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"Where’s Delphine?" he asked pointedly

"You’ll see her, don’t worry," Carson assured him Like Nate, she wanted to break free and run to the pool to see Delphine

At last they reached the edge of the pool Nate wanted to go closer but was cut off by Lynne’s outstretched ar to do this," Lynne said in a tone that brooked no arguive Delphine her antibiotics While I get the o in the water and let Delphine know you’re here" She turned to Nate "Sorry, Nate, but you can’t go in the water"

Nate looked stricken "But I went in the water with the other dolphins"

"I know But this is a hospital It’s not allowed But" Lynne smiled at Nate, who reluctantlysome of her favorite toys? Her very best favorite is that pink ball in the bin over there" She gestured toward a basket by the wall "See it?"

Nate scanned the rooo stand by the wall and wait until I say you can throw it to her, okay? Carson and I have to give Delphine her medicine first Stay by the wall," she said

"That’s the rule," Carson added for clarity, knowing he’d take it very seriously when put in that context

"Carson, if Delphine will let you, you can give her a rubdown She loves those"

Carson was surprised she’d still be allowed to touch Delphine, now that the dolphin was so much improved She knew Lynne didn’t want human interaction with the wild dolphins if possible, especially not touch It made her wonder if decisions had been made as to where Delphine would be transferred once she was deeo to the Dolphin Research Center?"

Lynne shook her head "No We haven’t given up on trying to release her into the wild"

"But the rubdown"

"It’s helping her heal, which is our top priority This particular dolphin gets depressed in isolation We had to make a call based on her needs As for her release--when and where--the jury’s still out on that"

The pool was enor over it provided lovely dappled light that e and squinted into the shifting shadows, searching for the dolphin Not seeing her, she lowered herself to sit on the edge and slipped her legs into the water It was cool but not cold, refreshing against the searing ten of Delphine Carson kicked her legs in the water, hoping the vibration would alert the dolphin and bring her close, if only out of curiosity

Nothing

Carson added a whistle Sharp and clear, it pierced the quiet It was the same whistle she’d always used at the Cove when she called Delphine She glanced over her shoulder at Nate He stood keen eyed and alert, watching

Suddenly she saw a gray shadow streaking through the water toward her Her heart skipped a beat as the shadoalide-by She knew Delphine was checking out the stranger in the pool Carson gasped with a laugh when a glistening head suddenly eht eyes studied her for a h in a vertical jump and released a whistle that sounded to Carson’s ears like a yelp of joy

"Delphine!" she cried, her heart near bursting From behind her, she heard Nate shout out Delphine’s name and run toward the pool