Ch 18
Terry and Teddy, the 9 year olds had water hoses and were washing out the grape presses, and each other. Laughing, spraying and ducking for cover when the other one tried to spray them, they were having fun washing out the big machines. Teddy squatted down and sneaked to the front where Terry was. He peeked around the rounded base and saw someone there.
It wasn't Terry. He was currently aiming his hose at her knees. Knees far up from the floor than knees should be. Bigger than adult knees. Scanning up the very long legs, he saw a giant of a woman. her head was even with the top of the doorway. He froze as his jaw dropped.
"Little boy, do you know where JJ is?" Sonya asked.
Water hit his back with Terry's happy cry of, "Gotya!"
Teddy didn't move then when the water hit him. The huge woman in front of him had his undivided attention "Who?" he asked weakly.
Terry noticed her brother hadn't moved at all. She peeked further around the tank to see what he was looking at. Seeing the huge woman in the doorway, she let out a squeak and jumped back to hide, then peeked out.
"JJ, John Junior," she explained with a grin from the kid's reactions.
"I dunno, in the fields someplace," Teddy offered.
"When you see him, Tell him Sonya's back, I'm going home, then out to Dad's house. Can you do that for me?"
Teddy nodded blankly. Sonya turned and left.
Terry sneaked up and looked over her brother's shoulder. "Is she one of the monster people who live here?"
"She was humongous, so I guess so." Teddy agreed. He then realized Terry had hit him from behind with a good squirt of water. He frowned and spun then hosed his sister down good as she squeaked and tried to run. "Gottcha back!" he cried.
Cleaning the grape presses was a fun job.
.
Sonya found out from Darla, one of the Atlantian wives, that JJ had gone down to the sheriff's office for meeting. She wanted to go see the sheriff anyway.
Driving down to the sheriff's office, she noted a few cars in the lot. She went inside and greeted John, Cameron, and JJ with hugs, the the sheriff and Anne with handshakes. There was also a lawyer there with his briefcase and another man she didn't know.
After the round of greetings, John asked, "Sonya, I heard you're a police commissioner now?"
"I am," she beamed "For two cities. San Jose and San Francisco. They pretty much begged, so I took the job."
"Good for you," John said proudly.
"We're really glad you showed up," Cameron said. "This lawyer here, Mr. Perkins, is looking for Jackie. Do you know where Duncan's Dojo is?"
"I do, what's up?"
Mr. Perkins said, "I have some vital paperwork for Jackie Connor. A will and inheritance items. I have had a hard time locating her."
Sonya told him the address of the Dojo and added, "If you can wait a few days, I'll take you there. I wanted to go see Joan and her gang first and visit around town."
"I can find my way," he assured her. "I take it you're on vacation?"
"Yes, I wanted to come see my family."
"Then don't let me pull you away from that. It's been good meeting all of you," he said and left.
John brought Sonya up to date on the status of Driftwood being a high radiation area, which meant she couldn't sell anything outside of Driftwood that was made here. She wasn't going to sell much furniture.
JJ piped up and said, "What I've done to get around that is use the Dripping Springs and Wood Creek distilleries to sell our grape juice as theirs. They get more profit and we get something for our hard work."
Sonya shrugged. "Good for you, Johnny, right now I'm not even around, so is there a problem with someone just looking after the place for me?"
"Of course we will," Cameron assured her. "We're getting in new generators, so the electric service is different. Your factory will now produce it's own electricity."
The sheriff said, "If you don't mind, Sonya, that would be a great place to hold town meetings."
"Sure, have at it," Sonya replied. "Is Driftwood completely on it's own now?" she asked.
The sheriff nodded. "We are, nothing out, but there is also no taxes. The area will be reevaluated in 50 years. Until then, the town will have no real income."
"Then I'll send a portion of my pay to help out," Sonya stated. "I see Joe's garage is being worked on."
"Terminators are working on it. A group of four are going to replace it," the sheriff told her. "Joe didn't have any relatives that lived, so they decided to take it over so we can get vehicles repaired." with a thoughtful look he said, "You know we could use a machine shop in town."
Sonya looked at John. "John, feel free to use the furniture factory however you need to."
"Thank you, Sonya. We will keep it in good shape for you. Did you want rent money?"
"No! Just use it as you need to," she told him. "Is Joan and company up at the big lake?"
"They are. Joan is fixing up the hotel, they also have a house in town and are growing food for the town." he told her.
"Sonya, make some time for a swim," Cameron said.
"I plan on it!" Sonya replied brightly.
