"Luna here is Phoenix's mom, and she is one of our old lady dolphins.She's not fazed by anything."As Riley said this, she threw Luna a fish and moved her in between the guests.Riley watched them to make sure no fingers poked eyes or noses, but out of the corner of her eye she was scanning the lagoon to see where Nemo and Phoenix had gotten to.She was happy with how they'd done and, honestly, there was no way she could have known about the woman with the knee and hip replacement.She was grateful they were the last group to get in the water, so at least the two young dolphins had had a great session until that point.
As Riley finished up the program, she spotted Nemo and Phoenix floating just outside the dock, and as the tourists stood up to leave, the young dolphins got vocal and excited.They wanted Riley to come see them and reassure them.
Declan came back to the dock once all the guests were gone to take Luna back to her pen."Well, as always, Luna saves the day!But until that point, the boys were rocking the program.Who could have known that woman would have so much metal in her?"At this, Declan and Riley laughed.Gray had come down from the observation tower and was about to ask a question when Declan motioned to him to follow.
"Come on, Gray, you can help me take Luna back.I'll show you how the gates work, and then Riley can round up the young boys."Declan motioned for both Gray and Luna to follow him.Declan showed Gray how the gates worked when they got back to Luna's pen.Then, Declan and Gray turned back to the open lagoon to see what Riley was doing.
With no warning, Riley jumped off the waist-high platform and ran full speed and with a squeal launched herself off the other side of the dock into the water where Nemo and Phoenix were.Gray gasped and watched as the young dolphins went swimming away as fast as they could, then turned on a dime and sped back to where Riley had entered the water but still hadn't surfaced.Gray chewed on his lip, but Declan was howling with laughter.
"Where is she?"Gray asked after what seemed like a minute and still no Riley at the surface.
"Just watch" and Declan pointed to a spot where the water seemed to churn and suddenly Riley and the two dolphins burst to the surface, Riley had a hold of a dorsal fin in each hand and the young boys were pulling her through the water.She was laughing and shaking the water off her face.As she looked at Declan and Gray, she gave a nod, and Declan slapped the water.The boys immediately turned towards the sound, with Riley balanced between them.Gray watched in horror as they approached the dock at top speed, but then a few feet away, Riley let go of their dorsal fins and the dolphins dipped below the surface, popping back up in front of Declan and Gray.
'Wow!That was amazing!I didn't know they could swim that fast while pulling someone."Gray's eyes were wide, and he joined in with Riley and Declan as they laughed and cheered on Nemo and Phoenix.As Declan threw them each a few fish, Gray watched as Riley gave Nemo a subtle signal.The dolphin dropped below the surface of the water.Riley was smiling mischievously up at Gray and, without warning, Riley was suddenly lifted up out of the water.She gracefully stepped onto the dock beside Gray, who, not knowing what else to do, reached out to her.But she laughed and turned back to Nemo, throwing him some fish and then motioning to Phoenix and Nemo to follow as she ran down the docks with them, jumping and laughing at their job well done.
"How?"was all Gray could get out, and Declan clapped him on the back.
"Gray, my new friend, we have so much to show you!"
Chapter 22
The project
"Okay,gatheraround,everyone!"Cam stood at the head of the table in the trainer's lab, his hands resting on the edge as he surveyed the team.The buzz of excitement in the air was palpable; today marked the start of their first official data collection session.
Gray sat at the table, his notebook open and pen ready.His nervousness was clear in his tight grip on the pen, but his eager smile showed he was ready to dive in.The past few days had been a whirlwind of acclimating to the island and observing the trainers and dolphins in action.He was determined to integrate seamlessly into their routine without being disruptive.
"Right, let's get this research party started!"Cam grinned, motioning for Gray to take over.
Gray stood, his notebook trembling slightly in his hand."First, have I mentioned how excited I am to be here?"He looked around at the team, his gratitude clear.
Declan, leaning back in his chair, smirked."Mate, you're like a broken record.'Oh, Daniel, oh, Declan, you're my favourite trainers!'We know that."
Laughter rippled around the room, and Gray chuckled, shaking his head."Fair enough.But seriously, thank you.This is such a rare opportunity.Most of the time, I'm stuck working with samples from deceased animals.Being able to study live dolphins in such a dynamic setting, it's incredible.And okay, I'll stop gushing now."
"Don't worry," Riley chimed in, grinning."We'll remind you if you forget."
Gray laughed and continued, "I also want to acknowledge the amazing work you've all done training the younger dolphins.It's going to save me so much time.Instead of starting from scratch, we can jump right in collecting data."He shot a grateful smile at Riley.
Riley nodded."Big thanks to Cici and Daniel for getting our big dolphins Shiloh, Abaco, and Anejo ready to go too."
Cici and Daniel exchanged modest nods as Gray turned to the whiteboard, where he'd outlined the plan."The focus of this project is straightforward: body measurements, photographic documentation, and recording breath rates and dive durations.The last part will be on me, but if anyone has time to help, I'd appreciate it.I'm still working on recognizing who's who."
"I'm sure you will have everyone helping you out with that, Gray, especially in the afternoons when the tourists are gone and everyone is getting ready to settle in for the evening."Cam looked at the team and knew they were all game to help.
"I'm happy to help with that," Marta offered.
"Me too," Daniel added.
"Thanks, everyone," Gray said, visibly relieved."This team is amazing!"
He'd been able to spend more time with Daniel the last few days as he was born and raised on the island and was helping Gray figure out grocery shopping.Plus, taking him to a fish fry.Gray didn't know he needed this in his life until he went and got a taste.Fresh fish, conch salad, conch fritters and the best lemonade on the island according to Daniel and appropriately so since it was his sister Birdie that made it.When Daniel first told him to try the conch salad and fritters, it took him a minute to adjust his stomach.
"So you mean to tell me the snail-like creature hidden inside that giant shell with the white outside and the pink inside is delicious?"Gray was shaking his head no, but Daniel did not steer him wrong.Gray was hooked; he needed not to think about what it looked like before it became a steaming hot and doughy fritter.
Daniel was quiet and thoughtful, and Gray knew the team appreciated the way he was always there to lend a helping hand.Island life.Gray had been warned; it was not for everyone, but having Daniel take him under his wing was making it seem easier to navigate.Looking at his new friend, Gray noticed out of the corner of his eye that Marta had fixed her gaze on Daniel.Were they going out?Gray didn't know, but he also didn't want to pry as he was learning all the team dynamics.He also had to shake his head.Why was he always thinking something was going on with the trainers?
Declan raised a hand, his trademark grin in place."Question for you, Gray."
