Catch of a Lifetime by Judi Fennell Page A

the circus had been a hell of a life for a kid. At least no one in his family had gone to jail, and no social worker had ever shown up. They'd also had more than potato chips and ice cream to eat—what the hell kind of meal was that for a child? Thank God Christine had come to her senses and left Michael with him. She obviously wasn't cut out to be a parent, but he… he was going to give his son everything he'd need to lead a normal, lawful life.
       And if that included a well-educated babysitter who'd shown up naked on his boat, well, the money he'd just spent on her clothes was nothing compared to the security in knowing he had someone capable looking after his son.
       Red lingerie notwithstanding.

Chapter 8

    "ANGEL, WATCH THIS!" MICHAEL JUMPED OFF THE EDGE OF the pool in Logan's yard and did a half twist in the air before belly-flopping into the water. That had to hurt.
       Angel clapped when he surfaced. "Good job! You almost made it all the way around that time."
       "I'll get it. You'll see."
       "I'm sure you will, Michael." She leaned back on the chaise lounge to watch him practice as he'd been doing since lunch.
       Logan had disappeared into his study to handle some business, and she and Michael had had an interesting afternoon making paper animals with pages from his notebook, as well as figuring out how to make a peanut butter sandwich.
       Between the two of them, there'd been enough pea nut butter on their fingers that they hadn't needed the sandwich part, but Angel wasn't willing to pass up her first taste of dry bread.
       "I'm gonna do a handstand, 'kay, Angel?"
       "Go ahead." She hooked the pen on the notebook where she'd jotted her observations and impressions before lunch, then ran her fingers over the soft cover. She'd used a quarter of the pages already.
       "Didya see me?" Michael popped up out of the water and shook the hair out of his eyes. It was the first time since she'd met him that he wasn't wearing his hat, though he had given it a place of honor atop Rocky on the other chaise.
       "I did. Your legs were very straight."
       "Cool. Now count how long I can stay under." He took a breath and ducked back beneath the surface.
       Angel started counting and smoothed her dress over her legs. Such a cool feeling, to quote Michael. She hadn't bought many dresses at the Atlantis Salvager's Market, mainly because they weren't practical ev eryday wear in the ocean, but after being in this one all day, she might just have to spend a few hours on deserted islands wearing them. They made her feel so feminine and pretty, and Mers were, after all, ac customed to beauty. The oceans and the creatures in them, Atlantis, the reefs, their people… life was beautiful under the sea.
       She looked out over the water beyond the stone wall surrounding Logan's backyard to where the rays of the sun sparkled across the tips of the waves that were gently rolling ashore. A pair of pelicans flew in shadow against the sunlight in the distance, one taking a sudden dive. A pod of dolphins swam offshore, their fins breaking the surface—
       No. Those weren't dolphins.
       They were sharks.
       Hammerheads.
       Harry.
       Godsdammit.
       Just like that, her peace shattered. For all she'd like to think that she was here for a greater purpose, the truth was that she was stranded here—all thanks to Harry.
       And herself.
       Angel sighed. Right. She was ultimately respon sible for what had happened and where she was. Rod and The Council weren't going to let her forget that when she returned home—which was why she had to return triumphant.
       She brushed her fingers over the notebook again. This would be her defense when she faced them.
       "How long was that, Angel?" Michael sputtered as he surfaced, gulping in big breaths.
       "Uh, thirty seconds, Michael. Good job! But I think you should to take a break."
       "Yeah. That's a good record for