Page 32 of Hearts Aweigh
T HAT MIGHT GO DOWN AS the worst date of her entire short life.
Abby shuffled along the wide hallway leading to the VIP suites.
The wispy green material of her long sundress had hidden the elastic bandage during her fancy picnic, but the effort was in vain.
Perhaps she should’ve worn sweats to meet Cedric.
The forty-five-minute date had resembled ten rounds with a kung fu master.
She’d block one hand, and another appeared.
Her dress wasn’t the best outfit for childcare, but she was too tired to change.
Abby arrived at the Mastersons’ suite and knocked. The door swung open. Her boss stood on the other side, his jaw jutting at a grumpy angle.
Why? She wasn’t late. The truth was, she’d been grateful for an excuse to leave her date.
“Did you miss me?” She crossed the threshold.
“Madeleine did.” He closed the door and walked to the dining room table covered with papers.
“She’s here?” Abby lifted her gaze to the upper balcony, expecting to see Maddie peeking over the rail. “I thought she was spending time with Daisy.”
Spencer pulled out a chair. “She was tired, and we put her down for a nap. But before she fell asleep, she asked where you were.” He sat and shuffled a stack of papers. “How was your date?”
Abby moaned. “Don’t remind me. The Shippers need to vet their candidates more carefully.”
He stopped shuffling. “Don’t tell me the almighty matchmakers picked a dud.”
“Not a dud. He was just too fond of physical contact.”
“What? Was he acting in an inappropriate manner?”
“ Inappropriate isn’t exactly the right word.
More like overly friendly.” Abby chuckled.
“I haven’t been out with a guy that touchy-feely since high school.
Good thing I still have one good foot.” She sank into a chair opposite him and swung the leg not encased in a bandage.
“I kicked his knee so hard he squealed. And then I told him I’d aim higher if he didn’t watch his hands. ”
The beginning of a smile appeared on Spencer’s face. “Another gutter ball? After this many consecutive bad dates, maybe you should forgo the incompetent games of my mother and her friends.”
“I don’t blame them. People like Cedric have great manners until you get them alone.
There’s no way they could’ve known what a Casanova he is.
I’m sure their next choice will be better.
” She sensed a protest coming and held up her hand.
“Don’t worry. It will probably take them several days to offer a new option.
By then your cruise will be finished, and you won’t have to work your schedule around my love life. ”
Spencer’s forehead knotted. It was true. Soon, they’d say goodbye to Madeleine’s nanny valet. Fewer than three days remained until they docked in Galveston.
Abby stood. “I’ll check on Maddie.”
Her gauzy green dress billowed around her figure as she carefully climbed the stairs.
The color somehow made her red hair even more vibrant.
The curls bounced around her soft cheeks.
Her childlike air projected an innocence completely opposite of the cunning crowd he associated with.
It was a shame he couldn’t fire the seasick Ms. Blanchet and take this enchanting woman home to be Madeleine’s nanny instead.
Enchanting?
Why did he keep applying such unprofessional terms to Ms. O’Brien? Spencer shoved back his chair and stood. After stalking to the kitchen island, he grabbed a bottle of water, twisted off the cap, and drank.
Was it all vacations or specifically cruise ships that caused a person to act so out of character? If he could set aside an hour tomorrow to convince his mother to return to New Orleans, he’d devote the remainder of the voyage to one-on-one time with his daughter.
The sound of Madeleine’s giggle floated from upstairs. Spencer paused with the water bottle halfway to his lips. He hoped she still laughed when Abigail O’Brien was no longer around.