.
Duncan had been thinking about selling the dojo, but Jayson was making a profit. Talking about it with Jackie, she convinced him to keep it since Jayson was doing good. Martial Arts was getting 'out of style', but exercise places were doing well. An exercise place with some Martial Arts for those who wanted to learn was a hit. Everyone who came to the dojo told their friends, and Jayson got more business. He had two groups coming in now, a morning and afternoon group. Another group formed, 'the Saturday' group for those who worked all week and wanted to join.
Jackie agreed to participate in the afternoon groups. She did a couple demonstrations for the group and joined in the exercises. The 'cane defense' class was popular, Duncan led it with Jayson as one of the students until Jayson himself got the use of a cane down. Going out in town now, Jackie knew who the students were, they all walked with canes.
During a push up competition Jackie was leading, a man in a dark gray suit came with a briefcase. He went into the office and sat down to wait. Jayson, who got to 76 pushups in a row, flopped down, he was done.
Getting himself up he went in to see the man. "Can I help you?" he asked.
The man got up. "Yes, I am Mr. Perkins, I am looking for Jackie Connor. I have important information for her."
"She's right there in front, leading the pushup competition. She should be done soon. The last guy usually gets to a hundred."
Jason and Mr. Perkins watched. As they passed 85, more were dropping out. at 90, only Jackie and two other guys were still going. One guy dropped out at 105. The last guy called the number with Jackie as they made 112, then he just couldn't lift himself up again.
"Great!" Jackie cheered as she bounced up. "Eric, you just did the most you've ever done!" she beamed.
Sitting on the mat, he said, "I want to see how many you can really do."
"Then you'll have to do more," she teased.
"Jackie Connor?"
Jackie turned to see Mr. Perkins beside Jayson. "Yes?"
He came out and offered his hand. Jackie shook it. He said, "I am Mr. Perkins, lawyer for the Collins family. I need to speak with you when you are available."
Jackie didn't know why he wanted to talk to her, but said, "We can go upstairs if you want."
"That will be fine."
Duncan was out with a now healthy Charlie. Jackie took him up to the loft and over to a chair. "Something to drink?" she asked.
"No thank you, I'm fine. You are a hard person to track down," he told her.
"Yeah, my life's been rather complex lately," she offered and sat on the couch facing him.
"I understand you an Daniel Collins were going to be wed?"he asked.
Jackie frowned. "We were. A nuclear bomb stopped that," she grumbled.
"Yes, that was a horrible way for Daniel to die," he agreed. "Due to the considerable assets in Daniel's possession, our firm insisted he make out a will just in case something happened. Unfortunately, it did." he explained. "He informed us you two were going to be married, and in preparation for that, he had you put in his will. Miss Connor, Daniel has left you everything."
Jackie blinked. "What? What you do mean?"
"Just that. His cousin Barnabas is watching over your properties and financial assets and would like to see you some time in the near future." he said then pulled out a few long papers and handed them over.
Jackie took the papers and scanned them. "Daniel left me Collinwood?" she asked in a squeak. She then noted the lists of stocks, some bonds, the large bank balances, and a list of 'minor' properties. "But... we never got to be married."
"This is Daniel's will, Miss Connor. As I said, Barnabas Collins is acting caretaker of your affairs until you could be found and informed. I would also urge you to make out a will of your own. We all plan to live a full life, but the unforeseen can happen." he told her.
Jackie sat stunned. "Why leave me everything?" she asked weakly. "I mean, that has been his home for generations! Shouldn't Barnabas get it?"
"Daniel wanted you to have it," Mr. Perkins said.
Vacantly, Jackie said, "This is unreal. Yeah, I need to talk to Barnabas ... and Dad ... and Duncan."
"I'm sure you are overwhelmed," Mr. Perkins said. "Now that I've found you, I'm going to catch a flight back east. Shall I get you a ticket also?"
"I don't do commercial flights," Jackie explained. "The first one crashed, and the second one I didn't get on crashed also."
"That is a terrible run of luck," he noted.
Jackie shook her head. "No it wasn't. Someone, we never found out who, was trying to kill me. I'll find my own way back east."
"To go by road will take a long time of boring travel," he said.
"I'll call Barnabas and tell him I'm coming. Maybe Joan can pick me up." Jackie said, partially to herself. "Thank you for coming," she offered.
"My job," he said with a grin. He got up and added, "Then I'll see you in Collinsport?"
Jackie nodded. "I'll get there."
