Love Overboard

Chapter 33

JON GRABBED A HANDFUL OF velvet-soft rose petals and spread them around the polished floor of Cloud Nine, the most exclusive dining venue on the ship. It was an intimate location at the top of everything, far away from the noise and bustle below. Plush red benches lined the circular outdoor deck, and a table for two sat in the center. The staff had created a twinkle-light wonderland complete with a sideboard buffet of the most luxurious dishes in the chef’s repertoire. What would his sensible Lacey’s reaction be? Delight or disdain?

“You shouldn’t have.” Collins’s voice intruded.

Jon sprinkled the remaining petals on the floor. “This isn’t for you.”

“Kinda figured.” He plopped on a cushy bench and rested his arms on its back. “So what’s the big news?”

“I got an email from corporate about thirty minutes ago.” Jon straightened and brushed off his hands. “The authorities found another stash of cocaine on one of our ships—the MS Royal. While it was in the Bermuda port, police arrested a crew member making a deal on the street. They came aboard with the dogs and found more in his cabin locker.”

“What did your bosses say?” Collins leaned forward on his seat.

“They were happy they kept this one out of the news and hope the arrested worker will disclose the whole operation.”

“He probably doesn’t know much. Drug mules do what they’re told for the cash.”

“I’m afraid you’re right.”

“But this arrest might make the smuggling ring switch to a different cruise line, once they realize you’re onto them.”

“Does it sound terrible to say I hope so?” Jon gave a rueful smile. “I want these guys caught, but I also want them far away from Monarch.”

“Perfectly normal.” Collins eyed the fancy spread. “Throwing a little party to celebrate?”

“Not exactly.” Jon grinned. “But I figured one night off wasn’t too much to ask for.”

Lacey admired the bouquet of deep-purple orchids as she climbed the stairs to deliver the flowers to Cloud Nine. Was the couple already there? Lacey hoped she wouldn’t be intruding. She reached the top and knocked on the door before grasping the knob. It swung open, and she stumbled forward. A strong pair of arms caught her.

“Jon!” She sounded too excited even to her own ears.

“Falling for me?” He tugged on a wisp of hair at her ear.

Lacey noted he was out of uniform, wearing a crisp white shirt that stretched across his wide shoulders, along with black trousers and shiny dress shoes. She struggled to remember why she was there. “Oh, the flowers.”

She checked to ensure the orchids weren’t crushed. Fluffing the petals with her fingers, she surveyed Cloud Nine.

Table set. Buffet prepared. Chopin drifting through the sound system. Flawless.

Jon took the bouquet and wandered away.

She did one last spot check. “What time does the couple get here?”

“Right now.” He retrieved a suit coat from the chair, shrugged into it, and held the flowers out to her with both hands. “Happy birthday.”

Lacey paused before accepting the bouquet and looked around. “I’m confused … this is all for us?”

“All for you.” He waved at the dinner table with its expensive china and twenty-four-karat utensils. “I know you’ve had a tough day because of your father, and I decided you deserved better than wilted lettuce.”

Lacey blinked at hyperspeed to keep the tears at bay. She shifted the orchids to the crook of her arm and picked up one of the golden spoons. “Do cruise directors get a discount?” She put it back. “Never mind. Even if you do, it still must cost a fortune. This is too extravagant.”

Jon chuckled. “I admit this isn’t the reaction I was expecting, but I should’ve known. It’s why I love you.”

“What? You … you—”

“Love you?” Jon walked around the table, took the flowers from her, and set them on a chair. He placed his hands behind her back and urged her closer. “I do. Very much. For a very long time. And I plan to keep loving you for even longer. At least a lifetime.”

The frozen barricade guarding her heart melted at his confession. Emotion stopped her throat. She tilted forward until her forehead pressed against his chest.

“I’m sorry,” she whispered.

He stiffened. “Sorry for what?”

She swallowed hard. “I’m sorry for running away back then. For avoiding you when you showed up here. For … for everything.”

“Oh, thank God.” He laughed as he crushed her to himself. “I thought you were rejecting me. Again.”

Lacey sniffled. “Nope. Never again.”

A strong gust of wind invaded their private moment, knocking the orchids from the chair. They hit the floor and tumbled from their wrapping. The petals scattered on the deck.

“Oh no!” Lacey knelt by the fractured arrangement. She gathered the flowers and picked at the slender fallen pieces.

“Leave them.” Jon bent down. “I’ll get you another bouquet.”

