Chapter 5
It’s Monday. My first official day, and I’m already half-exhausted.
Not because of nerves. Though let’s be honest, I’ve got enough of those to power a wind turbine—but because Neptune decided to throw up. Twice.
I don’t know how he knew I was leaving him today, but somehow, he just knew.
That smart, sensitive, slightly dramatic boy gave me his best guilty eyes while I cleaned the carpet, again, whispering apologies and promises, including that I would come back during lunch to take him for a walk and that I would find a doggie daycare for him soon.
There’s no way I’m going to leave him cooped up inside a hotel room forever.
Despite the rough start, I’m actually…excited. Nervous, yes, but excited. This is what I came here for.
George, my new boss, greeted me with a big, warm handshake and a grin that made me instantly feel like I was part of the team.
He’s exactly what I imagined after our phone calls— tall, late fifties, a little round in the middle, a beard more silver than brown, wearing a Patagonia vest over a short-sleeved button-up like it’s part of his uniform.
He has this calm, seasoned energy about him, like nothing could ever shake him.
Gavin, whom I’d already met during Operation Seal Pup, waved me in with a coffee and a smile.
He’s more no-nonsense than George, but in a dry-humored, approachable kind of way.
He’s been walking me through protocols and department procedures, which apparently haven’t been updated since the early 2000s.
They’ve been so short-staffed for so long that they’re basically throwing open the doors and saying, Please, take over. Save us.
Not that I mind. It feels good to be needed. To be trusted.
And after everything it took to get here—Rusty’s cracked windshield, a week’s worth of gas station meals, and all my savings—it’s starting to feel like I landed exactly where I’m meant to be.
Gavin hands me a clipboard and motions for me to follow him toward the back office, which is more like a cozy breakroom with a map of the coast pinned up on the wall and mugs that definitely haven’t been washed in weeks.
“Alright, May,” he says, tapping the map with the back of a pen, “let’s run through the week.
Today’s mostly onboarding—forms, protocols, all that boring stuff.
This afternoon, we’ll head over to Newport to meet the rest of the team.
They’ve been holding down the fort on that end, so it’s good for them to get familiar with you now that you’re here. ”
“Sounds good,” I nod, trying to mentally organize it all.
“Later in the week, we’ve got an excursion scheduled.
We have a boat booked for Thursday morning.
We’ll be heading out to observe a group of gray whales that have been lingering near the southern tip.
A couple of calves were spotted, and one looks smaller than expected, maybe not keeping up with its mother.
I perk up at that. “You think something’s wrong with it?”
He shrugs, scanning the notes in his hands.
“Possibly. That’s part of why we’re going.
We’ll be working with one of the local whale-watching tour companies, which are usually the first to spot changes or patterns in the pods.
It’s a shared effort around here. We track, protect, and document.
Especially the regulars—our resident gray whales, orcas, humpbacks, even a few blues during migration season. ”
I raise an eyebrow. “You get blues this far north?”
He grins. “Now and then. Not common, but when they come through? It's a sight to be seen. So massive, like freight trains in the water.”
My heart does a little flip. This is exactly what I’d dreamed of. Real, meaningful work. Collaboration. Conservation.
“Oh!” Gavin snaps his fingers. “Almost forgot. Tomorrow morning, we’re heading over to the local Coast Guard station. It’s important you meet the Search and Rescue team.”
“Coast Guard station,” I echo, tucking the name away mentally.
“Yup. They’re a small crew, but tight-knit. And they’ve been a huge help in the past, especially when we’re dealing with entangled whales, lost kayakers, storms, you name it. You’ll want to know who’s who.”
“Got it,” I say, already wondering which uniformed wiseass will be the first to try and call me ‘seal girl.’
By the fifth floor, my legs are on fire, my lungs are staging a rebellion, and Neptune, who’s trotting up beside me like this is a casual stroll, is looking at me with deep, judging eyes.
“I swear, I used to be in shape,” I mutter, reaching for the railing for some support.
My phone rings just as I take the last flight of stairs. Without looking at the caller ID, I answer, breathless.
“Hello?”
“Oh, hi, May! It’s Linda, from Ocean Sky Realty. I hope I didn’t catch you at a bad time.”
I wince, dragging in a deep breath. I probably sound like I just finished a half-marathon—or something way more exciting than hiking up six floors.
“No,” I say, trying to sound normal, which only makes me sound like I’m lying. “Not busy at all. How can I help you?”
“Well, I wanted to give you some good news. You’ve been approved for the house on Bay Shore Lane. If all goes smoothly, it’ll be ready for move-in as early as Wednesday.”
I stop dead in the middle of the stairwell. “Wednesday? That’s so soon.”
“The owner was very excited to have someone local and responsible to care for his grandfather’s home,” Linda explains, cheerful as ever. “He’s already purchased a new refrigerator, and the cleaning crew is scheduled for first thing tomorrow morning. Everything’s coming together quickly.”
My breath catches, but this time it’s not from exertion. “Wow. That’s… amazing. I definitely want the house, yes. Absolutely.”
“Great.” Her voice brightens. “So here’s what happens next. I’ll have the rental agreement ready for you to sign this afternoon. If you can bring a check or cashier’s check for the deposit, we’ll get everything locked in.”
“I’ll come by around four, as soon as I’m done with work.” I reach my hotel room door and dig for my key. “Thanks again, Linda. Seriously.”
“You’re welcome, dear. See you soon.”
We hang up, and as soon as I unlock the door, Neptune bolts inside, tail wagging furiously, his favorite toy already in his mouth.
“We got the house, Neps.” I crouch down and scratch behind his ears. “We’re getting our own place.”
He licks my face once, then lets out a happy little bark in celebration.
I pull my phone out of my pocket, still grinning, and open our group chat.
Me:
It’s official. I’m moving to the most perfect home on WEDNESDAY!!!
It takes less than five seconds.
April:
AHHHHH!!! I’m so proud of you!!!
June:
OMG YAY! Look at you, all grown up and making moves.
April:
I told you the universe had your back! And Neptune is gonna LOVE that beach.
June:
Can we start planning our visit now, or is it too soon? Because I have zero chill
Me:
Start planning. Just bring wine and dog treats.
April:
Deal.
June:
On it.
I look down at Neptune, who’s now doing a happy circle with his toy in his mouth, and laugh.