3
Hal
Hal refused to worry when Miles never appeared in the lounge for drinks before dinner. Archer and Kane met him soon enough, fresh from the shower and tragically free of any reason for Hal to mock them. They gathered with the other passengers in the lounge at the large viewing windows as the Pearl Star slipped away from the pier and slid toward the flat eastern horizon where evening sky met dark sea.
He also didn’t mock the way Kane braced himself for a few beats, Archer gripping his shoulder until the tension drained out of him. Wolves may be creatures of the land, but he’d been too young to remember his earliest ocean crossings. The travel had always seemed like an inescapable part of life rather than cause for trouble or concern.
Relief did course through him when he spotted Miles already waiting at their table in the dining room, but more because he chatted comfortably with the hotel director instead of sitting stiffly in his seat, trying to disappear into the background. He even took the lead of introducing Ramona to Kane and Archer rather than leaving the formalities to Hal.
“Captain Shaw is still able to join us?“
Hal asked as he settled on Miles’s other side.
“Yes, sir,“
Ramona replied. “I’m sure he’ll be along shortly.”
“Oh, we’re dining in esteemed company?“
Archer said.
If she caught the friendly insult Archer aimed Hal’s way, Ramona gave no indication. “Only for tonight, I’m afraid.”
A broad-shouldered, uniformed figure loomed behind her, and Captain Shaw said, “But I appreciate the invitation.”
After another round of introductions to the captain whose weather-lined visage wouldn’t put him out of place on an antique ship that sailed with the whims of the wind, servers arrived to take drink orders and deliver appetizers to the table. Kane’s keen attention didn’t miss the implications of some of Shaw and Ramona’s comments as they discussed how the embarkation process had gone, and he asked, “This used to be your ship, Captain?”
Shaw shook his head and set his spoon next to his empty soup cup. “Before Lord Delacour here bought them, the Pearl Star was one of three vessels that belonged to RNJ Cruises. I’ve always served aboard her, though, so she’ll always be a little bit mine.”
“RNJ Cruises owners looking to move to bigger and better things is my gain,“
Hal added. “This is our first venture into purely passenger ships, rather than combining passenger crossings with ships designed for luxury cargo.”
“An argument could be made that passengers are the most luxury of cargo,“
Archer said.
As Kane, Miles, and even Ramona nodded in agreement, Hal lifted his wine glass in acceptance. “Fair enough. Your clear dedication to the vessel is one of the reasons I was happy to keep you in your current role, Captain Shaw.””
“From what the other continuing crew have told me, the Pearl Star wouldn’t be same without him,“
Ramona said. “But enough about business. Miles shared with me before dinner that you’ll be getting married once we arrive in Calaitum! Please tell me that you have an excellent proposal story to make up for the fact that this poor man doesn’t even have a ring.”
Miles flushed, clearly unaware that the Ramona planned to raise the topic. Hal captured his hand and kissed the spot above his knuckles where a ring would rest soon enough. “The story is less exciting than you’re imagining. I’m afraid I allowed the poor examples of my two best friends to guide me.”
Archer rolled his eyes. “Sure, blame me. Kane and I mutually agreeing that we might as well get married while drinking coffee in our kitchen is still more romantic than Rob and Zhinu.”
“Rob and Zhinu had a literal business arrangement,“
Kane said. “Anything is more romantic than that. And never fear, Ms. Lemaire, I have their rings in safekeeping.”
Hal could have purchased the most expensive bands available in New Angouleme’s diamond district, but he’d wanted the representations of their bond to carry greater meaning. If Kane’s partner had crafted them rings half as gorgeous as the set he and Archer wore, Hal would consider the money well spent. “I proposed to Miles at my office. He was helping me prepare for a dinner meeting, and I realized that I couldn’t imagine a better life than the one I had at that moment,“
he said. His inner wolf had claimed Miles as his mate from day one. The human side of Hal caught up eventually.
“And there was a ring,“
Miles offered, making no move to reclaim his hand from Hal. “He fashioned one out of a paperclip.” The slip of wire now decorated his cane.
“I’d call that plenty romantic,“
Shaw said. “Congratulations, both of you.”
As Miles thanked the captain, Hal was unable to help himself. He leaned toward Miles, and when his fiancé looked his way, stole a kiss.
Definitely no better life than this.