JUST ANOTHER FISH STORY…OR IS IT?

The idea for this story came from the end of TCOT Skin Deep Scandal. I never liked the fact that they tied Della up. She said they were doomed so I decided to give my version of how I think she got even. So many thanks to my fabulous BETA and friend LittleMissRuth. I couldn't have done it without your encouragement and suggestions.

Please enjoy another adventure with our favorite couple as I take them for an outing.

Della Street lay in the dark trying to relax. Her face, chest, and hands felt tight and she had a throbbing head. Sitting in one place in the sun and wind for many hours had caused a windburn that was uncomfortable. It wasn't as bad as she was going to let the two gentlemen out in the kitchen, who were congratulating each other over their prowess as fisherman, think it was.

She heard Perry ask, "Where's Della?"

Ken answered, "I thought she said she was taking a shower and changing."

From just outside the bedroom door Perry said, "I'll just check on her." He opened the door but didn't turn on the lights. He walked into the bathroom and came back out. This time he turned on a small light.

"Della are you alright?" he inquired seeing her on the bed.

Laying as still as possible she said quietly, "I got too much wind and sun. I am a little stiff and sore. With Ken here I didn't want to come out just wearing a nightgown."

He sat down beside her and took her hand. He stopped short of patting it when he saw how red it was. "Baby, I'm sorry, what can I do to help?"

She heard the concern in his voice. "I'll be fine I rubbed aloe vera lotion on it. I'll be fine in the morning. I think maybe you better sleep in one of the guest rooms tonight. I don't want to disturb your sleep."

Perry started to gather her in his arms then realized it might hurt her even more. "If you are sure sweetheart. I'm sorry you will miss our fish fry."

"I'm sorry too," she moaned a little as she moved. Then she went on reassuringly, "you boys just go and enjoy yourself. If I rest tonight I should be alright tomorrow."

Unsure of what to do next the lawyer finally said, "well if you are sure you will be alright. I'll look in on you later."

Once he was gone she gave a big sigh. Boys and their toys, she thought. This whole situation had started a little over a month ago. One of Perry's friends invited them to their daughter's wedding. Della had heard about them over the years, bought gifts for the child, and knew Perry was like an uncle to the girl, but never met them. Of course, there was a murder and the bride was the suspect. Perry got her off, found the real killers, and Della was left with suspicions of just what was Perry's relationship was with the mother and daughter. Perry had hurt his shoulder and needed to heal. They needed to get away and at first Perry enthusiastically declared they would try camping. What he didn't realize is that they weren't in their thirties anymore. Ken who loved to fish, and heard there was a fishing contest, invited himself along.

So, thankfully after the boys rented a boat which sank, and they had not caught a darn thing, on their return, she had insisted they stay at a friend's cabin to rest and relax. If the truth was known she didn't really wanted to go back lake. On that last trip Perry had gotten all wet, his knee hurt, and he told her she was right to fish from the dock as Ken had tried to give her fishing advice. The young lawyer went on that she needed to get in some hours before the sun was too hot, to change lures, and fish the center of the lake.

Della informed him she was quite comfortable on the dock. Then he pulled up her fishing line and saw all the fish that had been caught. She told them they were hers, and Ken told her she was just lucky.

That evening he began telling her what to do the next day. Before an argument could start Perry suggested having some coffee. He told his assistant Della knew what she was doing and would win the contest. She did win, but they were interrupted with the start of a new case.

It was some weeks later that they were back on the lake having freed the defendant. Tag-a-long Ken was there with them once again. They had a new boat and under the guise of getting Della settled Mr. Mason managed to tie her hands up, so she could not fish. In his glee he didn't know that she made her hands into fists and when she relaxed them she could have gotten loose at any time she desired.

The boys were having a great old time. Perry said it reminded him of a day on the Columbia, with his grandfather, and the fish were jumpin' in the boat.

Ken added that it was too bad Della hadn't caught anything yet. That last time she had won the tournament and today she couldn't get a bite.

Perry not realizing he was sealing his fate remarked, "we're just better fishermen. Don't you think so Della?"

Della told them, "I think if you would just untie my hands things would be different."

Ken went on, "No ma'am we like things just the way they are." They went on about their competence as fishermen.

Holding up her hands she told them, "when we get back to shore you are both doomed…do you hear me doomed."

When they did get back to shore and they were gathering their fishing gear and fish Della stood up, slipped off the handkerchiefs from her arms, handed it to a flabbergasted Ken and walked away. She heard him ask his boss, "Do you think she is really mad?"

Perry brushed it off carelessly, "Not Della she is a good sport."

She thought to herself, 'you just keep thinking that buster'.

Now here she was in the dark and if Mr. Mason had any plans for them that evening he would be sorely disappointed in his lonely bed. It would take some time and thought, but she would teach these men a lesson they wouldn't soon forget. Making her plans she fell asleep.