Carolyn Arnold - McKinley 02 - Vacation is Murder Read Online Free

Instead, he asked, “Are you ready?”
    “Yes, this is so exciting, Sean. To think, just weeks ago, we were at work.” Her voice rose in volume with each word.
    Earl stood with his hands on his hips, legs about twelve inches apart. “You want to talk about business, Mr. McKinley. What about you and the Mrs.?”
    “Oh.” Sara looked at him.
    “We’re in between occupations currently.”
    Sara touched Sean’s arm and her energy read, good save.
    “Whoa, and you’re on vacation. Nice.”
    “Mr. Spencer,” he mimicked Earl’s formal address, “there must be some mystery to us.”
    A tanned man of about five-five came over and garnered the group’s attention, including the Bolders. “My name is Alejandro. I’ll be your trainer today.” He paused to insert a sincere-looking smile. “Have any of you ever swam with dolphins before?”
    The Bolders put their hands up and accompanied it with a verbal chorus. “We have.”
    “Excellent. Was it here?”
    Ann Bolder was smiling. “Yes, one year ago.”
    “Welcome back.”
    “Gracias.”
    Alejandro bobbed his head. “You’ve all got your life jackets on, I see.” He inspected them. “You all look good. All right, follow me.”
    “Look!” Sara stopped walking and pointed at three dolphins racing through the water. They came up together and jumped in the air. “They’re so beautiful I’m going to cry.”
    “I left my handkerchiefs in the locker, darling, but I’m willing to kiss your tears away.”
    “Aw.”
    The expression slipped from Ann Bolder, and Sean broke eye contact from Sara for a second to smile at her. Most women were the same. They loved romantic gestures.
    They walked a few more steps and Sara’s feet grounded to the deck again. She pulled back on Sean’s arm. “I’m not sure I can do this.”
    The rest of the group slowed their pace and Alejandro came over. “Is everything all right , miss?”
    “It’s Mrs. McKinley.”
    Alejandro hitched his brows at Sean, not seeming to care if Sara saw the gesture or its implication. “You have no need to worry. They are like dogs of the sea.”
    Sara snickered and then it grew into a full laugh, drawing Alejandro’s attention further to her, while Sean kept a close eye on him.
    “Did you hear what he said, Sean? Dogs of the sea.”
    “Well, they’re certainly a little larger than a dog, aren’t they?” Sean cocked his head.
    “Yes, but they are gentle. They won’t hurt you.” Alejandro traced his hand down Sara’s arm.
    She stepped back, nodded, and smiled pleasantly, but tucked into Sean’s side. “I’ll be fine.”
    “You will, darling.” Sean kissed her forehead.

    Chain link cordoned off the dolphin area, and some of the fencing was used to make a shelf around the perimeter for them to stand on. Alejandro led them to a metal staircase that took them into the water at a depth of about four feet. Other groups were positioned around the pen as well.
    “Oh, I’m scared, Sean.”
    “You will be fine, love.” Sean led the way and held her hand.
    “Just be careful of your footing as the steps get slick with algae,” Alejandro said.
    He was too concerned, and occupied, with Sara for Sean’s liking. “We’ve got it. Thank you.”
    Sara smiled knowingly, and the expression made Sean acknowledge the “green monster” living beneath his surface. He needed to squash it quick—Sara wasn’t going anywhere.
    “We all need to line up along the fence and I’ll introduce you to our girls.” Alejandro blew a whistle—not that humans could hear it.
    Sara nestled into Sean and he gripped the link fence at their back. Between the choppy water and their buoyancy, they were bucked back and forth, the slimy shelf doing little to help them.
    Two dolphins jumped out of the water and then swam along in front of them.
    “What we’re going to do is get you used to them first.” Alejandro spoke with his eyes fixed on Sara.
    Sean supposed he had known what he’d signed up for—Sara was