Switching off the bathroom light, Gray crawled into bed, his thoughts drifting to the future.He had big goals, and in a year’s time, he would make them happen.
Chapter 3
The island
1994
Riley had visited the island before, years earlier with her family on a Caribbean cruise.The cruise ship dropped them off at each harbour, only for all the passengers to be bombarded by locals trying to sell trinkets or braid their hair, before being shuffled back onto the cruise ship.They were unimpressed with the experience.Her family enjoyed seeing a new country, and the weather offered the serene perfection they wanted on vacation, but island life did not appeal to them.Honestly, they had only glimpsed what the cruise ships allowed them to see; she didn't even know there was a dolphin facility.So, when she told her family she was moving to that same island, the consensus was, "Really?"
When she'd started researching moving to the island to work at the Lagoon, her head couldn't quite wrap around the idea of the open ocean facility.The trainers took the dolphins out to swim in the ocean every day, and they came back every time.She wanted to see them in action and learn why the dolphins didn't swim away.She'd only ever worked with dolphins at facilities that were landlocked: aquariums and such.No need to worry about anyone swimming out to sea.Riley knew she'd have a big learning curve ahead of her, and she was ready to tackle new things, and this would be an incredible skill to learn.Along with figuring out how everything worked on the island, there were 16 precious dolphins to get to know.As she pulled herself out of her reverie, she took a proper look at her surroundings as Cam was driving.
Their first stop was a bank, although it was not like any bank she knew.
"Things work differently here," Cam explained."It says Royal Bank of Canada, but it's not quite the same as on the mainland.Honestly, get an account, cash your pay cheques and keep your money in a mattress.You'll have time this week to get your account set up."
Riley stared at Cam, slightly horrified, but nodded anyway.She needed to stay calm; it would take time to get her bearings.Also, they were driving North American vehicles on the wrong side of the road, a leftover from when the island was a British Colony and it was freaking her out.Maybe she'd reconsider buying a vehicle because navigating this strange system might be a later skill to learn.
They then went past the grocery store."It says Winn-Dixie, but don't expect it to be the same," Cam said, rolling his eyes as he pointed it out.
"Why use that name if it's not a Winn-Dixie?"she inquired.
"You'll learn quickly that there's a lot of cachet in saying one thing and doing something else.There's only one bank and only one place to buy groceries.The service might not be great, but it's what we've got.Now, don't think I'm ungrateful—I want to make sure everyone who comes here to join our team knows the reality.Island life isn't the same as living on the mainland.Our dive team, for example, hires dozens of new employees every year.Divers come from all over the world, eager to explore the Caribbean islands.But when they get here, they're totally unprepared for the reality of the island and end up breaking their contracts and leaving.Our dolphin team has been together for three years now, and everyone I've brought on is still here.There's a lot to love here, but if you don't have the right mindset, you'll be gone by six months."
Cam regarded Riley.She didn't know it, but when he had received her resume, he had been over the moon.People knew her reputation in the field; she was ambitious but protective of the animals she worked with.Her peers adored her, and all had glowing reviews about working with her.Plus, she was a talented, taking hard scientific papers and making them easily understood.Having a gifted writer on staff, and one that was featured in an internationally published magazine—that was going to be a big bonus for his team.She was a former competitive swimmer, so she had the physical strength to get through the more rigorous parts of the job.Even having her in the Jeep, with her wild auburn hair blowing around, it felt like she'd been here for years already.
Riley pondered what Cam had told her as they drove to her temporary housing.She felt like she had been aiming to be here forever, but she had only begun the hiring process six months before.The job offer had come four months ago, and she had packed right away, not knowing it would take the whole four months for her work permit to be approved.Cam had stayed in touch and reassured her that the process would take time, and they couldn't rush it."Border and customs work on their own time.Not even on a schedule—whenever they get to it, they'll approve the permit."This was not what she wanted to hear, and the doubts haunted her during those months.Her family had given up on the idea that she was even leaving, and her friends rolled their eyes whenever someone asked what she was doing, and she'd tell them, "I'm moving to the Caribbean!"
Now she was here.Even though her family and friends could have supported her more, she understood they worried she had been sold a pipe dream and that no actual job existed.
"Can I ask you something?"
"You bet; you can always ask me anything.Whether I answer is up for debate."Cam smiled as he said this, and Riley knew he was trying to lighten the mood.
"If so many ex-pats come here and then leave, breaking their contracts, why do they even hire them?"
"Fair question.More people will always want to come here.And while some don't work out, the ones that do are dedicated.You'll meet a lot of them, especially on our dolphin team.Sometimes, island life isn't for someone, and that doesn't make them a terrible person—it means they need more than what we can offer.You don't have to search far to find something beautiful or amazing, but if you're focused on what you don't have, you'll miss it all.We work hard with the dolphin team to make sure everyone feels like they're part of the team without smothering them.But we also need to know when someone is having a tough time.Simple things like wanting to talk to your family, but the only phone that works is a pay phone outside your apartment—and it's not working that day.There's nowhere else to go to make a call, so you don't get to speak with them.Some people can't deal with that and get so homesick they leave.Does that make sense?"
It really did.Riley wouldn't say she already missed her family, but if she went months without being able to talk to them, it would affect her.She was also trying to figure out why everyone didn't have a landline in their house or apartment.That seemed weird, but she'd file it away for now.
"How long have you been here, Cam?"
"Surprisingly, I've been here eight years.I was hired straight from the Navy to set up the Lagoon, train the dolphins, and start the research programs.You'll meet them later, but Abaco, Anejo, Shiloh, and Amara also worked at the Navy, and those dolphins moved with me to create everything.My official job as the director of the facility didn't start until six years ago, when the former director got an incredible opportunity to work at the Smithsonian and, of course, left.I've been here since the beginning, and the current team is the team I've built.It took a few years, but we take care of each other and support each other.You'd think after working all day together, you'd want to not spend any time with your coworkers, but honestly, we all get along so well that the other teams and islanders joke that we're the island's resident colony—I won't say the rest."Cam laughed his big laugh, and Riley smiled.
"What about introverts?"Riley asked, half-joking but also curious because she excelled at being an extroverted introvert—great in public, but definitely needed to recharge after socializing.
"Oh, them?We fire them for lack of participation."Cam deadpanned.
Riley's eyes went wide, but then she realized he was pulling her leg.
"We all need breaks, but the funniest thing is we still enjoy time with each other.It's not uncommon for us all to go to Seven Mile Beach and each do our own thing.We're together, but apart.Everyone respects our need for alone time, but there's something comforting about knowing someone who cares about you is not that far away."
Chapter 4
Featured
1996
Riley stood backstage; her hands clasped tightly as she paced the small space.Speaking in front of enormous crowds was usually her favourite thing.The bigger the audience, the better.But today felt different—this wasn't any crowd.These were her peers, gathered at the annual marine animal training conference, and she wasn't just giving a talk.She was doing a full-feature presentation.
