It Shouldn't Be You, page 6
Officer Baker was the first one to speak.
“Well, we have ourselves a situation here, but if we are all reasonable, it should work out just fine.”
“We want to cooperate in any way possible. I know you’ll listen to our side before you make any decisions,” Colleen said with a pleasant smile.
Officer Baker had a smile that was downright festive considering the situation. “We’ve already reviewed the information, so we won’t have to go over it with you.”
Colleen’s confidence was starting to wan as the conversation continued. She gave a quick look over her shoulder at Travers. He wasn’t moved at all.
“Okay, then I’m confused. Are you letting us go?”
Officer Baker shook his head. “According to the report from Luis Chambers, the district attorney, has asked for a courtesy search. His fiancée has been kidnapped by a charlatan, and he just wants them to be held until he can arrive. I imagine when he comes, other officers will extend the courtesy to him as well.”
“I’m not dumb. Travers isn’t and hasn’t kidnapped me!” she exclaimed.
“Are you engaged to Mr. Chambers?” Officer Baker asked. “Before you answer, I just want you to know that ring seems like a dead giveaway.”
Officer Nathan chimed in. “You can see that if any part of the story is true, we could extend the courtesy because we don’t know the details.”
Colleen fell back on the bench, defeated. She couldn’t believe what she was hearing. This couldn’t be happening. The only thing that made sense was Travers' arm around her.
Officer Baker kneeled before her and took her hand.
“When I told you that you remind me of one of my loved ones, you do. The world is not over. I called around, and I found that Luis Chambers is a pompous bragger. So I’m not saying I know what happened or that I want to know. What I am saying is that him using his connections like this isn’t very ethical on his part.”
Colleen looked into the Officer’s eyes, and for a moment, she started to get her hope back.
“So you’ll let us go?”
Officer Baker stood up. “Well, not exactly. You see, we have a problem, and we were hoping you’d help us out.”
Colleen was confused. “What is it that you would need from us?”
Travers interrupted then. “Officer, you have to admit you just said Chambers wasn’t very ethical, but you’re about to put conditions on our release?”
Officer Baker stood up. “Now boy, don’t go putting us in the same bucket. You gotta hear it first before you go judging.”
Officer Nathan brought over a flyer. “Read this.”
Colleen scowled at Travers and took the flyer. “It says you are having a fundraiser for the local school's sports department. Okay.”
“You see? It’s a good cause,” Officer Baker stated. Colleen knew she was missing something, but she couldn’t figure it out.
Then Officer Nathan turned the flyer over. On it, there was a booth with a guy next to a tank and a woman sitting on the bench. It read, Dunk the Mermaid for $10 a ball.”
Travers chuckled next to her, and Colleen looked up to see the Officers looking at her.
“Are you serious?”
“We are, and if you agree, then it’ll work out fine. You two will work this exhibit tonight, and then you can go.”
Colleen’s mouth opened and closed like a fish. She was trying to come up with something, but nothing came out.
Officer Baker looked at her and then at Travers. “Son, you two talk it over, and we’ll be back. We just want you to be aware of the time. The fair starts in an hour, and if you are going, you can go with us. If you aren’t, we’ll have to lock you up and come back after the fair.”
The officers left, and Colleen looked at Travers and then threw her arms around his neck.
“I don’t want to be in jail, Travers what are we going to do?”
Chapter Eleven
Travers had imagined Colleen in his arms a thousand times, but none of those scenarios played out like this.
“Well, the good news is we have options,” he said.
Colleen pushed away from him. “We have options? Did you see the picture? Dunk the mermaid!”
“It could have been worse. Now, before you start on the road of how sexist and horrible this is, I want you to know I support whatever you decide.”
“I bet you do support me getting dunked in the water!”
Travers smiled. “I support us not spending the night in jail and waking up to Luis.”
Colleen looked skyward and kept repeating. “I can’t believe I’m about to do this.”
The officers came into the room, smiling at Travers.
“Have you decided?” they asked Travers.
Travers looked at the officers and nodded. “It seems like you two have some fair help.”
The officers smiled, and Colleen didn’t say a word. They were once again put into the back of the squad car, minus the cuffs.
“Colleen, talk to me,” Travers asked.
Colleen was looking out of the window. She didn’t turn to face him; instead, she said, “We will never speak of this time. It will be like it didn’t happen, agreed?”
“Done.”
It didn’t take long to get to the fair. The distance wasn’t great, which was a great surprise as they were in the middle of nowhere. When they arrived on site, the officers were greeted by name by fair workers as they walked the site.
They came to the mer-box, as it was being cleaned.
“Good news! Clean water,” Travers pointed out. He could see Colleen looking at the box as if it were some type of alien structure that needed to be approached slowly.
“Where is the costume?” Colleen asked.
“We don’t really have one for you,” answered Officer Baker.
Colleen folded her hands in front of her chest. Travers was going to have agree with Colleen. Being the mermaid was one thing, but doing it in your birthday suit was too much.