Mr. Perkins left. Jackie sat staring at the papers on the table. She had an odd thought. Would Sarah still be haunting the place, or would she move on too.
.
Jackie was still sitting and staring at the papers when Duncan got home. He noted her blank look and went over to sit by her. "Bad news?" he guessed.
Jackie pointed to the papers. "Daniel left me everything," she said weakly.
"Maybe because he thought the world of you?" Duncan offered.
Jackie shrugged. "I would think that if anyone, Barnabas should get their big house and all that money."
"What are you going to do?"
Jackie finally looked at him. "I have to talk to Barnabas. Please come with me?"
Duncan nodded. "Of course I will. I can call the airport and have them get my plane ready and plan a flight to Collinsport."
"Thanks. Duncan, Collinwood isn't mine, it should belong to Barnabas."
"You can talk to him about it when we get there." he assured her.
.
Duncan had a nice plane. It was a twin engine Cessna. All night last night, Jackie was feeling off, thinking about why Daniel gave her Collinwood. To her, it didn't quite make sense. That was the Collins family home, not hers. She was also sure Barnabas could use all those millions of dollars also.
Walking out to the plane, Jackie brought her clothes, wishing she had brought her parachute also. Not that she didn't trust Duncan. It was airplanes she didn't trust. Jackie offered to help with the pre-flight checks. Mostly that was only checking all the control surfaces and looking for visual damage. Even though it wasn't required, Jackie peeked into the engine cowlings to make sure nothing looked odd. Duncan helped to assure Jackie nothing was wrong with the plane.
Here, it was not just get out on the runway and take off. They got in and Duncan powered up and taxied down the taxiway to get behind a commercial jet, also waiting to take off.
"Traffic jam?" Jackie asked.
"Sometimes," Duncan agreed. "This is a major airport."
The jet ahead moved up. Duncan waited until it was lined up on the runway, then moved up. after the jet screamed it's way down the runway and took to the air, Duncan sat, looking out off the end of the runway.
"What are we waiting for?" Jackie asked.
Duncan pointed to a plane off to his side that was coming in for a landing. "Once that plane lands, we can go."
This one was a two engine commercial plane. Jackie watched it come down and slow down. Once it turned off onto a taxiway, Duncan pulled out onto the runway. He got clearance and revved the engines up. they raced down the runway and into the air.
Sitting up in the cockpit where she could see what was going on, Jackie didn't feel so nervous. She did keep an eye on the engine gauges the whole trip.
Watching her, Duncan told her, "I did have dual parachutes installed in this plane, so even of we lose power, we're not going to fall out of the sky to ram the ground."
Jackie was able to relax some.
The flight was uneventful. They got to their destination with no troubles. Once Duncan landed, He got a rental car and they drove to Collinwood. It was dark by the time they arrived. The lights over the driveway and parking area were on, expecting them.
Jackie was also expecting maybe the downstairs maid was going to answer her knock on the door. She was surprised to see the whole household there with Barnabas and Vicky to greet her with handshakes and hugs, as well as comments that everyone was happy she got through her battles in one piece.
Migrating over to the dinning room table, they all wanted to know what Jackie had been up to.
"Fighting the PSR," Jackie said. "We drove them north. A few escaped into Canada, but not many. Once it was clear they were loosing badly, they tried to flee. We did get most of them, though I'm sure the few that got away are being looked for in Canada."
"Can we get you anything? It's past dinner time but we can make you something. Your choice," the cook told her.
Jackie looked at Duncan. "You hungry?"
Duncan saw the man was eager to do something for Jackie. "Actually, yes, We had a long flight today," he said. "Jackie?"
"Yeah, some food would be good. Whatever you make is fine," she told the cook.
"Porterhouse steaks, baked potato with sour cream and chives, with Brussel sprouts sound good?" the cook asked.
"That does sound good." Jackie agreed. The cook was off to make it happen.
"Have you visited your boat yet?" Barnabas asked. "I know the crew was looking any information on you."
"Not yet, we just got in. I'll see them tomorrow." Jackie said, then added, "Do you have any idea why Daniel left me ... everything?"
"He felt you deserved it," Barnabas stated. "I do also. Jackie, you and your family have done wonders for us. You may not be family here by name, but you are family by heart."
"It just feels weird," Jackie told him. "I'm not the type with a huge house with servants. It just feels really strange. Of course I'd love to be here with Daniel, but he's gone."
