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“What does that mean?”
“Only about one in a thousand baby sea turtles survive their first two years. So occasionally we hang onto hatchlings we rescue until their second birthday. They can grow and get strong here. Then when we release them, they’ve already beaten the odds, helping the overall turtle population.”
“And I get a daily dose of cuteness.” She opened the chart she was holding and scribbled a note in the margin. “Looks like the bird’s greediness turned out to be the turtles’ good fortune.”
“Exactly right. I always like a story with a happy ending.”
She gazed into the tank and let out a contented sigh. “Me too.”
“While we’re on the subject of happy endings, I need your professional recommendation.”
She turned, focusing her attention on him. “Sure.”
“We need to pick a candidate for The Great Turtle Race.”
“Is that the event where they put trackers on a bunch of different turtles and see how far they go?”
“Yes. Different rehab facilities all over the state enter a turtle they’re ready to release. We get to see not just how far they go, but where they head once they’re back in the wild.”
“That’s so fun. How do they pick a winner?”
“Technically it’s the turtle who logs the most miles in their first thirty days. But it’s not really about winners or losers. The main focus is raising awareness while also getting valuable research.”
She gave him a sidelong glance. “You haven’t won recently, have you?”
“Dead last three years in a row.”
She chuckled. “Who are you considering entering this year?”
“It has to be a loggerhead, and the only one who might be close to the required release date is Hope. You think she’ll be ready?”
Molly twisted her mouth to the side in consideration and started walking up the three steps to the Care Floor. “When’s the race?”
“The turtle has to be released some time during the first two weeks of August.”
“That’s about the same time I’ll be leaving,” she mused.
There was a pang somewhere deep in his chest at the thought of her leaving, which only annoyed him. Of course she’d be leaving. Just like with the turtles that came into the clinic, he’d known from the beginning that her stay here wasn’t permanent. In fact, there was a chance he’d be leaving around that same time too. Perhaps August was the perfect time for new starts all around.
“I’d love to see her released before I go,” Molly continued. She stopped in front of Hope’s tank and rested her hands on the side. “I never want to rush the healing process, but she seems to be doing great.” She gazed down at the turtle. “What do you think, Hope? You want to be the official race turtle?”
The loggerhead turtle, who’d already gotten comfortable in her new surroundings, lazily paddled around her space, popping her head up for a breath right in front of Molly.
“I think that’s a yes.”
“Great. I’ll submit her bio as our contestant.” Grant’s grin widened, which seemed to be becoming a habit anytime Molly was around. “What do you think? Does she look like she’s from Key West?”
“Key West?”
“Or maybe even farther, like the Bahamas. I hear there’s great foraging in the Bahamas.”
Molly gave him a playful shove. “Stop. You’ll give her a complex. Maybe she’s happy right here in the emerald waters of the Gulf.”
“All of our turtles seem to be happy in the Gulf. That’s our problem. Last year’s winner is currently hanging out off the coast of Cuba. I’m just saying, maybe she wants to check it out. See what all the fuss is about.”
Molly rolled her eyes. “You go wherever you want, little mama. Don’t listen to Mr. Competitive over here.”
“What are you two laughing about?” Claire walked up behind them, wiping her hands on the towel slung over her shoulder.