“So, how am I supposed to get into the tank?” Colleen asked.
Travers tapped her on the shoulder and leaned down to her and whispered in her ear.
“Let me handle this, and I’ll make sure you’re not going to be a natural mermaid. This is the last call. We can go back to the cell. It’s small but clean, and we’ll be able to see one another.”
He saw Colleen give the officers a dirty look and then nodded her head.
“Do what you can. I really don’t want to be in a cell. If I have to choose my poison, I’d rather be in a tank of water than in a cell with bars.”
Travers leaned down and placed a kiss on her pouty lips. Her lips called him like a siren, and if he were honest, Travers wasn’t doing much to resist the call. He could tell she was surprised, and the second time he dipped his head, she was ready for him. When their lips touched, it was a slow exploration and a sense of wonder.
“Why did you do that?”
“I’m hoping my kiss will clog your mind until I get back.”’
She snorted. “Arrogant.”
“Yeah, but you wouldn’t have me any other way.” Then he turned to the officers. “Gentlemen, let’s talk this over.”
For a moment, the officers looked confused. Travers stepped forward.
“Why don’t we go look at how the booth is set up. Colleen, just stay here, and we’ll be back.”
He could tell that she wasn’t happy with his decision, but she stood with her arms crossed over each other. As they walked away, the officers started talking.
“I know it doesn’t seem like it, but we’re grateful for the help. The couple that usually operates the mermaid section decided to run off, and they won't be back until later, after the fair. This booth always delivers any shortcomings for the festival and the school.”
The officers walked him around the corner, and there he saw the mermaid costume. The officers smiled and pointed to it.
“It’s not much, just a tail that you slip on like shorts and the artificial tail is hooked on the back so a person can still sit, and when they fall into the water, the tail acts as a flotation device to get them back up.”
Travers looked at both officers, and then it all became clear.
“Do you think she’ll be okay with this?” Officer Baker asked Travers. Travers looked at the outfit and gave a slow nod.
“She might be shocked at first, but she’ll be okay with it.”
“You see, the shorts are thick, so nothing inappropriate is showing. We have little kids coming to this show.”
Travers nodded, understanding.
“Let’s take it back to the booth. The dressing area is right behind it,” said Officer Baker.
Travers followed them, bringing the mermaid shorts. When they arrived back at the booth, Travers could see some people were waiting in line already to dunk the mermaid. From his vantage point, he could see Colleen smiling, asking everyone to get into a line, and the attraction would start soon.
He saw her becoming more and more nervous as the line grew. When the music started, a great cheer went up. He had already made it to the bench, and the crowd started clapping.
It was then that Colleen finally turned around, and when she did, Travers smiled back at her.
“Oh my goodness, Sunshine?!”
Chapter Twelve
Colleen knew Travers worked out, but it was very apparent that he did more than just look at the equipment. He was sitting on a bench with blue shorts, and if she wasn’t mistaken, those shorts had a fishtail extended from the back.
The officers showed up right next to her.
“Thank you, little lady. Now see how they are all lined up to see him?”
“I thought it was me that had to—”
Both officers looked at her and laughed.
“Well, it was when we first started that the Mermaid in the Box. A lot of women didn’t want to play. The men came, but they couldn’t spend their money freely like their wives and mothers did. They especially couldn’t spend a lot of their money on a woman in a box. Let’s just say our women were not as open minded to the idea. So a couple of years back, we switched it up. We should probably get a new sign, but it doesn’t really matter everybody here knows, so what would be the use?”
She turned and walked to the tank.
“Travers, get out of there!”
He smiled at her and gave a thumbs up. Red was looking all indignant and righteous. She was doing it for him. He couldn’t remember the last time someone had been outraged on his behalf.
“You don’t have to do this.”
“Wow, those words are inspiring and must have come from a genius. However, if you look behind you, I think that line thinks otherwise.”
“Really, are you okay?”
This woman could make him forget himself in a heartbeat. She had moments of deep compassion and caring that she didn’t even realize. She was a conundrum of spitfire and grace.
“Don’t worry, I’ll wag my tail when I’m in the water.”
A cry came from the line. “When do we get to dunk him?”
“Go collect the cash, and I’ll do all the work, Red.”
The officers weren’t joking. The line to dunk the mermaid was long and getting longer. The women came in packs as far as Colleen could see. They paid their five dollars and then tried to dunk Travers. A couple of the women managed to do it, but when any of them didn’t, they promised to come back.
After he fell into the water, the calls from the sidelines would come. “Aquaman, come back to us.” Travers took it all with a smile and got back up on the bench. He didn’t seem to be angry or insulted. After an hour, she asked him if he needed a break, and he said no.
“Travers, we can get free food,” Colleen told him.
“I’m not hungry, Red, I can sit this out until the end.”
She nodded and then went back to the line. A young woman who looked about five months pregnant waddled over to her.
“Hi, I’m Mary, I’m your relief.”