Vicky grinned. "Jackie, I know you're a rough and tumble type of person. You'd rather have a sword fight than go to a formal dance. Take a swim in your mermaid tail rather than say go to an opera. If threatened, you don't look for a way to legally take care of the problem, you face it head on. When those PSR men came in to make us leave, we were terrified we were going to lose everything. You shut them down hard and fast, killing them. Have you ever considered that Daniel gave you all his possessions because he knew you'd take care of them and keep everyone here safe?"
"That is something to think about," Duncan added.
Jackie shifted in her seat. "I'd watch out for you anyway," Jackie offered.
"It will take you time to get used to the idea," Barnabas said. "I would urge you to wait a while before you decide anything rashly. I would also urge you to accept Daniel's will. I don't know if it matters, but I do know Daniel told me he talked to Sarah before he made his will."
Thinking about Sarah, she asked, "Is Sarah still here?"
"If she is, I'm sure she'll let you know," Barnabas replied.
.
Dinner came and it was far from a 'quick' throw-together meal. It was a full dinner the cook and his assistant had made complete with real silverware, crystal goblets and gold rimmed plates the delicious smelling food was on.
Seeing the finery Jackie said, "This makes me feel like a princess or something. Please tell the chef thank you very much!"
His assistant giggled. "I will tell him. Enjoy."
After the hearty meal, Jackie and Duncan went upstairs. They were guided to the Master bedroom. By now, after the long day and full from the excellent meal they just had, Duncan got in bed and was out. Jackie was close, but something caught her attention. Seeing the ghostly Sarah beside her, she sat up.
"Hi Sarah," she said with a smile.
Sarah smiled back. "Welcome home, Jackie. I am happy you returned. Please, take care of Collinwood. There are many things here that the eye cannot see. Daniel's wish was for you to enjoy yourself and be comfortable, as is mine. You are different, but wonderful in your own way." Sarah then faded away.
Jackie felt a little more relaxed and really tired now. She was glad Sarah accepted her.
.
The next day, Jackie and Duncan went down to her boat. Of course it was in perfect condition and the crew was happy to see her. While Jackie talked with the crew, and they showed her the mermaid tail they had gotten so she always had one on board, Duncan got a call.
After checking on her boat and crew, they walked down the dock and Duncan said, "I got a call from a friend in Australia. He's got a problem he wants me to help with."
"You know people in Australia?" Jackie asked.
"I know people from all around the world," Duncan told her. "He's in a bind. He is trying to buy this island to keep it natural and undeveloped. To do so, he's lacking 100 million. He wanted to know if I could help. Can you spot me fifty million to help out?" he asked. "There's many species there that exist no where else. He wants to preserve them. There's another player who want to develop that island into a resort, which would endanger those species, or even wipe them out."
Thinking about the small lake that most things were wiped out in it, Jackie said, "Sure. I take it he wants to see you?"
"He does, but I'm going to need some help with this." Duncan told her.
"I got 392 million, so I can manage fifty. Are we talking partial ownership?"
Duncan grinned. "Yeah for that much, we should at least have our own private beach."
Their next stop was Jackie's lawyer, then they went to the bank. The best transfer was a wire transfer to Australia. After Jackie did hers, Duncan did his wire transfer from a bank in France. He called his friend and assured him he'd have the money, but insisted on him and Jackie sharing the ownership of the island. They had to be in Australia in a week to sign the paperwork.
No boat would get there fast enough. For Jackie that meant suffering through a commercial flight over deep water. She was bringing her tail, folded up as a carry on. Just in case she had to swim part of the way.
.
Jackie told her household her an Duncan were doing an investment in Australia, and had to leave. They helped Jackie pack and the gardener managed to get her mermaid tail folded and packed into the largest carry on allowed.
They took Duncan's plane to Seattle, then a commercial flight to LAX to catch a plane to Hawaii, then to Australia.
Jackie did behave herself through security. She showed them her 'exemption' for metal detectors. They put her in a body scanner. Although it found no weapons, it did show her metal skeleton, head to toe. Never seeing this before, she had to wait as security called higher and higher up, wondering of they should let her on a plane. Finally, a call from the NSA told them to let her board. Two hours and a half after they scanned her, Jackie was allowed to hurry to the plane and get on before it took off.
The flight to Hawaii was long. Duncan slept most of the way, Jackie stayed away and alert the whole flight. Staying in the 'international area' of the terminal, Jackie slept through the three our wait for the connecting flight. This flight didn't get them to Australia, they stopped for fuel at an island. While most people got off the plane, Jackie took another nap. The third flight finally got them to Australia. Thankfully here, they had trains. Catching a ride to the 'Gold Coast', that Jackie slept the whole way, they finally got to the town they were headed for.
