Chapter 22
Mary peered through the railing of the River Duchess as the ship glided into Saint John Harbor, her heart pounding in anticipation that had nothing to do with the picturesque maritime city spread out before her.
The late afternoon sun painted the water in shades of gold and amber, and the historic buildings lining the waterfront looked like something from a postcard.
But Mary’s attention was focused on the dock, searching for a familiar figure among the people waiting there.
Bert was coming. After months of careful friendship and unspoken feelings, after days of missing him from miles away, he was actually coming.
And not just to provide backup for the situation with Colin and Diane, though that was the official reason.
He was coming because she’d asked him to.
Because she’d admitted she wished he was there, and he’d immediately said yes.
The ship’s docking procedure was smooth and efficient, a well-practiced routine that the crew executed with precision.
Mary watched as the gangway was secured, as crew members positioned themselves to assist passengers disembarking for evening excursions, as the flow of people began moving between ship and shore.
And then she saw him.
Bert stood on the dock with a duffel bag over his shoulder, looking slightly travel-worn but solid and real and exactly what Mary needed to see.
He was dressed in jeans and a dark jacket, his hair slightly windblown, and even from this distance Mary could see the moment his eyes found hers.
The way his expression shifted from alert assessment to something warmer, softer, that made her chest tight.
She rolled down the accessible ramp before she’d consciously decided to move, her wheelchair eating up the distance between them with practiced efficiency. Bert met her halfway, setting down his bag and kneeling so they were at eye level.
“Hey,” he said, his voice rough with exhaustion and emotion and something else Mary couldn’t quite name.
“Hey, yourself.” Mary’s throat felt tight. “You made it.”
“Did you doubt I would?” His smile was genuine, and he reached out to take her hand, his calloused fingers warm and steady.
“Logan called while I was in Toronto. Ship security knows I’m coming aboard, and they’re treating me as a regular passenger who decided to join you.
..” He paused, clearly unsure how to finish that sentence.
Mary made a split-second decision, one that would either be brilliant or completely insane. But her instincts were screaming that this was the right move, both tactically and personally.
“Fiancé,” she said firmly. “You’re my fiancé who surprised me by joining the cruise early.”
Bert’s blue eyes widened slightly as shock and something warm flickered across his face. His shifting expression made Mary’s pulse race.
“That’s right,” he said, his voice taking on a warmth that felt both acted and entirely genuine. “Couldn’t stand being apart from you for two whole weeks. Figured I’d surprise you.”
He stood and moved behind her wheelchair, his hands settling on the handles, a gesture both protective and possessive. Mary felt the warmth of him behind her, close enough that she could smell the clean scent of his soap mixed with a scent that was purely Bert.
“Ready to introduce me to everyone?” Bert asked, leaning down close enough that his breath stirred her hair.
“Ready as I’ll ever be,” Mary replied, her heart racing for reasons that had nothing to do with the investigation.
They moved back up the ramp together, Bert pushing her wheelchair with an ease that didn’t feel as though he was taking over…
just aware of the incline. The crew member checking passengers who were deboarding for evening plans on shore looked at his credentials, verified with security via radio, and waved them through with a smile.
“Welcome aboard the River Duchess, Mr. Tomlinson. Your fiancée has been wonderful company. We’re glad you could join us.”
“Wouldn’t miss it,” Bert said, and the possessive way his hand tightened on Mary’s shoulder made her shiver.
The main lounge was busy with passengers moving about, preparing for dinner on board.
Mary felt multiple pairs of eyes turn their way as she and Bert entered, curiosity evident on familiar faces.
This was a small ship with a tight-knit community of passengers.
The sudden arrival of a new person, especially one claiming to be Mary’s fiancé, was bound to generate interest.
“Mary!” Eleanor called from near the windows, her book forgotten. “Who’s this handsome man?”
Before Mary could respond, Diane and Colin emerged from the elevator.
Diane looked brighter than she had that morning, almost artificially cheerful, as though she was using all her energy to appear happy.
Colin’s expression was pleasant and interested, but Mary caught the flash of calculation in his eyes as he assessed Bert.
