Love Overboard

Chapter 30

THERE SHE IS.

At the sight of Lacey, Jon’s heart sped up and slowed down at the same time. Was that even possible? Excitement and calm flooded him.

It had taken twenty-five minutes to locate her, which was equivalent to a couple of hours in a busy cruise director’s schedule. He wanted to fill her in on the drug-smuggling investigation and ask her to keep a sharp lookout. Jon stood at a distance while his lady love faced off with a manager.

“But, Mr. Kapoor”—Lacey’s shoulders snapped straight, and her eyebrow rose—“we’ve found graffiti four times. It’s making extra work for the cleaning crew, and it also undermines the standard of respectability of our cruise line. If other passengers see writing on the bathroom stalls, it makes us no better than a bus station.”

“I agree with you, Lacey.” The short man backed up a little. “But what can we do about it? Throw whoever it is off at the next port? I doubt she’s traveling alone. Imagine the complaints from her spouse or family, the angry posts and vicious internet reviews. We have to let a few things go.”

Lacey’s breath hissed out between her teeth. “I’m not good at letting things go, Mr. Kapoor.”

Jon chose that moment to interrupt. “She’s not good at letting things go, Mr. Kapoor. I’m a firsthand witness.”

“Have I got a tracking device on me?” She gave him a death glare, and he smiled.

“Regardless,” the manager said, “we can’t be sure who did it unless they’re caught in the act, and we’re not going to punish our passengers for such a small infraction as if they were a bunch of kindergarteners. Remember what our founder, J. P. McMillan, says: ‘Treat the customer like your best friend.’ Please turn a blind eye in this instance. We can’t bother the guests.”

The man walked off, and Lacey stomped her foot on the floor.

“It isn’t fair. My ‘best friend’”—she made air quotes with her fingers—“does whatever she pleases without any consequences, and the rest of us clean up the mess.”

“I agree.” Jon stood at her side and placed a hand on her elbow. “But I’m also inclined to agree with Mr. Kapoor. There isn’t much we can do. People play pranks.”

She rolled away from his touch. “Those people should be stopped.”

“Laaaaace. What are you planning?”

“I’m not planning anything.” She pivoted on her heel. “I’m doing my job to the best of my ability—making sure the MS Buckingham is a luxurious, graffiti-free place for our passengers to enjoy.”

“Lace, I wanted to—”

She marched on without pause, and Jon shook his head. How could he fault her passionate attitude when it’s what made him fall for her in the first place? But he almost pitied the bathroom scribbler. Once Lacey set her course, not even an iceberg would stop her.

A passenger pounded out a tone-deaf version of “Chopsticks” on the grand piano as Lacey hit the lobby. Two women in full-length evening gowns passed on the way to the main theater. Right behind them came a gentleman in a T-shirt and shorts with a clown-sized sparkly bow tie. Lacey caught one of the desk clerks laughing and glared at him. Formal-dining night always brought out the comic relief, but no matter how ridiculous the costume, a good employee held it in.

“Hello, honey,” her mother’s voice called.

Lacey searched for her parents. They entered from a connecting hallway. Her mom wore a simple knee-length dress of pink chiffon. Locks of graying blond hair waved softly. Her hand was tucked in the crook of her husband’s arm. He strode through the lobby in a fully decked out tuxedo, with shiny dress shoes that squeaked on the marble tiles.

“We’ve barely seen you since we arrived,” he complained.

“I’m sorry.” Lacey met them at the center of the room. “It stays crazy busy on a cruise ship. I don’t get a lot of free time.” She turned to her mother. “That’s a great color on you.”

“Yes, it is.” Ronald patted the hand on his arm. “Reminds me of our wedding day. You wore pink then, didn’t you?”

His wife flushed and nodded. “Thirty years ago.”

He bent and kissed her cheek. “You look like it was only yesterday.”

“What a lovely thing to say,” a voice behind Lacey trilled.

Emily walked up in her gold blazer and matching pants. She stopped in front of Lacey’s parents and studied their faces.

Lacey gestured to the new arrival. “Mom and Dad, this is Mrs. Emily Windsor.”

Emily nodded. “I see the resemblance.” She rested her fingers on Lacey’s back. “You two must be proud of this beautiful girl here.”

“Very proud.” Mrs. Anderson smiled. “How do you know our daughter?”

Emily and Lacey looked at each other and laughed.

“That’s a long story, Mom,” Lacey said.

“Suffice it to say”—Emily patted her—“she helps watch over me while I live on board the MS Buckingham.”

“You live here?” Lacey’s mom blinked.

“Sounds heavenly.” Her husband’s eyes closed. “People to cook and clean and entertain you. What a genius idea.”

Emily adjusted the front of her jacket. “I enjoy it. But it’s thanks to people like Lacey—caring, compassionate, hardworking.”

“She got that from me.” Mr. Anderson’s chin rose.

“I’m trying to find someone to take care of her for a change.” Emily pinched the side of Lacey’s sleeve and tugged. “But she’s fighting me.”

“I can take care of myself, Mrs. Windsor.” Lacey brushed off Emily’s fingers.

“Certainly you can.” She nodded. “But that doesn’t mean you have to do it all the time.”

“My thoughts exactly.” Her father gave Emily two thumbs up.

Lacey inched away. “I should get going. There’s a delicate problem on the ship requiring my attention.”

“Is it dangerous?” her mother asked.

“Oh, no.” Lacey took another step back. “Just a sensitive matter which requires special oversight. I’ll see you later.”

She left her parents with Emily, although she knew it was risky. Lacey hoped the little matchmaker behaved herself. But it couldn’t be helped. She had a bathroom vandal to catch.