Off the train and heading for the street, someone called out, "McLeod!" It was a man in brown shorts, shirt, wearing a wide brimmed brown hat some curly blonde hair was peeking out of and had a pipe in his mouth. He intercepted them.
"Hi, Fitzcarin," Duncan said and shook the man's hand.
Fitzcarin's eye locked on Jackie. "I must have died for there's an angel before me," he said in a reverent tone. "Duncan, where did you find such a vision of perfection?"
Jackie laughed.
"Fitz is a charmer," Duncan explained.
"I can see that," Jackie agreed. "So, where's this island we have to save?"
Fitz pointed with his pipe and said, "Just off the coast. I know a great hotel nearby, right beside the ocean. I'm staying with Bella, only a couple blocks away."
"New girlfriend?" Duncan asked.
"Ahhh," Fitz said with a look of contentment. "Bella is fantastic! A proper lass from Ireland, and very easy on the eyes," he said with a grin.
"Did you get the money?" Duncan asked.
"Indeed I did, old chum! Funny though, it came in two transfers, not one." Fitz told him. "We have to go to the courthouse tomorrow to sign the deeds, then you and me have our own island!"
"You mean, you, me and Jackie," Duncan said, correcting him. "Jackie put up half. That's why you got two transfers."
Fitz stared at Jackie again. "Well then, we can have more brightness than the sun on our beaches!" he bragged.
Coming out to the front, Duncan and Jackie loaded their bags in the back of Fitz's Range Rover. Smiling, Fitz said, "Belle will be very happy to know we got the island and not some developer. She loves that place and was nearly sick with worry it would be turned into a resort and airport."
"I take it this is a fairly big island?" Duncan asked.
"Decent sized," Fitz said. "Nothing the size of say, New Zealand, but it takes a full day to walk around. I'm telling you, this will save all kinds of wildlife, in the surrounding ocean as well as on land!" Fitz explained. "Did you know it's the only known breeding ground for Mako sharks?"
"I'm happy for them," Duncan said dryly.
"And you made it happen!" Fitz beamed.
Fitz drove them to the hotel and told them where he was staying, then let them go get settled.
.
This was the longest day Jackie had ever seen. Here, it was only 6 PM. Her body thought it was early morning, the next day. She and Duncan got checked into their room, then seeing the ocean right here, she couldn't resist taking a swim. The hotel had a decent restaurant there, so that's where they had dinner.
Being this close to the ocean, Jackie wanted to take a swim before they turned in for the night. Duncan convinced her to wait until morning. It was hard, but he was right. Swimming during the day was better anyway. she cuddled up with Duncan for the night.
In the morning Jackie got up to find it was still pre-dawn. She left a note for Duncan, put her bikini on and grabbed her tail. Walking out to the beach, the sun was just coming up as she put her tail on and hand walked into the water.
The water here was nice, not cold at all, but not warm like a bath, either. It was nearly perfect. Noting some bottom features, she went up and looked for the hotel to reference where she was. The hotel was to her right. OK, there was a slight current to the left. Jackie went back under and looked at the colorful tropical fish, mounds of coral, and anemones. A boat passed overhead. She watched it go by over her, then noted it was towing a net.
Jackie moved quickly to the side and deeper. The net passed by, partly full of fish. There was also someone inside, climbing the net, trying to get out.
Jackie swam hard and caught up to the net. Even with the blonde mermaid trying to escape, Jackie grabbed the net and ripped a hole in it. She reached in and grabbed the other mermaid by the hand and helped her out of the net.
The mermaid beamed her a smile. Jackie winked and gave her a thumbs up. They rose to the surface.
"Thank you!" the Mermaid said. "I'm Bella. I haven't seen you around before."
"Jackie. We got got in yesterday. We're staying in the hotel over..." She turned to point at it. all she saw was water, and the fishing boat moving away. "Aww shit, umm, Bella, do you know which way land is? I think I went too far."
Bella grinned. "I do, follow me."
They went back under. After a few minutes of swimming, Bella popped up to the surface, Jackie followed. Pointing, Bella said, "That's the closest hotel to our house, which is over there."
"Yeah, that's where we're staying, You're a live saver!" Jackie told her.
"Well so are you, getting me out of that net," Bella replied. Scanning the shore, she said, "People are coming out, I should go."
"Me too," Jackie agreed, "Have a good day!"
"You too!"
They dove and headed for the shore, Bella to her house, Jackie back to the hotel.