“Everyone, this is Bert,” Mary said, injecting warmth and affection into her voice. “Bert Tomlinson, my fiancé. He decided to surprise me by joining the cruise.”
The word fiancé felt both strange and natural on her tongue.
She watched Bert’s reaction carefully, saw the way something shifted in his eyes, the way his hand moved from her shoulder to rest at the back of her neck in a gesture that was unmistakably intimate.
His thumb caressed over her skin, and warmth bloomed wherever he touched.
“Couldn’t stand being away from her,” Bert said, his deep voice carrying clearly. His eyes found Colin and held as he smiled. “Two weeks apart was too long.”
Mary continued to feel heat creep up her neck as Bert’s fingers traced absent patterns on her skin.
This was supposed to be an act, a cover story to explain his presence and provide her with protection without alerting Colin to their suspicions.
But the way Bert was looking at her, the casual possessiveness of his touch, the warmth in his voice when he called her “sweetheart” as they moved through introductions… it didn’t feel like acting.
That both terrified and thrilled her. It would be too easy to mistake the play-acting for the real thing.
“How romantic!” Diane exclaimed, rolling forward with genuine pleasure. “Mary, you didn’t mention you had someone special back home.”
“I like to keep some things private,” Mary said, smiling up at Bert in what she hoped looked like affection rather than the confusion and hope currently warring in her chest. “But yes, Bert is very special.”
“It’s lovely to meet you,” Diane said, extending her hand to Bert. “I’m Diane Sutherland, and this is my nephew Colin. Mary and I have been keeping each other company over the past few days.”
“Bert Tomlinson.” He shook hands with Diane first, his grip firm but careful, then with Colin. Mary watched the two men size each other up, testosterone and suspicion thick in the air despite their pleasant expressions. “Nice to meet you.”
“She’s been wonderful company for my aunt,” Colin said smoothly. His smile was charming, but Mary saw the way his eyes had sharpened, taking in every detail of Bert’s appearance and manner. “Though I’m sure she’s much happier to have you here. How long can you stay?”
“Through the end of the cruise,” Bert replied, his hand moving back to Mary’s shoulder. “I managed to arrange the time off work. Couldn’t let my girl experience all this beauty without me.”
My girl. The words made Mary’s stomach flip. Bert was playing his role perfectly, but there was an intensity in his gaze when he looked at her that went beyond acting.
The next hour was a blur of introductions and explanations.
Passengers came by to meet the new arrival, congratulating them on their engagement with enthusiasm that made Mary’s cheeks burn.
Eleanor wanted to know how they’d met. Thomas and Carolyn offered advice on maintaining romance during long separations.
Another couple shared stories of their own courtship.
She saw a few people stare at her bare ring finger, and she quickly said, “We are going ring shopping together once the trip is over.”
Bert’s gaze dropped to her hand, and he smiled quickly. “I want it to be just right. A ring that’s as special as she is.”
The oohs and aahs sounded out, and Mary breathed a sigh of relief.
She’d had no idea how Bert would pretend to be her fiancé, but he was knocking the act out of the park.
If she wasn’t careful, her heart would start to believe it as well.
Through it all, he kept a hand on her shoulder, called her “sweetheart” with ease, and looked at her with an intensity that made her pulse race.
But they didn’t get a chance to speak privately, to discuss strategy, or coordinate their approach to the Colin situation. The dinner bell chimed, and passengers began filtering into the dining room, a space that managed to feel both intimate and elegant despite the ship’s compact size.
The dining room reflected the River Duchess’s aesthetic.
Warm wood paneling and white linens, soft lighting from brass fixtures that looked like they belonged in a much older era.
Large windows lined one wall, offering views of Saint John Harbor as twilight descended.
The tables were arranged to encourage conversation, and Mary found herself grateful for the ship’s small size.
Fifty passengers meant everyone knew everyone, which would make it easier to keep Colin under observation.
They were seated at a table with Diane and Colin, along with Eleanor, another couple Mary had met briefly, and George, who seemed to be over his illness. Somehow, George managed to sit next to Diane, and Colin was left to sit next to Eleanor.
The server brought menus and explained the evening’s specials while Mary tried to focus on something other than the way Bert’s arm pressed against hers, warm and solid and reassuring.