Colleen looked at the woman’s stomach and shook her head. “No matter what, I think I should be your relief,” Colleen said.
“Oh, my pregnancy, don’t you mind it. It’s my fourth child, and I know I’m nowhere near delivery.”
“Well, I wouldn’t want to chance it,” Colleen said.
“Okay, I’ll sit with you then. Or I can pick you up a snack and bring it here?”
“That would be great.”
Every so often, Colleen would collect the balls that had fallen into the net in front of the tank. The women kept coming, and Travers got back onto the bench every time.”
When Mary came back, she looked at Colleen and Travers.
“How long you two been together?”
“Not long, it’s still new.” Colleen heard the words but didn’t want to examine what had made her say them.
“I can tell he’s a good man. What’s your name?”
“It's Colleen.”
“Well, hi, Colleen. I’m Mary, and my husband is Jacob. He’s running the Ferris wheel.”
Colleen peaked over and saw Mary’s husband smiling but rubbing his back.
“How long you two been together?” Colleen asked.
“It's been five years. We were on and off, but now we are on for good. I can see that energy between you two,” Mary commented.
Colleen wasn’t sure they had that chemistry, but she would say they had a way of sparking fire off of one another. She would have never thought Travers would be in that tank. Since she’d been on this trip with Travers, she was learning that sometimes a man could be trusted. Travers wasn’t a Luis. He was way more dangerous. Luis was out for himself, but Travers, he gave her hope about tomorrow. The problem was, Colleen knew hope didn’t exist for her when it came to relationships.
It was four hours later, and then fair was over. The officers gave Colleen and Travers some money, then decided to drive them to the nearest hotel for the night. The officers were so grateful they told the staff to put them up for free for the night.
The room was small but quaint. For Colleen, the essential factor was there were two beds. She fell down on her bed, and Travers fell on his bed.
“I don’t think I can wave my tail anymore,” Travers said as he was lying face down on the bed.
Colleen laughed. “You did good, Travers. I hear a lot of money was made because of ‘Aqua Man.’”
“Tell them not to say that too loud. I’m sure there are some people here from the studios who would claim copyright infringement. That’s the last thing I need on top of everything else that could happen. Butler COO is found in violation of copyright and wearing a mermaid tail.”
There was a knock on the door, and both of them jumped up. Travers opened the door, and a woman with some cold snacks came in.
“I’m sorry we didn’t know you were coming. But here are some cold snacks for you if you are hungry. In the morning, we serve breakfast,” the woman said as she backed out of the room with a wan smile.
Colleen closed the door after her and then turned, and she was looking directly into Travers' chest.
“Do you need a little longer to look?”
At that moment, Colleen realized she had been caught staring at Travers' chest. She looked up and saw the smirk on his face.
“No, I don't need any more time to look at you. I have been looking at you all day long.”
“Are you saying you are fed up with me?”
“No, what I am saying is I am not going to fall for your overtly physical charms.”
He reached out and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.
“Colleen?”
“I know my name.”
“No, that wasn't the question.”
“Then what is the question?”
“May I?”
“Why ask now?”
“Because this is important, and I want to make sure we are both on the same page.”
“Then, ask your question, Sunshine.”
“One kiss, no hands, just a kiss.”
The flecks in his eyes appeared like blinking stars.
“One kiss, Travers.”
Right before he bent his head, Colleen thought what craziness had brought her to this point.
His lips touched the side of her mouth and left a small kiss there. Then he kissed the other side of her mouth. It was torture waiting for him to come to her lips. The anticipation of waiting for his lips was filled by her erratic heartbeat.
“Travers,” she moaned, his name sending shivers down her spine and ramping up her anticipation.
Finally, he placed his lips fully on hers, and his slow exploration drew her in. Before long, she had her arms around him. She didn’t know when exactly she had put them on him, but they felt right on his shoulders. She felt supported and protected.
When he pulled away, her arms went around his neck and held him in place.
She didn’t bring him back for another kiss; instead, she just ran her fingers through his hair and leaned her forehead on his.
“Oh, Red, you don’t realize it, but you’re killing me.”
“And—?”
Travers placed a chaste kiss on her forehead and stepped away. She looked at him, confused.
“Just so you don’t get the wrong idea. I am completely into you. I even thought about us being together tonight. The only thing is, I said I would kiss you and no hands. I’m a man of my word, even if it’s going to kill me tonight.
“This Aquaman has to shower.”
When Travers went into the shower, Colleen watched him go. She had been waiting for Mr. Right all of her life. The last person it should have been was ruthless COO, Travers Warner, but this was turning out to be just her luck.
Chapter Thirteen
The next morning Travers woke up wondering what had come over him last night. What archaic notion of chivalry had come over him to walk away from Colleen? He didn’t know what it was, but this morning he was giving it second and third thoughts. At any rate, he was going to make sure he didn’t have any other unplanned moments, so when it was time for breakfast, he took them to a nearby diner.