“I don’t want another one.” She reached under a chair to snag a petal. “This is the bouquet I was holding when you said you loved me. Nothing can replace that.”

His hands took hold of hers, and she focused on him.

“You’re right. I’ll do it.” He released her and crouched. His fingers gently retrieved the stray petals and dropped them on his open palm. “Why don’t you relax? I’ll get this.”

Lacey straightened and walked to the five-foot-high wall that concealed their hideaway from the decks far below. The ocean glimmered in the early evening, and the fading twilight painted the low-hanging clouds a heavenly array of lavender and coral shades.

Jon moved behind her. He set the rewrapped flowers and petals on the bench seat and folded his arms around her in a back hug, stooping to press the side of his cheek against her own.

She sighed. “It’s obvious why they named this place Cloud Nine.”

His torso vibrated against hers. “Someone told me it used to be called the Crow’s Nest in the beginning.”

“The Crow’s Nest? Like on a pirate ship?”

Jon nodded against her skin. “Monarch created it as a special frill for passengers who wanted a picturesque dinner spot to get down on one knee, but hardly anyone reserved it. The owner couldn’t figure out why no one was taking advantage of the romantic location until his wife called him a fool. She said no woman wanted to be proposed to in a place named after a screechy bird.”

“Sounds like a smart lady.”

“She is. Are you hungry?”

“A little. Funny, I don’t recall hearing that story before.” A frigid breeze hit them, and Lacey wrapped her arms around her middle. “I should’ve brought a jacket.”

Jon released her and opened the top of the padded bench at their side. He withdrew a fleece blanket, closed the lid, and wrapped the material around her—followed by his arms.

“There’s a gourmet feast waiting. Though I wish I could eat it without letting you go.”

She turned in his arms and tilted her chin. “Food is overrated.”

Jon’s eyes twinkled, and he lowered his head. But she leaned back and raised her gaze. “There’s something I should tell you.” The ship’s stack marred the view and blocked the stars with its white plume of smoke.

The arms around her tensed. As she looked at Jon’s face, she saw his smile fading.

“Don’t worry. It’s not about us. Not exactly. It’s about … my family.”

His muscles relaxed. “I expected there was more to the story.”

Lacey bit her lip. “It’s not a pretty one. I’m afraid it doesn’t have a happy ending. But I’m willing to tell you if you want to listen.”

Jon sidestepped with her, never letting their bodies separate, and sank onto the bench, pulling Lacey down with him. He tucked the blanket tight around her. “I’ve got as much time as you need.”

Her heart sprang open at his unconditional acceptance. She took a deep, fortifying breath. “When we had our little talk at the lighthouse, there were embarrassing details I left out.”

Jon’s arms loosened, but he didn’t let her go. Lacey peered up at him. She had his full attention.

“Two and a half years ago, I flew home for a visit and found a foreclosure notice taped to the front door. My dad had taken a second mortgage to finance a ‘surefire’ investment that flopped. I managed to stave off the bank by signing as his guarantor, but I’m still paying for his mistake on the first of every month.” Lacey’s cheeks heated as she spread out her family’s dirty laundry. “You’ve met my father. He’s a sweet, charming, and, I admit it, sincere man … In some ways, you remind me of him.” She pulled away far enough that the evening air chilled the empty space between them. “That’s what terrified me. I was afraid I’d end up babysitting another loser for the rest of my life.”

The hum of the ship’s engines and muted voices from the decks below were the only sounds. She waited for him to protest, but Jon said nothing. He watched her, waiting for anything she wanted to give him.

“You’re not my father.” Lacey bent toward his warmth and placed a hand on his chest. “I know that now. It sounds pathetic to say ‘I’m sorry.’ It’s not enough for being an idiot back then and hurting you. But I am … I am so, so sorry.”

His rapid pulse beat under her fingertips.

“I wish we could’ve had this talk years ago.” Jon brushed at the tear sneaking across her cheek. “We’ve wasted too much time.” His irrepressible smile appeared. “But it’s going to be a whole lot of fun making up for it.”

“That’s it?” She studied his expression. “You don’t want me to grovel?”

He puckered his lips and wrinkled his brow. “Tempting. But that doesn’t sound nearly as enjoyable as my plan.”

Something unwound deep inside of Lacey. She bracketed Jon’s face with her hands and stared at him. Her soul unlocked its last hidden stronghold and opened to the man in front of her, and she reveled in the freedom of meeting his eyes—no more misunderstandings or secrets between them.