Jackie got back to the hotel to find Duncan had gone down for breakfast. She washed the salt off her and her tail, the hung her tail up to fry and got dressed in a nice shirt and skirt. Going down to the restaurant, she saw Duncan at a table by himself.
"Morning, hon," she beamed and sat down with him.
"Morning. Have fun?" he asked.
"I did, I also nearly got lost." She giggled and added, "Another mermaid was caught in a fishing net. I got her out, and she got me back."
"At least you're back," he said and pushed a plate to her. "I ordered you some food. Fitz called and is going to pick us up soon."
"Thanks," she said and dug in. She ate quick and was almost finished when Fitz called out, "Hey McLeod, ready to go."
"Jackie?" the woman with him asked.
Jackie smiled and waved. "Hey Bella."
"You know each other?" Fitz asked.
"Early this morning, I got myself lost. Bella showed me the way back," Jackie told him.
"How far out were you?" Duncan asked.
Jacki shrugged. "Far enough I lost sight of land." Seeing him frown, she added, "I'll be more careful from now on."
Fitz pointed his pipe at her. "Be careful, lassie. There's sharks in these waters. Don't go swimming too far out. Also a boat might not see you. It would be a rotten shame if anything happened to such a lovely lass."
"OK, Mr. Fitz." Jackie said with a grin.
"Shall we go?" Duncan asked. He got up and hand his hand out to Jackie. She took it and got up.
.
Going into the courthouse, Jackie and Bella followed Duncan and Fitz inside.
"You know, this is a wonderful thing you and Duncan are doing," Bella told Jackie. "That is a lot of money to spend just to keep Mako island pristine, like it should be."
"Hey, we all pitch in and do what we can," Jackie replied.
"Still to spend 93 million just to buy an island, that's a lot." Bella told her.
Jackie frowned. "Hold on, that island was only 93 million? Duncan, you hearing this?"
Duncan eyed Fitzcarin.
Fitz shrugged and said, "Exchange rate, in American money it is a hundred mil."
"So we're paying for an island YOU want to own?" Jackie asked loudly.
"Fitz?" Duncan asked in a hard tone as he stopped walking.
"We were under the impression you were going to pony up part of the cost also," Jackie stated, glaring at him.
"Well, I don't have that kind of money, I'm even month behind on the rent," Fitzcarin said with a shrug.
In a near growl, Duncan said, "When we get in there, Jackie and I will will sign the deed as the owners. Right?"
"Unless you want a plasma bolt up your ass," Jackie added.
"Yeah, I just wanted to save the place," Fitzcarin said defensively.
Duncan let out a huff and said, "Let's get this done."
They went in and registered for the deed. They also found out the 93 million in Australian currency was only 91 million in American dollars. Fitzcarin got glares from Duncan and Jackie.
Jackie said, "I think we should spar, with sabers."
After the courthouse, they went to Fitz's bank and watched him fill out the paperwork to send them each 4 million dollars, American, by wire.
And what about the last million?" Duncan asked Fitzcarin.
"Just take a nice long vacation here... on me!" Fitz offered with a smile.
"The money," Duncan stated, "I'll even pay your back rent."
"Deal!" Fitz agreed heartily. "Back rent's already been paid."
Bella, not happy at Fitz, let out a snort. "Fitz, is that how you bought that new boat?" she asked.
"Hey Bella," Jackie asked, "Why don't we take that new boat out to our island and lie on the beach at the shore in our tails?"
"Sounds good to me," Bella agreed. "You boys coming?"
.
Going down the dock Fitz was stopped by the check in booth to remind him the dock rental was due. Going down the dock Duncan said, "You're broke, aren't you, Fritz."
"Shows that badly, huh?" Fritz replied with a wince.
Coming up to the cabin cruiser which was a 50 footer, Duncan said, "Well I'm sure Jackie will be happy with her new boat."
Behind them, Belle whispered to Jackie, "Fitz does mean well, but he got himself in over his head."
"I can see that. Bella, I don't think he's the most stable guy to be with." Jackie whispered back.
Bella shrugged a shoulder. "I know, but as long as I'm working, we can usually keep up."
"What does Fitz do?"
"Not sure."
"I think you better find out." Jackie said firmly. "It's just a suggestion, but if you get a trident, you can fish while you're swimming."
"You do that?"
"I have. The mers in the lake at home were using plain sticks. We got them tridents and they were thrilled. Fishing became easier for them." Jackie explained.
"Can we go look for some later?" Bella asked.
"We can. Beach fun first!" Jackie beamed.
.