Darlene sighed. “Well, you know, I’ve talked about it all over social media. And I’m not the only one!”
“Of course not. It was bizarre. But while I don’t know for sure, I’d bet big-time that many agencies are working on discovering just what the truth of the situation might be,” Wes told her.
Darlene grinned. “Can I interview you for my TikTok?” she asked.
Chloe groaned. “We’re on a second honeymoon, Darlene. And, seriously, we don’t know anything!”
Darlene laughed. “Yeah, I guess you two are a bit too old for my followers, though, hm, who knows?”
“Trust me. We’re too old,” Wes said, wincing. “And trust your dad. Just go to the classes and enjoy and keep your mind off the bad stuff.”
“Ah, come on! We’re not too old, we’re too much in love, and we just want to...” Chloe began.
“Oh! I know what you want to do!” Darlene said, laughing.
“Darlene!” her father moaned.
“It’s okay, Dad. I know the facts of life. And, hey, it’s cool, they’re almostyounglovers. Okay, I’ll keep my curiosity to myself and hope that someone is out there seeking some kind of justice!” Darlene said.
“Good choice!” Wes said.
“Hey!”
They were all startled back to the here and now when their tour guide called to them, looking concerned.
“Um, we’re moving on. Did you want to keep climbing, or do you want to head back down to the pool—”
“Oh, no! We’re sorry!” Darlene said quickly. “We’re coming!”
“And you?” the guide asked Chloe and Wes.
“On our way,” Wes said firmly. He turned to Chloe, arching a brow. “Sweetheart, do you need a hand up to the next rock?”
She grinned at him. “Oh, hell no! I’m glad to have you at my back, sweetheart!”
And so, they continued.
If they had just been out for a day of fun, it would have been just that. Darlene, as they discovered, was a student in journalism at Florida State. Her father, Bryan, was a contractor in the Orlando area.
Yes, of course, they loved Disney World. And Universal Studios, LEGOLAND and all the wonders to be found in the area. Bryan had grown up there as had his parents. They hadn’t moved to the attractions; the attractions had arisen around them.
And still...
There was nothing like a cruise.
“Hey, and you’re on the dive tour in the Bahamas, too, I think. I remember seeing your names when we signed up for it,” Bryan told them. He made a face. “Sorry. The whole ship knows you, you know. I mean, you two did dive into the water for a rescue mission!”
Chloe grinned. “Not so heroic—we’re just both experienced divers. Once we’re in the water, you know, it’s just instinct to dive and dive!”
“Right. Well, it will be fun to be with people so experienced!” Bryan said.
Darlene sighed. “He just never really has faith in the two of us!”
“I do! Hey, I’m pretty good, I was diving before you were born, kid,” Bryan told Darlene. “But in Belize once I went on a tour that had a pack of navy divers. It was incredible because, with them, I really wasn’t worried about a thing!”
“Well, heck yeah, we’ll be looking forward to it!” Wes assured them.
They were nearing the top—or the top that they could reach on their walk. Their guide asked them all to pause and enjoy the incredible vista of the landscape around them.
