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his damp cowboy boots. He seemed as deflated by Steven’s words as Jack was. Maybe more, because during the entire boat ride back, Ashley had babbled on and on about how incredibly awesome Bridger was, and how cool he’d been to fight for the manatee.
    Bridger leaned forward, his fists on his knees. “What about the shark? You sayin’ it would have been better to let that thing eat the baby manatee?”
    â€œYeah, right. What about the shark?” Ashley agreed. “Sharks are bad. I hate them.”
    â€œWhoa, now, wait just a minute. There are no bad animals, just animals with different jobs to do,” Steven stated. From his day in the sun, his face had been burned to a red gold, making his blue eyes even more startling. “Every link in the food chain has a right to be there.
    Even the shark.”
    â€œAbsolutely.” Olivia nodded. “But more important is the fact that the shark would have left that manatee alone. They don’t eat manatees. In fact, manatees have no natural enemies, except, of course, humans. What I’m trying to say is that the shark wasn’t interested in the manatee—it was interested in you.”
    â€œUs?” Ashley squeaked.
    â€œYes. You kids were actually drawing the shark to the scene. Every time you smacked the water, the shark got more and more interested. Sharks’ sensors detect movement, so noise and commotion attract them.”
    Jack felt his stomach sink. He’d thought—well, it didn’t matter what he’d thought; he’d been wrong. They’d botched the manatee rescue, and worse, Bridger had risked his own life for nothing.
    â€œWow,” Ashley said, flopping backward on the bed, her eyes searching the ceiling. With her knees bent toward him, Jack could see the scrape marks the rough dock had left, like a starburst of scabs on her skin.
    â€œThat shark would have been long gone except for the fact that you kids kept harassing it. And Bridger”—Olivia’s voice turned sharp—“getting into the water was about as foolish a thing as you could have done. Most sharks are actually timid, but Frankie said the one you tangled with was a seven-foot bull shark. She got a good look at it when her boat chased it away.”
    â€œThe most cantankerous shark in the Everglades, and you take the animal on,” Steven told Bridger, his voice low. “What you did was not only extremely dangerous, it was foolhardy.”
    â€œYes, sir,” Bridger said stiffly.
    â€œNever assume that because you understand how one animal behaves, you can figure out another. A bull shark is nothing like a bull. You could have paid a big price for your heroics, Bridger. Do you understand?” Steven’s eyes narrowed, but at the same time, he reached his hand across the table and rested it on top of Bridger’s.
    â€œYes, sir, I do.” Steven’s hand was there only an instant before Bridger pulled away.
    â€œWell, then, let’s all go get some dinner,” Steven said, his voice lightening. “Bridger, your boots look pretty soaked. I have an extra pair of sandals. Want to borrow them?”
    â€œNo, sir.” Bridger shook his head.
    At dusk, Everglades City lit up like a small jewel. Olivia decided that since the restaurant was only a few blocks away, and the night was crystal clear, they should walk to dinner. Everyone agreed except Bridger, who said nothing. He hadn’t spoken much at all after the discussion about the shark.
    Even though the air conditioners in their motel rooms were ancient, they’d done their job well enough to make the outside air feel shocking. It was as though Jack had stepped into a sauna. The heat made them walk slowly along the dirt walkway: Olivia, Steven, and Ashley in front, Jack and Bridger in the rear.
    Tiny stores dotted the main road, their windows glowing from lights inside that made them look friendly. Beside one of them, Jack paused