Cabin Fever

Patti turned to Thanasi. “Somebody will find the pendant and the entire ship will be buzzing about it. It’s romantic. And you might want to lighten up—our passengers don’t need to see an officer frowning.” The smile she offered would have melted anybody’s heart.

People filed by happily, but Thanasi was still scowling Patti’s way. She was right, Dylan thought. Not a good image. He could tell that all the hotel manager could think of was possible damage to the cabins as the passengers searched for the pendant.

When the idea had been discussed at an activities planning meeting, Thanasi had voiced his concerns. But even then Dylan thought it was simply his way of teasing Patti. As if they were school kids on the playground and he was vying for her for attention by being uncooperative.

One thing Dylan simply didn’t understand was why Thanasi didn’t just tell Patti he was attracted to her. The entire crew could see it, and it was obvious Patti felt the same for him. Dylan decided what the man needed was a dose of good sex to help him lighten up, but Thanasi went by the book, and apparently that book didn’t include onboard romances.

“Find the pendant and find your true love,” Patti said to a group of twenty-something women. They each took a brochure. One of them mumbled something and they burst out laughing as they walked away.

“See, look, they think it’s a joke,” Thanasi announced.

“Hey,” Patti said softly, so only Thanasi could hear, “I’m working here. If you can’t help, then maybe you should just leave.”

Thanasi stared back at her for a moment as though trying to think of something clever to say, but before he could respond, a petite lady with white curly hair and a bright pink visor walked up to him and tapped him on the shoulder. “Could you please tell me where my room is located? It’s my first cruise and I’m not very good at this sort of thing. I’ve been waiting for a steward, but they all seem to be busy with other people.”

Thanasi smiled at the woman, then turned on his charm as he bowed, his entire demeanor transforming. “I’d be delighted.” He extended his elbow, she slid her arm through the crook, and off they went. “Let me tell you about Alexandra’s Dream,” he said, but Dylan could tell by his tone that he was still a little irritated about the pendant search.

Patti had told Dylan about the necklace she and librarian Ariana Bennett had found among the personal things of Mike O’Connor, the guy who’d been posing as a priest and smuggling stolen artifacts aboard. Apparently the pendant was left behind with a few other reproductions after the police investigation. The whole scandal had required a deft PR campaign to keep the cabins on Alexandra’s Dream at capacity although Dylan had a feeling the press coverage had also gained the cruise ship a few new bookings.

He loved his job and really didn’t want to lose it. Being in charge of the ship’s dive staff paid well, and in the world of cruise ships, it was a tough job to come by. It was his first real managerial position and allowed him to teach water sports and diving, and run a few of the water-themed activities off the ship.

Dylan was happy the ship wasn’t docked somewhere and he was out looking for another job. If that had happened, it would have given his brother the perfect excuse to press him even more to return home.

His absence was a sore subject between them, even though Dylan tried his best to make up for it by sending half his pay home to Newfoundland every month, something he’d been doing for the past eight years, never missing a month. And besides, jobs were still scarce in his hometown, further confirming he was doing the right thing. It gave him great comfort to know that at least his mom didn’t have to worry about money.

But, he admitted, a job shortage wasn’t the only reason he was reluctant to go back. The place had too many sad memories, and Dylan was doing his best to avoid them.

He loved the routine of welcoming passengers and a week or so later bidding them farewell and getting ready for a new group. But today’s boarding had been different. Today he’d felt a totally unexpected personal interest in one of the passengers—the woman he’d just escorted to a penthouse suite.

Becky Montgomery.

He remembered what the adorable, little blond-haired angel had told him about her mommy crying when her daddy left, just like the moon goddess who’d flooded the earth with her sad tears. How could any guy leave that perfect little family, let alone such a fine-looking woman as Becky? And from what her little girl implied, Dylan assumed it must have been one nasty divorce, and her mom hadn’t taken it well. The hurt was still there in her pretty eyes.

Plain as day.

The son seemed distant, maybe still harboring feelings he didn’t quite know what to do with. A boy needed a father, though Dylan would bet a year’s salary his mother bent over backward to keep those kids safe and happy.

Strange, how he’d picked up on all of that in just those few moments.

Then he stopped himself. Stopped the feelings that had rushed through him as he’d been thinking about the beautiful woman, the charming little girl and the obviously troubled boy.

He admitted to himself this could be trouble. Big trouble. He couldn’t deny he felt a strong attraction to her, but there were strict rules about passenger/staff onboard relationships.

He’d never broken that rule before, but Becky Montgomery might just cause him to bend it a little if he wasn’t careful.

He could only hope she and her kids hated water sports.

“BUT WHY DO WE HAVE TO wait until after dinner to go to the pool?” Connor asked, giving his suitcase a little kick while he stood in front of the twin beds.

“Can we at least unpack first?” Becky liked settling in when she was in a strange place.

“Don’t you want to look for the pendant first?” Sarah asked, still hopeful.

“No, I don’t want to look for that dumb old pendant,” her brother grumbled.

“Well, I do,” Sarah said, and flung herself across her bed.

A knock at the door stopped further arguments as the kids ran to answer it, nearly tripping over themselves trying to get to it first.

When they opened the door, both Sarah and Connor squealed with laughter and excitement. Their cousin Laura slowly entered the room, both kids hanging on her.

“Mom wanted me to wait until dinner to see you guys, but I couldn’t wait. I am so happy you’re here.” The kids tumbled Laura to the floor in a heap of tickles and laughter.

Becky couldn’t believe her eyes. All Laura had to do was walk into the room and Connor’s whole disposition changed. Whatever magic Laura was dispelling, Becky wanted the potion.

“I’m so glad you’re here,” Becky echoed.

“Save me, Aunt Becky,” Laura spluttered as she tickled Connor’s belly. Sarah lay on Laura’s stomach, one hand tickling Laura under the arm. Laura fought to get her off, but Sarah was persistent. Finally, after a few minutes, both Connor and Sarah rolled away, scrambled to their feet, grinning from ear to ear. Laura stood, then walked over and gave Becky a warm hug.

“Let me look at you,” Becky said as they pulled apart.

Laura backed away and Becky was pleasantly surprised by how much this fifteen-year-old had grown. She had almost reached Becky’s height of five-seven and her hair was a rich golden-brown cut short and shaggy around her face. She definitely looked like a Montgomery with those thick eyebrows and that chiseled nose. Her skin had cleared up and was now glowing, and although she was several pounds heavier than Becky had remembered, it seemed to suit her well. However, her makeup was rather thick and her clothes were simply too tight, but Becky didn’t care if she wore vampire makeup and arrived in a toga. She was thrilled to see her, and instantly realized just how much she’d missed her.

“You’re beautiful,” Becky told her.

“I’m fat,” Laura countered.

“Aren’t we all?”

“Not my mom. She’s perfect.”

“Impossible. Nobody’s perfect.”

“Tell that to my grandmother.”

“I’ll do that.”

“Can I watch?”

“Only if you hide any and all sharp objects first.”

“It’s a deal.”

They hugged again, laughing, then parted. Sarah joined them and tugged on Laura’s hand. “I want to find the magic pendant.”

“How could you ever find it on this big ship?” Connor said with more than a little sarcasm as he stepped closer. Apparently it didn’t take long for his mood to change.

“Yeah, but somebody has to find it,” Laura suggested, ignoring his crankiness and supporting Sarah’s excitement.