Love Overboard

Chapter 19

A SLIVER OF SIDEWAYS MOON smiled at Jon like it was mocking him. He stood on an outside deck and watched the parade of weary passengers trudging to the MS Buckingham. The once-bustling shops along the pier stood in eerie silence, deserted by the tourists. There could have been tumbleweeds blowing across the sidewalk.

A man in hot pink shorts approached. He threw his arm around the woman with him. “I feel like I’m in the last half of a marathon.”

“When did you ever run a marathon?” She placed her palm on his back and propelled him up the slanted gangplank.

A mother with a crying child at her side and a sleeping toddler in her arms followed. “I gotta regroup myself here.” She shifted her baby onto one hip and held the collar of the weeper. “What a day, what a day.”

Jon observed the vacation drama unfolding before him with fondness. This was cruising. Not the handful of criminals trying to make a fast buck. The treasured memories these people made on a brief voyage would long outlive their aching feet.

His call with corporate hadn’t produced the results he wanted. The general manager insisted Collins might seem a little dense but had cracked numerous high-profile drug cases. For the life of him, Jon couldn’t understand how. He whispered a prayer in his mind.

Lord, I feel like I’m rowing against the current. Please don’t let these criminals ruin a good thing.

A picture of Lacey shuffling behind Ricardo flashed through his brain. His fist clenched, and he banged it against the metal bar in a slow, deliberate rhythm.

“Pardon me.”

Someone tapped him from behind. Jon pasted on his cruise-director smile and turned to a young couple in matching heart-covered T-shirts. Honeymooners. It didn’t require coordinated outfits to identify them. Their goofy grins said it all.

The husband’s arm wrapped around his new wife’s waist. “Is there any way we can take a picture in the very front of the boat? You know. The movie pose.” He stretched his arms out like a pair of wings and warbled a line from the film’s famous soundtrack. His bride cooed her approval.

“I know where you mean.” Jon nodded. “That part of the ship contains the helipad and is only open at certain times, but there are special photo ops every day at eleven o’clock. You can sign up at the front desk.”

They thanked him and canoodled away, wrapped against each other too tightly for it to be called walking. Jon dropped his professional demeanor. Once he’d imagined that would be Lacey and him. A long time ago.

“Aren’t they precious?”

Jon jerked to the side. A decidedly unmanly yelp escaped his lips. Emily Windsor stood at his elbow. She wore a floral-print windbreaker over her T-shirt and jeans.

“Emily”—he clutched at his chest—“how can you move without making a single noise? Have you got any ninjas in your family tree?”

She cocked her head with a chuckle. “My late husband was fun to scare. He always gave such huge reactions. I perfected my talent for sneaking up on him.”

“What a cruel woman.”

Emily’s grin faded, and she stepped back. “Not really. I may be pushy, but it’s because I care.”

He reached out to her. “It was a joke. A bad one, obviously. You’re a lovable sweetheart.”

She stuck her hands in the pockets of her windbreaker and faced the dock. “I admit I’m surprised to hear you say that—after our extended lighthouse excursion and … other activities. Aren’t you a little put out with me?”

Jon turned the same direction. “I heard some hard truths, which weren’t fun to listen to, at the lighthouse. And your closet scheme didn’t do Lacey and me any good.” He held up his hands when she looked like she’d argue. “You haven’t admitted you’re behind the lost-and-found thing yet. But if you were, I don’t think it produced the result any of us wanted. She’s dating Ricardo.” Jon ruffled the hair at the nape of his neck. “But I’m actually grateful to you. Lacey and I hashed out our differences. Now we can both move on.”

Emily slumped. “My husband scolded me for what he called my ‘confounded meddling.’ Said it did more harm than good. He must’ve been right.”

“What did you say his name was?”

“Bill.” Emily’s voice dipped. She lowered her gaze and coughed. “I’m afraid he’s partially to blame for my meddling. He complained, but he was quite the enabler—always did anything and everything I asked, no matter how far-fetched. He was my perfect partner in crime.” She laughed. “I could tell you stories.”

“I hope you’ll share them sometime.” Jon noted her downturned lips. “You must miss him.”

“Like I’m walking around with half of me gone.” She took her hands out of her pockets and slapped them on the railing twice. “But I’ve found a group of friends who are almost as good, if not nearly as handsome, as Bill. They keep me in plenty of trouble.”

“Are you sure it isn’t the other way around?” Jon bumped her shoulder with his arm.

“You’re calling me out.” Emily bumped him back. “Since you realize what an old troublemaker I am, I’ll speak what’s on my mind. What are you going to do about Lacey and Ricardo?”

Jon clenched his molars. “Nothing. Lacey and I are just friends. She’s free to date whomever she pleases.”

“I’ve known that girl a while now. One thing I’ve noticed—she rarely does what she pleases. She’s too busy taking care of other people, me included. Lacey needs someone who will take care of her for a change.” Emily pulled on his sleeve until he looked her in the eye. “I believe that someone is you. If you agree with me, then you shouldn’t accept her rejection. Do something about it.”

“Like what?”

“Lord, help this boy.” Emily closed her eyes. “He got all the looks and none of the smarts.” She squinted at him. “You said you talk to God on a regular basis. Ask him for some wisdom. I can’t come up with the answers for you. You probably know Lacey better than I do. What are her favorites? What drives her crazy? Put that hard-earned knowledge to good use.”

Jon studied his hands as he rubbed them together. “And if she still says no?”

“Then you lose a little pride. Trust me on this one, dear. I regret the times I didn’t do something more than the times I did. Don’t let that be you.”

“You’re pretty good at pep talks. Are you going to charge me for this coaching session?”

Emily pinched his arm.

“Ow.” He rubbed the tender spot and grimaced.

“Fewer jokes. More action. Got it?”

“Yes, ma’am,” Jon automatically agreed to the order, but his spirit wasn’t convinced. Lacey rebuffed every attempt he made to draw closer. Besides, his investigation left no time for romance. Better to focus on the job and save them both some pain.