Page 3 of Hearts Aweigh

T HE S HIPPERS STOOD ON THE pier. Semitrucks rumbled in the distance as forklifts unloaded pallets of perishables. The crowd of excited cruisers undulated like an ocean wave, jostling each other in carefree abandon.

A random elbow bumped Emily. She tottered forward, the hard pavement rushing to meet her.

Gerry grabbed her in a death grip. “Careful, now.” She hauled her up and blocked Emily’s smaller frame from the crowd. “Where’s your cane?”

“I don’t need that sissy stick.”

Gerry had honed the art of silent disapproval during her many years as a librarian. Her thin lips pinched. She eyed her friend like she would an overdue book.

Emily shuffled her feet. “I’m fine. Truly.”

“A few months ago, you were in the infirmary with a heart arrhythmia. You should take precautions.”

“I can lean on one of the railings for support.”

“Forget the railings, honey.” Althea slipped a soft hand around Emily’s free arm. “Lean on me. I’m much cushier. We can chat about cute little Abby.”

Daisy raised her perfectly plucked eyebrows. “What do y’all think of our latest candidate?”

Althea shrugged. “I like her.”

“Liking her isn’t the problem,” Emily said. “Can we help her? Our last match required so much effort, we took a break after the wedding.”

“I’d hardly call two weeks a break.” Gerry snorted. “And we all saw you making mental notes. I bet you already have a list of prospects for Abby.”

Emily didn’t bother denying it. The other ladies knew her well. She lived and breathed her mission.

Daisy opened her clutch purse and withdrew an embroidered handkerchief. “It makes it easier if she fills out her own background information and preferences. Saves us hours of legwork. My vote is yes.”

“You normally don’t say much when we choose a client, baby.” Althea looped her other arm around Daisy’s. “What’s different this time?”

Her roommate considered before she answered.

“She’s spunky but with a gentle spirit. Plus”—the short lady looked up at Althea—“I know how it feels to be a buttercup in a world of long-stemmed roses. My late husband loomed over me. I suggest we find her someone height-appropriate so she doesn’t spend the rest of her life with a permanent crick in her neck. ”

“Sounds good to me,” Althea agreed. “I vote yes too.”

Emily bounced on the rubber soles of her orthopedic sandals. “What about you, Gerry?”

“It’s obvious you’re itching to get started.” Gerry dragged the strap of her computer bag over her shoulder. “Let’s quit lollygagging.”

“Mrs. Masterson!” a voice laced with a thick Russian accent beckoned above the clamor.

One of the ship’s spa employees, Magda, weaved through the passengers.

She approached them and extended a black envelope.

Her glittery gold nail art sparkled against the dark, heavy paper.

“Someone asked me to bring this to you.”

Daisy’s brow wrinkled. “Who?”

Magda rested her arm on top of her head and scratched her opposite temple. “I do not know. He is not from the boat.”

She presented the envelope again. Daisy took it with hesitant fingers and surveyed the crowd as if she expected to find the sender. Magda gave a curt nod and left.

“Psssssttt.”

The airy sound drew their attention. A guard with a freckled bald spot on the back of his head sat facing away at the check-in counter. His lazy gaze swung to them. He gestured with a wink. The Shippers brandished their passports and slipped past the line.

“Thanks, Barney.” Emily patted his chubby cheek before heading up the gangplank.

They passed another guard at the ship’s threshold.

Mr. Everson stood with hands on hips, feet spread apart.

He eyed every passenger from behind gunmetal sunglasses.

His honey-brown hair was streaked with gold from hours patrolling the outer decks.

Though he wasn’t more than five foot ten, his black polo shirt stretched across toned muscles, the word SECURITY emblazoned in white letters on the fabric.

“Good morning, Mr. Everson.” Althea waved. “Keep up the good work.”

His chin jerked down.

Daisy whispered, “I’ve yet to see that man smile. He’s quite intimidating.”

“We should find him a wife,” Emily said. “She’d soften those rough edges.”

“Let’s finish the case we’ve got first,” Gerry said. “The girl is hankering to get married. I doubt Abby will take long though. It might not hurt to prep our next client.”

The Shippers entered the enormous vessel they’d chosen as home base.

Opulent marble floor tiles reflected the light from the crown-shaped crystal chandelier hanging overhead.

A winding staircase covered in deep-purple carpet connected the three-storied room.

Balconies revealed art-laden hallways stretching in all directions.

A musician sat at a baby grand piano, and sweet melodies drifted from under the glossy black lid.

“Home sweet home.” Althea spun in a slow circle. “Hey, Daisy. Take a video of me in this dress. I want to show my granddaughter I got her present.”

Daisy tucked the envelope in her pocket, then accepted Althea’s phone. She murmured pose suggestions, and her friend complied. Behind them, a few couples in understated but elegant vacation clothes wandered through the doors.

Emily grasped her purse handles. “The Sovereign Club members are boarding.” She assessed each man walking through the door. “I wonder if any might do for Abby.”

Gerry shook her head. “Cruise ship employees aren’t allowed to date passengers. That could get her thrown off the boat.”

“Like I always say”—Althea unzipped her red, sparkly fanny pack and fished out a piece of candy—“the cruise line can’t dictate who you love. If Abby wants to get married, that’s her prerogative. She can work somewhere else.”

Emily continued to make mental notes of the arriving VIPs, but it was unlikely any of them would be a match for their new client. Not many eligible gentlemen cruised alone.

Gerry sat in a chair and pulled a novel from her bag. “Monarch Cruises knows how to pamper the fancy folks. I wonder how much money big shots pay for the luxury suites and VIP perks.”

“More than I got.” Althea plopped onto a couch. “But thanks to my frequent-traveler miles, I get almost the same perks for free.” She motioned to Daisy and patted the cushion beside her. “Sit down, baby. This will take a while.”

Daisy lowered herself onto the seat and straightened the hem of her pleated black skirt. “I wouldn’t trade the fanciest accommodation in the fleet for the cabin I share with you.”

“Awwwww.” Althea wrapped Daisy’s slight figure in an embrace and jiggled her back and forth. “I love you too.”

Daisy gripped her. “You’re shaking me to pieces.”

Althea stopped jiggling but kept hugging her. “I can’t help it. My best friend is so sweet, I want—well hellooooo, handsome. I haven’t seen a gentleman that fine since we left N’Orlins.”

The other Shippers turned to the entrance as a tall man in a business suit strode through the lobby. He scanned the room and settled on Daisy. His shiny dress shoes clicked against the floor like a soldier in lockstep. She drooped as he neared and stopped in front of the couch.

Emily didn’t care for his calculating gaze. She inserted herself between the stranger and her friends. “Can we help you, young man?”

He ignored her, looking to the shrinking woman seated beside Althea.

“Hello, Daisy.” A polite smile crossed his grim face. “Or should I say Mother?”