The Merman Who Wouldn't Sing, The Tears He Saved For Me novel · Chapter 8 of 24

Chapter 8: Thank You for the Gifts

I drove to Moss Tide Yard with the business card in my fist and the scale in my other hand.

It was Friday, auction preview day, and the lot was packed.

Fifty buyers with coffee and clipboards stood among the tanks.

I didn't park.

I left the truck at the gate with the door open and walked in.

Garrick stood at the end of the row, handing a woman a paper cup.

He saw me, and his whole face lit up.

"Marnie! Folks, this is Marnie Dunphy. Best ticket clerk on the coast."

"You broke into my house," I said.

The woman with the cup took a step back.

Garrick's smile never wavered.

"I'm sorry, honey?"

"Somebody kicked my door in while I was at the cove. They took a jar off my windowsill, and they left your card."

"My card?"

I held it up.

He took it, read both sides, and looked up with real concern.

"Marnie. Come into the office. Let's not do this in front of customers."

"We'll do it here."

"All right." He sighed. "I wish you'd have just come to me. The scales, you mean."

"Yes. The scales."

"Honey, you sold them to me on Tuesday."

I heard it, and I heard the crowd go quiet, and I didn't understand it.

"I did not."

"You came by on Tuesday evening, you were upset, you said you were letting him go, and you wanted a little cash for the trouble." His voice was gentle. "I paid you a dollar a piece, which is the market rate for loose scales. I have it right here."

He reached into his jacket and took out a folded receipt.

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