Page 80 of Parentmoon

Either way, here floats a sea turtle, graceful and calm, living his long life in the ever-changing sea. Some moments are rough water. Others are hurricanes. And some are just like this—peaceful and serene.

I glance over at Dallas who is watching the turtle as well. The man is completely comfortable in the water. I can only imagine how he is when fishing, or hunting, or riding on his ranch. He’s confident and charming with a hard-shell exterior and a soft center beneath.

Suddenly, Michael’s attraction to the ancient reptile makes a little more sense.

Dallas turns in my direction, waves beneath the surface, and gives me a thumbs up to ask if I’m okay where we drift.

I give him a thumbs up back, accepting I’m more okay than I’ve ever been in my life, and I don’t want it to end. Because that thumbs up feeling has to do with pinky-hooks, and hard kisses, and gentle touches. I’m not easy, but Dallas doesn’t treat me as difficult.

We float and swim, weaving around people and drifting off from others.

I’m really enjoying myself, becoming more comfortable with the buoyancy when something brushes my leg. I kick out and twist when my ankle is caught. It’s only a fellow snorkeler, but the tranquility of the moment is lost. I panic and can’t breathe. Suddenly, I’m flapping around, trying to stay above the surface and remove my mask and snorkel.

Beside me, the man who touched my leg, tugs off his gear as well. “I didn’t mean to startle you.”

“Artie?” I choke, struggling to stay afloat. The tension in the waves pushes me off balance and I dip underneath the surface once more, inhaling salty water.

Thick arms wrap around me from behind, and panic sets in again. I thrash out my legs then sputter and cough once I’m back above the water.

“I’ve got you,” Dallas says gruffly at my ear. “What happened?”

“I didn’t mean to catch her off guard.” Artie comes closer to us, but it’s too many legs and flippers together. I kick Artie. Or maybe it’s Dallas. I’m still fighting to catch my breath and dispel water that went up my nose and burns my throat.

“I’m okay,” I lie.

“Darlin’,” Dallas growls behind me, working to keep us both afloat.

“He just touched my leg and I panicked.”

“You touched her?” Dallas’s tone drops to deadly as he addresses Artie over my shoulder.

“I was just trying to get her attention.” Artie looks directly at me. “I thought you saw me.”

“She’s with me.” Dallas’s voice brooks no argument.

“Let’s take a break.” I need a moment out of the water. Wiggling, I struggle to remove myself from Dallas’s hold. “I’ve got it.”

“I’ve got you.” His tone is still sharp and commanding while he tightens his arm around me, dragging us back to the private boat. Once we are on board, he wraps a towel around me like I’m a child.

“Don’t fuss.” I bitterly chuckle, feeling stupid for my anxiety and embarrassed by Dallas’s reaction.

“He scared you.”

“He did, but not on purpose.” Although why someone would reach out for another person underwater like that is beyond me.

Dallas says something to the guide in Spanish.

“I know a place that’s a little less crowded. How about we go there, yes?” Our guide replies in English for my benefit.

Dallas responds in Spanish again. The captain nods once, then the engine roars to life, and we’re skimming across the water, away from the crowd. Dallas brings me down beside him on the bench seat, his arm around my shoulders. He presses a kiss to my temple.

“I don’t like him touching you, by accident or not.”

“It was nothing.” Infusing as much reassurance into the statement, I’m hoping Dallas will let this go. He’s acting like a jealous lover. The thought makes my heartbeat faster, my breathing restored but shifting at the possibility. Why doesn’t he like someone else touching me?

“I don’t want anything to ruin today.”

“It’s not ruined. It’s been wonderful. Thank you for being patient with me. For bringing me here.” I twist under his arm and look up at him. “Actually, thank you for everything these past few days, Dallas. It’s been a once-in-a-lifetime experience.”