Chapter 8
JORDAN
Jordan was on the bridge, running through the day's route on the chartplotter. Clear weather, easy passage south to Big Major Cay. Nothing that required her full attention, which was a problem, because her brain kept filling the spare capacity with things she'd rather not think about.
This was what she was good at. Numbers. Routes. Variables she could control. Last night was not a variable she could control.
The observation isn't one-directional. What had possessed her to say that? She knew exactly when to keep her mouth shut, but five minutes alone with Dani Ellis and she was handing out confessions like party favors.
A knock on the bridge door pulled her out of it.
"Come in."
"Morning, Captain." Lindsay stepped onto the bridge carrying two takeout cups from the galley. "Do you have a moment?"
"Of course." Jordan gestured to the first mate's chair. "Sit down."
Lindsay handed her one of the cups but she wasn't looking at her, which was unusual. Lindsay always looked at her. She was one of the most direct people Jordan had ever worked with—said what she thought, didn't dress it up, didn't wait for permission.
Something was wrong.
Jordan engaged the autopilot and turned her chair to face Lindsay properly.
Her mind was running scenarios. Lindsay was unhappy.
She wanted to leave. She'd had enough of the hours, the cramped quarters, the guests who sent lamb back for tasting like lamb.
Jordan couldn't have good crew burning out mid-season.
Losing Lindsay would be a serious problem.
She was an exceptional chef, and replacing her at this point in the season would be close to impossible.
"Is everything okay?" Jordan asked. "Dani mentioned Sarah's been going completely off-script with the preference sheets, changing the children's meals, altering plans. It must be difficult to manage your prep and get your breaks in on time."
Lindsay waved a hand. "Sarah's a pain, but I've had worse.
" She paused, then exhaled. "And listen, before I get to the real reason I'm here—I am truly sorry about yesterday.
The conversation in the galley. It was unprofessional and I shouldn't have been speculating about you and Dani, especially where anyone could overhear. It won't happen again."
"Thank you. I appreciate that." Jordan cleared her throat, a little uncomfortable at the reminder. "So, what’s on your mind?"
"There's something I need to tell you."
Jordan nodded and waited while Lindsay took a breath.
"You should have received a new charter request by now," she said. "Three nights, next month. For Maddie Raeburn."
The name landed and sat there for a beat while Jordan processed what Lindsay was telling her.
Maddie Raeburn. Their solo guest from a few charters ago—the one who'd booked under her maiden name, the one Jordan had personally signed an extensive NDA for. The world-famous singer widely known as Maddie McDean.
It didn't make sense. How could Lindsay possibly know about that booking? Charter bookings were confidential. High-profile charters were locked down until Jordan briefed the crew, usually the day before departure.
"How do you know about that?" Jordan asked.
Lindsay looked down at her coffee, then up at her. "She told me."
"Who told you?"
"Maddie."
Jordan frowned. "Seriously, Lindsay. Is this some weird joke? Because that's really out of character for you and I'm not in the mood for—"
"It's not a joke." There was a tension in Lindsay's voice that Jordan didn't hear often.
"What I'm about to tell you is in complete confidence.
And I know you're going to be upset with me, so I'm asking you now—please don't fire me.
I've been putting this off because I didn't know how to say it, but if I wait any longer it's going to be really difficult for us to see each other, and I can't—" She stopped herself. "I just can't let that happen."
"Lindsay." Jordan set her coffee down. "Slow down. I really don't understand what you're telling me. Why would I fire you? And who do you need to see?"
"Maddie and I are together," she said. "We have been since the charter. It's long-distance for now, but it's serious. She's booking those three nights so we can spend time together, and I didn't want to sneak around behind your back."
Jordan didn't say anything for a moment. She was trying to fit this information into the version of reality she'd had thirty seconds ago, and it didn't fit. Lindsay. And Maddie McDean. Her chef and one of the most recognizable women on the planet. Together.
"The married, famous Maddie McDean?" Jordan asked, because she had to be sure they were talking about the same person. That this wasn't some other Maddie, some normal Maddie who'd been part of one of their other charters.
"Separated. I'm sure you've seen the news about the court case," Lindsay said quietly.
"The divorce. It's everywhere. And yes—that Maddie.
" She straightened in the chair, squaring up to whatever came next.
"I know the rules. No personal relationships with charter guests.
I knew it when it started and I didn't stop it.
I'm not going to sit here and pretend it was an accident or that it just happened.
I made a choice." She paused. "But I'm telling you now because I respect you and I respect this crew, and you deserved to hear it from me before she boards.
" She sighed. "Please don't fire me," she pleaded again. "I really need this job."
Jordan looked at her. Lindsay Brewin was in love. With a global pop star who was currently in the middle of the most publicized divorce case in the entertainment industry. Jordan had absolutely no idea what to say.
"I'm sorry." Lindsay sipped her coffee, waiting for her to reply.
Jordan took a moment. This needed to be handled carefully, and not just for Lindsay's sake.
"Lindsay, I have to ask you something and I need you to hear it without getting defensive." Jordan chose her words carefully. "Are you certain this is serious? On both sides?"
Lindsay's chin lifted. "Yes."
"Because what I don't want—and I'm sorry to be blunt—is for a charter guest to return and find that a member of my crew has developed expectations based on something that might have been—"
"Captain." Lindsay cut her off, and she was actually laughing.
Not the reaction Jordan had anticipated.
"She's booking a three-night charter on a hundred-and-twenty-foot yacht just to see me.
That's not a casual gesture. Trust me, she's not coming for the snorkeling.
" She reached into her pocket and pulled out her phone. "You can ask her yourself. Right now."
"That won't be necessary." Jordan held up a hand. The thought of making a phone call to Maddie McDean at six in the morning to verify whether she was dating her chef was possibly the most absurd scenario she'd faced in her entire career, and not something her training had prepared her for.
Lindsay put the phone away and watched her, waiting. Jordan could see her bracing for the worst—the formal reprimand, the written warning, or the conversation that ended with pack your knives.
She'd broken protocol. Crew did not get involved with guests, but Jordan couldn't lose Lindsay.
She rubbed the back of her neck. "Here's what's going to happen," she said. "Under normal circumstances, this would be a disciplinary matter. You know that."
"I know."
"But this is so bizarre that I honestly don't know what to do." Jordan paused. "So I'm going to ignore the whole matter."
Lindsay stared at her. "Really?"
"Don't make me say it twice." Jordan picked up her coffee. "But before that booking, you and I need to sit down and figure out how we're going to handle it."
Lindsay let out a breath and smiled. "Thank you, Captain. I mean it. I was so worried you'd—"
"I know."
"—and I couldn't sleep last night thinking about how to—"
"Lindsay. It's fine. Go make breakfast."
She stood, and before Jordan could react, she wrapped her arms around her.
It was fierce and completely against every professional boundary they'd ever maintained, and Jordan didn't know what to do with her hands.
She settled for an awkward pat on Lindsay's shoulder blade that probably looked like she was burping an infant.
Lindsay pulled back, eyes shining, and had the good sense to look slightly embarrassed. "Sorry. I just—thank you."
"Go," Jordan said, gesturing toward the door. "Before I change my mind."
Lindsay grabbed her coffee and disappeared down the stairs.
Jordan's chef was in a secret relationship with a global pop star.
She hadn't even had breakfast and it was already the strangest day of her career.
She drained the rest of her coffee and turned back to the chartplotter.
At least it had taken her mind off Dani for a while.