Page 50 of Until Presley

Right now, my focus is my small family and friends.

Looking at myself in the mirror, I’m shocked to finally see the baby belly I was worried was never going to come. The doctor said to give it time. I’m only fourteen weeks along, but it feels like it just popped out overnight. The bikini sits low on my pelvis with my little belly over the top. My boobs have gotten bigger, and so my top has more coverage.

I move out of the bathroom off the pool to see my friends lounged on the chaises. Morgan and Madison showed up with their husbands, Jack and Tyler. Currently, the guys took Zinnia and JJ to the store with them while us girls all rest. Madison has her six-month-old, Phoenix, lying on her chest under a thin blanket. She’s relaxing under an umbrella. I never thought I would see her with a baby. I’m so glad she and Tyler met, and he had the patience to wait for her to heal.

“Girl, that bump is getting bigger every day.” Morgan chuckles as I slip onto the chaise between her and Hanna. Tonight, we are heading down to the beach for a bonfire dinner with the kids and to relax.

My phone rings, and I look at the caller ID before picking it up. My dad and Thea are supposed to be picking up Griff from the airport. He’ll be attending a school nearby and will stay with Ham and me whenever my parents are traveling. Although my dad is excited to work here locally on his research.

“Hello, George.” I smile as I answer the phone, hoping my greeting comes across as friendly.

“Hey, Presley, can you come in and help me with the information on this tracker we picked up last week?”

“Oh, didn’t you know? I’m on vacation this week.”

“I know, but it’s got some weird anomalies. I thought you’d want to see them. It will only be about an hour. Please.”

I try not to huff but can’t stop it. Since I came back to Key West and George found out I was married to Ham, he’s been a pain to deal with. It’s why I’ve tried to hide my pregnancy. Dr. Miller knows, but no one else on the research team does.

“I have company right now.”

“I wouldn’t ask, but this is part of your dissertation. It looks like there was a shark and dolphin encounter.”

I bolt upright. “Really? You’re serious?” It’s been months since we had an encounter. They’ve primarily avoided eachother, but this could be just what I’ve been waiting for. “I’ll be there as soon as I can.”

“Ugh, really, Leylee? You promised no work.” Morgan covers her eyes.

“It’s a shark and dolphin encounter.”

“Okay. Come on.” She stands up.

“No, you stay here.” I stand and move toward the house to put on some clothes.

“No, if I don’t go with you, you’ll get stuck in a microscope or something.”

Madison chuckles at Morgan’s joke.

“Fine. Give me a sec.” I rush to my bedroom.

I pull on a pair of coverall shorts over my bikini and slip on some tennis shoes. When I come down the stairs, Morgan is wearing a sundress over her bikini. I grab my shark purse, and we head out the door.

Ham took the SUV he bought me after we got married. We traded in my little car for a more family-friendly vehicle. I walk over to his Jeep and use the step and row bar to pull myself up into it. He’s taken the top off for a bit. When Morgan climbs into the passenger seat, I set my purse in the back seat.

Another thing that’s changed is that Ham took me to the range and got me trained to conceal and carry. He makes me take my purse everywhere I go, just in case.

When we pull up to the research facility, I turn to Morgan, who is glancing around. There are only a couple of cars in the parking lot, and something just doesn’t feel right. It’s got to be because I’m usually here when there are more people.

“Call Ham and Jack and tell them where we are,” Morgan says as she reaches down to check her bag. “Something feels off. Where is everyone? It’s a weekday.”

“Oh man, I think they are out collecting trackers.”

“Then why did he call you to come by?”

“Because I made him do it,” a deep, dark voice says from behind us.

I look into the rearview mirror and see Professor Blackman aiming a gun at Morgan. My blood runs cold.

“Don’t hurt her.” I dial Ham and slip my phone under the seat as I slide out of the Jeep. Morgan watches me and gets out on her side.

---