“Yes!” Everly looked more excited than Ronan had ever seen her. “How do we do it?”
“The tag is at the end of this pole. All we have to do is stick it to her back near the dorsal fin. Once that’s done, we’ll be able to follow her movements with the satellite.”
“That sounds super cool, but will the tag hurt Bianca?” Everly asked, worrying her lower lip with her teeth.
“Only for a second. It’s like when you get a shot at the doctor’s office.”
“My Dad takes me for an ice cream after we go to the doctor. I wish Bianca could have a treat too.”
“See all those seals on the beach?” Alan asked. “Those are her treat.” He checked the gear and got in position to tag the shark. “I need you to stand to my left and watch Bianca for me. Tell me when you see her coming back toward us.”
“Stand here like this?” Everly asked.
“Yup, that’s perfect.” He held the pole out over the water, poised for the perfect shot.
“Here she comes,” Everly said softly.
“Here we go,” Alan said, jabbing the shark just behind her dorsal fin. “Tag’s in!”
Bianca swatted her tail, sending up a shower of water. Ronan heard it thump against the side of the boat.
“We did it, Everly!” Alan said, holding up a hand for a high five.
“I want to help name the shark,” Aurora said, coming to stand beside Everly.
Ronan was afraid the little girl would throw a fit if she didn’t get to help.
“Why don’t you pick her middle name, Aurora,” Everly said.
“We could call her Bianca Twinkle Toes!”
“Sharks don’t have toes!” Wolf laughed.
“How about we call her Bianca Aurora?” Ronan asked.
“We can give her my name?” Aurora asked, looking excited.
“I think that’s a great name,” Everly said.
“Me too,” Alan agreed. “Bianca Aurora it is.”
Ten joined Ronan on the starboard side of the boat. “Well, what do you think?”
“As cute as Bianca is, I think she’d take a bite outta me if given half a chance.” Ronan couldn’t help but wonder if Everly would think her new toothy friend would still be cute with Ronan’s flesh dangling from her sharp teeth.
“Ronan, the only bite anyone is taking out of you today is me, if you’re a good boy, that is.”
Ronan barked a laugh. “I’m gonna hold you to that.”
“You better, shark bait.” Ten waggled his eyebrows. He angled his chin toward the kids who were crowded around Alan, asking him questions about sharks. “Looks like we might have a budding marine biologist or two in our midst.”
“Maybe so,” Ronan agreed. “But before that happens, I think we’re gonna spend an absolute fortune at the shark tour gift shop when we get back to the dock.”
“I guarantee it.” Ten laughed and leaned back against Ronan. “This is nice. Being out here on the ocean, with the kids and not a care in the world.”
“It’s been a mostly perfect day.” Ronan sighed. “I just wish Everly could have helped Maria this morning. She mentioned knowing how to reunite her with Sam, but that it might be hard to pull off. Do you have any idea what she could be talking about?”
Ten shook his head. “I have no idea. Sam has already reached out to Everly once. If he does it again, she’ll be ready. Hopefully then she’ll be able to bring him back to the beach so he and Maria can finally have their happy ending.”
