Love Overboard

Chapter 8

“HI, MOM.” LACEY LEANED ON the railing and watched the passengers disembark as she talked on her phone. “How are you?”

“Not too bad. My new medication is better than the old one. I haven’t had nearly the pain.”

“That’s good.” Lacey untied the purple scarf around her neck with one hand and stuffed it in the pocket of her uniform. “Are you still working two jobs?”

“Yes, but it’s part-time. My schedule’s a lot easier these days, thanks to the money you keep sending. You’re sure you still have enough to live on? I hope you’re not working too hard.”

“No more than usual. I even have a few hours off. The ship’s docked in Cozumel an extra day, so I’m going shopping.”

“Good for you. Buy yourself a pretty outfit.”

“Who would I wear it for?” Her sarcastic response was automatic, but a familiar face popped in her mind. Brown hair. Square jaw. Rock-solid arms that dipped a girl like she weighed less than a life preserver.

Lacey realized her mother was talking and tried to refocus.

“I hear your father coming in from his softball game.”

“Softball? He must be feeling better.”

“Not much. He still suffers from the chronic fatigue. But the doctor says it’s good for him to exercise. He forces himself to get out. Wait a minute. I’ll put him on the phone.”

“Don’t bother.” Lacey walked down the empty side deck. “I have to go. Love you. Bye.” She hung up and entered the glass doors into one of the small lobbies.

Static crackled.

Lacey tensed, and her head whipped around. Daisy and Althea sat at a small table by the window playing cards. Not a walkie-talkie in sight.

Did she imagine it?

She strolled over and eyed the setup. “What game is this?”

“Gin rummy.” Althea placed an eight of hearts on the discard pile. “Care to join us?”

“Thanks, but I have to change my clothes.” Lacey scanned the room. “Where are the other Shippers?”

Daisy drew a card from the stockpile. “Emily and Gerry reserved a special trip to a lighthouse. They’re getting ready and meeting us here before departure.”

“A lighthouse? Where?”

“I’m not sure,” Althea said.

“I’ve told you three times,” Gerry grumbled as she and Emily walked in together. “We’re visiting the El Grande Lighthouse at Punta Verdad.”

“Like I’m really going to remember that.” Althea waggled her head.

Lacey observed the approaching pair. “Punta Verdad is thirty kilometers away. Don’t tell me you’re taking one of those all-terrain vehicle tours.”

“Oh no.” Emily flapped a hand at her. “Can you picture a body my age bouncing through the Mexican jungle for hours?”

“Exactly. It’s a crazy idea.”

She nodded. “That’s why we’re riding a motorboat.”

“What?” Lacey leaned forward. “You’re riding what?”

“I found the sweetest young man online. His name is Fernando. He takes you out to the lighthouse on his boat and even provides lunch. He makes the sandwiches with his grandmother’s fresh homemade salsa.”

Lacey pressed her fingers against her temples. “You can’t be serious. The four of you are going to climb into a motorboat with a total stranger and go careening across the water to Punta Verdad?”

“Mercy, no.” Althea raised her head from her cards. “You couldn’t pay me to get on that thing. The website said you had to get out of the boat on your own and wade ashore. I might be able to manage the exodus, but imagine me trying to climb back in.” She laughed. “He’d have to haul me up with a fishing net. The locals would think he caught a two-hundred-pound tuna.”

Daisy laid her cards on the table. “The trip doesn’t appeal to me either. Althea and I decided to stay here.”

Lacey turned to Gerry. An ex-librarian might be an easier sell than the career-military-wife Emily.

“Ms. Paroo, this sounds kind of dangerous.”

Emily slid in front of her friend. “It was Gerry’s idea. She needs material for her book.”

Gerry peered over the frizzy gray mop of hair. “I need material for my book.”

“She believes the lighthouse will be a great location for the feuding couple to reconcile.”

“It’s a great location,” said Gerry.

Lacey glanced from one to the other. Their placid expressions told her she wasn’t reaching them. “What if someone gets sick? Or you have trouble reentering the boat? There will only be the guide to take care of you.”

“I’m sorry, Lacey.” Emily’s smile didn’t look sorry. “You can’t talk us out of this.”

“I don’t … this isn’t—”

“Of course, you’re welcome to tag along.” Emily focused on her khaki slacks and picked at a stain.

“What?”

“Come with us.” Gerry propped her bony arms on Emily’s shoulders and leaned forward. “Do you have some time off?”

“Yeeees …”

“It requires one hour to get there, one hour back, and I can take the pictures and notes for my book in an hour. That’s three hours, tops.”

Lacey studied both ladies. Gerry’s stoic face waited, and Emily scrubbed her pants leg. “You’re sure I can’t talk you out of this?”

“We’re sure,” Gerry said.

Lacey sighed. “I’ll have to do my shopping later.”

“That’s wonderful, dear.” A gleam entered Emily’s eye. “I’m sure you’ll enjoy yourself.” She hummed a little tune as she walked away.

Lacey’s insides tugged like a fish with a hook in its jaw. It was too late now. She’d taken the bait and wanted to make sure the women returned safely. Her gut told her there was more to this lighthouse excursion, but what could it be?