, his expression curious but patient, with a towel slung over one shoulder. "Go on."
Marta hesitated, choosing her words carefully.
"You know Riley's been hurt before. And she's been alone for years because of it.
" She paused, steadying herself. "Cici and I have been encouraging her to open up, telling her to trust Gray.
Now, I'm wondering if... if his past isn't really his past. What if Riley gets hurt?
" Her voice broke slightly, and she pressed her lips together.
She wasn't overly emotional, but she felt tears prick at the corners of her eyes.
Daniel's chest tightened. He wanted to comfort her, but the depth of his feelings for Marta made it complicated. Instead, he did the next best thing.
"Marta, Riley's an adult," he said gently.
"She loves you and Cici, and she'd never blame you if something went wrong between her and Gray.
And honestly, Gray's a good guy. He's head over heels for her; anyone can see that.
" He rested a hand on her shoulder. "I don't know what Shelley's doing by showing up like this, but let's focus on figuring it out.
Riley's tougher than you think. If something happens, she'll need you, and you'll be there for her. "
Marta exhaled slowly, nodding as she wiped her eyes.
"What should we do about Phoenix?" She glanced toward the lagoon.
"Riley will feed him when she gets back. My guess is they're out there somewhere, probably bothering the spiny lobsters."
That earned a smile from Marta. "Or the lobsters are bothering them."
"Exactly." Daniel grinned.
"Should we leave her a note?"
Daniel shook his head. "Do we really want her at this welcome drink? Nah. It's her regular day off tomorrow–lucky bugger has had a short work week! I heard her saying she was taking Bear on an adventure. Let's let her have that. She deserves a break while we figure this mess out."
As they walked out of the fish house together, Marta still felt a twinge of worry. But Daniel was right. Riley needed space, and Marta would be there for her no matter what.